USA > New York > Perry's saints; or, The fighting parson's regiment in the war of the rebellion > Part 3
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12
The passage to Port Royal, S. C., which proved our objective point, was a very trying one. The breeze, which at the time of our departure was blowing freshly from the storm quarter, soon stiffened into a gale, such as is seldom encountered even on our dangerous coast, and which threatened the destruction of the fleet. The very admirable order in which we started, with the transports in three columns, covered and protected on either side by the gunboats, was soon broken up, and many of the smaller vessels, which were unfitted for sea ser- vice, soon found themselves separated from the fleet, which became completely scattered and in the utmost danger. Some put back to Hamp-
.
52
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[November,
ton Roads ; one, the Governor, went down, after being relieved for the most part of its crew and the marines who had charge of its freight, and several went ashore and were destroyed by the rebels. During the storm the sealed in- structions which had been given to each cap- tain for such an emergency, were opened, and when it abated, the vessels that had weathered the gale quickly gathered at the point desig- nated in the orders.
The discomforts of that voyage, no one can realize who has not been similarly situated. The sea-sickness was trying, but was as nothing compared with the discomfort arising from the close confinement in the fetid atmosphere of the ship, with no means of relaxation and no way of escape. It was a terrible experience. Owing to the great numbers crowded into the vessel, bunks were built all around and in the immediate vicinity of the boiler, and to these the men were very closely confined, until the effluvia from their reeking bodies -for, in the intense heat, all clothing was dispensed with - added to the stench of the filthy vessel, and the" irritating annoyance of the vermin with which
53
PERRY'S SAINTS.
1861.]
SCALE OF MILES
5
15
GUN BOATS
PORT ROYALIFERRY
COMBAHEE R.
ASHEPOO
A
RACCOON
GUN BOATS
TROOPS LANDED
KEAMSNECK
TYHM
R.
PORT
ROSAW
OTTER
EMBARCATIONS OF NATIONAL TROOPS
MORGAN
FORTY ST HELENA
ROYAL
1.
MORGAN A.
SOUND
EGO BANK
I.
SMITH S
.
HELENA
UNTING
HORSE
PARIS I.
ST
FRIPP'S
A
1.
PRITCHARDS 1.
E
CAPER'S
C
BLUFFTON
BEAUREGARD
FT
WALKER
C
BARRITARIA
HEAD
BULL'S
anDos
ILTON
N
DAUFUSKIE
CALIBOGUE
{BATTERY
MAP OF A
SAVANNAH ENTRANCE FORT PULASKI
MURTELLO o TOWER
BIG TYBEE
SINCKNEY
.
PORT ROYAL ENTRANCE
PHILLIP'S
N
D
W
EAUFOR
COLLE STON R.
1.
LEMON
BROAD
BEAUFORTASE
LADY'S
COOSAW
FENWICKS
HALL
GLEDISTO
DATHAW
I.
RIVER
0
I.
PORTION OF "SEA ISLANDS," SHOWING PORT ROYAL."
55
PERRY'S SAINTS.
1861.]
the steamer was infested, made a fitting counter- part of pandemonium, in point of suffering. Some relief was gained by the transfer, at Hampton Roads, of two companies, with a por- tion of the freight, to the steamer Matanzas, and a small detail, under Lieutenant Dunbar, to the steamer Belvidere, but it was only slight.
Our grand old colonel, in the height of the storm, securing himself to the mast, spent many hours apparently enjoying the magnificent ex- hibition of power. Nothing disturbed his equa- nimity, and his watchful care of those com- mitted to him was never remitted.
November 4 we arrived off Port Royal bar. Under the supervision of an officer of the Coast Survey, soundings were made, and buoys planted along the channel. That night a few vessels crossed the bar, and in the morning the whole squadron moved in, headed by the flag- ship Wabash. While the soundings were being made, the Confederate Mosquito fleet, under Commodore Tatnall, opened quite a spirited fire, but without effect. And as all the move- ments of the various vessels were plainly visible from the transports, which were well out of
56
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[November,
range of the guns, we enjoyed the advantage of witnessing the proceedings, without sharing either the responsibility or danger. On the 6th, the weather was unfavorable, and the attack on
PARIS'I.
RI
SHIP CHANNEL TO BEAUFORT __
ST HELENA
1.
LANDSEND
TATNALL'S FLOTILLA
PHILLIP'S 1.
GUNBOATS
FTBEAUREGARD
INLET
OUTWORK
UCHARDS
WABASH
4
POINT
DRAYTON'S
OE ATTACK
HILTON I 2
POPE'S
002
-
FORT WALKER
7
HEAD
HILTON
HEAD
TRANSPORTS
AT ANCHOR
PLAN OF THE BATTLE AT PORT ROYAL HARBOR.
Forts Walker and Beauregard, which defended the harbor on either side, was deferred until the 7th. On that morning the gunboats moved farther in, headed by the Wabash, and the at-
----
--
LINE
0
GUNBOATR
WABASH
BEAUFORT
57
PERRY'S SAINTS.
1861.]
tack on the two forts commenced about 10 A. M. The more effectually to escape the fire of the forts, the gunboats moved continually in a circle, each delivering its broadside as it ap- proached the forts. First, the Wabash poured in its heavy shot and shell upon Fort Beau- regard, at Bay Point, as long as its guns bore upon it, and wearing round, opened on Fort .Walker, at Hilton Head, while the gunboats, following in order, kept up the cannonade with- out cessation. This continued until between 2 and 3 o'clock P. M., when the forts sur- rendered.
Although anchored nearly five miles away, we could follow the direction of many of the shot and shell, especially the latter, and observe their effect. A little after noon, the Mercury, a small gunboat, got on the southerly side of Fort Walker, so near that its guns could not be sufficiently depressed to bear upon her, and from that point was able not only to shell the troops outside of the fort, who were held in reserve, but to throw in so effective an enfilading fire upon the fort itself that its guns could not be served. It was a stroke of impudence which seemed so
58
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[November,
ludicrous on account of the apparent insig- nificance of the little craft that the troops on the transports shouted themselves hoarse in ad- miration of this seeming act of bravado, which, however, proved an important feature of the attack. As soon as the fire from Fort Walker ceased, and it was ap- parent that at least a part of its garrison, with the other forces on the island, was re- treating, a flag of truce FORT WALKER. was sent ashore to ar- range the terms of surrender. But it was too late for any conference, as none but the dead and wounded remained, and the Stars and Stripes soon waved the announcement that the first step in the avenging of Fort Sumter had been consummated.
Not a man in the command but felt the signif- icance of that victory. Charleston was nearer now than it had been before, and, in the minds of many, it seemed but a little thing to cover the intervening distance with victorious troops.
59
PERRY'S SAINTS.
1861.]
The flight of the Confederates was precipitate, and they left behind everything that would cumber a rapid retreat. Fort Beauregard had suffered less from the bombardment than Fort Walker, but the fall of the latter hastened its evacuation, and on the following morning no opposition was offered to its occupation by our forces.
FORT BEAUREGARD.
One fact in this attack is worthy of special mention. General Drayton commanded the Confederate forces on Hilton Head, and the home of the family was located on a prominent point near the shore, overlooking the bay, while his brother, Captain Drayton, commanded the gunboat Pocahontas, which participated in the bombardment. Some time afterwards, in com- pany with other officers, I visited the Monitor, which he then commanded, and his grave and
60
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[November,
saddened demeanor told of the sacrifice he had made in his loyalty to the government.
I know that patriotism is a word with some considered stale and obsolete. Such know little of the temper of the brave men who composed our army and navy during that terrible struggle.
DRAYTON'S MANSION.
For while few were called upon to make such sacrifices as Captain Drayton, the number of those who went to war for hire only was but a small detachment of that great army. And the arguments, even of those unlettered men who formed so large a part of the rank and file, as I have often heard them stated, though clothed in rude and homely language, had in them a
61
PERRY'S SAINTS.
1861.]
degree of intelligence, and were so charged with honesty and sincerity, so backed by courage and fidelity on many a gory field, that it were shame to say the stream of patriotism has run dry. It has not now, and never will, while men have manhood left, honor to defend, homes to protect, good laws and a righteous government to transmit.
November 9 we were all ready to land, having been provided with two days' cooked rations, but for lack of transportation we were detained on board the steamer until Sunday morning, the 10th. The night previous was spent in securing boats and attaching them to our steamer, so that on Sunday morning, as soon as the word was re- ceived, we pulled for the shore with a will. At this time, the harbor presented a most animated appearance. The transports were crowded to- gether near the shore, all busy in discharging freight. Boats of all sizes and descriptions were passing to and fro, and horses and other animals were being hoisted from the holds by means of broad bands which encircled them, swung over the sides of the vessels, and gently dumped into the water, to find their way to land as they
62
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[November,
could, while men stood by ready to secure them on the shore. Occasionally the poor distracted brutes, confused by the unwonted sounds, and half drowned by their sudden and unexpected immersion, turned seaward, but were soon brought back.
It was a beautiful Sabbath morning, but with little to remind us of the sacred character of the
*
POPE'S HOUSE AT HILTON HEAD.
day. After landing, we marched a little way from the beach and remained until about noon, when our camp was located, not far from gen- eral headquarters, and we proceeded to prepare the ground for our tents, and establish guards and pickets. Two nights were spent without shelter, on account of the difficulty and delay in landing baggage. After this we settled down to regular work. From ten to twelve each day we had battalion drill, in which the
1861.]
PERRY'S SAINTS.
63
LIVE OAK GROVE AT PORT ROYAL.
-
65
PERRY'S SAINTS.
1861.]
colonel was very exacting, requiring the officers to know their duties, and holding them respon- sible for the condition and drill of their com- panies. Company drill was from two to four in the afternoon, and dress parade in the evening, often followed by more battalion drill. Details were made for fatigue duty in building en- trenchments, an extensive line of earthworks ยท was thrown up as a precautionary measure, and frequently nearly the whole regiment was pick- ing, shovelling, or felling trees to furnish ma- terial for the works. There was no idle time, except when a day on picket or other guard duty secured the following as a day of rest.
Having been detailed as officer of the guard the first day in camp, the following day I was permitted by the colonel to accompany a small party bound on a tour of observation. During the day we wandered far away from camp, to the other side of the island, and the afternoon found us on the borders of a large plantation, which proved to be that of a Mr. Seabrook. Approaching the place, we mistook the white- washed huts of the negroes for tents, and re- mained a long time in doubt whether to advance
66
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[November,
or retreat, feeling quite certain that it was a Confederate encampment that we saw. While debating what course to pursue, a stray contra- band relieved our apprehensions by informing us that our troops occupied the place. We found on our arrival a detachment of the 45th Pennsylvania, posted there to keep watch for Confederates and prevent foraging. That night we spent in Mr. Seabrook's store, after using the portion of the afternoon that remained to us after our arrival in endeavors to secure some of the cattle, pigs, and poultry, which seemed to be wanting an owner, to which the guard, usually lenient on such points, raised few ob- jections. These came mostly from the quad- rupeds and bipeds themselves, and were so strenuous that the result of our efforts was a meagre show of two or three lean pigs, an oc- casional hen, and an ancient goose, which suc- cumbed to my own personal prowess.
On our way back to camp, the next day, we narrowly escaped arrest, as General Viele had issued an order that all parties coming in from foraging should be deprived of what they had collected and sent to his headquarters un-
1861.]
PERRY'S SAINTS.
67
NEGRO QUARTERS.
69
PERRY'S SAINTS.
1861.]
der arrest. My poor goose suffered the fate of the pigs and hens, and no doubt rested heavily on the stomachs of the pickets, if not on their consciences. We were glad to escape with the loss of our plunder.
Supplies were abundant, the negroes bringing to camp whatever the plantations produced, and although General Viele issued an order . that everything should be taken to his head- quarters, where a general market would be held every morning, no attention was paid to it, and as far as we ever heard, no general market was established.
About a week after the capture of Hilton Head, I was detailed to take command of the Grand Guard, whose headquarters were at Drayton's plantation. The negroes had gen- erally remained here, as well as at the other places within the range of our command, and were encouraged to cultivate the plantations abandoned by their masters. This was impor- tant, as the famous Sea Islands formed a part of the territory captured by our forces, and con- siderable of the cotton remained unpicked, while nothing had been done towards the harvesting
70
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[November,
of corn, potatoes, and many other products of the soil. Some of the negroes here were owned by Captain Drayton, who had left them in the care of his brother, and no doubt some of the shot from his guns had fallen among his own people. The evidences of the cannon- ading were manifest all about, and the negroes, when questioned as to its effects upon them, declared that at first they didn't mind the firing, but "when them rotten shot began to spatter about them, they jes' ran for de woods."
The regiment soon became proficient in drill, in spite of the frequent details for fatigue duty, and was regarded as one of the best, if not the very best, in the Department.
November 24 we had a general inspection and review, by Generals Sherman and Viele, in which the brigade marched first in quick, and then in double-quick time, around a circle of some two miles in extent, according to the jour- nal of Conklin, to which reference has before been made. We can all testify that it seemed much longer, with the sand sometimes almost ankle-deep. General Viele perhaps thought us
71
PERRY'S SAINTS.
1861.]
amply paid for 'the exertion, when he declared that we marched as well as regulars, and were equal to any regiment in the service.
Day followed day with about the same round of duties. We had already become fairly ac- customed to tent life, our food supply was ample and good, and the paymaster furnished the means of providing ourselves with comforts and luxuries according to our several positions, or, rather, the amount of pay received. Besides the regimental sutler, who was prepared to fur- nish anything, from Golden Seal to toothpicks, for a consideration, shops of all kinds sprang up with amazing rapidity, as soon as it became known that this would be a permanent basis of operations, and usually only a short time elapsed after the visit of the paymaster, before his next appearance was looked for with eagerness, even by the sutler, who cultivated a disposition for extravagance, by giving credit to such as seemed likely to regard the obligation. Occa- sionally, when, too grasping, he became exor- bitant in his prices, or in the rate of interest charged for accommodation loans - for too often the offices of banker and sutler were
72
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[November.
combined -a sudden raid would equalize the account.
At this time, measles and smallpox prevailed to some extent, and from the former several deaths occurred, while the latter was limited to a few cases by the isolation of those attacked.
Thanksgiving and Christmas passed with no observance on the part of the non-commissioned officers and privates, except perhaps a more general application to pick and spade. On Thanksgiving Day, the officers, many of whom had been suitably remembered by friends at home, united their private stores with such good things as could be collected in the vicin- ity, and indulged themselves in unusual lux- uries, forgetting for the time their surroundings, and giving themselves up to the full enjoyment of the day, so far as their duties permitted.
CHAPTER V.
Expedition to Port Royal Ferry. Progress up Broad River. Colonel Perry acting brigadier-general. The rebel yell heard for the first time. The regiment's first baptism of fire. The old horse. Night on the field. Return to Hilton Head. Object of the expedition. Presentation of flag to the regiment. Off for Dawfuskie. South- ern homes. Preparatory work by Major Beard and others. Build- ing batteries on Jones and Bird Islands. Mud and malaria. Recon- noissances and midnight wanderings.
THE closing day of the year brought rumors of a contemplated movement. The scene of operations, and their extent, were only subjects for conjecture. Early on the last day of the year, we received notice to be in readiness to march with a number of days' cooked rations, and about noon of that day started for the dock. The expedition was under the command of General Stephens, and two regiments were taken from our brigade,-the 47th and our own,-in addition to those of his regular com- mand. By the middle of the afternoon we were on board of the steam transport Delaware, and on our way up Broad River towards Beau-
73
74
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[January,
fort, where we anchored for the night. In the early morning, we started for Port Royal Ferry, against which point we learned that the expe- dition was directed. Several gunboats accom- panied us, under the command of Captain Rod- gers. Our progress up the river was slow and cautious, until we arrived opposite the planta- tion of Mr. Adams, where we disembarked.
We were much interested, while on the steamer, in watching that portion of our troops already landed, as they could be distinctly seen, pursuing their winding way through the woods and over the fields, their bayonets glistening in the sunlight. Sometimes they went at slow step, at others in quick or double-quick time. Sometimes they fired, and charged the Con- federates whom they encountered, while the gun- boats covered them to guard against attack by superior forces, all the time shelling the woods in front of them as they advanced. As soon as landed, we formed in line and moved forward, the two regiments -the 47th New York and our own - under the command of Colonel Perry. Acting as reserves, the duty assigned us was to intercept the Confederate retreat. Very soon,
75
PERRY'S SAINTS.
1862.]
however, orders were received to attack the battery which was found to cover the road over which we were expected to advance, and the 47th was moved through the woods on the right to attack it in flank, while the 48th was to charge in front. Some delay occurred in establishing the position of the 47th, and ar. ranging so that the attack might be simul- taneous. Well do I remember the rebel yell, heard for the first time as I was returning from conveying orders from our colonel to the 47th. Accompanied by the discharge of cannon and musketry, it seemed, to my unaccustomed ears, as if the inhabitants of pandemonium had been let loose, and as I rounded the last point of woods which shut out from view the scene of operations, I expected nothing less than a hand- to-hand conflict. Instead, I found the regiment lying quietly down between the furrows of a cornfield, over which the Confederate shot skipped harmlessly. In this way the men were protected while awaiting the final order to charge. This was found unnecessary, for the yell of the Confederates proved only the parting word given while in the act of abandoning the
76
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[January,
battery, which was speedily occupied by our troops. The guns were removed, and the works destroyed, and we continued our advance towards Port Royal Ferry, where the enemy was known to be strongly entrenched.
At this time two horses had been captured and placed at the disposal of the colonel and his aid, to which position I had been appointed. I have no recollections of the colonel's, but my horse soon gave evidence of manifold infirmities. Three times we rolled over together on that cotton-field, before it was discovered that, with his other weaknesses, he was stone blind, when he was left to tempt some other officer, and I returned to nature's conveyance, sadder and sorer for the experience. That night we lay down on the field, but gained little rest, as the Confederates were known to be in force in the vicinity, and an attack was looked for. The next morning we embarked for Hilton Head, the objects of the expedition having been ac- complished, in the destruction of the Con- federate works, which were being constructed for the purpose of preventing any forward movement on our part in that direction, and
77
PERRY'S SAINTS.
1862.]
confining us closely within the territory already captured. This was only one of the points which the Confederates proposed to fortify, which were intended not only as a restraint upon any forward movement by us, but also as bases of aggressive operations against us.
January 12 the regiment was presented, through Adjutant Goodell, with a beautiful flag from the ladies of Hanson Place Methodist- Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, of which Colonel Perry had been pastor. That flag has waved over many battle-fields, and is a witness that the 48th never faltered in the discharge of any duty. It is now in the custody of the Long Island Historical Society, having been com- mitted to its charge, with suitable ceremonies, on the evening of April 21, 1881.
January 25, 1862, we broke camp, and marched to Seabrook's Landing, on our way to Dawfuskie, an island bordering on the Savan- nah River, some four or five miles above Fort Pulaski. That night we spent at Seabrook's, and on the next morning embarked on the steamer Winfield Scott, and proceeded to a place on Dawfuskie called Hay's Point, where
78
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[January,
five companies disembarked, and at 9 P. M., under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Bar- ton, started for the other side of the island. Three hours of wearisome marching brought us to Dunn's plantation on the bank of the river. Pickets were established, and sentries posted, and we got what sleep we could. The next day was occupied largely in procuring supplies of food, as everything of that nature had been left on the Winfield Scott. Detachments were sent out in all directions to secure the cattle, pigs and poultry abandoned by their owners on the approach of our troops, and to collect what- ever else could be found that was edible. The men were quartered in the houses and sheds, while the officers occupied the family mansion. In the afternoon we learned that the Winfield Scott had been wrecked on Long Pine Island, where the other wing of the regiment remained until taken off by the steamer Mayflower, which conveyed them, with the regimental bag- gage and supplies, to Cooper's Landing, on Dawfuskie. At this point they remained until February 1, when they joined us, and a per- manent camp was established near the borders
79
PERRY'S SAINTS.
1862.]
of the woods, a little way back from the river.
During the interval there was little of severe duty, and all were allowed the largest liberty consistent with proper discipline. Frequent excursions were made to different points on the island, especially to the beautiful residences along the shore. Of these, the most attractive were Munger's and Stoddard's, the former a short distance below us, the latter some miles away, and occupying a commanding position, overlooking the sound. Both gave evidence of large wealth and cultivated tastes, in the char- acter of the houses and beauty of their sur- roundings, and as we wandered through the shaded avenues, and among the shrubs and flowers, in gardens where roses and japonicas grew in tropical luxuriance, where the air was full of sweet odors, and the eye confused with the multitude and variety of brilliant colors, and remembered that these abodes of happiness and beauty had been abandoned to pillage and destruction, and that wherever our armies pen- etrated, homes would be broken up, and in the place of comfort would come suffering, and in
80
PERRY'S SAINTS.
[January,
the place of beauty, desolation, we cursed the madness of those who had brought such mis- eries on the land.
While we were enjoy- ing this short season of comparative idleness, ac- tive and aggressive ope- rations were going on all about us. Expeditions were planned, obstruc- tions removed from the creeks and rivers where openings were desired, and midnight scouting parties penetrated the surrounding country in OBSTRUCTIONS IN SAVANNAH RIVER. all directions, even to the very. walls of Pul- aski. In all of these, Major Beard, of our reg- iment, took a leading part, and did most effi- cient service. As we sat around the fire one evening at Dunn's, he sud- .
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.