USA > New York > History of the One hundredth regiment of New York state volunteers > Part 7
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Wagons, teams and private horses accompanied the
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expedition. The strength of the brigade at this time was four thousand three hundred and thirty-eight officers and men, and consisted of eight regiments. They were embarked on seven transports. The dark- hulled Belvidiere became our temporary home. The name of that river boat will call to mind close quarters by night and by day. Hold, upper and lower decks, were packed with human beings without place to rest the limbs of the weary soldier. To add to the discom- fort of the men a cold rain drenched the occupants of the upper decks. Arrived at Fortress Monroe at + P. M. Saturday, December 27th. The sun shone warmly, and the men were allowed to go ashore at 9 A. M., Sunday, as the ship was coaling. Previous to leaving Gloucester Point the men were to have two days' rations cooked and in haversacks. With filled haversack, filled knapsack, and overcoat, with gun and accoutrements, the new recruit had yet to learn the weight of military life. The expedition left Fortress Monroe Sunday evening at 6 o'clock. During a storm those below fared best, and when pleasant those on deck were the favored ones. Hatteras was mindful of the frail craft that held us, and those usually agitated waters were mild for December. At 6 P. M., Monday, the guns of Fort Macon smiled upon us, and we rode at anchor off Beaufort. Being too late for a pilot, we waited till morning. Then through the breakers safely, and we ran alongside the dock at 7 A. M., Tuesday. The regi- inent disembarked, marched along the railroad to Morehead City, had coffee, and then continued for three
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
miles to a small place known on the map as Carolina City. It consisted of a small depot and two or three dwellings. Beaufort contained some two thousand in- habitants before the war. and is an unattractive village of cheerless-looking houses and sandy streets. More- head city is the terminus of the Atlantic and North Ca- rolina Railroad, and contained some twenty or thirty frame houses. The day was warm as summer. There had been no frost to injure, and a second crop of toma- toes and sweet potatoes had been realized. Lieut. Col. Otis was in command. Adjt. Haddock was left at Gloucester Point sick with typhoid fever. Lieut. Leopold Evert, of Co. "C," was detailed as adjutant of the regiment. He was a young man of ability, and competent for the trust.
The men had been supplied with shelter tents, a square of canvass with buttons and holes, which, with a fellow soldier, the two united, forms the temporary shelter from the weather. The camp was pitched, the picket line established, retreat and taps beaten, and the regiment was asleep amid a storm of rain, wet and tentless, for many tents had blown away, while the men passed a most unpleasant night. The men com- plained bitterly. They had just left comfortable quarters. Rations were regular and all the means for cooking them. Now, they were to be waited for. They were wet ; their guns were wet and rusty, and in an enemy's country; there seemed to be plenty of reasons why they should entertain the fault-finding spirit. The weather was cool.
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
December 31st, Wednesday, the regiment was mus- tered for pay, and also the several companies were making out their pay rolls.
January 1st, 1863. Two transports were seen in the harbor. Bouge Sound is near. The men roam up and down the beach for boards and lumber of any discription to make their tents comfortable. The peo- ple of this part of North Carolina, if a fair type of the masses, are a sallow tribe of tobacco chewing and snuff dipping creatures. The soil is sandy. Sweet potatoes is the staple of the locality. The country is covered with pine timber. Soon after landing the troops were reorganized. Gen. Naglee and staff ar- rived. Lient. Col. Otis rode around the picket line with Col. Plaisted of the Eleventh Maine.
January 3d. Col. W. W. H. Davis was again placed in command of the brigade, while Gen. Foster placed Gen. Naglee in command of division. Col. Davis' brigade consisted of the Eleventh Maine, Fifty- second and One Hundred and Fourth Pennsylvania, One Hundredth New York, and Independent battalion of New York Volunteers. Lient. Charles E. Wal- bridge, of Co. " HI," was detailed as acting assistant quartermaster on the staff of Col. Davis. Lieut. Edward S. Peek was detailed regimental quarter- master, in place of Lieut. Bishop, detailed as division quartermaster. Battalion and company drills were instituted, and dress parade.
Monday, January 5th. Lient. Col. Otis mustered companies " B" and "G," that had just arrived. Weather clear and mild.
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On Saturday, January 10th, there was a severe storm of rain and a gale of wind. Many officers visited Newbern, Beanfort, and the surrounding coun- try. Lient. Charles Coleman made a fine sketch of Bogue Sound and the camp of the One Hundredth Regiment. It can be seen in the Art Gallery in this city. Lieut. Col. Otis visited Newbern. It is a fine old town, with beautiful trees forming one unbroken shade.
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CHAPTER XVI.
COL. DANDY RESUMED COMMAND. - DRILLS CONTINUED. - TROOPS ORDERED TO EMBARK. - TRANSPORTS IN WAITING. - TENTS STRUCK JANUARY 19TH, 1863. - EMBARKED .- LAY AT ANCHOR TILL JANUARY 29TH .- SAILED SOUTHWARD. - ORDERS OPENED OFF WIL- MINGTON. - DESTINATION PORT ROYAL, SOUTH CARO- LINA. - 'ANCHORED AT PORT ROYAL, BETWEEN FORTS SEWARD AND WELLS .- TROOPS KEPT ON BOARD TRAN- SPORTS FOR SOME DAYS .- WENT ASHORE FOR AIR AND EXERCISE. - FATIGUE PARTY SENT ASHORE TO DIG WELLS AND PREPARE FOR PITCHING CAMP.
Wednesday, January 14th. Col. Dandy resumed command of the regiment. Chas. McBean, who had been regimental clerk was appointed sergeant major. The next day the regiment was reviewed by Col. Dandy.
January 1Sth. Ordered to embark. Tents were struck, and Carolina City, with its cheerless sand and -allow people. its pine woods and sweet potatoes, all were to be left, and the command was to go somewhere.
Regiment struck tents, and at 6 A. M., Monday,
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January 19th, marched to Morehead City, and em- barked on board the new and beautiful steamer Var England. As usual we were under "sealed orders." The men were in good health. Though encamped on the ground at Carolina City, still the sanitary condition of the regiment was as good, if not better, than when we were so comfortably sheltered at Gloucester Point. The troops were escaping the rigors of a Northern win- ter; which, with the mild climate of North Carolina, in contrast, could not but be productive of good and healthful influences. For so large a regiment we were well cared for on the steamer, which had ample and airy accommodations. The weather was cool for North Carolina. We were waiting the embarkation of the rest of the division, all under the command of Gen. Naglee. The commander of each transport has sealed orders which are not to be opened till off Wilmington. The common soldier, and subordinate officer knows nothing till ordered to move. To obey orders is the first and last duty of a soldier. It is this ignorance and uncertainty which depresses and almost kills the intelligent volunteer, who, when at home took in as comprehensively the real state of the country and it- dangers, as his representatives who managed his atfair- at the seat of the Nation. But as a soldier, he is sim- ply to look. after knapsack, haversack, canteen, gun. cartridge box, and whatever appertains to their care and his own personal welfare within the limit perscribed by authority.
From the 19th to the 29th of January the transports,
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loaded with troops, lay under the guns of Fort Macon. Amid storm and gale they rocked their human freight with various effects upon individuals and masses.
Maj. Nash and the Chaplain had gone to Newbern. The Chaplain most assiduously looked after the mail. Whisky, that " little disturber." made a little friction among the officers and men, but to no serious extent, but what was easily suppressed by the authority of the commander.
While at anehor a severe gale was experienced, and a few vessels broke loose, and one caught fire, but the flames were soon extinguished. The men and officers were very impatient. No news ; no letters ; no papers ; nothing but blank uncertainty. The clothing and blankets were aired on the upper deck. The ring- leaders in the whisky difficulty were arrested.
Company inspection was had on deck. The Chap- lain held divine service in the cabin on Sunday, Jan- nary 25th. A few of the officers visited Fort Macon. It fell into the hands of the enemy when the war broke out, but was retaken in the spring of 1862, by Gen. Parkes. It is built of earth, but riveted with masonry, and casemated. It mounts about fifty guns. At this time it was garrisoned by four companies, com- manded by a lieutenant of regular artillery.
It was made known that the mail would be detained at Fortress Monroe till the expedition had reached its destination. However, just before the hour of start- ing. a mail found its way to the ships, to the great joy of all who had been so closely imprisoned for days. 6
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
The expense of transportation of troops was very great. The Cahawba, the flag ship, was estimated to carry fifteen hundred troops, though eleven hundred were all that could be comfortably accommodated. She was chartered by the government for eight hundred dollars per day. Before the troops were put on board she was supplied with thirty thousand rations, fifteen thousand gallons of water, and coal for twenty days. The arrangements for cooking could not be surpassed. Two large copper boilers had been arranged to boil eighty gallons of coffee, or cook five hundred pounds of meat at one time. Everything was cooked by steam, by means of a pipe communicating with the steam boiler.
As far as practicable, the routine of camp was pre- served on board ship. Health demanded that clean- liness be observed daily. The same provisions had been made on other transports in proportion to the number of troops on board.
During Wednesday, January 28th, a severe gale raged all day. The monotonous rockings of the ves- sels caused much seasickness. The fleet put to sea Thursday, January 29th, before the effects of the gale had entirely passed away.
Col. Davis thus describes the appearance of the fleet : " The sailing vessels took the lead, and it was an unusually fine sight to see them hoist their sails. like birds spreading their wings, and glide away over the glittering waters. The steamers followed in the wake of the flag ship. When fairly over the bar I
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
counted thirty vessels in sight deployed in a semi-cirele of several miles extent. When it became dark there was presented one of the most charming sights I have ever witnessed at sea. Each steamer carried at the mast-head a signal lamp, that she might be distin- guished in the darkness ; and the many colored lights thus displayed behind us resembled an illuminated avenue lit up by fairy hands. The motion of the ves- seis, as they were swayed to and fro by the moving waters, added greatly to the picturesqueness of the scene. This watery avenue of variegated lights fol- lowed us through the night, now and then a vessel dropping so far astern that the glimmer of her lamp could hardly be distinguished from the twinkle of the most distant star." When off the mouth of Cape Fear river, on which Wilmington is situated, the secret instructions were opened, and our destination made known for the first time. This was found to be Hilton Head, on Port Royal bay, South Carolina; and that our ultimate destination was Charleston. Much enthusiasm was manifested among the men, but sub- requent experience proved that Charleston was a very hard nut to crack, and few of those composing the expedition were fortunate to be in at the death. At Carolina City we had become familiar with shelter tents and mother earth. The rains and chilling winds of a Southern winter were a sad experience to us, so recently from the more comfortable quarters of civil life. That Southern campaign is a large part of our military history as a regiment. There, as everywhere, it was an insatiable desire of the soldier, ever to know
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the next objective point, the details of the next order. This was proof of the superior intelligence of our army. Its elements were sovereigns, with capacities to judge of movements and predicate results. During the passage to Port Royal many officers and men were very siek, and subsequent events proved that we were to be kept some time longer on shipboard.
Passing Charleston bar heavy firing was heard, which proved to be an attack upon the blockading fleet. We dropped anchor in the harbor of Port Royal, on the morning of the 31st of January.
Monday, February 2d. The regiment went ashore to give free play to their cramped and stiffened limbs. . The vessel during their absence was thoroughly cleansed. Transports, with troops, arrived daily. The regiment embarked again to await orders. We moved farther up the bay. Port Royal harbor is well named; it is truly a royal harbor, with a breadth of space and depth of water sufficient for the navies of the world.
February 6th. The weather is cool, rainy and dis- agreeable, though there are prospects of going on shore. The monitor Passaic is anchored near, and creates much wonder among the veteran seamen of the wooden navy. Lieut. Col. Otis, field officer, in charge. IIe made rounds of the ship. It was dull and monotonous on board the vessel, and the officers and men were longing for active duty.
Sunday, February Sth. A fatigue party was sent ashore to dig wells. Divine service was held by the Chaplain in the afternoon.
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CHAPTER XVII.
GEN. NAGLEE'S LETTER AND GENERAL ORDER TO THE BOARD OF TRADE OF THE CITY OF RUFFALO. - THE NAMES THE GENERAL RECOMMENDED TO BE PLACED UPON THEIR FLAGS. - HIS REHEARSAL OF THEIR SER- VICES. - ILIS FINAL CHEERING WORDS FOR THEIR FU- TURE WELFARE. - THE REGIMENT ASHORE AT ST. HELENA, S. C. - PITCHING CAMP, DIGGING WELLS AND WASHING. - SOME DIFFICULTY WITH THE NEGROES .- CABINS BURNED. - THE WORK OF A FEW RESTLESS SPIRITS.
Up the Peninsula, into the death at "Fair Oaks," on the retreat to Harrison's Landing. and Gloucester Point, thence to pitchy, tarry, turpentine North Carolina ; and more, to within hailing distance of the very center of the origin of the rebellion, the city of Charleston ; the One Hundredth Regiment seems des- tined to play a part in the coming struggle of recover- ing Sumter and humbling the chivalry of the Pal- metto State.
Previous to leaving Newbern, North Carolina, Gen. Naglee addressed to the Board of Trade of Buffalo the following note and General Orders No. 3:
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HEADQUARTERS NAGLEE'S DIVISION, ) NEWBERN, N. C., Jan. 13, 1863.
GENTLEMEN : - I take great pleasure in enclosing the within order, by which you will perceive that the One Hundredth Regi- ment New York Volunteers, well worthy of your kind care and patronage, have honored themselves, and have honored you and the great State to which they belong.
'Very respectfully,
HENRY M. NAGLEE, B. G.
TO THE HON. THE BOARD OF TRADE OF BUFFALO, N. Y.
HEADQUARTERS NAGLEE'S DIVISION, NEWBERN, N. C., Jan. 8th., 1863.
(GENERAL ORDERS No. 3.)
The several regiments of the late First Brigade, commanded by Gen. Naglee, will inscribe upon their banners the following names, indicating important events in the history of the war, in which they acted a conspicuous part. The following named places will show the service of the One Hundredth New York: Lee's Mills, April, 1862. Williamsburg, May 5th, 1862. Reconnoissance to Seven Pines, May 24th, 25th and 26th, 1862. Seven Pines or Fair Oaks, May 31st, 1862. Railroad and Bottom's Bridges, June 27th and 28th, 1862. White Oak Swamp Bridge, June 30th, 1502. Carter's Hill, July 20, 1862. Gloucester, Virginia, Dec. 14th, 1802. Yorktown, August 17th to Dec. 31st, 1862.
The General lately commanding the brigade most happily takes this occasion to congratulate the officers and soldiers with whom he has been so intimately associated. Whilst memory lasts, it will continually recur to the scenes of deprivation and danger, and blood and battle through which you have passed, and you will re- member your inexperience and discontent, and then your disci- pline and happy affiliatiou.
All will remember with regret the deadly effects of the swamps before Yorktown. You were the first in the advance upon Williamsburg, and when ordered by Gen. Mcclellan to support Gen. Hancock, the enemy gave up the contest.
On the 19th of May, at Bottom's bridge, you waded waist deep in the swamps of the Chickahominy, you drove away the enemy and were the first to cross that stream. On the 24th, 25th and 20th,
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
after other troops had failed, you made the gallant dashing recon- noissance of the Seven Pines, driving the superior force of Gen. Stewart from Bottom's bridge to within four and a half miles of Richmond, the position nearest that city ever occupied by our troops. On the 31st of May at Fair Oaks, or Seven Pines, occupy- ing the above advanced position, your brigade made the most des- perate, bloody, obstinate fight of the war, and while we mourn the loss of one half of our comrades in war, you have the consolation of knowing that, by their heroic sacrifice, and your stubborn re- sistance, you saved the Army of the Potomac from great disaster .
On the 27th, 28th and 20th of June, the rebel Gen. Jackson, hurled his immense force suddenly upon our right and passed that thank of the army, and all turned with extreme solicitude toward the rear at Bottom's bridge, which, if crossed, would result in irre- trievable ruin; and it should be a source of great pride and satis- faction in the future to remember that all this intense anxiety was dispelled, and all breathed with relief, and felt secure, when it rapidly ran through the army that Naglee's brigade has destroyed the bridges, and stood night and day for three days in the middle of the Chickahominy, successfully and continually resisting bis passage. Again, on the following day you held a post of the greatest importance and danger, at the White Oak Swamp. The most determined efforts of the enemy to cross the bridge in pursuit of our army were thwarted by our artillery, and you stood for ten hours supporting it, quiet spectators of the most terrific cannonade, while other regiments were only kept in place by being ordered back when they approached your line. Retreating all night you stood ready in position on the following day expecting to be ordered to take part in the battle at Malvern Hills.
Retreating again all night at Carter's Hill on the 2d of July, you stood by the artillery and wagon train, and when all expected it would be destroyed, you brought it safely to Harrison's Landing.
During December you destroyed a dozen large salt works in Mathews county, Virginia, and drove the Rangers from that and Gloucester, Middlesex, and King and Queen's counties, captured large herds of cattle intended for the rebel army, and destroyed all t'wir barracks, stables and stores.
At Yorktown, from August to the enel of December, you have restored the works at that place and Gloucester Point, and they are by your labor rendered strong and defensible.
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
Thus is yours the honor of having been the first to pass, and the last to leave the Chickahominy, and while you led the advance from this memorable place to near Richmond, you were last in the retreating column, when after seven days' constant fighting it reached a place of security and rest at Harrison's Landing.
Your descendants for generations will boast of your gallant con- duct, and when all are laid in the dust, history will still proclaim the glorious deeds performed by you. Go in! "The Truth is mighty, and will prevail." Pretenders for a time may rob you of your just deserts, but, as you have experienced, their evil report will certainly be exposed, for your many friends at home, ever watchful and identified with your reputation, will see that justice shall be done.
A new page in your history is about to be written ; let it be still more brilliant than that already known. Your past good conduct has won the warmest esteem and contidence of your late brigade commander ; he has no apprehensions of the future.
By command of
BRIG .- GEN. HENRY M. NAGLEE, Commanding Division.
GEORGE H. JOHNSTON. Capt. and A. A. G.
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This patriotic order created much just enthusiasm among the troops that composed Gen. Naglee's bri- gade during those perilous scenes enumerated in the succession in which they transpired. Gen. Naglee was loved by his men for his courage, his loyalty and his trusty reliability, ever present in times of danger, he has been proudly styled " a thunderbolt in battle."
To return and take up the loosened thread of the One Hundredth Regiment, it was ordered to disembark from the New England, February 10th, 1969. Four companies had been sent ashore the day before to pre- pare camp, dig wells and wash their clothes. By 12 M.
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the regiment was all ashore. The weather was of a June character, days warm, nights damp and cool. Encamped in a cornfield, a low and unpleasant spot.
During the following day the men were busily en- gaged in washing their clothes along the small streams near the camp. It was a great relief after so long confinement on ship, to walk farther than a vessel's length, and not feel that monotonous rocking of wave by storm. It was while the regiment was encamped in this place that the unimportant difficulty arose with a few negroes residing in shanties, or cabins, near by. Restless spirits from the regiments about were prowling around for chickens, pigs, or anything that would savor of adventure, when by accident the cabins were lighted and consumed; and reporters filled Northern papers with tales of mutiny and in- subordination, all of which were without substantial foundation.
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One Hundredth N. Y. S. Volunteers.
CHAPTER XVIII.
CAMP ON ST. HELENA REMOVED ONE AND A HALF MILES. - CAMP PITCHED, CLEARED AND REGULARLY LAID OUT. - THE ISLAND OF ST. HELENA. - ABSENCE OF STONES. - LOCALITY OF CAMP. - ARRIVAL OF MAIL .- ITS INFLUENCES UPON THE MEN. - DRILLS, INSPEC- TIONS AND REVIEWS. - GEN. NAGLEE REVIEWS TWO BRIGADES. - GOOD RATIONS, BEEF AND BREAD. - DIFFICULTY BETWEEN GENS. FOSTER, NAGLEE AND HUNTER. - STRIFE SETTLED BY ADJT. GEN. THOMAS .- GEN. NAGLEE ORDERED NORTH TO REPORT TO THE WAR OFFICE. - ILIS FAREWELLS.
Friday, February 13th. The regiment was ordered to remove its camp one and a half miles north. The day was warm, and to us, who at this season of the year had been accustomed to the storms of snow, and chills of frosty winter at the North, it seemed, at least, a novelty and an innovation upon the expectations of our organisms. But for out-door living it was not ob- jectionable, but on the contrary very agrecable. The camp was laid out in regular order. The small under- brush soon disappeared, and not only the camp, front
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and rear, but places for dress parade, and also for daily drills, were cleared, leveled and ready for the use of the regiment in a very few days. Rations that had been scarce were now abundant.
A singularity was apparent in the absence of stone. There was none to be found on the island. We were encamped on the island of St. Helena, which is sixteen miles in length and from one to three miles in width. The soil is of a light, sandy nature, but of marvellous richness. A large portion of the island was covered with pine timber. It was divided into about eighty plantations, averaging some three hundred acres each, when the war began, but the owners fled and left them in possession of the negroes. It is said that the land will yield as high as three hundred pounds of cotton per acre, which brought over two dollars per pound during the war.
The location of the camp of the One Hundredth, as well as the camps of the rest of the brigade, was healthy and pleasant and close to the shore of the wide spread- ing bay. Water was obtained by sinking barrels in the sand, which, often one above the other, formed a regular tube to prevent the sand from falling into them. The surface water thus leached through the light soil afforded fair water for drinking and other purposes.
Labor on camp continued steadily till wells were Ang. company streets policed, and bunks raised from the sand by means of poles from the adjoining wood. The usual military regularity was soon manifested in the successive orders which Col. Dandy issued
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