USA > New York > The history of the Forty-eighth regiment New York state volunteers, in the war for the union. 1861-1865 > Part 6
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 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28
" My advance reported squads of cavalry in sight as the main body entered the road, which it did at right angle to the point of disem- barkation. The road proved to be an excellent one-hard and firm, and evidently repaired but an hour or two before, the dirt being still fresh, and the tracks upon it showed plainly that artillery, infantry, and cavalry had just passed over it. I continued my advance toward the town, driving in the enemy's pickets and skirmishing the country as thoroughly as possible, when about one mile from the village the whistle of a locomotive was heard. I was informed by the ' contra- band,' who had been furnished as a guide, that it was the ' dirt train'
55
FORT PULASKI.
which always passed at that hour, and which, he said, was well on its way to Savannah. A few moments, however, proved that he had mis- informed me ; for when the main body had arrived at a point within a few hundred yards of the town, and when the skirmishers had already reached the railroad track and telegraph line, the train was heard and seen coming rapidly down the road. I quickly placed my battalion in position, and, as the train approached, I directed a heavy and rapid fire upon it with grape and canister and musketry. This fire was very destructive. The train consisted of eight cars, six of which were plat- forms crowded with men, the two box-cars filled with officers. There were also two light field-pieces on board. Many were seen to fall at the first fire (among them the engineer), and twenty-five or thirty jumped from the train, most of whom were maimed or killed, the rest, with one exception, betaking themselves to the woods and swamp on the other side of the track. We carried away or destroyed here about thirty stands of arms, mostly rifles, and secured one of- ficer's sword and cap and a stand of silk colors belonging to the
Whippy Swamp Guards.' We left a number of the enemy's dead and wounded on the track. I have since learned, from the Savannah papers of the 24th and 25th, that among the killed at this point was Major Harrison of the Eleventh Georgia Regiment, which regiment, with the guards named above, was on the train. Immediately after the train had passed, Captain Eaton, by my direction, set vigorously to work tearing up the railroad track and demolishing the telegraph line, and continued this until the retreat was sounded. After this occurrence I concluded if possible to push rapidly into the town and attack the troops while in the confusion of disembarking, and marched forward for that purpose. I had proceeded but a short distance, how- ever, before I came in full view of the enemy's forces, advantageously posted on the other side of the public-road bridge, between that and the railroad bridge ; they were flanked on their left by the river, and on the right by a thick swamp, with three pieces of artillery com- manding the bridge. They immediately opened fire upon us with their artillery and infantry ; fortunately, however, for us, firing too high. I fired a few rounds in return, when, as it was now nearly night, and the enemy's reinforcements above were double my entire force, I marched slowly back to my boats. During my retreat the skirmish- ers frequently observed and encountered small bodies of the enemy's cavalry, who were. however, easily driven off. I directed Captain Eaton of the engineers to destroy the bridges on the road in my rear, which he did thoroughly. thus in a measure hindering the pursuit. The enemy, however, made his appearance and attacked us with infan- try and artillery three several times during our embarkation, but on
56
FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. VOLS.
each instance we drove them off with serious loss, as they were direct- ly under the guns of the Planter and Patroon.
" As soon as the steamer again floated we returned to Mackey's Point, by order of General Brannan, and thence, by way of Hilton Head, to this Post.
"I regret to report that, during the last attack of the enemy, Lieu- tenant J. B. Blanding, Third Rhode Island Artillery, at that time in charge of the Planter's guns, was dangerously wounded in the left arm and side; he is now, however, doing well. This was the only casualty on our side during the day.
" It affords me great pleasure to state that every officer and man of my command behaved, during the entire day, in the most commend- able manner, evincing only a desire to meet the enemy, and regret at the necessity of retreat.
"Major Green, Acting Lieutenant-Colonel Forty-eighth New York Volunteers, and Captain Strickland, Acting Major do., were especially useful.
"Captain Gould, Third Rhode Island Artillery, also rendered me most efficient service. as did also Captain Eaton, Serrels' Volunteer Engineers, all of whom displayed the utmost zeal, energy, and ability in all they were called upon to perform.
! "I have the honor to be, Captain, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
" W. B. BARTON, " Colonel Forty-eighth New York State Volunteers, Commanding Post.
" CAPTAIN LAMBERT, Assistant Adjutant-General"
Many personal adventures might be added, while we re- mained in Fort Pulaski, did space permit. For instance, the unique experience of a boat's crew of five men, under the command of Lieutenant Perry, who on September 27, 1862, were sent up the river with dispatches under a flag of truce, and who undertook to row past the pickets and take a look at the rebel ram that was being built at Savannah. The fire from the rifles of the pickets did not stop them, but a shot from Fort Jackson did. They were held as prisoners for three days, and then they were let go. Foley, who was one of the crew, and who has told the writer of the adventure, says that the reason the rebels let them go, he suspects, was because they were such a " lively crowd." They
57
FORT PULASKI.
did not esteem themselves as the most " shining lights" of "Perry's Saints." Their names were: Lieutenant Perry ; Privates Luyster of Company H, Smith of C, McGinniss and Foley of F, and Moon of D.
General Hunter again assumed command of the De- partment after the lamented death of General Mitchel, and life at Fort Pulaski resumed with us its monotony. Our duties were all routine. Many sports, however, were en- gaged in to while away the time, and all will recall the fish- ing for sheep's-head, the duck-shooting in Calabogue Sound, the rowing, base-ball, and other sports. Our baseball nine was a fine success. In games with picked nines from other regiments it generally won the laurels. In a game with the nine of the Forty-seventh New York, played at Fort Pulaski, January 3, 1863, it won by a score of twenty to seven. But the great source of amusement was the theatre. It may be doubted if anything (in that line) was as fine in the war as the three theatres which were erected respectively at Fort Pulaski, Ga., at St. Augustine, Fla., and at Hilton Head, S. C., by the Forty-eighth Regiment, where entertainments of a not unpretentious class were given by the actors and actresses of the " Barton Dramatic Association." It so hap- pened that there were in the Forty-eighth several profes- sional actors, and especially one scenic artist. Major Barrett, who was its president. has furnished from memory a list of the members of the Association, and a sketch of its career :
James A. Barrett, President.
Robert Dixon, Stage Manager and Tragedy.
James White, Heavy Tragedy.
C. L. Harrison, Scenic Artist and Costumer.
A. J. DeHaven, Property Man and Comedian,
William H. Owen, James Barnes, Joseph Murphy, John Dupree, Comedy and Song.
E. J. Barney, Thomas B. Wood, James S. Wyckoff, J. L. Michaels. Walking Gentlemen.
Lewis W. Burt, Abraham J. Palmer, Leading Ladies.
Vitruvious Witcomb, Old Lady.
N. W. Pease, John Stewart, Chambermaids.
The Regimental Band, Orchestra.
58
FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. VOLS.
Colonel Barton gave us permission to use an out-building, 25×70, for the purpose, and detailed all the mechanics that were needed to do the work ; and in a very short time, con- sidering their facilities, they had erected a very well-equipped and attractive little theatre near the north dock, with a stage at one end, private boxes, orchestra, side-scenes (parlor, kitchen, and street ), and a drop-curtain on which was painted a picture of the bombardment of the fort. They sent to New York for canvas, paint, costumes, lamps, a printing- press, and books of plays, and improvised a chandelier and foot-lights out of old tin-cans. The theatre seated about one hundred persons. On the opening night an address was delivered by Corporal Michaels, followed by the farce "Family Jars ;" that by " The Flea," by Owens of Company H; then an exhibition of light balancing, by De Haven; then the first act of the tragedy of Richard III .; a song by Dick- son ; and the whole concluded with a tableau of Washing- ton's grave. It was a fine success. At first we played simple comedy, such as " Box and Cox," " The Secret, or a Hole in the Wall," " Rough Diamond," and the like; but the dra- matic element soon asserted itself and ventured upon three acts of "Othello," against the judgment of most of the officers. who said that they did not care to hear such a piece " mur- dered." The company felt that their reputation was at stake, but with White as Othello, Dickson as Iago, Burr as Desdemona, and Palmer as Emilia, the play was pronounced a great success by the few officers who had consented to witness it, and a loud call was made for the production of the whole play in five acts. This was done and received with great applause. From that time our reputation was established, and the fame of the " Barton Dramatic Associa- tion" soon spread throughout the Department. Major Bar- rett writes. " Our two leading ladies were said to be the hand- somest women in the Department." The regular play-nights were Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays; but the fort soon became a popular resort for visitors, and we were often called on to give special entertainments for the benefit of guests.
59
FORT PULASKI.
On the night before the expedition started for Bluffton, the writer played Trudgeon in the "Ghost on the Wall," and captivating the heart of the captain of the transport on which we embarked that night, shared his hospitality during the expedition. In this way incidental benefits came to the actors.
In June, 1863, we closed our little theatre, and in the real tragedy in which we participated on Morris Island, the tragedies we played were soon forgotten. Subsequently the fixtures of the theatre were transferred to St. Augustine, Fla., when the remnant of the regiment was stationed there after the fatal losses of Fort Wagner. At a later period they built another theatre, 40X 100, at Hilton Head, where they played to crowded houses of citizens and soldiers, until marching orders sent them once more to the front. The " Barton Dramatic Association" has long been a story of the past, but its memories are pleasant still to all who participated in its pleasures ..
Many amusing things occurred at Fort Pulaski, like the adventure of Lieutenant Edwards of Company C (an ex- cellent officer but a strict disciplinarian), who had announced to his company that while upon drill, under no circumstances whatever should there be any talking in the ranks, and threatened to punish the first man who should speak a word. Then he proceeded with the drill of his company, giving bis orders, "forward," "guide right," "left wheel," and so on until the company was facing the stairway that leads to the parapet of the fort, in front of which was an old well, with- out any covering, and half-full of water, towards which the lieutenant was walking backwards, saying "left," "left," "left," until suddenly he reached the well and went into it. When he succeeded in pulling himself out, thoroughly wet and mad, he upbraided the company for not warning him of his danger, and was reminded of his order not to speak under any circumstance. He joined heartily in the joke after he had changed his clothing. More ludicrous still was the un- happy wording of an order of Major Beard's, which was
60
FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. VOLS.
read at parade one night. Some member of the regiment had recently died, and in announcing his death the Adjutant read as follows : " The God of battles will give him a patriot's reward, by order of O. T. Beard, Major Commanding."
But there never was a day of sport in the history of the re- giment to be compared with that of Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 27, 1862. Three steamboats loaded with guests, including Generals Brannan and Terry, arrived from Hilton Head. We had a sermon by the chapiain in the morning. There was target-shooting, boat-racing, foot-racing, climbing of the greased pole, catching of the greased pig, wheelbarrow races, ludicrous efforts of negroes to pick a gold coin out of a tub of flour with their teeth, sack-races, hurdle-races, and finally a grotesque dress-parade, and a great supper, and in every sense a high-day. I append a copy of the programme:
PROGRAMME.
Divine Service at nine o'clock A.M. The Entertainment to com- mence with-
I. TARGET PRACTICE.
Three competitors from each Company. Distance, 200 yards. Best string in three shots each. First prize-gold medal, valued at $25. Second prize-silver medal, valued at $15. Third prize-bronze medal, valued at $10. ·
II. ROWING MATCH.
Distance, one mile around a stake-boat and return. First prize- purse of Sio. Second prize-purse of $5. Third prize-purse of $2.50.
III. FOOT-RACE.
Three times round terre-plein, and over twelve hurdles three feet high. First prize-purse of Sio. Second prize-purse of $5. Third prize- purse of $2.50.
IV. HURDLE SACK-RACE.
One hundred yards and return ; over three hurdles fifty yards apart and eighteen inches high. First prize-purse of Sto. Second prize- purse of $5.
V. WHEELBARROW RACE.
Competitors blindfolded, trundling a wheelbarrow ouce across terre-plein. First prize-purse of $to. Second prize-purse of $5.
·
61
FORT PULASKI.
VI. MEAL FEAT.
Exclusively for Contrabands. Hands tied behind the back, and to seize with the teeth a S5 gold-piece dropped in a tub of meal. Six competitors, to be allowed five minutes each to accomplish the feat. Prize-$5.
VII. GREASED POLE.
Pole to be fifteen feet high. Prize-S10.
VIII. GREASED PIG.
To be seized and held by the tail. Three competitors from each Company. Prize-pig.
IX. BURLESQUE DRESS PARADE.
Each Company will be allowed to enter an equal number of com- petitors for each prize.
The usual Dress Parade of the Garrison will take place at 4.30 P.M. Ball-8 p.M. Supper-12 P.M. Lunch at all hours. The Third Rhode Island Minstrel Band will play at intervals during the evening. The Band of the Forty-eighth New York Regiment will perform at inter- vals during the day and evening. A steamer will leave the wharf at Hilton Head to convey guests to Fort Pulaski at nine o'clock, Thanksgiving morning.
A correspondent of the New South, from Hilton Head, gave the following account of the affair :
" The steamer Cosmopolitan left here at nine o'clock for the fort, conveying to the scene of festivity General Terry and a crowd of prominent officers, together with quite a number of ladies. The steamers Mattano and Boston followed, with guests from Beaufort. among them General Brannan and a portion of his staff. The guests were greeted at the dock with pleasant music from the excellent band of the regiment, and marched in line to the fort, which fired a salute of thirteen guns in honor of the Generals as the procession entered. The interior was neatly decorated with greens, arranged in circles, stars, and festoons, and presented a very pretty appearance. The guests were received by Mrs. Barton, the amiable lady of the Colonel, whose presence greatly enhanced the charm of the occasion, and to whom, with the other ladies residing at the fort, is due in a great measure the completeness of the arrangements. The games took place upon the terre-plein, and were observed by the guests from the ramparts, which afforded a full and complete view of everything which
.62
FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. VOLS.
transpired. The scene was very striking; the massive wall surround- ing the space recalling to mind the ancient arena of Rome, the theatre of the bloody combats of the gladiators. It would take too much ·space to dwell at length upon the details of this part of the entertain- ment ; we shall therefore merely notice the more interesting and amusing features. The games inside the fort commenced with the foot-race, which was watched with great interest, and the fortunate victors rewarded with the several prizes and enthusiastic applause. Next in order came the hurdle sack-race, which created intense mer- riment. Half a dozen competitors were tied in sacks with nothing but the head visible, and with their pedal extremities thus trammelled they were required to run a race and jump over two hurdles. The absurd method of locomotion. and the utter helplessness of those who were so unfortunate as to lose their balance and tumble over, elicited .shouts of laughter. The wheelbarrow feat also resulted in very laugh- able blunders. The competitors for the prize were all blindfolded and placed directly in a line with a certain point, the one coming nearest to the goal being the victor. The fun of the affair consisted in their deviation at every imaginable angle from a straight line, soberly trotting along with the barrows, under the pleasing impression that they were making straight for the goal; of course the man who was farthest away was greeted with shouts of derisive applause and in- cited to further efforts by assurances of victory. The meal feat was perhaps the most ludicrous feature of the whole. The hands of the negroes competing for the prize were tied behind them, and they were required to take a five-dollar gold-piece from a tub of meal with the mouth. The ludicrous appearance of the contraband's head when it .emerged from the meal-tub can be more easily imagined than described. They were very earnest in their search, and it was amusing to see the anxious looks of those standing by lest the one with his head buried in the meal should be successful, and they cheated of their turn. The third one succeeded in obtaining the prize. and was so elated with his success that he was led into a saltatory manifestation of the exuberance of his joy and capered round the tub of meal in real George Christy style. The burlesque dress-parade, which was got up entirely by the privates, and carried out exceedingly well. was a good termination to the comic features of the programme. The uniforms were grotesque in the extreme, while the orders and manceuvres of the battalion were both original and ridiculous. The occasion was taken advantage of by the men to make some good-natured hits at the officers in the general orders, which, notwithstanding their local character, seemed to be caught and appreciated by all. The games went off with eclat, and afforded a great deal of amusement. A bountiful lunch was provided
63
·
FORT PULASKI.
and partaken of by all during their progress. Generals Brannan and "Terry both left early in the evening, and with them many officers and :several ladies ; still there were many left who incoherently expressed a determination to see it out and ' not go home till morning, till day- light did appear.'
" In the evening the steamer Flora arrived from Beaufort, bringing General Saxton and a bevy of ladies in time to take part in the ball, which began at eight o'clock. Three casemates connecting by door- ways formed the ball-room, which was handsomely decorated with festoons of evergreens and bunting. The regimental and guard colors were also tastefully distributed around the walls. Excellent music was furnished by the band of the Forty-eighth, and the dancing con- tinued till eleven o'clock, when the guests were ushered into the supper-room, a tent one hundred and sixty feet long, the interior of which was beautifully adorned with evergreens and palmetto leaves. The table was really magnificent ; bouquets of flowers in profusion set it off, and produced a very beautiful effect. Considering the limited facilities at command, we are astonished at the completeness of the arrangements and the excellence of the supper provided. The whole affair reflects great credit upon the officers of the regiment. and especially upon the committees who had it in charge. Colonel Barton and Major Green were both assiduous in their attentions to the guests, as, indeed, were all the officers of the garrison. General Saxton and his party left at midnight, to return to Beaufort, on the steamer Flora, but many still lingered, and the festivities were kept up till dawn. We must not forget to mention the Rhode Island Minstrel Band, which played at intervals during the evening. Their performances, which took place in the quarters of Company G, Third Rhode Island Regi- ment, were very good, and witnessed by a crowded audience.
"The old walls of Fort Pulaski echoed the sounds of mirth till morning. "Never before, we venture to say, did they frown upon so much conviviality and good-cheer ; and we have no doubt that should Beauregard with his ram attempt to visit our generous hosts of the fort, he will meet with a reception, if not of the same kind, at least as warm as that extended to their guests on Thanksgiving Day. We are sorry to say that the enjoyment of the occasion was somewhat marred by the long and tedious delay in getting off the next day. The steamer which ought to have left for Hilton Head early in the morning was delayed until afternoon, and colonels, lieutenant-colonels, majors, and officers of every grade, who were all anxious to return to their posts, were subjected to an unnecessary delay of more than half a day.
" The names of some of the victors in the games are as follows: In target practice, John Scanlon, Company A, won the first prize-a gold
64
FORTY-EIGHTH REGIMENT, N. Y. S. VOLS.
medal valued at $25. In the rowing match, Company F won the first prize, Sto ; C the second prize, 85 ; and B the third prize, $2.50. In the foot race, Charles McCreaf, Company D, first prize, Sio; Isaac Cahart, Company H, second prize, $5; Edward Lawrence, Company A, third prize, $2.50. In the hurdle sack-race, Patrick Shanley, Com- pany G, first prize, SI0; James Beith, Company C, second prize, $5. In the wheelbarrow race, John McIntyre, Company G, first prize, SI0; Patrick Brady, Company A, second prize, $5. In the meal feat, Sam Pope was the fortunate contraband."
The reperusal of the above will recall to the participants the pleasures of that Thanksgiving Day better than any attempted description from memory after the lapse of three and twenty years. It was the most memorable day of festivity in our entire career.
As the writer-on the visit in the spring of 1884, already referred to-re-entered the fort, through the sally-port, past the moats, now filled with mud and grown up with rank grasses, and stood once more on the old terre-plein, memory recalled the scenes of that happy Thanksgiving Day. But the casemates were empty, the water-condenser rusted, the terre-plein itself full of holes filled with stagnant water, the wooden doors rotted, and the whole noble fort far advanced in decay. He thought of the thousand men who once thronged its walls, many of whom had been long dead, and the survivors far scattered. A single sergeant and his wife constitute the garrison. A brood of chickens now pick the grasses on the ramparts where heroes once stood. The silence, the crumbling walls, the dismounted and rusted cannon, and the sight of Pulaski in ruins saddened us.
On December 24, 1862, Lieut .- Colonel Beard resigned. He had been long absent from the. regiment upon special duty. His achievements at Wall's Cut and elsewhere had, however, reflected credit upon the regiment. On February 6th Chaplain Strickland left us. He was held in high esteem as a brave and faithful chaplain, and his departure was greatly regretted. A sketch of his connection with the regiment from his own pen, written just before his death in 1884, will
G
FEE. MOSER, FOX. TAYLOR,
SMITH, J. A. BARRETT, LOCKWOOD, NICHOLS, HILLIARD, INGRAHAM, EDWARDS, IRVIN (3D R. I.). TANTUM, FRY (3D R. I ), FERGUSON, PAXSON, W BARRETT, EATON (IST N. Y. ENG ), HUMPHREYS, MILLER, SWARTWOUT. ROBINSON, MULFORD, IIOWLAND, FARRELL, ELMENDORF, HALE, GREEN, BARTON, STRICKLAND, GOULD (3D R. I.). HURST, AVERY, ELFWING, COAN, LENT
THE FIELD, STAFF, AND LINE OFFICERS OF THE 48THI REGIMENT N. Y. S. VOLUNTEERS, FORT PULASKI, GA.
.
65
FORT PULASKI.
be found in a later chapter. On February 9th the regiment was inspected by General E. D. Townsend, Adjutant-General U. S. A., and Lieutenant-Colonel Green, Assistant Inspector- General. Both complimented our drill in the most flattering terms. A flag of truce was frequently interchanged between Fort Pulaski and Savannah : and indeed the correspondence with the Confederates by flag of truce was usually conducted from the fort. In the spring of 1863 the policy of enlisting regiments of colored soldiers was inaugurated in the Depart- ment, and certain of our officers and non-commissioned officers were tendered promotion in those regiments. Lieu- tenant B. R. Corwin obtained the position of Major in one of them. In many cases, however, the promotion was declined, the men preferring to stay with their old comrades. About this time also there were indications of a new and more serious attempt to capture the city of Charleston. The attack of the iron-clad fleet upon Fort Sumter on April the 9th was unsuccessful; but rumors were in the air that the attempt would not end with that failure. So drew to an end our long imprisonment on garrison duty at Fort Pulaski. Many personal incidents might be recorded, of special interest, however, only to the few, and each of the comrades who reads this history must add from his own memory those that were most interesting to himself. Many mutual exchanges of hospitality occurred among the officers, and many friend- ships and some antipathies perhaps were formed. Few of those things were known, however, to the unpretentious private soldier who has come to be the present historian. On one occasion the Confederate steamer General Lee came down from Savannah under a flag of truce and attempted to go back without orders. She was fired upon by the fort, but was out of range, so the little tug-boat was sent in per- suit of her. We watched the race of the two boats up the river, but the tug was far the faster and soon overtook the General Lee. Two or three shots from the howitzer brought her to terms, and the little tug towed her prize down the river in triumph. Her crew were taken prisoners. One day
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.