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 14
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It is needless to say that the "Niggardier " . was looked upon by the negroes under his das a big man. He, to them, was the visible representation and embodiment of au- thority. He fed and clothed them, praised and punished.
It is related that at a time when there was to be a general inspection of the camp by Colonel Hawkins, who was in command of the post, a number of the negroes happened to be present when he arrived to perform that duty.
232 VINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
The full dress uniform for commissioned offi- cers of the regiment was modeled after the French fashion, and, like the French officers, the rank was designated by various convolutions of gold lace on the sleeve, extending from the wrist to the elbow. Now the Colonel being a remark- ably fine looking man, even without any extre ornamentation, was simply gorgeous in his handsome uniform, with gold laced red cap and six bands of lace on his sleeves and would have attracted attention anywhere and from anybody. .
One of the darkies, a newcomer, upon catching sight of the Colonel, seized his nearest neighbor, a veteran of the camp, by the arm and stam- mered in an awe-struck voice: "Who, who dat ar man wid all dat gold on his sleebe?" The other, who knew who the Colonel was, replied very consequentially: "Dat de gin'ral ob all dese yer Zourabs. Dat de highest up man on de Island." That statement appeared to un- settle, in a measure, some former ideas of rank and power apparently held by the recruit, for he inquired timidly: "Am dat ar gin'ral ob de Zourabs a bigger man dan Massa Thompson?" The other turned on him with scorn and con- tempt in both voice and manner, and by way of reply asked: " Who feed you nigger? Whar you git yo' blankets from ? Who git yo' de
.
233
UPHOLDING THE DIGNITY OF RANK.
money for yo' wo'k ? Does dis yer gin'ral of de Zourabs gib it to yo', or does Massa Thompson gib it to yo'? Go 'way nigga yo' mak me tired." Of course the other negro slunk away, no doubt feeling that he had been properly rebuked for permitting himself to doubt for a moment that Massa Thompson was the " biggest " man on the Island.
A certain class of officers in the service during the war (which may be said to be also true of certain others yet in the army), found considera- ble difficulty in maintaining a degree of dignity satisfactory to themselves without using all the accessories possible, the most noticeable being the constant attendance of an orderly, both in season and out of season. Thompson, who held the rank of Niggardier-General, not to be outdone by his fellow officers of high rank, felt called upon to do the same. It was suspected, however, that there was a little sly humor in this and that probably he had in mind Burns' lines
"Oh! wad some power the giftie gie us To see oursel's as ithers see us," etc.
But be that as it may, he was followed on all occasions of ceremony and when visiting head- quarters for orders, or on ordinary duty, by his orderly. This individual was a diminutive negro about seven or eight years old, and small for that
234 VITH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
age. The sergeant had him fitted out with a- complete Zouave uniform, fez included, and had trained him to follow at a distance of two or three paces, and to conform to every move- ment of his chief like a bugler to his command- ing officer on drill or in action. It was a source of great amusement to the men to see the per- formances of the little darkey orderly. When Thompson moved the orderly moved, and when Thompson stopped the orderly halted like a well-trained soldier. If it became neces- sary to stop to converse with acquaintances, to report to a superior officer, or for 'any other purpose, the first thing the sergeant did was to turn quickly and look sternly at the orderly, who would cast a quick upward glance at him exactly like that of a trained dog. Thompson would say sharply: "Salute the gentlemen! What do I keep you for?" when the little fellow would execute the military salute with a pre- cision and dignity equal to the showiest drum- major in the army.
On the afternoon of a scorching day, July Ioth, final orders were received to leave Roa- noke Island, and it proved to be a departure for all time. No doubt there were a variety of sensations in the breast of the soldiers as they tramped with well filled knapsacks through the hot sand to the transports. The vessels quickly
233
FAREWELL TO ROANOKE ISLAND.
got up anchor and sailed for Norfolk, Va. The troops arrived early on the 12th inst., landing and making camp within a stone's throw of Old Fort Norfolk.
The boys parted from Roanoke Island with many regrets, for while an inconvenient place, in the sense that it required a long time to receive a letter from home, still there were many pleasant memories connected with their stay there. It was there they saw their first severe active service, and where they had so conducted themselves as to earn favorable comments from the several generals in command. For their conduct there they had received the plaudits of the Northern press. The pictorial weeklies had emblazoned their celebrated bayonet charge both far and wide, which illustrations had been copied in some of the foreign illustrated periodicals, while artists had embraced the sub- ject in their studies.
Before closing this chapter which ends the career of the regiment in North Carolina, it may be interesting to mention some of the fruits of the victories gained by the Burnside expe- dition.
At Roanoke Island : 4 forts mounting 29 guns; 3 rebel gunboats destroyed by the fleet; 4,000 prisoners with their arms and equipments
236 VINN'TH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
and a stragetical position which commanded both the North Carolina Sounds.
At Newberne : 9 forts mounting 41 heavy guns; over two miles of intrenchments with 19 field pieces in position, and 6 32-pdrs., un- mounted; over 300 prisoners and more than 1,000 stand of small arms; tents and barracks for 10,000 troops ; large amounts of army sup- plies and naval stores, and the control of the second commercial city of North Carolina.
Fort Macon, with 67 guns and over 500 prison- ers.
The Union losses were comparatively small when the great result attained by them is con- sidered.
At Roanoke Island the Union losses were : Army, 37 killed, 214 wounded, 13 missing ; total, 264.
Navy, 3 killed, ir wounded ; total, 14.
Confederate loss not ascertained.
At South Mills or Camden, Union loss : 13
killed, 101 wounded, 13 missing ; total, 127.
Confederate loss: 6 killed, 19 wounded, 3 missing ; total, 28.
At Newberne the Union losses were : 90 killed, 380 wounded. i missing; total, 471.
Confederate loss : 64 killed, 214 wounded, 413 captured and missing ; total, 578.
237
FRUITS OF THE BURNSIDE EXPEDITION.
At Fort Macon : 9 killed, 25 wounded on both sides.
Truly Gen. Burnside was not vain-glorious when, on leaving the department, he said :
"The Burnside expedition has passed into history. Its record we can be proud of. No body of troops ever had more difficulties to over- come in the same space of time. Its perils were both by land and water. Defeat never befell it. No gun was lost by it. Its experience was a succession of honorable victories."
CHAPTER IX.
FAREWELL TO ROANOKE ISLAND - ARRIVAL AT OLD FORT NORFOLK, VA .- OFF FOR FORTRESS MONROE- ARRIVAL AT FALMOUTH, VA .- DRILLS AND DRESS PARADES A PROMINENT FEATURE-RUMORS OF DISASTER - ARMY DESERTS FREDERICKSBURG AND DESTROYS STORES - POPE'S CAMPAIGN AND DIS- ASTROUS FAILURE- MCCLELLAN AGAIN IN COM- MAND OF ARMY OF THE POTOMAC - DISORDER IN WASHINGTON - CAMP AT MERIDIAN HILL - OFF FOR THE MARYLAND CAMPAIGN - DESCRIPTION OF MARCH-SKIRMISHES WITH THE ENEMY-ARRI- VAL AT FREDERICK CITY, MD .- HOSPITALITY OF INHABITANTS - FIRE IN JAIL -ON TO ANTIETAM - BATTLE OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN - COOLNESS OF MAJOR JARDINE UNDER FIRE-DEATH OF GENERAL RENO AND COMMENTS ON HIS SOLDIERLY QUALI- TIES-ARRIVAL NEAR ANTIETAM - NIGHT BEFORE THE BATTLE.
T HE route from Roanoke Island to Norfolk lay through Croatan Sound and North River, to and through the Dismal Swamp Canal and Elizabeth river. The journey was full of interest to the Zouaves, many of whom were entirely unacquainted with the sights and sounds of that strange region. Owing to the shallow water of the Dismal Swamp Canal, [the transports stopped at its
239
THE JOURNEY TO NORFOLK.
headwater and the troops were transferred to vessels of lesser draught which were to be towed through the canal by tugboats. The human heart is always profoundly moved by the majesty of silence. The faculties of the mind are more keenly alert and the emotions more re- sponsive at the midnight hour than during the hum of busy noon. Thus when the world- famed Dismal Swamp was entered new enotions were put into life-set at liberty, so to speak.
" Silence! coeval with eternity !
Thou wert ere nature's self began to be."
To the northern soldiers all was new and strange and they also were silent. The boats glided weird and ghost-like through the dark water, "amid the ancient forests of a land mild, gloomy, magnificently grand," and when a comrade's attention was desired
"The tongue moved gently first, and speech was low."
The straight columns of the cypresses towered far above, their gnarled roots, rugged and but- tress-like where they showed above the water. Clinging to them were whisks and festoons of Spanish moss contrasting beautifully against the darker hue of trunk and branches. And now the boats seem to stand still, while troop- ing toward them came holly, juniper, cotton- gum, and sweet-bay scattered thickly among the lordly cypress. A species of bamboo-cane
240 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
grew profusely, its graceful stems bending over the brown water, or standing stiffly erect in small huddling crowds. On the dry ridges were beech, and oak and through the over- hanging foliage the light struggled down sub- dued and soft as through cathedral windows. Nor was it indeed utterly desolate and voice- less. Occasionally the sweet notes of a song bird filtered through the trees or a startled gray crane, with discordant cry, flapped heavily upward from the water. Blue heron were sometimes seen, but quickly disappeared down the long vista before, or darted into a familiar bayou out of sight and danger.
On one occasion a solitary negro appeared upon the elevated bank of the canal, and stared in open-mouthed wonder at the troops as they passed in slow review before him. To the many questions and salutations hurled at him he re- turned no answer, but gazed in speechless astonishment at the gliding boats and their armed and uniformed passengers. Long after the flo- tilla had passed he remained on the bank, motionless as a statue, until the intervening foliage hid him from view. Speculation ran high among the more romantic and imaginative of the men as to who he was and where he came from. Had he escaped from a cruel master to liberty and a home in the great dismal swamp? Had
241
THE ARRIVAL AT NORFOLK.
he eluded the overseer and baffled the blood- hounds ? Was he alone in this solitude? Was his habitation near ? How did he subsist? Was he still a slave or was he merely a "free nigger" engaged in the regular occupation of shingle making ? Some of the boys were by this time about ready to expect Tom Moore's ghostly Indian maiden with her white canoe and fire-fly lamp.
Altogether the journey through the swamp was a pleasant experience, which for novelty and instruction could scarcely be surpassed. It was greatly enjoyed by all.
On the morning of July 12th, the vessels ar- rived at their destination, and the regiment, dis- embarking, went into camp at old Fort Norfolk. They remained at Norfolk about a month, the time being passed, as usual, in the execution of drills and parades.
It was at Norfolk that the increased number of visitors at dress parade first became noticeable. Many visiting soldiers, officers, as well as privates, were sure to grace the occasion of that ceremony with their presence. Some of the New York militia regiments who had responded to the President's call for thirty day troops, were then stationed at Fortress Monroe. They were eager to observe the Zouaves at drill, and many ob- tained passes and visited old Fort Norfolk for that purpose.
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242 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
The color line of the regiment was on ground recently cleared of trees, the stumps being left still standing. This was the cause of much dis- tress of mind to all the troops-men and officers alike, as the difficulty of marching or carrying out any movement among the obstructing stumps was very great. It was, nevertheless, the best of practice, and taught the men to pre- serve alignment with great precision under bet- ter or ordinary conditions. The manner in which the various companies moved out of their respective streets at the adjutant's call was a sight much appreciated by the visitors, judging by the generous applause bestowed each evening.
The old smooth-bore muskets with which the men were originally armed, and which were known among them as "Columbiads," were here turned in and the new Springfields issued in their stead, much to the delight of everyone, from the colonel to the drummer boys. The Springfields were far handsomer in appearance. weighed less, and, as the calibre was smaller, the ammunition was lighter, the latter being a matter of no small importance.
On July 24th, tents were struck, and the Ninth, with its camp equipage, embarked on the steamer "C. S. Terry," during a driving rain. The destination was Newport News, which was
243
BACK AT NEWPORT NEW'S.
reached about noon of the same day. The road here was lined with encampments of other regiments, past which the Ninth was obliged to march. The distinctive dress of the Zouaves disclosed their identity to the others at once, many of whom viewed them for the first time. Their reputation for tried and seasoned soldiers, however, had evidently preceded them for their passage was a continuous ovation. On a bluff near the James river, not far from the camp which it first occupied, the regiment halted and raised its tents. Ten days later (Sunday, August 3d) the regiment again broke camp in another drenching rain and boarded the steamer " New York," which in the after- noon carried them away to join the army of the Potomac. After a delay of about five hours at Fortress Monroe, the steamer proceeded at 9 o'clock p.M., up the now famous Potomac river reaching Acquia Creek about 10 o'clock the next forenoon. On the following day (August 5th) the soldiers were transferred to the steamer "Columbia," bound for Brent's Point, where they arrived about noon and boarded a railway train for Falmouth Station. Falmouth Station was on the Stafford side of the Rappahannock opposite the City of Fredricksburg, which could be plainly seen from the camp. Here the regi- ment pitched its tents and named the place Camp Parke, after its brigade-commander.
244 VINTH REGIMENT. NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
A detachment of one hundred men which had been left at Roanoke to pack up and guard the surplus stores left behind by. the regiment, arrived on August 8th, under command of Captain Graham, bringing also the regimental uniforms.
Knapsack drills were now the order of the day, but the Ninth showed they could maintain their perfect drill under any conditions.
The regimental band had been re-organized and enlarged and the members clothed in new uniforms. Under the excellent leadership of Mr. Wallace, of New York City, their music was of a high order and their appearance decidedly attractive.
The proficiency of the regiment in all matters pertaining to the duties of a soldier was shown in its complete mastery of military details. Guard mounting and guard duty, discipline. style and finish in the performance of the manual of arms, promptness and accuracy in the fulfillment of camp duties, and especially the efficiency of battalion drills and dress parades, very quickly attracted the attention of the members of neighboring regiments. Soldiers off duty, and occasionally officers, began to notice the drills and parades, and they evidently spread the report among their comrades, for the audiences began to swell
245
VISITORS AT DRILL AND PARADE.
daily until the parade ground was lined with a large crowd ere the parade began. Horse and foot came from all directions to view the Zouaves. In pleasant weather enlisted men by the hundred, mounted officers by the score, and even generals did not disdain to carefully scrutinize the movements. It is recalled with pride that General McClellan, who was at Fredericksburg for several days just previous to the withdrawal of the corps to Washington, was present with his staff on more than one occa- sion. The members of the regiment did not fail to notice the interest shown by the other troops and the resulting pride tended to strengthen their esprit de corps and assisted them to maintain their high standard.
The foregoing is not written with an intention to exaggerate, nor with a boastful spirit. Doubtless, there are still many of those specta- tors living at this writing who could vouch for its historical truth. To the little company of survivors of the regiment, however, these statements are known not to be exaggerations, and they, through the instrumentality of this small history, assure their relatives and friends of its truth.
The details for picket duty on the Orange Court House, Culpepper, and other roads leading from the city into the enemy's country. consisted of entire regiments.
246 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
When the Zouaves were detailed they always paraded in full dress uniforms, headed by the band with its new instruments, and led by Drum-Major Wiley, who was most gorgeously arrayed ; and their progress through the city, which was as though marching on review, attracted universal attention.
There is little doubt that the appearance of a genuine Yankee regiment, in full dress, with colors flying, and band playing, had its effect upon the inhabitants of Fredericksburg.
On August 12th, Company H was sent to guard Potomac Creek Bridge, and on the 14th, Lieutenant Herbert was detached with a force of twenty-nine men and two guns from Battery K, with orders to break up a rebel ferry, which was being operated some miles down the river. Embarking on the steamer "Cooper's Point," he hurried down the Rappahannock river to the ferry, the affair being managed so skillfully and secretly as to prove a complete surprise. After a brief conflict the detachment captured thirteen of the enemy with their side-arms, a quantity of baggage, and four horses, and after destroying all means of transportation at the ferry, returned safely without the loss of a man.
At this time news was received of the crushing defeat of the army under Pope, and the invasion of Maryland by Lee's forces; and
247
UNEASINESS AT FREDERICKSBURG.
General McClellan was once more placed in command of the Army of the Potomac.
Some days before this rumors were circulated that bodies of troops had repeatedly been detached from the army and sent towards the right, up the Rappahannock.
Reports were also rife about battles having been fought to the northwest of Fredericks- burg with varying results, and finally that the enemy had defeated Sigel and broken through the Union lines away towards the right.
Great activity was also observed among the higher officers connected with headquarters, and the soldiers soon manifested a restless and uneasy feeling, which could not be well defined or described.
It was not the same uneasiness which soldiers usually exhibited on the eve of a battle, but was more like the effect of a belief that some import- ant movement had resulted in failure, and that defeat and disaster were impending; still there was nothing tangible on which to base such a belief, beyond the mysterious camp rumors prevailing. It was an epidemic of uneasiness and unrest.
Marching orders at last came to their relief, attended with great haste and consequent confusion. As the Zouaves moved from camp and marched over the hills near Falmouth, on
248 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
the evening of August 31st, the sky reflected several large fires in as many different por- tions of the city. The troops intuitively recog- nized this as the destruction of stores and im- pedimenta which could not be saved for lack of time. The regiment took up the line of march which, though only fifteen miles long, will never be forgotten while the participants live. A furious rain storm had raged all the previous night while on picket, and the men with every- thing in their possession, excepting muskets and cartridges, were thoroughly soaked. Under any and all conditions these latter must be protected from injury. Tents were struck in the mud, and all regimental property which could not be carried on an active campaign was securely and strongly packed for storage.
Here the theatrical properties and scenery which had been gotten up, or acquired while at Roanoke Island, had to be abandoned for lack of transportation. They had been carefully; guarded and cared for by the men during the migrations of the regiment subsequent to the departure from that station, in the hope that an opportunity might present itself to again start the theatre, but at last they had to be left to the tender mercies of the " Rebs." Many a laugh was afterward indulged in by the men at the thought of how astonished the Johnnies must
249
THE MARCH TO ACQUIA CREEK.
have been at coming into possession of such strange looking articles, and the way in which they must have stared at them and wondered and guessed at their uses.
The breaking up of a camp involves an im- mense amount of labor, and as this work was begun the instant the regiment was relieved from picket no opportunity occurred for " clean- ing up" or drying clothes and blankets. The additional weight of soaked blankets to the knapsacks was a most trying burden to carry even on good roads.
At 6 P.M., the Zouaves moved forward on the road for Acquia Creek, and the night soon en- closed them in pitchy darkness. The rough and hilly roads, muddy and slippery from the recent rains, with occasional swollen streams to ford made marching almost intolerable. At last, about 5 A.M., weary, worn, blistered and bleeding, they reached the landing, and after a little delav marched about four miles to the bluffs over- looking the river where they bivouacked in line of battle to act as a support for the artillery there stationed and to cover the embarkation of the other troops.
In company with other commands they re- mained on the hills for two days, destitute of tents or rations, until the remainder of the army, with all stores and camp equipage, had embarked on transports.
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250 NINTH REGIMENT, NEW YORK VOLUNTEERS.
On the 4th they marched back to the landing, - and at 8 P.M., boarded the " Louisiana," bound for Washington, arriving there at 10 o'clock the next forenoon. Notwithstanding that large numbers of troops had recently passed through that city, the inhabitants still showed their appreciation of a perfect company front, and the Zouaves' brisk change of manual while marching called forth frequent applause. After marching a few miles beyond the city limits they bivouacked on Meridian Hill.
While in bivouac here and owing to the humid days and cool nights, accompanied by heavy dews, and the fact that the regiment was without tents, the men suffered severely. Soon, however, marching orders were received and preparations made for an arduous campaign.
On September 7th Colonel Hawkins received leave of absence and, turning over the com- mand of his brigade to Colonel Fairchild, de- parted for New York City, regretting that it was obligatory for him to leave the army at the commencement of a new and what proved to be a most important campaign. The Ninth Corps now became incorporated with the Army of the Potomac, and the Zouaves won new and unfading laurels through their historic charge on the desperate field of AAntietam.
It may be as well to state that by reason of this
WHAT FOLLOWED THE PENINSULAR CAMPAIGN. 231
leave of absence the Ist Brigade, 3d Division, 9th Corps, then officially known as " Hawkins' Brigade," now became "Fairchild's Brigade," and it was so known and designated in all offi- cial reports and accounts of movements and battles which occurred during this most im- portant campaign.
The Army of the Potomac in its campaign up the Peninsular had met with reverses in front of Richmond, and retreated to Harrison's Landing on the James river. In the meantime Major-General John Pope had been called from his successful campaign in the West, and placed in general command of the armies of McDowell, Fremont and Banks, although he was junior in rank to the other three generals.
The purpose of this united command was to make a demonstration toward Gordonsville and Charlottesville and thus draw off part of Lee's forces from Mcclellan's front.
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