USA > Rhode Island > History of the Fifth Regiment of Rhode Island Heavy Artillery, during three years and a half of service in North Carolina. January 1862-June 1865 > Part 21
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AT HOME SICK-Private Sylvester B. Hiscox and Peter D. Melville.
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.. Jerry Wilson,
18. .: James M. Eddy
. . Charles F. Chase,
August, " .: .: .. 14. ..
13.
Thomas Collins,
Cornelius Lee,
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Charles Sanders, Arthur Fee, .6
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July,
Cornelius Keleghan
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CHAPTER XIV.
YELLOW FEVER IN NEW BERNE.
COMPANIES D AND I AT ROANOKE ISLAND.
T HE several companies of the regiment had been so long sep- arated from each other that the sense of unity, the shoulder to shoulder feeling in the organization as a whole, outside of reg- imental headquarters, had worn away to a great degree. Hence the capture of Company A was not so keenly felt, did not cause such a feeling of loss, as it would under other circumstances. In addition to the present fragmentary situation of the Fifth, another cause detrimental to its best welfare existed, and in such a shape that it could only be borne, not removed, by the officers and men. We had lost Plymouth, and had evacuated Washington. Roanoke Island, Hatteras Inlet, and the district of New Berne comprised our posses- sions in North Carolina in May, 1864, while the navy watched the mouth of the Roanoke for the expected appearance of the Albemarle with a feeling that was not one of exultation. Every available man in North Carolina, whether Union or Confederate. was being drawn with resistless force into the vortex of that maelstrom of war that surged through the wilderness of Virginia and around Richmond. on the James. The outlook for the Fifth was not very pleasant at this time. A long and sickly summer was to be passed, in one or two company garrison posts. The trials it was to undergo tested the real heroism of officers and men quite as much as the dangers of an active campaign, and that, too, without any of the rewards that come to men who win the commendations of their commanding officers by service in the field.
The following play-bill may be of interest to our readers, showing how the sol liers in New Berne amused themselves in those days. Corp. Robert H. White, of the Fifth, was one of the principal per- formers, and with his permission a fac-simile of the bill is herewith presented :
:
Union Theatre.
ON RAILROAD ST .. BETWEEN JOHNSON AND NEW STS.
NEW BERNE MINSTRELS ! !
A. J. MARSTON .. . Manager.
PHILIP S. HATCH,. .Musical Director.
R. W. EDWARDS .. .Treasurer.
Monday Evening, May 2d, 1864.
Regular Performances on MONDAY, WEDNESDAY and SATURDAY. Doors open at 6 1-2 P. M. Curtain rises at 7 o'clock, precisely.
Performance concludes at 15 minutes before 9 o'clock, giving ample time to all parties to return to their quarters before SPECIAL PASSES are required. CHANGE OF PROGRAMME EVERY EVENING.
N. B .- Owing to the great length of Programme, and necessity for early closing, it is hoped no repetition of any of the several acts will be requested.
PART I. Representing the Dandy Negroes of the North.
1 Grand Instrumental Overture, - Full Band
2 Opening Chorus, "Happy are We," Company
3 Me and Eliza, - Marston
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Let me Kiss him for his Mother,
White
5 Soap-fat Man.
McDermott Gray
Lannigan's Ball,
Marston
8 Near the Banks of that Lone River, White
9 Finale, Medley,
New Berne Minstrels
PART II.
Portraying the Peculiar Characteristics of the Southern Darkey.
10 Heel and Toe-ology, Andy Kane
11 Flutina Solo Hatch
12 Essence ob ole Virginny, McDermott
13 Comic Banjo Solo, Gray
14 Banjo Duett, Marston and Gray
Othello !
(BURLESQUE)
Oh ! tell-er Billy Boyee Deres-de-money Frank MeDermott
PART III.
16 Guitar Solo
Seymour
SCENES A BARBER SHOP.
Boss "Good"
Marston McDermott Boyce
Simpson, Ben
15 Ballad " Happy be thy dreams." White
The whole to conclude with OLE DAN EMMETT'S
Greatest Plantation Scene and Holiday Festival, WALK AROUND
High Daddy.
Characters embracing the full strength of the Company.
Admission.
PARQUETTE AND DRESS CIRCLE. 50 CENTS.
UPPER CIRCLE, . 25 CENTS. Front seats invariably reserved for Ladies and Gentlemen accompanying them. TICKETS for sale at BEERS' Bookstore, on Pollock st. Hear Craven.
PRINTED AT THE NORTH CAROLINA TIMES OFFICE.
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6 Revolution Echoes,
Selections,
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HISTORY OF THE
The first days of May found Major Jamesou fully engrossed with his duties in recruiting his regiment of colored troops. Assistant Surgeon Greene returned from a leave of absence May 5th. He was at once detailed to attend the sick of the major's recruits. This was in addition to his other duties. Surgeon Potter was still exam- ining surgeon of recruits for the district of North Carolina. At this time many of the men felt that they had a serious grievance. Of the men who formed the old battalion there remained only one hundred and eighty-seven who were eligible to re-enlist under the provisions of the war department for such enlistments. During the winter one hundred and fifteen of these veterans re-enlisted. One of the principal conditions was that each man so enlisting should receive a furlough for thirty days. The furlonghs had not yet been granted for one reason or another. This delay, valid enough at headquarters. caused a strong feeling among the men that they were being singled out for the purpose of indirect punishment.
On the afternoon of May 21st, Colonel Sisson, accompanied by his wife, left New Berne for Rhode Island on a long leave of absence. At this time there was a general change in the stations of the various companies of the regiment. Those companies in the forts between the Neuse and the Trent were relieved by five companies of the Second Massachusetts Heavy Artillery, and assigned as follows : Two companies to Fort Anderson and one to Fort Chase, on the north shore of the Neuse ; two companies to Fort Amory. one to Fort Gaston, and one to Fort Spinola, south of the Trent. At this time Company A was in Andersonville, and companies D and I at Roanoke Island. June Ist, Company K, Captain De Meulen, went to Roanoke Island and relieved Company I, Captain Taft. On the island, Company D, Captain Moran, went to Fort Parke, and Captain De Meulen went to Fort Foster. These changes also cansed a change of the headquarters of the regiment from Fort Totren to a house in Craven Street in the city. In conse- quence of these changes Surgeon Potter attended sick calls at Forts Anderson and Chase, while Assistant Surgeon Greene had charge of the sick in the forts south of the Trent.
And now the lethargy of garrison life, in a sickly, sonthern cli- mate. fell upon officers and men. For the Fifth there was not even
FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 233
the change and excitement of duty on the outposts and picket line. The re-enlisted men wondered and grumbled about their furloughs ; those who could have re-enlisted but did not counted the days that must pass before they would be mustered out ; while the men who joined as recruits discussed army regulations and acts of Congress
Lieut. John B. Landers.
over the question as to whether they would be mastered out with the regiment, or must serve three years from the date of their muster in.
June 3d we were startled by a terrible explosion in the direction of Batchelder's Creek. We soon learned that while a fatigue party of the One Hundred and Thirty-second New York Volunteers were unloading a monster torpedo at the reserve picket station. on the
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HISTORY OF THE
railroad, it was exploded in some unknown manner and some forty men killed. In this explosion, a colored boy, Tobe, who had been a follower of our regiment for two years, lost his life. He was a simple, kind-hearted fellow, blind in one eye, who, when asked in the morning how he felt, would always rub his hands together and say. .. Fust rate, sah, fust rate ; 'tween de sap and de bark."
Sunday morning, August 14th, two men of the Fifth Rhode Island, with four others, were executed for the crime of desertion. The account here given appeared in a New Berne paper :
"As the assembly again sounded the troops forming in the usual square on the plain in front of Fort Totten, together with six newly- made graves yawning. for their occupants, indicated that martial law was again to be vindicated. At six o'clock the procession issued from the sally-port of the fort, under charge of Major Lawson. At a slow march the prisoners with their escort and coffins passed to the inside of the square, and marched around the area. The coffins, six in num- ber. were placed in order in front of the graves and the doomed men seated thereon. Their names were as follows: Private John Dailey. alias John Duffy, Company C. Fifth Rhode Island Volunteers, desertion : private James Simmons, Company C, Fifth Rhode Island Volunteers. desertion: private Robert E. Duncan, Company H, Ninty-ninth New York Volunteers, advising desertion; privates Robert Clark. Joseph Collins and George Berry, Company E. Sixteenth Connecticut Volun- teers, desertion. The charges and findings of the court-martial were read, their eyes were bandaged. the parting word spoken, and the order given to fire. They met their fate coolly. Evidences of regret were painfully conscious in two instances. Life was not extinct in two or three cases, and it became necessary for the reserves to put an end to the existence of the unfortunate wretches by discharging their pieces into their bodies."
All of these men were " bounty jumpers " of the worst type. One of the men belonging to Company C. during his trial claimed to be a British subject, and it was thought that the department commander rather hurried his execution, so that the death of the rascal would put an end to the case and his worthless career at the same time.
The summer passed slowly and monotonously enough. The one desire of all grades of soldiers, and all classes of civilians seemed to be to get away from New Berne during the heated term. At last
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FIFTH RHODE BLAND HEAV ARTILLERY.
the veterans received notice that their much promised furloughs would soon be granted. As a partial recompense for the long delay the time was extended from thirty to forty days. On the 13th of September the furloughs came with orders to take the boat sailing for New York the next day. Lieutenant-Colonel Tew. Captain Robinson, Adjutant Gladding. Lieutenant Landers and Quarter- master Lawton were to go with them. Hospital Steward Barlin- game had a furlough for thirty days and went along with the vet- crans. The officers, however, not wishing to brave the discomforts of the outside passage around Cape Hatteras, took the inside route by the way of Norfolk. The men reached New York on the morn- ing of the 18th. where the boat was boarded by a health officer. At length she was permitted to pass quarantine and run up to the city. It was the last boat from New Berne that passed quarantine for many months. During the day transportation was secured and they were able to leave for Rhode Island the same night. These men were destined to remain at home for many weeks, for a foe more destructive than Hill's and Pickett's rebel hosts was already within the gates of New Berne.
A press dispatch of September 10th said that the report that yellow fever existed in New Berne was incorrect ; that the sudden change in the weather had developed congestive chills, which was the origin of the report : and that Doctor Doughty, the post surgeon. was very successful in the treatment of this disease. On the 18th, Surgeon Potter wrote : " There is a good deal of sickness in New Berne just now ; cases of congestive fever, and I think, yellow fever. I have as vet seen none of the latter and may be mistaken. But I am afraid it is ; and if it is. we shall have a hard time here. Every case that has been attacked, thus far. has died, and most of them within twenty-four hours. The disease seems to be confined to a narrow strip through the town. and embraces the machine shop, hospitals. jail, navy-yard, and in fact the whole business part of the place. No soldier has been attacked in camp or in town except in that district. Two officers have died. one of them Lieutenant John- son, chief of the ambulance corps. I am inclined to think it will not spread out of the town. but of course there is nothing certain about it."
236
HISTORY OF THE
Another press despatch from New Berne. September 22d, says : " The sudden appearance of congestive chills and bilious fever in New Berne has driven all transient persons out of the department, including many established business men, who supposed they were flying from yellow fever. Through the skill and untiring labor of the surgeons a material abatement of the epidemic has been effected."
September 26th we find this grim record : ". Most of the Northern- ers who can get away have left, especially the recruiting agents." At this time the situation was terrible enough to appall even the most stout-hearted. A feeling of apathy seemed to fall upon every one. It even extended to the men on the outposts, for they knew that New Berne was safe from any rebel attack while this fearful scourge was doing deadlier work than any human foe could do. Again a provi- dence seemed to guard the lucky Fifth. The fever did not spread into the camps and forts around the city, nor did a single case origi- nate on the north side of the Neuse. Fortunately, too, there were but few of our men on detail in the city or sick in the general hospi- tals. Again we quote from Surgeon Potter, of the date of October 3d, from Fort Anderson :
" The fever here does not abate yet, although the impression among the surgeons seems to be that the cases are not so severe as they were at first, and are more amenable to treatment. I have had two cases, Lieutenant-Colonel Stone, of the Third New York Artillery. who was in command on this side of the Neuse. He contracted the disease in town and came here with it. and died yesterday morning : and also Lient. George F. Turner. of the Fifth. who was detailed as superintendent of the police in New Berue. He contracted the dis- ease while in the line, of his duty, which was superintending the force cleaning up the filth in the city, which was causing the conta- gion. He is now siek with it in the city. I remember the day he received the order detailing him for that duty. I came over from the city, and he asked me into his tent and showed me the order. I said, ' This is pretty rough, what are you going to do about it?' . Do,' said he, 'go. Of course I never shall come out of it alive, but Heamie ont to die for my country, it' need be, though I expected it would be in battle, or somewhere but in filth. . Well.' he contin- ned, . it may as well be me as a better man.' The disease does not
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FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY.
appear in the camps unless brought from the town, and does not spread there, showing that a poisoned air is needed to make it coutag- ious.
"Sunday, October 9th. I wrote in my last that Lieutenant Tur- ner was sick with the fever. He died Thursday noon, October 6th. He had the . two o'clock in the morning courage.' and showed himself
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Lieut. George F. Turner.
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a hero even more than he who leads the forlorn hope or fires a mine with a quick match. We have also lost ten enlisted men, who were in general hospital or detailed in the city.
Monday, October 10th. We had a fine frost last night, and now we think . yellow jack ' must go."
The following sketch of Lieutenant Turner was written by his sis- ter. We deem it worthy of insertion here :
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238
HISTORY OF THE
SKETCH OF LIEUT. GEORGE F. TURNER.
Doctor James V. Turner, the father of Lieutenant Turner, was the son of Doctor Peter Turner, of Est Greenwich, R. T., a surgeon in the Revo- Intionary army, and the grandson of Doctor William Turner, a native of Newport, R. I., who settled in Newark, N. J.
In the year 1815 he (i. e., Dr. James V. Turner, ) married Catherine Ray Greene, daughter of Hon. Ray Greene, of Warwick, and granddaughter of William Greene, governor of Rhode Island during the Revolution.
George Flagg Turner was the second son and fifth child of this family, and was born on the 26th of March, 1824, at the homestead of his mater- nal ancestors, a lovely country place, around which cluster many inter- esting historical associations.
In the year 1828 Dr. Turner removed with his family to Portsmouth, on Rhode Island, where they remained for five years. In this retired spot they were thrown very much on their own resources, and reading, music, drawing and domestic games were the principal recreations of the children during the long, quiet winter, occasionally diversified by evening lessons in dancing, in which the father would act both as teacher and musician.
Lieutenant Turner's early instructor was Mr. John J. Payne, one of the teachers so delightfully described in Snow Bound, who spent a portion of the time in each family, thus carrying freshness and refinement into the country home. Mr. Payne, though sufficiently strict in his school, dealt much more in rewards than in punishments, and his prizes, of which George always gained a large share, were his own paintings, lit- tle pictures in water colors, of no great merit in themselves, but which probably had great influence in developing the aesthetic tendeney in Lieutenant Turner's character.
His main defect in childhood was a high and almost ungovernable temper, but through careful training and conscientious effort it became so subdued that in later life he was often characterized as too gentle and yielding. His disposition was generous and self-forgetful, and he was incapable of a mean action.
In 1833 the family removed to Newport, and Mr. Payne going at the same time, the children continued at his school, until, in 1835, his health gave way, and the oldler ones were placed under the tuition of Mr. Har- per, an Englishman, a thorough scholar and an experienced teacher. Here George made rapid progress until an injury, received in 1837, obliged him to leave school, and kept him confined to his room for a year, during which he assiduously enltivated the taste for drawing which had always distinguished him.
On his recovery he again attended school for a few years, and became a proficient in the languages, which he acquired with facility, and which opened new fields for the play of thought and taney he loved to indulge.
A
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FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 239
This habit of reverie, though it gave him rather a dreamy, abstracteil expression, did not prevent his taking great interest in the politics of the country. of which he ever kept himself well informed.
Descended from the early Pilgrims, and trained in the strong tenets which have made New England what it is, the sacrifice of self for the common good was taught as a cardinal virtue. Accordingly, when the Dorr rebellion arose in our little State, George, then eighteen years old, and engaged in teaching a school in the city, came home with a pale, de- termined face, and announced his intention of going with the volunteers from Newport to assist in suppressing it. Tears and entreaties were of no avail, and he took his share of the toils and annoyances of the expe- dition to Chepachet, which resulted, however. in a bloodless victory.
After a few years spent in cultivating his talent for drawing, he made it his chosen profession, and continued the practice of it in the city of New York until the serpent of secession uncoiled its folds. Then, like myrinds of others of our brave young men. he threw aside the pursuits of peace, until this serpent should be crushed, and the cause of truth and freedom vindicated. Anxious to place himself under the banner of his native state. he hastened to Newport, where he assisted in recruiting a company for the Second Rhode Island Regiment. Failing to receive : commission in this, and meeting a series of fair promises and disappoint- ments which would have dampened the ardor of a man less determined, he returned to New York, and was on the point of joining a regiment there when he was recalled to assist in recruiting a company for the Fifth Rhode Island Regiment.
Here he received the commission of first lieutenant, but finding the officer next him dissatisfied, he willingly exchanged commissions, suffici- ently happy if he were only allowed an active share in the cause next his heart.
The regiment was stationed at New Berne, under the command of Col. Henry T. Sisson. Lientenant Turner shared the perils of the expedition up the Pamlico River to Little Washington for the relief of General Fos- ter, the most distinguished service in which his regiment was engaged. His company (H) with four others, occupied Rodman's Point Battery until the return of General Foster, who had gone immediately to New Berne.
At the age of thirty-six he had married Miss Caroline A. Stevens. of Newport, who survived him. The only child, whom he had never seen died in the summer of 1863, aged four months. Her father was at this time on his way north, ordered to New Haven on recruiting service, happy in anticipation of at length beholding her.
He was at one time detailed as designer to beautify the grounds about the general's headquarters, a task most congenial to his tastes and hab- its. Bnt, alas! a far diffent task awaited him.
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240
HISTORY OF THE
When the yellow fever appeared in New Berne, in the autumn of 1864, he, having been promoted to the first-lieutenancy, was stationed with his company at Fort Chase, in a perfectly healthy locality. But an effici- ent officer being required as inspector of the streets of New Berne, he was ordered to that most disagreeable duty. A style of courage far su- perior to the blind impulse which rushes into the excitement of battle was needed for this, and he was the man for it; and he was accustomed to say that the true courage was the intelligent conquest of fear.
After a faithful discharge of his duties as inspector for one week. he was taken sick with the fever, to which he fell a victim on the sixth of October, 1864. The general order for his funeral gives so just an appre- ciation of his character that I am happy to be able to quote from it here:
" The lieutenant-colonel commanding takes this opportunity to testify to the worth of Lieutenant Turner as an officer and a gentleman. A sim- ple reference to his character is the most fitting eulogy that can be be- stowed on our deceased fellow officer. Simple and unostentatious in his manners. genial and pleasant in his intercourse with all, honest and in- genuous in his dealings, just, generous, and brave, imbued with a patri- otic spirit and possessing an intelligent and cultivated mind. he combined in an eminent degree intellectual qualities of sterling worth with some of the highest traits of character, securing him the respect of all who knew him. Regretting the untimely death of our comrade, let us cher- ish his memory and emulate his virtues, while we devote ourselves with renewed energy to the cause in which he died.
. By order of Lieut .- Col. GEORGE W. TEW, Commanding the Regiment. " E. F. ANGELL, First Lieutenant and Acting _Adjutant."
His remains. after a few months, were brought home for reinterment, and in considerations of scruples of the city anthorities in regard to the disease of which he died, they were followed to the grave only by his own family, in the dead of night through the quiet streets, amid a drenching rain, the deep voice of his beloved pastor most solemnly pro- nouncing the last sad rites over the patriot's grave.
About this time we learned that Col. Henry T. Sisson had been honorably discharged from the service at his own request. on the ground of ill health, Oct. 5. 1864.
Colonel Sisson. after distinguished service with the Fifth. was honorably discharged the service on account of disability. Oet. 5. 1864. From 1875 to 1877 he was Lieutenant-Governor of Rhode He now resides at Seaconnet Point, Little Compton, Rhode Island. where he enjoys the confidence and respect of his towusmen and all his oldl comrades of the war.
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FIFTH RHODE ISLAND HEAVY ARTILLERY. 241
October 28th. The fever is all gone except a few old cases that are slowly recovering ; no new cases for the past week.
A press dispatch of October 27th, states that the fever originated from a slip at the foot of Craven Street, which had been filled up by Captain Bradley, provost marshal in New Berne, with manure and barrels of rotten beef. The number of deaths did not exceed two thousand, principally among citizens and refugees. Of a total num- ber of thirteen army surgeons in New Berne eight died of the fever. Among the survivors were Surgeon Potter and Assistant Surgeon Greene, of the Fifth Rhode Island. During the prevalence of fever regimental headquarters were moved to Fort Spinola, and again transferred to New Berne when the epidemic abated.
It is now time to turn our attention to companies D and I, on Roanoke Island. Here the routine of garrison duty hung with a dull weight upon both officers and men. Company D at Fort Parke oc- casionally found a little excitement in firing a shot across the bows of some vessel, bound up the sound, that would attempt to run by without reporting to the commanding officer on the island. At times a raid would be made along " the banks," or among the creeks and bays of the mainland, to collect the small boats that might be used in smuggling medicines, etc., in a small way, into the Confederacy. The re-enlisted veterans of the various detachments on the island re- ceived their furloughs during the latter part of September. While they were absent First Lient. Walter IL. Luther was detailed to com- mand a detachment of the One Hundred and Third Pennsylvania Vol- unteers, while Lieutenant-Colonel Clark, of that regiment, was ab- sent with the veterans. October Ith the enemy made a boat raid along the shore of the mainland and burned the light-house at the head of Croatan Sound, some four miles from Roanoke Island, carry- ing away the keeper and his family.
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