USA > Vermont > A history of the Tenth Regiment, Vermont Volunteers, with biographical sketches of the officers who fell in battle. And a complete roster of all the officers and men connected with it--showing all changes by promotion, death or resignation, during the military existence of the regiment > Part 12
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At Manchester, the troops, waiting for the arrival of our division wagon trains from Danville, visibly recruited. The men eagerly visited Richmond, roamed about the deserted and half-ruined capital of the late Confederacy, and were
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now remarkably anxious to explore the interior of Libby Prison and Castle Thunder, which desire they were allowed to gratify without restraint.
On the twenty-fourth, after having tried in vain to pro- cure transportation to Washington, General Wright started his veteran corps northward. There was less murmuring than might have been supposed. Still, as it was a part of Johnston's stipulations with Sherman that the Government should furnish his men with free transportation to the nearest practicable point to their homes, our own soldiers thought, perhaps justly, that there was no need, certainly no good reason, why they should be marched from Richmond to Washington. But the Sixth Corps, with the reputation of being glorious fighters, had gained the sobriquet of "Sedg- wick's walkers," during the war, and were now good for this trip. After experiencing a great deal of rainy weather and mud, we reached Ball's Cross Roads, three miles from Georgetown, on the second of June, moving by way of Hanover Court House, Fredericksburg and Aquia Creek.
On the seventh of June, all the Vermont troops in the vicinity of Washington were reviewed by His Excellency John Gregory Smith, Governor of Vermont, accompanied by his Adjutant-General, Peter T. Washburn. Quarter-Mas- ter-General P. P. Pitkin, Surgeon-General S. W. Thayer, and many other gentlemen from the State. The organiza- tions from the State were the Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, Eighth, Tenth and Eleventh Regiments of Infantry, and the First "Vermont Cavalry." On the eighth, the whole corps was reviewed on Pennsylvania Avenue, by President Johnson, attended by many general officers, subal- tern, soldiers from the other corps, and a vast concourse of citizens. On the twenty-second, the veterans of the Third Division were mustered out of the United States service. Fourteen officers and one hundred and thirty-six men of the Tenth Vermont were transferred to the Fifth Vermont, -a
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regiment that now embraced some of its own, and recruits from other commands-and thirteen officers and four hun- dred and fifty-one men were mustered out. Very soon, the other division shared the same fate; and thus the "old" Sixth Army Corps, embracing men from all of the New England, Middle and some of the Western States, that had fought so gallantly with the Army of the Potomac through the Peninsular Campaign, at Bull Run, South Mountain and Antietam-that had stormed the Hights of Fredericksburg, displayed such soldierly daring at Chancellorsville and at Gettysburg,-that had strewn the Wilderness with their slain, and fought through all the bloody campaigns of sixty- four, from the Rapidan to Petersburg,-that by one of its divisions at Monocacy Junction, saved the Capital, -thence with Sheridan at Winchester, Fisher's Hill and Cedar Creek, then back and over the old ground at Petersburg, at Five Forks, Sailor's Creek and at Appomattox Court-House - ceased to exist. On all these fields, and a hundred others here unnamed, leaving everywhere its brave noble dead, and a record of deeds and of victories unsurpassed by any similar organization - thus these veterans, battle-scarred and war-worn, ceasing to be soldiers, glided into the pursuits of civil life and became citizens ! Men and officers, though mustered out of the United States service, still remained under military discipline, and were commanded by Major John A. Salisbury, a very excellent officer and a good disciplinarian, but who was now disposed to allow his men to be as jolly as they pleased. His own command and those other regiments of the brigade to whom the Major was well known, testified their respect for him, a respect won with them on the battle-field and in the camp, by marching in a grand torchlight procession to his quarters, and rendering such other tokens of esteem as were in their power to bestow.
On the twenty-third, we started for home, marching
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through Washington to the railroad station, where we took cars for New York. In passing through the city, joined by the One Hundred and Sixth New York, a regiment for which the Tenth Vermont had conceived an affectionate regard, which was by them freely reciprocated, we halted at the residence of Major-General James B. Ricketts, our old Division Commander, and gave the hero nine rousing cheers, which the General acknowledged with a full hear- of love. Arriving at New York on the evening of the twenty-fourth, we were quartered at the battery. Here all military restraint was relaxed for the time being, and the men had the freedom of the city. "Yet at roll-call the next morning," writes Captain Davis, " every man answered to his name," He adds, "If this does not speak well for the discipline and character of the Tenth Vermont, I am no soldier." The Captain was a soldier and a Christian gentleman, and would not be likely to pardon without rebuke, what he judged to be crime or folly.
Major Salisbury took his command to Burlington, Ver- mont, by the most direct route, where they arrived at two o'clock A. M., on the twenty-seventh. The City Hall was brilliantly lighted and the citizens, with a large number of ladies in waiting, gave them a most generous and enthusiastic reception. But in vain searched thousands of moistened eyes among that sun-browned and battle-worn company for the dear boy who had gone forth with them three years ago! Here, also, they were met by many of their old comrades, who had become disabled in the service, and had been discharged. Among those assembled to welcome them back to the State, perhaps no one was greeted with more hearty cheers than Brevet Brigadier- General William W. Henry, a former Colonel of the regi- ment. Major Salisbury made the following report to the Adjutant-General :
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"GENERAL P. T. WASHBURN, ADJUTANT AND INSPECTOR GENERAL : -
"General :- I have the honor to report, that on the twenty-second of June, 1865, fourteen officers and one hundred and thirty-six men of the Tenth Vermont Volun- teers, were transferred to the Fifth Vermont Regiment, and thirteen officers and four hundred and fifty-one men were mustered out of the service. I left Washington, June twenty-third, at noon, for Burlington, Vermont, in command of the Tenth Vermont Regiment; arriving in New York, Saturday the twenty-fourth, at eight o'clock in the evening, where we were met by Colonel Frank E. Howe, and remained over night. At noon, the twenty-fifth, we took passage on the Mary Benton, and arrived in Albany at half past three o'clock Monday morning, June twenty-sixth, where we were well received. We left Albany at noon the same day and arrived in Burlington at two o'clock Tuesday morning, where we had a pleasant reception. The men were furloughed until July third, when they returned, and were paid off by Major Wadleigh. Officers and men on the route behaved admirably, and won great commendation.
"I am, General, with great respect, "Your obedient servant, "MAJOR J. A. SALISBURY."
The men were furloughed for six days, and at the expir- ation of that time returned and were finally discharged- only four hundred and fifty out of one thousand in the beginning ! For the rest they had laid down their lives on the battlefield, fallen with disease and wounds, or exhausted their strength in the service of our country ! Noble offer- ings, every one !
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CHAPTER VIII.
M UCH remains which might be said in honor and praise of the noble men and officers of this regi- ment, whose history has been attempted in the preceding pages. But aside from brief biographical sketches of the officers who fell in battle, and a somewhat imperfect roster of both officers and men, little more will be here recorded. The efficiency of the regiment, although equal to any other from the State, was possibly diminished by the large num- ber of details of officers who served a part of their time outside of the organization as general staff officers, and by the still larger number of enlisted men and non-commis- sioned officers who received appointments in the colored troops. Many of the latter were commissioned Captains in this corps, and some were made Majors and Lieutenant- Colonels. Several of them now hold commissions in the regular army of the United States, and are doing service in its various departments throughout the Union. Quite a number of our officers obtained appointments in the Com- missary and Quarter-Master Departments of the volunteer army.
Captain A. B. VALENTINE, our first Quarter-Master, an officer of great energy and efficiency, became Brigade Con- missary, and was assigned to the "Old Brigade."
Captain JOHN A. SHELDON, after serving with great credit in the regiment, where he was universally beloved, obtained a similar appointment in another brigade of the Army of the Potomac.
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Captain H. W. KINGSLEY, after having been once severely wounded in action, bravely fighting with his com- pany, and while acting as commissary of subsistence in our brigade, was appointed a full "Captain of Commissary" and assigned to duty in the Sixth Corps.
Captain CHARLES H. REYNOLDS, also a Quarter-Master in the Tenth Regiment, and a thoroughly good fellow, was appointed an Assistant Quarter-Master, and served in the Artillery Corps.
Captain HIRAM R. STEEL was appointed a Commissary of Subsistence and sent to New Orleans. He was Captain of Company K, and was severely wounded at Spottsylvania, in consequence of which he could not again endure the hardships of a campaign.
EDWARD P. FARR, who went out a private in Company G, rose through all the grades below in the line, and was appointed Captain and Assistant Quarter-Master United States Volunteers, and was assigned to duty at General Wright's headquarters. After Lee's surrender, General Wright was ordered to Texas, and Captain Farr went with him, where he remained some time after his regiment was mustered out of the United States service.
Lieutenant-Colonel GEORGE B. DAMON was for a long time Judge-Advocate on General Ricketts's staff.
Major MERRITT BARBER was Assistant Adjutant-Gen- eral on General L. A. Grant's staff.
Captain S. H. LEWIS was Provost-Marshal on General Seymour's staff.
Captain RUFUS K. TABOR served for a long time on General Ricketts's staff.
Lieutenants JOHN A. HICKS, D. G. HILL, L. C. GALE and C. D. BOGUE were aides-de-camp on General Morris's and Carr's staffs.
All these officers rendered noble service to the army in their various capacities, but it was so much courage, so
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many soldierly qualities and so much efficiency taken, for much of the time, from the regiment. Large numbers of non-commissioned officers and enlisted men, also, were detailed to the Hospital, Commissary and Quarter-Master Departments in the field, to the Provost Guard, Brigade, Division and Corps Headquarters. And it is a fact, though no discredit to those who remained and always marched and fought with the regiment, that the most soldierly appearing and efficient men were chosen for those positions. All these men cannot be mentioned by name, yet it may be said for them all that their service was often as arduons and as important to the army as that rendered by those who fought constantly in the ranks. On more than one occasion a private from Company H, JOHN G. BOSTWICK, who was connected with the commissary department of our division, saved large amounts of Government property. Through his energy the troops and the hospital patients were often supplied with rations, where less diligence would have left them withont. Many others, doubtless, in the same and in other departments, where the duties to be performed required the most faithful of men, served with equal ability outside of the ranks.
Among the most faithful soldiers in the army were the Surgeons. To their skill and professional ability the wounded were indebted for the safe care of their injuries ; and the sick, who were carefully treated by them, will cherish memories of their kindness, and feel themselves under obligations that no measure of gratitude will ever repay. But the inefficient Surgeon, who, by accident or by unjust favor, happened to be placed upon the medical staff, was, to say the least, a great misfortune.
Surgeon WILLARD A. CHILDE, who was in the service from the outbreak of the rebellion until the close, was our medical chief. He was sometime Brigade Surgeon, and for a longer time in charge of the Division Hospital. He was
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an officer of eminent skill and a great deal of professional experience, with fine executive abilities, and he always filled the various positions of responsibility and trust assigned him with great credit to the profession. He was first Assistant Surgeon of the Fourth Vermont, and served with that command through the Peninsular Campaign. On the organization of the Tenth he was promoted to full Surgeon of this regiment. He remained with us, except the time he was detached for other duties, to the end, and came home with the old flag, a veteran of many honorable scars-on the men upon whom he had operated. The Doctor is not only a skillful surgeon but is something of a literatus and a poet. *
Our Assistant Surgeons, JOSEPH C. RUTHERFORD and ALMON CLARK, were also exceedingly good officers. Sur- geon Rutherford was an old practitioner and could deal very skillfully with the fevers and the old chronic difficulties that frequently developed themselves in camp. He had the whole care of the regiment while Childe and Clark were on detached service, frequently for months at a time, and about the hospital and camp he was a painstaking officer. He was promoted to be Surgeon of the Seventeenth Regiment in March, 1865.
Surgeon Clark was a much younger physician, but his excellent qualification, and his earnest desire to succeed, with his great industry and faithfulness, abundantly made up for previous lack of experience. He was well and worthily loved by all who knew him and had occasion to require his professional service. He was promoted to be Surgeon of the First Vermont Cavalry.
It has been thought that something about the Chaplaincy of this regiment ought to have more than a bare reference in this book, and it has been frequently and earnestly urged
* See page 164.
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that some account of the Chaplain's service should be given for the sake of those who desire it. This is not the place, nor mine the pen, to record all that may be told, one way and another, of the Chaplaincy of this particular command, simply for the reason that I had the honor to fill the office for all except a few months of our military existence. Per- haps what follows may not be deemed obtrusive by any of my indulgent readers, as it partakes more of a general than a personal character.
A good and faithful Chaplain may be a very useful officer. If he attends strictly to his own duties, and maintains his Christian character, he will certainly be respected and his example and council will not entirely fail of their influence. I can say for the officers and men of the Tenth Vermont, that they sincerely desired the appropriate offices of the Chaplaincy faithfully performed, and if they were not, for the greater part of the time, the fault was not theirs. The duties of the Chaplain were to preach, when practicable, on Sunday, and always to show a marked interest in the moral and religious welfare of the men with whom he was associ- ated. He visits the sick in the regimental hospital and min- isters to their wants in every way that he can in camp, and assists in caring for the wounded in time of battle. He is often required to write letters to the distant friends of the disabled soldiers. His devotional work must grow out of his own heart and the needs of those around him, while his opportunities will suggest the time for doing it. There are, of course, a great many things which occasions will furnish, by which he may endear himself to the soldier and the sol- dier's friends, and these are presented in the camp, on the march and on the battlefield. There were a large number of religious men in our regiment who were connected with Christian churches. Hence, with other favoring circum- stances, it was not difficult to hold prayer meetings, even while engaged in an active campaign. We formed a regi-
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mental church, organized and officered as we thought the exigencies of the case required, and adopted the following declaration and Articles of Faith :
We, professing to be disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, and as such holding Christian fellowship with various religious bodies known and recognized as Evangelical Churches, deem it necessary to form ourselves into a Christian Association, for the purpose of promoting a personal re- ligious interest and for the general good of the cause of Christ among us.
This Association shall be called The Regimental Church of the Tenth Vermont Infantry, and shall have power to receive members and exercise all the functions of any Christian Church, provided it does not conflict with the military authority of the regiment and the army regulations of the United States.
The conditions of membership in this church shall be the same as in any Evangelical Church, except no one holding church membership with any other Evangelical Church may consider such relationship dissolved by uniting with this. This church shall not grant letters of dismission, only letters of recommendation pertaining to moral and religious char- acter.
ARTICLES OF FAITH.
We believe in one living and true God, everlasting, of infinite power and wisdom, of justice and goodness ; that He is the maker and preserver of all things, both visible and invisible; and in the Unity of this Godhead there are three persons (so called) of one substance and the same attri- butes, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Son is the eternal God manifested in the flesh, hence two whole and perfect natures, the Godhood and manhood, are joined together in one person. He was cru- cified, suffered and died, the atoning sacrifice of the world, and is the Saviour of as many as believe on his name.
We believe in the truth of the Holy Scriptures, that all was given by inspiration, and is profitable for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, that it contains all knowledge necessary to man's salva- tion.
We believe that except Jesus Christ there is no name given under heaven and among men whereby we must be saved.
We believe that without faith in Jesus Christ it is impossible to please God; that we should have true evangelical repentance through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and godly sorrow for all our sins; and that we should show forth visible testimony of our inward faith in Him as our living and risen Saviour by baptism.
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We who have caused our names to be hereunto annexed, do pledge ourselves, by the grace of God, to observe with fidelity and godly fear these articles of faith, and do hereby pledge ourselves, in the presence of these witnesses and before God, to discharge faithfully the duties devolving upon us as members of the visible Church of Christ; that we will abstain from the vicious tendencies of camp life as much as in us lies ; that we will mutually cooperate with the majority of this body in devising means, under God, for the salvation of our companions in arms, and will strive together in love to promote a healthy Christian discipline among us, that our efforts may redound to the honor and glory of our Divine Master. Amen.
The above are the original contents of the document drawn up and adopted in December, 1862. Nearly one hundred united with this church. Forty made profession of faith while in the service. While in winter quarters, at Brandy Station, Virginia, the Christian Commission kindly furnished the covering for a large chapel tent, which was erected by volunteer workmen and details from the regiment. This was not used exclusively for religious purposes, but it was never at any time interfered with under any circumstances, when desired for that purpose. While here we held meetings two or three times each week with very gratifying results. But this little church soon became scattered, and its numbers so reduced by death and otherwise, that some time before the close of the war there was no organization left. Its members seemed to be among the first who fell; and the time came when the bugle call could not summon six to the place of prayer. But we trust that they will joyfully respond to the trumpet of the archangel in the last great day when all who are in the graves shall come forth. Let us hope that here in this little chapel many a heart was cheered by the promises .made to the Christian, and the good influences that these Christian soldiers exerted, and the courage they displayed in many a conflict, drew inspiration from these religious associations.
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The following poem was written by Willard A. Childe, Surgeon of the Tenth Regiment Vermont Volunteers, on the first reunion of its officers and men at Waterbury, Ver- mont, October, 1865 :
Comrades! 't is good to meet once more, To talk our battle history o'er, Once more to greet the friends made dear By many a day of grief or cheer - By many a danger bravely met - On many a field with good blood wet - The blood of those we loved and cherished Who for their country nobly perished. We meet to talk of roaring nights, Round many a camp-fire's flashing lights, Where laugh and song went gaily round, Searce silenced by the Tattoo's sound - Of bivouacs forlorn and dreary- Of toiling marches wet and weary, Of sufferings in the winter camp - The picket's watch, the sentry's tramp - The rebel volley's deadly rattle - The cannon's roar- the crash of battle - The foe's fierce charge-the rebel yell !- As 't were all devils loosed from hell ! Our steady ranks and answering cheer That ever filled their hearts with fear - As wavering, faltering back they fell Beneath the cannon-smoke's dread pall ! Of all of pleasure and of pain To-night we meet to talk again ; Happy in greeting all who're here, And o'er those gone to drop a tear.
And here I will venture a change in my metre, My thoughts flow more free when my feet are the fleeter ! There's little to tell of our stay in Vermont - It was "facings " and "marehings," "eyes-right! left and front !" Of the trip down to Dixie there's nought worth repeating Save, the cars they were close, and the weather was heating - And our journey we thought ne'er would come to an end And we all got so cross each hated his friend,
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And of starving and choking each soldier afraid is, Till at last, God be thanked, Philadelphia's ladies Beamed on us like angels of mercy so fair, Sure never was supper so sweet as that there, And all the old Tenth prayed for blessings that night On the dear Quaker girls and their glances so bright. But farewell must be said, and again on the cars Rolling Southward for glory, hard-tack and the wars! Then there's nothing important till we got to Camp Chase, Where we thought we earned rest just for clearing the place ; But Stanton thought different and soon came the order,
" Boot and saddle! and mount and away to the border!" And where is the writer so brilliant and arch As to tell of the glories of that famous march ? And where is the pen that can fitly relate How in twenty-four hours we " three days rations " ate ? " Or the gallant achievement - for the weather was warm, Of leaving our knapsacks in Mr. Pyle's barn ? But onward we toiled over hills, vales and rocks, Till the left wing's headquarters were at Seneca Locks ; And the centre when sunset did lengthen the shadows - Reposed their tired limbs in Pleasant's Meadows, While the right with the morn pressed on cheerful and merry, Till they halted at last at Edwards Ferry. And here we remained with not much in our story For the next long eight months of battle or glory. For first we moved Northward and then we moved South - Till at last our right rested on Monocacy's mouth, Where our horses drank water so potent and evil That rider and steed seemed bound for the devil ; And would tear to White's Ford on such a wild canter, As "Cutty Sark " frightened did poor Tam O'Shanter.
And here we bide through seasons three, A merry band of soldiery, With nought to mar our happiness, With nought of danger and distress, Save when disease and death's cold hand Called one by one from out our band Full many a comrade dearly loved Whose worth had toil and trial proved - But laying them beneath the sod We trust their souls now rest with God !
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For his as true the sacrifice Who " in the line of duty " dies - Stricken by fever on his post As falling 'mid the fighting host ! We've neither time nor space to tell A tithe of all that us befell - Through Autumn's mud and Winter's snows, And when Spring brought the opening rose - How stern we watched the river dark And Loudon's hill-sides' earnest mark ; And o'er Potomac's tiny billows Fancy the clank of White's Guerrillas, And Company D, at the Hay Stacks See on the tow-path mystic tracks, And catch the gleam of signal lights From out the windows at Joe White's. Scant time have we e'en to recall The incidents of Surgeon's Call - Where draughts of " whiskey and quinine " Alternate with " 4-8-16!" Where KELLY swears that Dr. C. For " a growing pain " in a soldier's knee Gave this prescription -'twas a beauty, " Cough Medicine three times a day," and " duty !" Don't let the bard forget to sing How one fine day in early Spring The Major posted on the heights Of Edwards Ferry saw a sight, Which sounds at once all war's alarms, And calls the party all to arms ; Saw gathering round a tall hay stack A busy troop of figures black, REBELS of course, the thought arose ! Rebels! and therefore mortal foes, And bade " the section load with shell" " Take steady aim ! and give 'em hell !" Across the river howled the shot The party quick " got up and got." And "victory on our banners perched, " Until the scout who went and searched Found a black corpse, grave, coffin, pall and all - Nought but a nigger funeral !
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