USA > New York > History of the one hundred and twenty-eighth regiment : New York volunteers (U.S. infantry) ; in the late civil war > Part 2
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
these posts in " My Maryland, " when every man wished to gorge himself with luscious melons and peaches. The effect was magical on these greenhorns. The lips puckered so that no bad exclama- tions could escape until the giver was out of sight. When the men could draw their mouths straight they broke out into a laugh at being sold by a Southerner.
Soon larger "A" tents were provided for the Regiment, which were tastefully arranged in company streets. The camp was delight- fully situated, the ground gently sloping towards the railroad, while still further down the hill stood an old mill by which flowed a large stream of clear water. This last was the Regiment's bath-tub and very freely used.
DRILLING.
Much time was spent in drilling, in reviews, and in dress- parades, until we began to feel quite proud of ourselves, except on the days when Lieutenant Colonel Smith would scold us or put us through extra movements, because we did not come up to his standard of proficiency.
The Chaplain, Rev. John Parker, who had been pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in Hudson, carried on regular Sunday services, and often held prayer meetings on week evenings. On September 25th he received a large chapel tent from friends in the North, and at once erected this for his services. Over four hundred of the men of the 12Sth were said to be members of the various home churches.
With excellent quarters, and becoming hardened by exercise. the Regiment might now be said to be organized and in training for active work.
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AND TWENTY - EIGHTH REGIMENT.
SECTION II. FIRST CAMPAIGN EXPERIENCES.
Nothing of special importance transpired until the 11th of October, when the rebel General Stewart made his famous raid into Pennsylvania and greatly frightened all the people of that State. Orders were now received for the 128th to take two days rations and be ready to move. We left camp at 10:30 A. M. and marched to the depot of the Pennsylvania Central Railroad, and then lay in the streets all night. At seven o'clock the next morning we took cars for Gettysburg. Several other regiments formed a part of the expedi- tion, the whole under the direction of Major General. John E. Wool, who was in command of the Army Corps at Baltimore and other stations. A general and hearty welcome was given us along the way by the people of the various villages, which was expressed in their generous gifts of fruit, apple-butter, and eatables of all kinds. This expression was especially abundant at Hanover, where we made quite a lengthy stop. We reached Gettysburg in the evening of the 13th, and remained in the cars during the night. About ten o'clock of the 14th, the grand entree was made into the town, and quite hastily, as it was reported that the enemy was advancing. We took possession of the public square. The bakers supplied us, while lying in the streets, with hot molasses " Bolivars " at low prices. The new rush of visitors did not cause the price of board and provisions to go up. Pickets were posted on all roads leading to the village. The Confederate calvary were reported to be within two miles of the place when we took possession. The citizens were greatly excited. Teamsters came within our lines with heated horses showing the great haste with which they had driven and their fear of being overtaken. Their haste had exaggerated the progress of the enemy. On learn- ing of our arrival General Stewart took the gentle hint and fell back across the Potomac.
HANOVER JUNCTION.
We left Gettysburg about 10 A. M. of the 15th, to return to Baltimore. Near Hanover Junction a railroad bridge had been broken a brief time before, by the passage of a train of coal cars, in consequence of which our train was delayed. The apple orchards near by suffered somewhat. Men and women in the homes where attempts were made to purchase provisions, were alarmed to find so
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
many blue coats in their midst, and perhaps not knowing enough about the soldier's garb to make the distinction, and frightened by the rumors of the advancing rebels, fled upon our approach. On this trip, the 128th received the praise of being the best behaved Regiment which had passed over this road. We reached "Camp Millington " near evening on the 17th. The 38th Massachusetts, supposing we did not intend to return to our camp, had carried off our flag-pole. Learning of their mistake, they soon returned it to its former position. We found the 150th New York Volunteer Infantry, which was raised in Dutchess County soon after our own Regiment was completed, and under the command of Colonel Ketcham, had arrived during our absence and encamped near our grounds. Hear- ing of our long fast they generously brought of their cooked rations and supplied our immediate wants. A strong bond of fellowship was formed between the two Regiments never to be broken.
Again the 128th turned to the usual camp and picket duties, with much daily drilling. This was the only place where any large amount of drilling was done, yet the Regiment was regarded as one of the best drilled in the service. We did not hesitate to compete with any other in the field on reviews and parades before Generals and Reviewing Officers.
CAMP MILLINGTON.
On the 5th of November orders were received to leave "Camp Millington." The 128th, with three companies of the 14th New York Infantry, were conveyed by steamboats to the United States Transport Arago, upon which we embarked. This made over 1300 men on board. For sleeping, we were tightly packed into bunks erected in tiers, three in height, throughout the various lower decks of the vessel, with very narrow passage ways, and dimly lighted with oil lamps. A severe gale, and a snow storm which covered the shores with several inches of snow, made us, for the time being. thankful that we had escaped the forbidding looking camp, and that we were housed in warmer quarters. It was too cold for comfort on the deck of the vessel and we fled to the dinily lighted regions below.
FORTRESS MONROE.
The storm prevented our departure until the 9th, when we set sail at S A. M. for Fortress Monroe. We arrived off this Union Strong Hold on the morning of the roth. During the forenoon of this same day, there was towed near us the famous little Monitor
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AND TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
which had won the signal victory over the rebel ironclad Merrimac. The British steamer Trent, which had became famous in the Mason and Slidel capture, lay near our vessel.
September 12th, at 7 A. M., found us weighing anchor, when we proceeded up Hampton Roads near Newport News and lay off between the wrecks of the Cumberland and the Congress, which had been destroyed in the hotly contested naval battle of these waters a short time before. Many small trophies, such as spikes, pieces of sails and flags, were gathered by the men from these desolate hulls during our stay in this vicinity. About nine o'clock of this first morning, three companies were taken ashore at Newport News for drill. This became almost a daily habit while lying off this place, in order to give exercise to the men and keep them in drill practice. The work was cheerfully undertaken by all as an opportunity was also given to secure fresh James River oysters and a variety of luxuries from people who lived in the village: Our first government pay came at this place on the 19th On the 23d, the Arago returned to her anchorage off Fortress Monroe. The 27th, being Thanks- giving, according to the proclamation of President Lincoln, the troops were taken ashore to attend religious services. Some time was allowed the men to roam about the Fortress and the immediate vicinity, to wonder at the strength of the great fortifications and to imagine themselves crawling within the monster Lincoln Gun.
A squad of men were sent out on the 29th to erect tents and arrange a camp for the thirteen companies on the Hampton Plains, near Mill Creek, a mile or more from the Fort. The next day the Regiment, with the detachment of the 114th, disembarked and took possession of the new camp. We should have enjoyed remaining here for some days as it was a region full of historic interest. The contending armies of the North and the South had swept away the most of the buildings by their fires. Hampton was largely in ruins. The wrecks of war were in every direction. This camping out proved to be but a brief recreation as on the 2d of December all were ordered back on the vessel. This return was but in time for a forward movement. Orders had come to sail.
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IHISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
SECTION III.
BANKS' EXPEDITION.
It was now learned that we were to form a part of the re- enforcements to the Department of the Gulf. The control of the Mississippi River was realized from the first of the war to be of vast importance by the leaders in the Union and in the Confederate Armies. Both Scott and McClellan, as Generals in command, con- templated movements for its possession. New Orleans was the first city in size and importance within the seceded States. In February, 1862, General Benjamin F. Butler was placed in command of an expedition to proceed up the Mississippi River and open a passage through to the North. The Department of the Gulf was created, over which he was placed in command. The two forts at the entrance of the river, St. Philip and Jackson, were attacked by Admiral Farragut and his fleet on the 18th of April. Running by these places and leaving them to be subdued by the remainder of the forces, Farragut proceeded up the river, made short work of the breastworks at Chalmette, and anchored off New Orleans. He held the town at his mercy. The forts surrendered on the 28th. General Butler took military possession of New Orleans on the ist of May. The outlying defenses on both banks of the river and on the lakes were abandoned by the rebel forces. Pushing on up the river, Baton Rouge, the capital, was occupied on the 12th. Natches sur- rendered on the same day to Commander S. Phillip Lee, of the Oncida, the advance of Farragut's fleet. On the ISth of May, the Oncida and her consorts arrived off Vicksburg, when the authorities in command of that place were summoned to surrender. This they refused to do. Vicksburg was being strongly fortified. The guns of the navy could not be elevated sufficiently to affect the place, the force was too small to undertake an attack, nor was the whole army of the Gulf sufficiently strong to defend it, if captured. The North- ern column with which Butler and Farragut were to co-operate, had ceased to exist. After a brief reconnoissance on the 24th and 25th, Farragut and Williams decided to abandon the attempt as impracti- cable. Several gun-boats were left to blockade the river.
11
AND TWENTY- EIGHTH REGIMENT.
FIRST EFFORTS IN LOUISIANIA.
Acting upon the peremptory orders from Washington, a second - attempt was made to take Vicksburg. Farragut made a successful run past the batteries of this strong hold on the 28th of June, with seven of his boats. The Confederates had more strongly fortified and garrisoned the place. The arrival of the rebel ram Arkansas showed Farragut the uselessness of further attempts. By another successful run down the river, he brought his fleet below the place of danger and gave up the attack. The troops under General Williams landed at Baton Rouge. The Confederates, under General Brecken- ridge, now thought it wise to take the initiative and try to regain possession of the river. An attack was made upon Baton Rouge on the 5th of August, which was repulsed, though with considerable loss on our side, among whom was General Williams. The enemy, after a few days, retreated to Port Hudson and began to fortify that place, as being one of the strongest points on the Mississippi. On the 20th Baton Rouge was evacuated, our troops retreating to the "Parapets," a line of defenses which had been planned by the rebels for the protection of New Orleans against an attack from the North.
During October, a brigade under the command of Brig .- General Godfrey Weitzel, with the assistance of several small gun-boats, swept through the La Fourche country, driving out the enemy and partially holding the ground.
BUTLER IN LOUISIANIA.
The climate and the hardships had greatly reduced the forces in this department, with no accessions from the North. When General Butler's strength was the greatest, it probably did not exceed 13,000 effective men. General Butler, with the consent of the War Depart- ment, raised and equipped, in the neighborhood of New Orleans, two regiments of colored men, the first in the war, and officered them with white officers. These were the ist and 2d Louisiana Regiments.
A dispute arose between Generals Butler and Weitzel over this matter, the latter refusing to have the colored troops in his command. General Butler's forces were barely sufficient for the defense of the territory committed to his care, and by no means equal to offensive operations. All his appeals to the War Department had failed to bring re-enforcement. About the middle of November, he received encouragement that some help would be sent. . Evidently the Govern- ment was not satisfied with the work in the Department of the Gulf any more than in the other parts of the military field.
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
At the close of the campaign of 1862, a change in nearly all the commanders of the Union Army was made, and new plans were proposed. A combined attempt of two strong columns, one from the North and the other from the South, was now determined upon for the opening of the Mississippi. General Grant was to retain the command of the Northern army and operate against Vicksburg.
BANKS TAKING COMMAND.
On the 31st of October Major General Nathaniel P. Banks was sent to New York and Boston for the purpose of collecting a force for the Southern column. On the 8th of November Banks was assigned by the President to the command of the Department of the Gulf. General Banks had formerly been in command in the Shenan- doah Valley and wounded at Cedar Mountain. After this he was placed in charge of the Department of Washington. Here he had displayed his ability in producing greater order and security. In the closing days of October, President Lincoln sent for General Banks and said to him : " You have let me sleep in peace for the first time since I came here. I want you to go to Louisiana and do the same thing there." This, however, was an undertaking of vastly greater proportions and under more unfavorable circumstances.
On the 9th of November, orders were given Banks to take the troops under General William Hemsley Emory, already assembling in transports at Fortress Monroe and proceed at once to New Orleans. An additional force of ten thousand men was promised from Boston and New York as soon as possible. This promise was never fulfilled, though Banks remained for some time in New York to look after the collection and transportation of this additional force. The re-enforcements for this department included thirty-nine regi- ments of infantry, six batteries of artillery, and one battalion of cavalry. Of the infantry twenty-one regiments were composed of officers and men enlisted to serve for nine months. A part of the troops were embarked at New York. As each vessel was loaded, she was sent to sea with sealed orders to report at Ship Island and there await further instructions.
ON THE OCEAN.
On the 4th of December, in company with the steamers Baltic, Atlantic, Ericsson and five or six smaller screw vessels, the Arago. on which was the 128th and three companies of the 4th N. Y. S. Vols. set sail from Fortress Monroe. All were under the convoy of
13
AND TWENTY- EIGHTH REGIMENT.
the man-of-war Augusta, Commander E. G. Parrott, with similar orders and for the same place. The day was clear and delightful with quite a strong breeze. The wind increased after getting out the bay to a severe storm and raged fiercely all night. It was necessary to shut down the hatches, and for most of the night to put the men in close confinement within the sleeping quarters. The fleet of vessels was considerably scattered, one, transporting the 156th N. Y. S. Vols. being wrecked upon a reef. December 5th proved a rough day with the wind, rain and heavy swells.
But our trouble was not wholly with wind and weather. Old Neptune could not destroy the appetites and desires of so many hungry men. For several days the rations were not satisfactory. The pork was too lively when issued and the potatoes not well cooked. On the 7th a rush was made for the pork barrels sitting on the deck and under guard. The guards, equipped with only side arms, were easily shoved aside, and the pork hurled about the deck. The disci- pline of the vessel was involved until Lieut .- Col. Smith made his appearance on the quarter-deck and addressed the men. Always having confidence in the Colonel's interest and care for the temporal comfort and welfare of his men, they were ready to listen to his words. He promised them more attention in regard to the rations in the future. This was the only time in the history of the 128th when the men had occasion to unitedly make a demand for better attention on the part of their regimental officers in regard to food. Though often afterward on limited rations, and after being in straits, it was readily seen that it was not the fault of their officers and cheerfully endured.
ENTERING THE MISSISSIPPI.
After nine days of what was regarded very stormy passage, on the 13th of Dec., we arrived off Ship Island, and cast anchor. A wquad from Company "C" bore the body of one of their number, Joseph Dewint, to the shore and buried it in a hill of sand, in the Soldier's Cemetery, said to contain 500 of General Butler's command. They returned only in time to gain the vessel, which had already weighed anchor to proceed on her way. The brevity of our stay was due to the fact that the Arago was almost the last to reach that point of the voyage, and nearly all the fleet which had been at anchor in the early morning of that day, when the flag-ship the North Star arrived, had been ordered to go forward. The larger vesseis the Atiantic, Baltic and Ericsson being unable to cross the bar, were
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
obliged to lie at anchor at Ship Island until they could be lightened. About 8 A. M. of the 14th, we entered the South West Pass of the Mississippi River. The sight was a grand one as the steamers in line. led by the North Star, proceeded up the river with streamers and flags flying, bands playing, and the decks crowded with blue coats. Everything was new to Northern men and created the greatest interest. At 12:45 we were between Forts Jackson and St. Phillip, and were recalling the heroism of Farragut and his brave men during the six days and nights of bombarding these places, and of the more hazardous run under the fire of the guns in the preceding April, by which the mouth of the river had been opened to our forces.
QUARANTINE.
About I P. M. we reached the Quarantine Station, seventy-two miles below New Orleans. It was a pleasant sight to us who had been so long shut up on this steamer, to see the orange orchards on the river banks, and to have the fruit brought in abundance to our vessel. At dusk of this same day, our sick were carried ashore to the hospital. Having a few cases of measles and one of supposed smallpox on board, it was necessary to detain all at quarantine. The long confinement and little exercise had seriously effected the health of most of the men. On November 17th, Acting Hospital Steward Latin had died. On the 19th Assistant Surgeon Dr. Van Vleck, fol- lowed. Upto the 27th of November four deaths were reported. While at sea, Lieutenant Francis A Sterling, of company "D," died. One of company " B" was buried at sea, and one of company "C" on Ship Island.
On the evening of the 16th we were landed and given quarters in the large brick quarantine building, which we occupied until the 5th day of January, 1863. A few tents for the officers were pitched in front of the building. The cook-houses or places were arranged along the river bank. Stretching away for many miles to the rear was a vast cane-brake. With a high levee in front and along the water, and a wild waste on the other three sides, the place was decidedly dreary and desolate looking, except as we could get a glimpse of the green orange trees on the opposite shore. There was much discouragement among the men because of sickness. On the 22d nearly two hundred of the 128th were reported sick. The officers did much to rouse to new hopes and enthusiasm. In a Christmas talk to the men, Colonel Cowles told us "that the reason for his coming here was, in part, to imitate the example
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15
AND TWENTY . EIGHTH REGIMENT.
of the Saviour ; to lay down his life, if need be, in the cause of right." Chaplain Parker and Dr. Andrus would come through ,the quarters singing hymns and speaking words of cheer. Even these men could not throw off all the despondent influence. On the evening of January 4th, the Chaplain said that seven new graves had been made at Quarantine and another man was very low. The ground about the building was not suitable for drilling and very little was attempted. Greater liberty was, therefore, allowed the men that they might exercise. We roamed along the banks of the river seek- ing oranges from the groves, oysters from the bayous, hunting wild fowl and alligators in the marsh, and trying our success at fishing. Catfish ranging from fifty to one hundred pounds were taken from the river, while alligators of immense proportions asserted their claims to the region and were not easily dispossessed even with rifle balls.
BANKS IN COMMAND.
The other vessels of our expedition had been more fortunate and were allowed to pass on up the river on the day of entering the Mississippi. The purpose of the fleet had been kept so secretly that "probably not more than three or four officers, if so many, " says Colonel Richard B. Irwin, the Assistant Adjutant General of the Nineteenth Army Corps, " of all the force really knew its destination. Nor was it until the two generals met at New Orleans that Butler learned that Banks was to relieve him. On the 15th of December Banks took the command of the Department of the Gulf, although the formal orders were not issued till the 17th. "
He was ordered to go up the Mississippi and open the river in co-operation with McClernand's expedition against Vicksburg. "As the ranking general of the Southwest " Halleck's orders proceeded, "you are authorized to assume control of any military forces from the upper Mississippi which may come within your command. The line of the division between your department and that of Major- General Grant is, therefore, left undecided for the present, and you will exercise superior authority as far north as you may ascend the river. The President regards the opening of the Mississippi river as the first and most important of all our military and naval operations, and it is hoped that you will not lose a moment in accomp- I:shing it." -- History of the Nineteenth Army Corps, page 60.
Incomplete as were the plans for suppressing the Rebellion in the minds of those in authority at this early date of the war, it is
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HISTORY OF THE ONE HUNDRED
evident that an undefined system was being attempted to work on the outskirts of the territory and compel the concentration of the Confederate forces, and that the first line of severance must be along the Mississippi. It is equally evident that Banks was the most prominent officer among those in the service to do this essential work.
17
AND TWENTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT.
1
SECTION IV.
MOVING UP THE RIVER.
CHALMETTE.
On the evening of January 5th, 1863, we embarked on the steamer Laurel Hill and proceeded up the river to Camp Chalmette, about three miles below the City of New Orleans. Here we pitched our tents just within and north of the line of breastworks. We were now on the historic grounds of the battle of January 8th, 1815, which was fought by the American forces under General Jackson and the British troops commanded by General Packenham. With much interest we traced the line of earth-works which were said to be the same in line as defended by Jackson, though the earlier works had been largely made of cotton bales. We examined the Live Oak trees under which Packenham died, and in which are embedded some of the cannon-balls of that engagement. We climbed the unfinished and decaying square tower, erected as a monument to the memory of the brave Americans who defended their homes, but which now seemed a fit emblem of the decaying patriotism of the citizens of Louisiana. On the Anniversary day, January 8th, we extemporized a celebration of the American victory, which consisted of songs being sung, poems recited and various feld amusements.
This low, level camp, with its deep ditches, was far from being a healthy place, especially as we had much rainy and cold weather. Camp guard-duty was often performed by standing on slight knolls to keep from being over shoe in water. Relieving guards had an amusing as well as unpleasant side. For the corporal of a relief to plnnge in a hidden ditch over his waist, was a signal for the remain- der of the line to take warning and try to leap the chasm, which was not always successfully done. Brig .- General Neal Dow, in attempting to make his horse leap one of these water-ways, found himself landed at the bottom of the ditch and needed some help to extricate himself and his horse.
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