USA > New York > The Ninth regiment, New York volunteers (Hawkins' zouaves); being a history of the regiment and veteran association from 1860 to 1900 > Part 10
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162 NINTH REGIMENT. NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
ceeded up the river to Winton, carefully shell- ing the adjacent woods and the town. The regiment was landed, and while part of it occu- pied the town, strong detachments were thrown forward on all the roads leading into the country, in search of the enemy. Plenty of evidence was visible that the place had been re- cently occupied by a strong force, and that it was a depot of supplies for the Confederate army. On account of the quantities of military stores found, which it was then impossible to take away, and for other reasons, which are set forth in Colonel Hawkins' report, it was decided to burn the town. This was done, the troops remaining until the fire was well under way and the total destruction of the place was assured, when they retired to the gunboats.
. This affair, which gave warning to the enemy and prevented anything in the nature of a sur- prise taking place, made the pursuance of the bridge-burning project impracticable, and it was abandoned. The story concerning loyalists who Were reported to be so anxious to join the Union forces proved to be a myth. None but enemies were found at Winton. The fleet returned to Roanoke Island and the troops joined the others in preparing for an advance on Newberne, which was decided to be the next point of attack.
163
COLONEL HAWKINS' REPORT.
Colonel Hawkins' official report of this affair is as follows :
STEAMER " VIRGINIA," ROANOKE ISLAND, N. C., Feb. 21, 1862. BRIG .- GENERAL J. G. PARKE:
GENERAL :- In accordance with your orders of the 16th inst., I called upon Commodore Rowan, and made arrangements to embark my regi- ment on board some of the gunboats of his division for the purpose of proceeding up the Blackwater and Nottoway rivers, and destroying the bridges over them of the Roanoke and Seaboard Railroad.
At 12 o'clock M. of the ISth inst., the regiment was embarked and the expedition got under way, and that night anchored off the mouth of the Roanoke river, where it remained until 10 A. M., of the following day, and then commenced its advance up the Chowan river. Nothing of importance occurred till about 3.30 P. M., the flag steamer " Dela- ware" being about one mile ahead of any of the other boats. I was on the cross-trees of the mainmast, where I had been on the lookout for about two hours, and the steamer was within three hundred and fifty yards of the wharf at Winton, when I discovered that the high bank we were rapidly approaching was covered with Confederate soldiers. I immediately gave the alarm, but not in time to change the course of the boat until she had got within one hundred yards of the shore, when we received the fire of seven hundred infantry or more, which continued until we had passed up the river out of range, when we turned about and began shelling the town, the enemy returning the fire with four pieces of field artillery from the shore. In the mean- time the gunboat "Perry" having come within range, opened upon the rebels from below. Soon after the enemy was dislodged and retired, when the "Delaware " returned down the river, receiving four shots when she passed the wharf. The whole fleet came to anchor about seven miles below Winton. A consultation was held and it was then agreed to advance again next morning and burn the town if found occupied by the enemy.
About 11.30 A. M., of the zoth inst., our gunboats arrived at and took their positions, some above, some opposite and others below the town, when the guns commenced firing, giving the place an effective shelling, and in about twenty minutes my regiment landed, accom- panied by three guns under the command of Lieutenant Flusser, of the Commodore Perry. The guns were placed in position so as to command the approaches to the town, and the regiment was drawn up in line awaiting the attack of the enemy. In the meantime parties of observation and scouts were sent out in all directions. It was soon ascertained that the rebels had retreated as soon as our forces came in sight that morning, leaving everything behind excepting armis and
164 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
accoutrements. Six companies of my regiment took possession of the main approach to the town, and I commenced making a personal in- spection of all the buildings. I found that nearly the whole had been taken possession of and occupied by the Confederate troops as quarters and store-houses. I then ordered that every building containing stores for the enemy or used by them as quarters, should be fired, and placed guards in the others to see that they were not disturbed or destroyed.
The property consumed belonging to the Confederate forces, con- sisted of bacon, cornmeal, sugar, powder, mess-pans, camp kettles, haversacks, canteens, etc., the whole worth not less than $10,000.
This, I believe, is the first instance during the war where on our side fire had accompanied the sword. It is to be regretted that such severe measures have to be resorted to; they can only be justified on the grounds
First. Retaliation for trying to decoy us into a trap at the time of firing into the " Delaware." Evidence of this is that a negress, the property of one of the Confederate officers, was sent down to the wharf by her master to beckon us into the landing, when we were all to be slaughtered, or in the words of the negress: " Dey said that dey want gwine to let anybody lib at all, but was gwine to kill ebery one ob 'em." We were to have received no quarter.
Second. The buildings fired had been used by the rebel forces as store-houses and quarters.
From information obtained at Winton, we came to the conclusion that it would be impossible to accomplish the original object and aim of the expedition, so it had to be abandoned.
The forces at Winton, as near as I could ascertain, consisted of six companies of the First Battalion, North Carolina Volunteers, under command of Lieut. Col. William T. Williams, one battery of light artillery, one company of the Southampton Cavalry, and one or two companies of North Carolina Militia; the whole under the charge of Lieutenant-Colonel Willams.
I am happy to inform you that none of our forces were injured. The enemy sustained some considerable loss from the fire of our gunboats on the 19th, but I am not able to state how many were either killed or wounded.
The troops under my command and the officers and sailors of the gunboats behaved exceedingly well, and performed all of the various duties with promptness and alacrity.
I feel greatly indebted to Commodore S. C. Rowan and the lieu- tenants in command of the gauboats, for their attention to the wants and comforts of my regiment, and also for their hearty co-operation in trying to carry out the object of the expedition.
I am most faithfully, your obedient servant,
RUSH C. HAWKINS, Colonel Niuth New York Volunteers.
165
GENERAL BURNSIDE'S REASONS.
Within a few days after the return of the regiment from this expedition the prepara- tions for the move on Newberne were com- pleted and the expedition was ready to proceed. On the morning before it sailed from Roanoke Island, General Burnside sent for Colonel Hawkins, and upon his report- ing at headquarters, said to him : "We leave tomorrow for an attack on Newberne, and this being an important point I desire to leave it in safe hands, and shall place you in command with a sufficient force to defend it in case of an attack. I give you this important command as a mark of my appreciation of the fine con- duct of your regiment." A new brigade of three regiments designated in Orders as the " Fourth" was formed and Colonel Hawkins placed at its head and in command at Roanoke Island. His district comprised all the waters and territory northwest, north and northeast of the southern end of Croaton Sound.
On the 5th of March the brigade disembarked from the transports and the regiments compos- ing it were distributed in various camps on the island, the Ninth being assigned to one formerly occupied by the rebels, and where there were commodious and well arranged barracks which they had erected for their own winter quarters. These barracks were arranged in a column of
166 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
companies and separated from each other by wide company streets, the two companies occu- pying the quarters facing the same street using it in common. The buildings were double, each facing on two company streets, with a partition running lengthwise through each dividing it into rooms for two companies, which were again divided into squad-rooms. These were provided with bunks and fireplaces. They were the best arranged and most comfortable quar- ters the regiment has thus far occupied. The transfer from a camp of mud and rain to these weather-proof and convenient quarters caused each man to feel a sense of exhilaration such as come to those who acquire wealth suddenly. The boys certainly felt that they were living in luxury. In addition to the barracks there were other buildings in the camp sufficient to accom- modate the various regimental departments, including officers' quarters and a hospital. The camp was christened Camp Reno. Company D was assigned to garrison duty at the largest of the captured forts which had formed the Con- federate stronghold. It was named Fort Reno. It had a dock and other landing facilities and soon became the principal ," port of entry " of the island. It was also the principal market for such produce as the natives had to sell. The demand for poultry, eggs, pies, cookies and
167
RESIGNATION OF LIEUT .- COLONEL BETTS.
such articles was quite brisk and the natives were glad to supply them. It also became the place of refuge for runaway slaves, and many a pitiful tale of cruelty and terror was here related. This company having been kept numerically full by the recruits received, and having remained remarkably free from sickness, it frequently marched to dress parade an hundred strong. It called itself the " Left wing of the regiment." The non-coms. of the com- pany claimed the credit for this condition and at times were inclined to be vain glorious in consequence. This, of course, could not be tolerated by the other non-coms. of the regi- ment, and they, therefore, determined to "cut the combs " of the Company D fellows, which they proceeded to do, with more or less success and satisfaction.
Soon after the capture of Roanoke Island Lieutenant-Colonel Betts tendered his resigna- tion and returned to New York, February 14, 1862. He was a thorough soldier and his loss was deeply regretted by the regiment. He was an excellent drill-officer, perfect master of regi- mental and brigade tactics, and it was in a large measure due to his persistent efforts that the Zouaves attained their noted proficiency in drill.
The Newberne expedition sailed on March
168 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
7th, when Colonel Hawkins assumed command of the Fourth Brigade and Post, the command of the regiment devolving on Captain Jardine, who a few days later was promoted to be Major and was presented with a fine set of equipments by his late Company G.
Major Kimball was on leave of absence but returned on the 24th wearing a lieutenant- colonel's uniform, he having received his com- mission to that grade while at home. He was welcomed back with three-times-three rousing cheers, for the boys recognized him as an old comrade, tried and true.
The regiment now settled down to the old routine of drill and parade, guard mount, and fatigue duty, which comprises the military life while in garrison.
To the great delight of the old sergeant of regulars at Newport News who trained him, Corporal Searing, of Company D, had acquired great skill in artillery drill, and he now bent his energies to transmit that skill to the others of his company now stationed at Fort Reno. As a result they soon became quite ex- pert under his instructions.
The monotony of camp and garrison life on the island was frequently broken by incursions into the enemy's country, which were either organized by Colonel Hawkins or ordered by superior authority.
169
EXPEDITION UP THE PASQUOTAUK
On April 7th Companies H and I, under command of Major Jardine, with six companies of the 6th New Hampshire Volunteers, the whole under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Griffin of the 6th New Hampshire, boarded the gunboats and steamed across Albermarle Sound up the Pasquotank river to Elizabeth City, where, landing, they surprised two companies of North Carolina militia, who stampeded without offer- ing any resistance, casting away their weapons and flying in great disorder to the woods. They were rapidly pursued and seventy-three men belonging to the First Brigade, North Carolina Militia, were captured, brought to Camp Reno and guarded by the Ninth.
One of the Zouaves thus refers to them in his diary :
"They were, indeed, a motley set; some had straw hats, others of felt and of nearly every color. Many had gray coats, some black, others brown, and one none at all. The other articles of dress con- formed to the same variety. A little tow- head corporal (the highest rank among them), about fourteen years old, was the only one who could write his name.
"I was Sergeant of the Guard over them, and allowed them to come out to the line that they might see a dress parade worth looking at. They were very much pleased, and said they ' really believed it was of no use fighting against men like those.' "
They all took the oath of allegiance, and were permitted to return to their homes.
It was evident that the enemy were expecting some sort of demonstration toward the rear of Norfolk, by the Union troops as they had
170 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
erected batteries along the line of the canal leading to that place, and had stationed a force at South Mills, some twelve miles distant from Camden.
It was soon shown that the enemy was right in preparing for an attack in that direction, for about the 16th of April Colonel Hawkins was ordered to proceed with his brigade to Eliza- beth City and from there advance against the rebels at South Mills, thereby making a dem- onstration against Norfolk.
Orders were issued for each regiment to be in readiness to move with fifty rounds of cart- ridges, three days' rations, axes and shovels, and on April 18th the brigade, consisting of the 9th and 89th New York, and 6th New Hamp- shire regiments, started on transports for Eliza- beth City.
The following is an extract from General Order No. 12 :
"The duty which this force is called upon to endure being dangerous and difficult, and it having a very long and arduous march to per- form, none but men capable of undergoing the greatest fatigue will be allowed to accompany it. Commanding officers are especially en- joined to see that this part of the order is strictly enforced."
At the time these orders were received and
171
EXPEDITION TO CAMDEN.
the expedition started, Colonel Hawkins had no knowledge that any troops in addition to his own were to take part in it, and he was therefore surprised to meet General Reno with two regiments-21st Massachusetts and 51st Pennsylvania - near the mouth of the river. Reno at once assumed command, and ordered Colonel Hawkins to land his brigade at a place called Shantilly, and immediately proceed with all dispatch to a bridge which crossed the Pas- quotank river, some two miles from South Mills, and to surprise the enemy who was presumed to be stationed there. Reno was to follow as soon as the troops on the other steamers, which were delayed by grounding, could be landed.
Considerable delay was caused by the troops being compelled to use small boats in making a landing. From these the men were obliged to jump when near the shore, and wade through mud and water to reach the bank. It was after 3 o'clock A.M. before the column finally moved.
Here commenced a march which for length and duration was of the most extraordinary nature, and to this day no one seems able to explain why such a roundabout route was chosen. Two plain, direct and level roads led from Elizabeth City to South Mills, the one running east of the Pasquotank river being
172 NINTH REGIMENT. NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
twelve miles, and the one west of the river fifteen miles in length, over a level and inhab- ited country. It remains one of the inex- plicable mysteries why one or the other of these was not taken and followed until South Mills was reached. The advance guard soon after starting encountered the rebel pickets and fired on them, but they being mounted rapidly disappeared to give notice of the approaching column. At daybreak, which ushered in an in- tensely hot day, a short stop was made for rest and to allow the men to eat their rations. Re- suming the march the column moved forward with rapidity, the desire being to reach the ob- jective point and defeat the enemy before he should be reinforced from Norfolk.
As they advanced, the sun rose over the trees like a great red ball of flame, or like an angry spirit mercilessly threatening a scorching day. The marching troops pulverized the dry ground into fine dust so that it covered every man as a garment. As the sun's rays came down more direct the atmosphere became intensely hot and perspiration oozed from every pore. The clouds of dust entered eyes, mouths and nos- trils, filling the air passages, obscuring the vis- ion, and parching the throats of the men until they found it difficult to breathe and all went struggling and gasping along. weighted down
173
A TRYING MARCH-APRIL NINETEENTH.
with their muskets, ammunition and haver- sacks, wondering at what men could endure and live. A halt was made about nine o'clock, but too brief to permit the making of fires for cooking purposes and the men were obliged to eat hurriedly of hard-tack and salt-horse, the latter adding to the crav- ing for water. Again resuming the line of march under constantly increasing difficulties of travel, it gradually dawned upon the men that the main road had been abandoned, as the way now led along byways through fields and plantations. Meanwhile the oppressive heat grew more oppressive, and the tired soldiers grew weaker. Water was very scarce and a consuming thirst added to the pangs already endured. Many sank to the ground overcome by heat or exhaustion, and were left to recover as best they could. The stern command of "Close up ! close up, men !" ever ringing in the cars of the jaded soldiers compelled them to still advance.
Word was passed along the line that this day was the 19th of April, the anniversary of the organization of the regiment and also of the battle of Lexington, and this for a time served to spur the drooping spirits of the wearied troops, by recalling to their memory the patriotic spirit of 76, and for a while they forgot their
174 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
sufferings in the hope that this day might again prove a memorable one in the annals of the nation. About noon when every one was nearly exhausted by the rapid march and the intense heat, a column of troops was seen approaching along a road running at right angles to the one over which the brigade was marching. It proved to be the 21st Massachusetts and 51st Pennsylvania accompanied by General Reno. These troops did not start from the place of landing until after 7 A.M., but, having followed the direct road they had marched less than half - the distance covered by the Fourth brigade. They were greatly surprised that Hawkins' men had not yet found the enemy.
These men were in fairly good condition, while those in Hawkins' column were nearly all ready to drop from fatigue, and from the usual accompaniment of blistered and bloody feet, aggravating chafes and other causes incident to a long forced march by troops so long in camp and on transports, that they were, compara- tively, "soft." A march like this once experi- enced, can never be forgotten by the soldier. After a short rest it was resumed with Reno's brigade and two guns of Company K's battery in advance.
At about one o'clock the enemy was found posted in a strong position on both sides of the
175
OPENING OF THE BATTLE.
road. They opened fire as soon as the head of the Union column came within range.
The batteries, consisting of K's guns and those of the New York Marine Artillery, un- limbered in the road, and a spirited duel ensued, gun answering gun.
The 21st Massachusetts and 51st Pennsyl- vania were sent to the right by General Reno to turn the enemy's left, and when Hawkins' brigade arrived it was ordered forward, with instructions for two regiments to follow, to support the 21st and 51st, while the third, the 6th New Hampshire, supported the batteries. The artillery on both sides meanwhile kept up a steady and rapid fire. The Ninth moved for- ward and after proceeding a short distance turned from the main road and moved to the right through the edge of the woods where it halted, and awaited orders, keeping under cover of the woods out of sight of the enemy's artillery-men.
Lieutenant-Colonel Kimball who commanded the regiment rode out into the open ground in front, in plain view of the enemy, and after a short inspection of the ground and of the situa- tion returned and reported:
"Nothing but solid shot, boys, we don't care for that." But the boys evidently did not agree with the Colonel just then as there
176 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
was some lively dodging when a shot or shell came unpleasantly close to their heads and they felt that there were far more pleasant places to be found than the present one.
At this point Colonel Hawkins personally assumed command of the Zouaves and led them forward in an assault on the enemy's position. We quote from an article of his on this battle, afterward published in the Century Magazine:
" The action had continued for about an hour (chiefly artillery), when I concluded to make an observation in an open cornfield, directly in front of the rebel center. I proceeded to a fence within a hundred yards of the edge of the clearing, heard no firing of infantry, concluded the rebels had been silently outflanked on their Jeft by the 21st Massa- chusetts and 51st Pennsylvania, and thought my regiment might get across the cornfield and capture the battery which still continued the action. I returned and described what I proposed to do, and asked the men if they thought they were equal to the undertaking. Although nearly exhausted by their long march they signified their willingness to try. Arriving at the fence the regiment was formed in line of battle and commenced to move over the field. When within fifty yards of the edge of the clearing the right companies received the concentrated fire of the whole of the enemy's infantry and artillery, and in less than two minutes lost nine killed and fifty-eight wounded."
This movement of the "Ninth" was made independent of the other troops and was en- tirely unsupported. The situation just before it was made was as follows:
All the troops in the command except Battery K and Colonel Howard's Marine Artillery were sheltered from the view of the enemy by the woods. The position of the rebels was on the farther side of a level clearing. The land
177
"INTO THE MOUTH OF HELL."
being perfectly flat and presenting the appear- ance of having been reclaimed from the swamp. It was in the "Dismal Swamp" country. The several fields were separated by deep ditches, apparently for drainage purposes, with rail fences on top of the dykes. The enemy's infantry occupied one of the ditches at the edge of the woods on the farther side of the field, which made an excellent rifle-pit, affording good protection to their men. The farın buildings had been burned, leaving the perfectly level plantation without the slightest protection to, or any spot which could be used as a coign of vantage by, advancing troops, while the ditches were partly filled with burning rails, the smoke from which deceived as to distance. The charging Zouaves naturally expected to find the riflemen where the clouds of smoke were rising. The regiment advanced deliber- ately into this field, marching by the flank, moved "forward into line," and received the order to charge with the bayonet. The enemy did not open their musketry fire until the Zouaves had advanced some distance. When they did open fire a literal rain of grape, shrap- nel and bullets swept the exhausted men before it. They fell like grain before the sickle. The entire loss of the regiment occur- red here in an incredibly short time. Colonel
178 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
Hawkins and Major Jardine were wounded, while Lieutenant-Colonel Kimball had his horse shot from under him, and in his fall was temporarily disabled-he was the only mounted officer present.
At least two of the senior captains were hors de combat, the adjutant killed, and no one for the moment knew who was in com- mand. Even under these desperate conditions the regiment did not give way. The men recoiled for an instant, but responding at once to the commands of the surviving officers, again attempted to advance. The deadly fire of the enemy was steadily maintained without cessa- tion, the artillerists continued to fire low, grapeshot skimming along the surface of the ground like swallows, and plainly visible to the eye. There was no opportunity to inflict any damage on the enemy as they were completely masked by the smoke from the ditches and from their own guns. They exhibited good strategy in utilizing the ditches, for in those where the rails had been consumed the ground was still too hot to be used by the men of the Ninth for shelter, and their exposed posi- tion in the open ground was preferable to roasting, even in "the last ditch."
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