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+*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 58480 ***
+
+
+
+Note: Project Gutenberg also has an HTML version of this
+      file which includes the original illustrations.
+      See 58480-h.htm or 58480-h.zip:
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/58480/58480-h/58480-h.htm)
+      or
+      (http://www.gutenberg.org/files/58480/58480-h.zip)
+
+
+      Images of the original pages are available through
+      Internet Archive. See
+      https://archive.org/details/perryssaintsorfi00nich
+
+
+
+
+
+[Illustration: _James M Nichols_]
+
+
+PERRY'S SAINTS
+
+Or
+
+The Fighting Parson's Regiment in the War of the Rebellion
+
+by
+
+JAMES M. NICHOLS
+
+
+
+
+
+
+Boston
+D. Lothrop and Company
+32 Franklin Street
+
+Copyright, 1885, by
+D. Lothrop and Company.
+
+Electrotyped by
+C.J. Peters & Son, Boston.
+
+
+
+
+MEMORIAL SKETCH OF THE AUTHOR.
+
+
+To the rising generation the war of the rebellion already seems more
+like a romance than a reality. One by one the active participants in
+that momentous period of the nation's history are passing away. In a
+few years there will not be a veteran left to tell the story of his own
+experience on field and in camp. Hardly had the writer of the following
+pages completed and revised his work, and placed the copy in the hands
+of the publishers, when he, too, was summoned to join the great army
+beyond. That he had a touch of the rare quality which we call heroism,
+as well as fervent patriotism, is sufficient reason why the reader
+should know something more about him than is disclosed in the faithful
+and comprehensive record of his army life contained in this volume.
+
+James M. Nichols was born in Haverhill, Mass., in 1835. His early
+education was received in the public schools of his native town,
+and he prepared for college at Phillips Academy, Andover, Mass. He
+graduated at Williams College in 1857, having been a fellow-student
+with President James A. Garfield. The storming of Fort Sumter fired
+his heart with patriotism, and he was soon among his own townsmen
+actively engaged in enlisting a company which was at once consolidated
+in another organization. He then went to New York, and was commissioned
+as a lieutenant in the 48th regiment, but afterwards rose to the rank
+of captain. During his three years of service Colonel Nichols was
+second to none in that famous regiment in thorough devotion to duty and
+in the display of soldierly qualities. On several occasions he was in
+command of the regiment, and led it through many a fiery ordeal with
+courage and ability. In recognition of these services he was brevetted
+successively major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel. In private life
+Mr. Nichols was frank, manly, impulsive, sympathetic, and an earnest
+Christian. To these qualities were added musical gifts and a rare power
+in conversation, which made him a delightful companion; while to those
+who knew him best, his thorough genuineness, and the nobility of a
+nature which scorned everything narrow and mean, made him the trusted
+and beloved friend. He died suddenly, July 1, 1886, from the effects of
+disease contracted in the service. He was tenderly borne to his last
+resting-place by comrades from the Grand Army of the Republic, and he
+has left behind as the inalienable possession of his sons the legacy of
+a pure, upright, and useful life.
+
+
+
+
+PREFACE.
+
+
+The following narrative is, for the most part, a transcript from
+journals kept by the writer during his three years and more of service
+in the army of the Union. Facts, experiences, and observations, were
+noted down from day to day, whether we were in camp, in garrison, or
+in the field, and are given to the public in the hope not only of
+affording pleasure to those who have never shared in such experiences,
+but of correcting erroneous impressions in regard to the real life
+of the soldier. Those who served in the army, I feel assured, will
+recognize the truthfulness of the picture of army life.
+
+ James M. Nichols,
+ _Brev.-Col. U.S. Vols._
+
+ Haverhill, Mass.
+
+
+
+
+CONTENTS.
+
+
+ CHAPTER I.
+
+ Causes of the War.                                                  13
+
+
+ CHAPTER II.
+
+ Colonel Perry. Formation and character of the regiment. Luther
+ B. Wyman, Esq.                                                      19
+
+
+ CHAPTER III.
+
+ Camp Wyman. Incidents of camp life. Lieutenant Elfwing.
+ Fête Champêtre. Departure for seat of war. List of officers.
+ In camp near Washington. Off for Annapolis. General Butler
+ in Maryland. Attitude of Governor Hicks. Waiting at Annapolis.
+ Colonel Perry's last sermon. Journey to New York. Return
+ of contrabands. Departure for Fortress Monroe.                      32
+
+
+ CHAPTER IV.
+
+ At Fortress Monroe. General Viele's talk. Weary waiting. Off
+ at last. Order of sailing. Storm. Horrors of the voyage. Vessels
+ lost. Off Port Royal. Tatnall's Mosquito fleet. Bombardment
+ of Hilton Head and Bay Point by navy. Surrender.
+ Captain Drayton. Landing of troops. First camp on Confederate
+ soil. Foraging. Negroes' account of bombardment.
+ Inspection and review. The sutler. Thanksgiving.                    48
+
+
+ CHAPTER V.
+
+ Expedition to Port Royal Ferry. Progress up Broad River.
+ Colonel Perry acting brigadier-general. The rebel yell heard
+ for the first time. The regiment's first baptism of fire. The
+ old horse. Night on the field. Return to Hilton Head. Object
+ of the expedition. Presentation of flag to the regiment. Off
+ for Dawfuskie. Southern homes. Preparatory work by Major
+ Beard and others. Building batteries on Jones and Bird
+ Islands. Mud and malaria. Reconnoissances and midnight
+ wanderings.                                                         73
+
+
+ CHAPTER VI.
+
+ Planting batteries on Tybee Island. General Gilmore. Listening
+ for the opening gun. Bombardment of Fort Pulaski. Watching
+ the contest from Dawfuskie. Surrender of the fort. Its
+ appearance after the bombardment.                                   94
+
+
+ CHAPTER VII.
+
+ Camp life at Dawfuskie. Scheelings and his "leetle tog." High
+ living. Effects of malaria. Discussing the situation. Emancipation
+ order of General Hunter. Lincoln the emancipator. John
+ C. Calhoun and nullification. Ordered to Pulaski. James
+ Island expedition. A sad failure. Shouting service of the
+ negroes.                                                           100
+
+
+ CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ The wreck of the sutler's schooner. Its consequences. The
+ death of Colonel Perry. His character. Action of officers.
+ Sent to New York. Lieutenant-Colonel Barton promoted.
+ Detailed on recruiting service. General Mitchell commander
+ of the department. Expedition to Bluffton. Blockade-runner
+ Emma. Confederate ironclad. Back with the regiment. Its
+ condition. Bluffton again visited. Ravages of war.                 112
+
+
+ CHAPTER IX.
+
+ Expedition to Coosawhatchie. Landing at Dawson's plantation.
+ March to Coosawhatchie. Ambuscade. Firing on
+ Confederate train. Confederate prisoners. Destruction of
+ track. Retreat. Peril of Lieutenant Corwin. Lieutenant
+ Branding wounded. Pocataligo expedition a failure. Perilous
+ voyage back to Pulaski. Confederate weapons. Yellow fever.
+ Death of General Mitchell. His character. Review of
+ Coosawhatchie.                                                     124
+
+
+ CHAPTER X.
+
+ At Fort Pulaski. Changes at Dawfuskie. Amusements. The
+ pride and taste of the soldiers in fitting up their quarters.
+ Mosquitoes and other pests. Thanksgiving celebration. Incidents
+ of garrison life. Flag of truce. Confederate ironclad.
+ New Year's Day. Mr. Logan's account of the condition of
+ things in Savannah. Prices of provisions, etc. Resignation
+ and departure of Chaplain Strickland. Inspector-General Townsend's
+ and Colonel Green's opinion of the regiment. Flag of
+ truce. Interesting interview with Adjutant-General Gordon
+ and Lieutenant Styles, of the Confederate army. Formation
+ of negro regiments. Our theatre. Building a steam launch.
+ Deserters. Capture of blockade-runner. Effect of garrison
+ life on the regiment. Capture of Confederate ironclad Atlanta.     132
+
+
+ CHAPTER XI.
+
+ Good-by to Fort Pulaski. At St. Helena Island, under General
+ Strong. Billinghurst and Regua battery. Folly Island.
+ Masked batteries. Attack on Morris Island. Killed and
+ wounded of the regiment. Captain Lent. Capture of Confederate
+ batteries. Building batteries. Hot work and little
+ rest. Completion of batteries. Assault on Wagner. Badly
+ managed. Terrible losses. General Strong. Negro soldiers.
+ Their effect upon the Confederates. After the assault. The
+ shelling by the Confederates. Incident.                            157
+
+
+ CHAPTER XII.
+
+ Back to the regiment. Off for St. Augustine. The duties of
+ provost-marshal. The quaint old city. Its pleasant people.
+ Two months of rest. Lieutenant Ingraham. Back to Hilton
+ Head. The regiment reunited. Visit to Morris Island. Captain
+ Eaton. Fort Wagner and its reminders. Lieutenant-Colonel
+ Green.                                                             178
+
+
+ CHAPTER XIII.
+
+ Relations between the 47th and 48th regiments. Re-enlistment
+ of veterans. Court-martial. Departure of veterans on furlough.
+ Expedition to Florida. Battle of Olustee. A great
+ blunder. Heavy losses. Admirable conduct of the troops.
+ Dr. Defendorf. The retreat. Return of veterans. Sergeant
+ Thompson. At Palatka. Expedition into the country. Dunn's
+ Creek. Its marvellous beauty. Ludicrous scenes. Good-by
+ to Palatka. At Gloucester Point, Va. A happy change.
+ Shelter tents. General Grant. Army of the James under
+ Butler. General Terry.                                             188
+
+
+ CHAPTER XIV.
+
+ Bermuda Hundred. Company E as skirmishers. Battle of
+ Chester Heights. Couldn't resist the temptation. Company
+ E fighting on its own account. Bad predicament. Company E
+ did nobly. More fighting. In sight of Richmond. Confederate
+ sharpshooters cleaned out. Battle of Drury's Bluff.
+ Company E again in a bad spot. Wonderful examples of
+ discipline and soldierly conduct. General Terry to the rescue.
+ Retreat. Back to old quarters. Captain Lock wood.                  205
+
+
+ CHAPTER XV.
+
+ Assigned to 6th corps. On the way to the Army of the Potomac.
+ A dreadful march. At Cold Harbor. Trying situation.
+ Assume command. A gallant charge. Grand success. Severe
+ losses. Driven back. Lack of support. Incidents of the battle.
+ The demoralized general. Further account of Cold Harbor.
+ Occupying the Confederate line. A sad picture of war.
+ An uncomfortable situation. Relieved. Close work. Change
+ of base. Grand but perilous movement of the army. The old
+ church at Jamestown.                                               222
+
+
+ CHAPTER XVI.
+
+ Back to Bermuda Hundred. A running fight. Destruction
+ of railroad. Kindness of Major Young and General Terry.
+ Ordered to charge. A happy escape. President Lincoln
+ and General Butler. Ordered to attack Confederate line.
+ Recalled. Captain Fee and others killed. Picket-lines at
+ Petersburg. Sanitary and Christian Commissions. Mine explosion.
+ Our losses. Major Swartwout. Effects of malaria.                   241
+
+
+ CHAPTER XVII.
+
+ On duty at the front. Strange sickness. General Grant under
+ fire. Captain D'Arcy. Battle of Strawberry Plains. Splendid
+ behavior of the regiment. Lieutenants Tantum and Sears
+ picked off by Confederate sharpshooters. Other losses. The
+ excited officer. Hurried retreat. Captain Taylor. The greeting
+ of General Terry. A night's rest. On picket duty. Sad
+ condition of the regiment. Expiration of term of enlistment.
+ Disaffection. Severe duty. Artillery attack on Petersburg.
+ Out of the service.                                                254
+
+
+ CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+ Discharge of old members of the regiment. Attack at Chapin's
+ farm. Partial success. Condition of the South. New recruits.
+ In winter-quarters. Thanksgiving Day. Resignation of Colonel
+ Barton. His long and faithful service. Tenth and Eighteenth
+ corps united. Expedition against Fort Fisher. Second expedition
+ against Fort Fisher. Gallant charge and capture of the
+ fort. An important event. Other successes. March to Wilmington.
+ Pursuit of the Confederates. Their surrender of
+ Union prisoners. Their condition. On the march to join
+ Sherman's army. Sherman's grand march to the sea-coast,
+ and its results. Grant's operations ending in surrender of
+ Lee and his army. With Sherman's army on the march for
+ Johnston. Announcement of surrender of General Lee. Continued
+ pursuit of Johnston. Lincoln's assassination. Its effect
+ on the army. Surrender of Johnston.                                264
+
+
+ CHAPTER XIX.
+
+ A general review. Change in condition of the regiment. Barrett
+ as provost-marshal. Delicate question. Colonel Coan.
+ Gradual disbandment of the army. Discharge of the 48th.
+ Some personal explanations.                                        289
+
+
+ CHAPTER XX.
+
+ Special references to some of the officers of the regiment. Remarks
+ upon prominent questions before the country. Finis.                295
+
+
+
+
+LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
+
+
+                                                                    PAGE
+
+ Fort Sumter,                                                        15
+
+ The Union Volunteer Refreshment Saloon,                             38
+
+ Fortress Monroe,                                                    49
+
+ Map of a Portion of "Sea Islands," showing "Port
+ Royal,"                                                             53
+
+ Plan of the Battle at Port Royal Harbor,                            56
+
+ Fort Walker,                                                        58
+
+ Fort Beauregard,                                                    59
+
+ Drayton's Mansion,                                                  60
+
+ Pope's House at Hilton Head,                                        62
+
+ Live Oak Grove at Port Royal,                                       63
+
+ Negro Quarters,                                                     67
+
+ Obstructions in Savannah River,                                     80
+
+ Fort Pulaski,                                                       96
+
+ Breach in Fort Pulaski,                                             97
+
+ The Planter,                                                       109
+
+ Headquarters of Hunter and Mitchell,                               129
+
+ Martello Tower, Tybee Island,                                      139
+
+ New Ironsides and Monitors,                                        149
+
+ The Interior of Fort Sumter,                                       153
+
+ Siege of Charleston,                                               159
+
+ Noiseless Hauling of the Guns,                                     165
+
+ Bomb and Splinter Proof,                                           167
+
+ Fort Wagner at Point of Assault,                                   168
+
+ Fort Wagner, Sea Front,                                            171
+
+ The Swamp Angel Battery,                                           173
+
+ A Florida Swamp and Jungle,                                        198
+
+ General Grant's Headquarters at City Point,                        201
+
+ Line of Defence at Bermuda Hundred,                                211
+
+ Pickets on Duty,                                                   214
+
+ Fort Darling,                                                      217
+
+ General Smith's Headquarters, Cold Harbor,                         223
+
+ Position of General Smith's Command at Cold Harbor,
+ Va.,                                                               227
+
+ Battery and Church Tower. Site of Jamestown,                       239
+
+ Battery near Dutch Gap,                                            244
+
+ Defences of Richmond and Petersburg, opposite                      246
+
+ Outline of the Crater and Magazines,                               249
+
+ Army's Huts at Chapin's Farm,                                      265
+
+ Officer's Quarters, Chapin's Farm,                                 267
+
+ Pontoon Bridge at Jones' Landing, near Deep Bottom,                269
+
+ Interior of Fort Fisher,                                           275
+
+ Plan of Land and Naval Operations at Fort
+ Fisher, opposite                                                   276
+
+ Mound Battery near Fort Fisher,                                    279
+
+ M'lean's House, the Place of Lee's Surrender,                      285
+
+ Place of Johnston's Surrender to Sherman,                          287
+
+
+
+
+PERRY'S SAINTS.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER I.
+
+ Causes of the War.
+
+
+For years the irrepressible conflict had been going on. From the
+halls of Congress to the remotest hamlet of the North, the subject
+of slavery--its national wrong and its individual cruelties--was the
+constant occasion for irritating debate and violent denunciation.
+The wall of separation between the North and the South was slowly
+but steadily building. In the North there had grown up a settled
+determination that the territorial limits of slavery should be extended
+no farther, and that the relation of master and slave should not exist
+in any State north of Mason's and Dixon's line. As this sentiment found
+frequent expression in active resistance to those laws which sought to
+protect the master in his rights when travelling or sojourning in the
+North for purposes of business or relaxation, and in the increasingly
+aggressive acts of individuals and societies, who sought by all the
+means in their power to awaken in the slaves a desire for liberty, and
+to make their way easy for escape from bondage, the conviction became
+universal at the South that to preserve that institution, regarded
+as so necessary to their physical and social life, and to establish
+an effectual barrier to the encroachments of the popular sentiments,
+not of the North alone, but of the civilized world, there must be
+separation, and a distinct government of their own.
+
+[Illustration: FORT SUMTER.]
+
+The conclusion was a logical one, but the territory gained by the blood
+and treasure of all the people belonged equally to all; and separate
+existence on the part of the two sections was impossible; and the
+echoes of the first gun in Charleston harbor, aimed against the Federal
+flag at Sumter, reverberated among the hills and through the valleys
+of the North, till every household was awakened, and every arm nerved
+for the coming conflict. The South had calculated upon divisions and
+dissensions. It had long been maturing its plans and organizing its
+forces. The head of the Federal government, and many of the councillors
+and advisers of the administration, were men who either quietly ignored
+or actively participated in these preparations. The arsenals within
+its limits, and the fortified points along its coast, with the vast
+quantities of government property which they contained, were with few
+exceptions taken possession of without a struggle. Everything at those
+places in the North where materials of war were manufactured or stored
+had been ordered to the South. Our navy had been detailed to foreign
+service, so that at the outbreak of the rebellion there were but two
+small vessels available for immediate use. Consequently, at the outset,
+the South possessed many important advantages. But it was mistaken in
+its conclusions. The unanimity of feeling at the North was hardly less
+than at the South; and when a new executive sent out his appeals to
+the loyal States, the answer was immediate. From every city and town,
+from every village and hamlet, and almost from every household, the
+word came back: "We are ready for any sacrifice"; "All we have is
+at the service of the government." The young men put on their armor
+and gathered themselves together, and the old men lifted their hands
+towards heaven and blessed them. Wife and mother, though with tears of
+anguish, said God-speed. The way was dark; but there was no hesitation,
+no doubt.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER II.
+
+ Colonel Perry. Formation and character of the regiment. Luther B.
+ Wyman, Esq.
+
+
+Among those to whom the call to arms came with especial force, was the
+Rev. James H. Perry. He had received a military education from his
+country, and his country needed his services, and although for many
+years his mission had been one of peace and good will, his country's
+needs were an urgent call, and, like the prophets of old, he girt on
+his armor and prepared for battle.
+
+His was a singular history. Born in Ulster County, N.Y., June, 1811,
+he early developed great physical and mental strength. That he
+naturally inclined to a military life, he gave evidence by the fact
+that, while yet a youth, he was prepared for entrance to West Point,
+the appointment to which had been promised him by President Jackson
+for political services rendered by his father. But the wishes of
+the President were thwarted during his first administration, and it
+was not until his second election that he secured to young Perry the
+appointment by sending the warrant to him by special messenger from
+Washington. In the mean time, the young man had not been idle, but
+had prepared himself for and entered upon the practice of the law,
+was married, and seemed settled in his life work. His early tastes,
+however, and his natural inclinations, decided him upon the acceptance
+of the appointment.
+
+At West Point his independent and manly character brought him into
+frequent difficulties. The terms "Mudsills" and "Chivalry," and those
+of similar import, were, even at that early period, used to distinguish
+the Northerners from those of Southern birth, and while many of the
+Northern youth submitted tamely to the assumptions of the Southrons,
+Perry, who was not of a yielding disposition, and recognized no
+arbitrary claims to superiority, asserted his right to equality, and
+maintained it with such courage and ability that he soon became the
+acknowledged leader of his party, and his strength and skill were
+often called into requisition to repel attacks, which were the more
+vicious and dangerous because it was soon apparent that no one of his
+fellow-students could cope with him on equal terms. In one of these
+encounters, he barely escaped with his life, having, without suitable
+weapons, to protect himself against the attack of several, who were
+well armed and specially prepared for the contest. Court-martialled for
+participation in this affair, he was sentenced to dismissal. President
+Jackson not only annulled the sentence, but sent him a letter of
+commendation.
+
+Soon after leaving West Point, he offered his services to the Texan
+government, which was then engaged in its struggle for independence. In
+his endeavor to raise a regiment he was only partially successful, but,
+with a considerable number of followers, he joined the revolutionary
+forces, when his natural abilities and military education soon secured
+to him a prominent place in the little army. We are not able, if space
+would permit, to give a detailed account of his experiences while in
+the Texan service. We only know that he held a high and honorable
+position through the whole struggle, which was finally decided by the
+battle of San Jacinto.
+
+This proved the turning-point in his career. A short time previous,
+the forces under Santa Anna had been guilty of an unprovoked and
+cold-blooded massacre, which so outraged the feelings of the Texan
+officers that they bound themselves by the most solemn oaths to take
+the life of Santa Anna, whenever and wherever they should encounter
+him. The battle of San Jacinto, which secured the independence of
+Texas, and led to its annexation to the Federal Union, occurred soon
+after. In this battle, Colonel Perry commanded the Texan left, and,
+although the Mexican army outnumbered many times the revolutionary
+forces, in the final charge it was completely routed. In this charge,
+Colonel Perry found himself opposed by Santa Anna in person, as he
+thought, and, in compliance with the oath which he had taken, he sought
+and slew him. Learning soon after that he had been misled by the
+description given him of the Mexican commander, and that he whom he
+had slain was a brave and honorable officer, especially esteemed for
+his high character, he was so grieved and shocked that he left the
+Texan service abruptly, and all the offices and honors to which he was
+entitled by reason of his eminent services, and wended his way back
+to the North, carrying with him a burden of regret and sorrow, from
+which, in all the varying experiences of his after life, he never fully
+escaped. A dark cloud overshadowed his life ever after, and at times he
+seemed to suffer intensely.
+
+Whether it was under the influence of this feeling that he was led to
+turn so completely from his chosen profession to seek in the ministry
+a relief from this burden, or subjected to religious influences at a
+time when he was unsettled in respect to his future, he felt called to
+this special field of labor, we cannot tell. We do know, however, that
+in a short time he prepared himself for the work, and for upwards of a
+quarter of a century devoted himself to it with unwavering zeal. For
+the most part, his labors were confined to the states of New York and
+Connecticut, where he occupied some of the most important pulpits of
+the Methodist-Episcopal Church.
+
+In his new calling he exhibited marked ability, being distinguished
+no less for his earnest piety, and the zealous discharge of the duties
+of his office, than for the intellectual vigor which characterized his
+pulpit utterances. Several times in the course of his ministry, he was
+selected to represent his brethren in the general conferences of the
+church, and we cannot doubt the statement which we find in the short
+sketch of his life, from which we have gathered many facts relating to
+him, that in the ministry, as in the profession of arms, he found few
+equals and very few superiors.
+
+At the time of the breaking-out of the war, he was the pastor of the
+Pacific Street Methodist-Episcopal Church, in the city of Brooklyn,
+having previously ministered to several others of the most prominent
+congregations in the same city, in all of which he is remembered with
+the highest respect and most tender affection. From Dickinson College
+he received the degree of D.D., and, at the time of our introduction
+to him, was in the pride of his strength, a man of noble form, of
+impressive manner, quiet and deliberate in his utterances, and clear
+and steadfast in his purposes. He had then embarked in the service of
+his country, and there was no looking back to more congenial employment.
+
+The news of the bombardment of Fort Sumter was received while the
+conference of which he was a member was in session. Immediately rising
+in his seat, he said: "I was educated by the government; it now needs
+my services. I shall resign my ministry, and again take up my sword."
+His resolution was loudly cheered by the conference. Accepting the
+command of an organization, which had for some time been recruiting,
+by authority from the Secretary of War, under the title of Continental
+Guards, he infused into it new life and character. As companies formed,
+the regiment took its place as a part of the state quota, and was known
+as the 48th New York State Volunteers.
+
+Under the State law, all officers, before receiving their commissions,
+were subject to examination by a military board appointed for the
+purpose; but, by the courtesy of the Governor, Colonel Perry was
+allowed to select his own officers, without the intervention of this
+board; and those whom he selected were sworn into service with the
+companies as fast as they were formed, without examination. He took
+personal charge of the enlistments, sending out to those places where
+he was well known, and as a result, the personnel and morale of the
+regiment were far above the average of those who entered the service.
+Indeed, I believe I should not trespass upon the truth, should I
+venture the statement, as the result of observations extending over
+more than three years, among troops from all sections of the North and
+West, that no regiment entered the service of the United States, during
+the war, which could claim superiority over the 48th, in the character
+of its officers and enlisted men.
+
+While this result was due, in a large measure, to the influence of
+Colonel Perry's name and character, more especially in respect to the
+officers (and we cannot overestimate this influence), to Lieut.-Col.
+William B. Barton, and Quartermaster Irving M. Avery belongs the credit
+of originating the organization, and preserving it for a considerable
+period under circumstances most perplexing and embarrassing. It
+happened in this wise. Being personal friends, and fired with the
+enthusiasm which prevailed so generally, they conceived the plan of
+raising a company, and opened a recruiting station for that purpose.
+The number of recruits soon passed the limits of their early ambition,
+and they found themselves with several hundred men on their hands; and
+the problem as to how to secure them, and at the same time provide them
+with food and shelter, taxed to the utmost their energies, as well as
+the pecuniary resources of themselves and friends. Both were young,
+and with limited means, and their conduct under the circumstances
+illustrates most happily the generous impulse of enthusiasm which
+seized upon the people of the North, and for a time shut out all those
+baser and meaner motives which developed among certain classes during
+the progress of the war.
+
+By most persistent efforts among the wealthier citizens of Brooklyn,
+and at the War Department at Washington, and at great pecuniary risk
+to themselves and their immediate friends, they succeeded so far in
+the enlistment of men, and the provision for their needs, that they
+felt warranted in looking forward to a regimental organization. It was
+then that they cast about for a suitable commander, and were led to
+approach Colonel Perry, with whose previous history they were somewhat
+acquainted, with the result as indicated in the foregoing pages.
+
+When we take into consideration the circumstances of these two young
+men, and the nature and extent of the difficulties they encountered, at
+one time feeding and housing several hundred men out of their scanty
+resources, for a considerable period entirely alone and unaided in
+their work, we feel that they may well take to themselves a full share
+in the achievements of the regiment, whose birth and early life were so
+largely the results of their personal exertions and sacrifices.
+
+It is scarcely to be wondered at that the regiment received the
+appellation of "Perry's Saints," for while many, both officers and
+men, were very far from being saint-like in tastes or disposition,
+the term was not altogether without significance. As an illustration,
+Captain Knowles, of Company D, was both teacher and preacher, when word
+was received that Dr. Perry was raising a regiment. In a short time
+he joined him with a company taken from school and parish, of which
+he became the captain. I remember very well that at the time of the
+re-enlistment as veterans, when I was temporarily in command of the
+regiment, a member of that company, a private, came to me to inquire
+about the terms of re-enlistment, stating that he had a farm worth
+several thousand dollars, and other property; that he had not been home
+during his term of service, and he not only wished to see his friends,
+but to be assured, by personal examination, that his interests were
+well cared for by those to whom they were entrusted. Satisfied that the
+terms of re-enlistment would be carried out, and that he would have
+the furlough promised, he did not hesitate, and as a veteran served
+faithfully to the end of the war. He illustrates the quality of Company
+D.
+
+They were called the "Die No Mores," from the fact that while in Fort
+Pulaski, in their social meetings, the hymn of which this forms a part
+was their favorite. Poor Paxton! the brave and noble fellow! how fond
+we were of him, and how much we missed him. Even now I seem to hear
+him, as he calls to his company, in that terrible attack on Fort
+Wagner, "Come on, Die No Mores, follow me, Die No Mores." And they
+followed him, out of the darkness and tumult of that bloody night, into
+the light and peace of a better life, as we trust; unto Him who hath
+said to all men, "Follow me, and thou shalt die no more."
+
+But comparisons are odious. Each company in the regiment had its
+characteristics, and all were excellent; and their officers, almost
+without exception, were men of education and refinement. In the work of
+forming the regiment, and preparing it for the field, Colonel Perry was
+not left alone, but was materially assisted by many influential friends
+from among his parishioners, who liberally provided whatever was
+necessary, and did all in their power to lighten his burdens and remove
+obstacles. The same men were the generous friends of the regiment
+during its whole term of service. Among them, the most prominent, and
+the most constant, was Luther B. Wyman, Esq., of Brooklyn, for whom
+our first camp, at Fort Hamilton, was named, and who will always be
+held in affectionate remembrance by the members of the 48th. He was
+a gentleman of high social qualities, of cultivated tastes, of wide
+influence and considerable means, and his personal friendship for
+Colonel Perry induced an active interest in the regiment which he was
+forming. He sought to promote its welfare and secure its rights, as
+well as to minister to its comforts, to such an extent that he was
+known as its special friend and patron. While engaged in service at
+the front, we were assured of a zealous friend at home, whose interest
+at the State House was powerful to secure us against the intrigues of
+political managers, who too often found convenient places for friends
+and followers in the offices which became vacant through the casualties
+of war.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER III.
+
+ Camp Wyman. Incidents of camp life. Lieutenant Elfwing. Fête
+ Champêtre. Departure for seat of war. List of officers. In camp near
+ Washington. Off for Annapolis. General Butler in Maryland. Attitude
+ of Governor Hicks. Waiting at Annapolis. Colonel Perry's last sermon.
+ Journey to New York. Return of contrabands. Departure for Fortress
+ Monroe.
+
+
+July 24, 1861, Camp Wyman was formed, at Fort Hamilton, in New York
+Bay. August 16, the first two companies were mustered into service, and
+September 15 we received orders to be ready to proceed to Washington.
+In camp, the time was spent in preparing for the field. The men were
+regularly drilled, and the officers, by study and practice, endeavored
+to fit themselves for the duties before them. Not all the time was
+given to serious work. The men had leisure for recreation, and the
+officers, as they became acquainted with each other, found suitable
+amusements while in camp, and were allowed ample opportunity to visit
+friends, and procure whatever was considered needful or desirable for
+the campaign before us.
+
+Lieutenant Elfwing, who had enjoyed larger experience than most of us,
+and withal something of a military education, undertook to initiate
+us into the mysteries of the sword exercise, which was supposed
+to be necessary to give us good and regular standing among our
+fellow-officers; but, fortunately for us, experience proved it to be an
+accomplishment, rather than a necessity. The only result of Elfwing's
+proficiency which became generally known, was through the good-natured
+acquiescence of Colonel Perry, in the proposal for a friendly trial,
+which occurred while we were in camp on Dawfuskie Island, S.C. We never
+knew that he renewed the proposal. It was generally understood that,
+recovering his sword, he wended his way back to his rustic bower, and
+in the company of congenial friends, found comforting assuagement
+of his mortification and chagrin, in that indescribable, but most
+mollifying mixture called puddle.
+
+Elfwing was a noble-hearted, generous man. Educated not only in the
+schools, but by varied and extensive travel, quick of apprehension, of
+retentive memory and ready humor, his mind was stored with incidents of
+personal experience, gathered not only in his native country, Sweden,
+but in different parts of Europe, as well as through several years of
+residence in our own country. It was a delight to listen to him, for
+he had a very happy manner in conversation, and with his friends about
+him, and fairly engaged in his reminiscent wanderings, took from many
+an hour its weariness and many a night its sleep. A gallant soldier, he
+distinguished himself in every engagement in which he participated, and
+even the loss of a leg did not prevent his continuance in service. When
+we last heard of him, he was United States Consul at Stockholm, and we
+trust is still enjoying the honor and comfort of that office, and a
+more quiet and restful life than when we were together.
+
+As previously stated, September 15, orders were received to be ready
+to proceed to Washington. The President had urged upon the governors
+of the loyal states, to hurry forward all regiments as fast as they
+were prepared for the field, and Governor Morgan, who was always
+earnest in support of the government, gave personal attention to
+the matter, visiting the camps, and endeavoring by his presence to
+arouse enthusiasm, and push forward the troops. He had not succeeded
+according to his wishes when he visited our camp, and on that account
+seemed especially pleased, when the colonel assured him that we were
+ready to start at a moment's notice. Among the members of his staff
+who accompanied him, was Chester A. Arthur, Ex-President of the United
+States, remembered by those who saw him at that time as a young man of
+fine appearance and agreeable manner.
+
+We cannot omit to mention the fête champêtre, on that beautiful evening
+shortly before our departure, when so many of the friends of the
+regiment gathered for a few brief hours of enjoyment, before the last
+good-by was said. All the available resources, within and without the
+camp, were called into requisition to make the occasion a joyous one:
+and so it proved. But there is sadness linked with the happy memories
+of that night. Many a last good-by was said, as the early hours of
+morning bid the guests depart. Never again did Colonel Perry look on
+the face of wife or children left behind. And many a sod, in the
+valleys and along the hillsides of the South, rests over the silent
+forms of those who parted from kindred and loved ones then. But no one,
+at that time, had thought for such things; and when, on the 17th, we
+broke camp, and took our departure for the seat of war, 964 strong,
+_we felt only the justice of our cause, and the glory of our purpose_.
+Fortunate is it that weak human nature does not always stop to measure
+the probable or possible consequences of its act: a provision of
+Infinite Wisdom, that we know naught of the future.
+
+       *       *       *       *       *
+
+The following is a list of the officers when we left Camp Wyman:--
+
+
+STAFF OFFICERS.
+
+ Colonel, James H. Perry.
+ Lieut.-Col., Wm. B. Barton.
+ Major, Oliver T. Beard.
+ Adjt., Anthony W. Goodell.
+ Surgeon, Joseph L. Mulford.
+ Asst. Surgeon, Patrick H. Humphries.
+ Chaplain, William P. Strickland, D.D.
+ Quartermaster, Irving M. Avery.
+
+
+LINE OFFICERS.
+
+Co. A.
+
+ Captain, Louis H. Lent.
+ 1st Lieut., B. Ryder Corwin.
+ 2d " Asa H. Fergurson.
+
+
+Co. B.
+
+ Captain, Edward R. Travis.
+ 1st Lieut., Nere A. Elfwing.
+ 2d " Theodore C. Vidal.
+
+
+Co. C.
+
+ Captain, James Farrell.
+ 1st Lieut., George McArdle.
+ 2d " Townsend L. Hatfield.
+
+
+Co. D.
+
+ Captain, Daniel C. Knowles.
+ 1st Lieut., James O. Paxson.
+ 2d " John Bodine.
+
+
+Co. E.
+
+ Captain, William B. Coan.
+ 1st Lieut., Frederick Hurst.
+ 2d " Rob. S. Edwards.
+
+
+ Co. F.
+
+ Captain, James M. Green.
+ 1st Lieut., Sam. K. Wallace.
+ 2d " H.W. Robinson.
+
+
+Co. G.
+
+ Captain, Anthony Elmendorf.
+ 1st Lieut., Wm. H. Dunbar.
+ 2d " James M. Nichols.
+
+
+Co. H.
+
+ Captain, D.W. Strickland.
+ 1st Lieut., W.L. Lockwood.
+ 2d " C.N. Patterson.
+
+
+Co. I.
+
+ Captain, Joseph G. Ward.
+ 1st Lieut., S.M. Swartwout.
+ 2d " Jas. H. Perry, Jr.
+
+
+Co. K.
+
+ Captain, Samuel J. Foster.
+ 1st Lieut., Sylvanus G. Gale.
+ 2d " Albert F. Miller.
+
+
+The spirit with which we went forth to service is evidenced by the
+following, taken from the journal of Melville R. Conklin, a private of
+Company K. Mentioning the fact that Governor Morgan visited the camp on
+the 15th, bringing orders to go to Washington, he says: "The order was
+hailed with joy by every man in camp, as we are all anxious for active
+duty." The 16th was occupied in packing up, and the Long Roll was
+beaten for the first time at 2 o'clock on the morning of the 17th, when
+the men were formed in line, with knapsacks, haversacks, and canteens,
+but without arms. These were furnished us when we reached the boat
+which conveyed us on our way to the South.
+
+[Illustration]
+
+It is an interesting fact that Colonel Perry did not give up his work
+as preacher and pastor until informed of the final order to march,
+which was communicated to him while he was engaged in the public
+exercises of the church. Bringing the services to an abrupt conclusion,
+he started for his command, and never resumed the office of preacher,
+except on one occasion, which will be referred to hereafter.
+
+Of our journey, we remember only the hospitable welcome at
+Philadelphia, where we stopped for dinner. Ample provision had been
+made, and, in common with thousands of others, we have occasion
+for gratitude to the men and women who, not only at this time, but
+during the whole war, contributed so generously of their means and
+personal services, to provide for the wants of the soldiers who passed
+through their city on their way to the front. At Washington, we were
+assigned quarters for a single night, in a large brick building on
+Pennsylvania Avenue, not far from Willard's Hotel. Early the following
+morning, orders were received to go into camp on the plain back of the
+Capitol, but, the colonel not being decided as to the exact location,
+we spent the night without shelter. This was a slight foretaste of
+the life before us, and in many minds, through that first night of
+exposure, away from friends, and fairly entered upon new and uncertain
+experiences, there was a lingering look behind, while through the
+imagination swept those changing pictures of the future, to which a
+vague uncertainty or sad foreboding gave a solemn tone.
+
+But the morning light dispelled these dreams, and the novelty of
+pitching tents and establishing camp for ourselves, kept mind and hand
+busy. In a few days we changed our location to the immediate vicinity
+of the other regiments of our brigade, and for the next few weeks our
+time was fully occupied in perfecting our company and regimental drill.
+Well we remember the idle speculations of officers and men in regard to
+our final destination, but while we were soon assured that we were to
+form a part of the expeditionary corps under Sherman, beyond this, we
+were completely at fault. And well we might be, since the particular
+point to be attacked was left to the selection of General Sherman and
+Admiral Dupont, who were themselves some time in doubt. Colonel Perry
+soon gave ample evidence of his superior qualifications as an officer,
+and as a regiment, in a short time, we took the highest rank among the
+troops with whom we were associated.
+
+October 5 we left Washington for Annapolis, and this movement
+determined for us, finally, that we were to join the great southern
+expedition, and that our point of attack was to be in the very centre
+and hot-bed of the rebellion--and we were satisfied. There was no
+thought of the danger from the enemy or the inclemency of the climate,
+but only of the possibility of being able to strike such effective
+blows as would give us an honorable place in the final suppression of
+the rebellion.
+
+At Annapolis Junction, we found part of the troops who had been
+detailed to protect the railroads, rendered necessary by the attitude
+of the people of Maryland, who at this time leaned all too generally
+towards their Southern brethren. Even Governor Hicks, although loyal
+at heart, under the pressure of the hot-headed secessionists who
+surrounded him, had protested to the President against the passage of
+troops through the state, and had it not been for the prompt decision
+and energetic action of General Butler, the Federal government would
+have suffered serious embarrassment in this matter. The bayonets of his
+soldiers opened the way, while their intelligence supplied the means
+of transportation. Roads were rebuilt, and engines repaired, while
+troops were stationed along the lines to guard them from interruption.
+Although Governor Hicks, in the meantime, had recovered his loyalty,
+so nearly lost, the troops whom we met were still needed to secure its
+constancy. It was midnight when we reached Annapolis, in the midst
+of a driving storm, and the deserted college buildings were the only
+places which promised shelter. To these we were refused admittance by
+the trustees, but upon the colonel's remarking that he had never seen
+a lock that a bayonet would not pick, there was no further hesitation.
+Some other lessons were needed before the people learned the temper
+of our troops. The answer of the colonel gave a tone to the arguments
+of the officers when they were refused accommodations by the landlord
+of the City Hotel, and he acknowledged their cogency. The man who
+maltreated one of our negro servants assumed a most melancholy
+attitude of entreaty under the influence of a similar kind of logic,
+and, if still living, has not forgotten the lessons of that night.
+Indeed, the whole town was so quickly converted that a delegation
+was sent to our colonel, as soon as his previous profession became
+known, to request him to conduct the services in the Methodist church
+on the first Sabbath after our arrival. Turning to the adjutant, and
+expressing a disinclination to officiate, he remarked, "You can detail
+Dr. Strickland, or Major Beard, or Captain Knowles, or Lieutenant Gale,
+or Sergeant Irvine, or some of the enlisted men." And so he could, for
+each of those named, and some others in the regiment, were regularly
+ordained ministers. But the colonel was induced to perform the service,
+and, attired in full military dress, preached an eloquent sermon.
+
+We soon found many loyal people in the city. The officers were kindly
+welcomed at the house of Governor Hicks, and Judge Brewer opened his
+doors with generous hospitality. Orders were strict, and none were
+permitted to go out of camp without special permission, for no one
+knew the time for our departure, but such liberty was granted as this
+uncertainty would allow.
+
+At this time we had a band, but no suitable instruments, and the
+colonel, knowing that I had reasons for wishing to visit New York
+once more before our departure on the expedition, kindly detailed me
+to attend to the business of procuring them. The railroads were then
+pushed to their utmost in the transportation of troops and supplies,
+and, finding that the road to Baltimore was so blockaded as to render
+it very uncertain how long a time the passage to and from that city
+would occupy, by much persuasion a loyal colored citizen was induced to
+furnish a horse for the journey.
+
+To any one familiar with the condition of the roads in our Southern
+states at this period, a journey of thirty miles or more on horseback,
+through a strange country, would have presented little attraction, and
+if you add the fact that the sentiments of the people throughout the
+state were such that Federal troops were picketed along the railroads,
+and at other points, to guard against the destruction of property, and
+quell seditious movements, the journey would not have been rendered any
+more fascinating. Fortunately for my peace of mind, the exact state of
+things was not fully known by me, and more fortunate still that the
+horse so quickly developed a better acquaintance with the way than his
+rider as to be left almost entirely to his own guidance. Occasionally,
+when a fallen tree had completely obstructed the path, or a dense
+undergrowth had, from infrequent use, been suffered to obliterate all
+trace of its presence, or, worse still, when an angle of the road (if
+it could be dignified by such a term), discovered several paths of
+equally uncertain character, I admit to a degree of apprehension lest
+he should take me to some convenient crib, where my welcome would be
+somewhat warmer than I desired. But if the currents of his life moved
+rather slowly, they ran in loyal veins, and except for a few uncertain
+companions who joined me at times, I gave myself up to such enjoyments
+as the somewhat monotonous way afforded.
+
+Arrived at Baltimore, I left my horse, and proceeded to New York by
+rail. One day was all the time needed for the transaction of my
+business, and the following afternoon found me again in Baltimore,
+anxious to get back to camp, in fear lest the expedition might have
+sailed, and I be left behind. A short time was taken to collect a few
+supplies previously overlooked, and as the western sun was just sinking
+behind the hills, I started on my journey back. I had become better
+acquainted with the condition of affairs in the state, and scrutinized
+more closely the countenances and manners of those whom I met,
+especially of the few who, travelling in the same direction as myself,
+seemed to insist upon the value of their company to a degree not fully
+warranted by the suddenness and limited extent of our acquaintance.
+There was quite sufficient opportunity for reflection during the
+long hours, that seemed to drag so slowly, as I picked my way in the
+darkness through those interminable woods, but, like all other things,
+the journey had its ending. As I approached Annapolis, I was neither
+shocked nor disconcerted by the challenge of our outpost sentinel, "Who
+goes there." The orders were strict, and I had no countersign, and it
+was a relief when the presence of the officer of the guard permitted
+suitable explanations. These were given while we walked along together
+towards the camp-fire, and as soon as its light permitted recognition,
+the exclamations, "Hello, Jim!" and "How are you, Val?" left no room
+for further hesitation. College and classmates, we had parted several
+years before, to meet for the first time again under these peculiar
+circumstances. But the impatience of both horse and rider permitted no
+lengthened colloquy, and in a few moments I was enjoying the hearty
+welcome of the colonel and other officers.
+
+October 18 we steamed away from Annapolis in the Empire City, towards
+Fortress Monroe, the general point of rendezvous for the expedition.
+Here, by order of the general in command, Colonel Perry was compelled,
+much against his will, to detail a guard from the regiment to return to
+slavery a negro found on the transport. Thus the great moral, social,
+and political movements of the world have always been hampered and
+clogged by their early scruples. We were never after called upon to
+perform a similar service.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IV.
+
+ At Fortress Monroe. General Viele's talk. Weary waiting. Off at last.
+ Order of sailing. Storm. Horrors of the voyage. Vessels lost. Off Port
+ Royal. Tatnall's Mosquito fleet. Bombardment of Hilton Head and Bay
+ Point by navy. Surrender. Captain Drayton. Landing of troops. First
+ camp on Confederate soil. Foraging. Negroes' account of bombardment.
+ Inspection and review. The sutler. Thanksgiving.
+
+
+At Fortress Monroe we remained until the 29th, when, with a fleet of
+seventy vessels, transports, and men-of-war, we put to sea, and steered
+for our final destination. I must not forget to mention that, during
+our stay at this point, there was much talk of a landing; whether for
+an attack upon some place in the vicinity, or merely for practice in
+view of what was before us, we never knew, but it gave occasion to
+General Viele, who commanded our brigade, to call our officers together
+in the cabin of the steamer, to impress upon them the dangers of the
+undertaking. It was a bloody lesson, probably thought necessary in the
+case of simple volunteers, the conclusion of which was that we need
+entertain no hopes save of a glorious departure to the shades beyond.
+However, as it is the immediate danger which impresses us most, it
+was not surprising that we took courage from our hopes, and there was
+no unusual despondency on our part. Some of the more reckless even
+ventured to suggest a doubt of the general's information on the subject
+of our final disposal.
+
+[Illustration: FORTRESS MONROE.]
+
+The passage to Port Royal, S.C., which proved our objective point, was
+a very trying one. The breeze, which at the time of our departure was
+blowing freshly from the storm quarter, soon stiffened into a gale,
+such as is seldom encountered even on our dangerous coast, and which
+threatened the destruction of the fleet. The very admirable order in
+which we started, with the transports in three columns, covered and
+protected on either side by the gunboats, was soon broken up, and many
+of the smaller vessels, which were unfitted for sea service, soon
+found themselves separated from the fleet, which became completely
+scattered and in the utmost danger. Some put back to Hampton Roads;
+one, the Governor, went down, after being relieved for the most part
+of its crew and the marines who had charge of its freight, and several
+went ashore and were destroyed by the rebels. During the storm the
+sealed instructions which had been given to each captain for such
+an emergency, were opened, and when it abated, the vessels that had
+weathered the gale quickly gathered at the point designated in the
+orders.
+
+The discomforts of that voyage, no one can realize who has not been
+similarly situated. The sea-sickness was trying, but was as nothing
+compared with the discomfort arising from the close confinement in
+the fetid atmosphere of the ship, with no means of relaxation and
+no way of escape. It was a terrible experience. Owing to the great
+numbers crowded into the vessel, bunks were built all around and in
+the immediate vicinity of the boiler, and to these the men were very
+closely confined, until the effluvia from their reeking bodies--for,
+in the intense heat, all clothing was dispensed with--added to the
+stench of the filthy vessel, and the irritating annoyance of the vermin
+with which the steamer was infested, made a fitting counterpart
+of pandemonium, in point of suffering. Some relief was gained by the
+transfer, at Hampton Roads, of two companies, with a portion of the
+freight, to the steamer Matanzas, and a small detail, under Lieutenant
+Dunbar, to the steamer Belvidere, but it was only slight.
+
+[Illustration: MAP OF A PORTION OF "SEA ISLANDS," SHOWING "PORT ROYAL."]
+
+Our grand old colonel, in the height of the storm, securing himself
+to the mast, spent many hours apparently enjoying the magnificent
+exhibition of power. Nothing disturbed his equanimity, and his watchful
+care of those committed to him was never remitted.
+
+November 4 we arrived off Port Royal bar. Under the supervision of an
+officer of the Coast Survey, soundings were made, and buoys planted
+along the channel. That night a few vessels crossed the bar, and
+in the morning the whole squadron moved in, headed by the flagship
+Wabash. While the soundings were being made, the Confederate Mosquito
+fleet, under Commodore Tatnall, opened quite a spirited fire, but
+without effect. And as all the movements of the various vessels were
+plainly visible from the transports, which were well out of range
+of the guns, we enjoyed the advantage of witnessing the proceedings,
+without sharing either the responsibility or danger. On the 6th, the
+weather was unfavorable, and the attack on Forts Walker and Beauregard,
+which defended the harbor on either side, was deferred until the
+7th. On that morning the gunboats moved farther in, headed by the
+Wabash, and the attack on the two forts commenced about 10 A.M. The
+more effectually to escape the fire of the forts, the gunboats moved
+continually in a circle, each delivering its broadside as it approached
+the forts. First, the Wabash poured in its heavy shot and shell upon
+Fort Beauregard, at Bay Point, as long as its guns bore upon it,
+and wearing round, opened on Fort Walker, at Hilton Head, while the
+gunboats, following in order, kept up the cannonade without cessation.
+This continued until between 2 and 3 o'clock P.M., when the forts
+surrendered.
+
+[Illustration: PLAN OF THE BATTLE AT PORT ROYAL HARBOR.]
+
+Although anchored nearly five miles away, we could follow the direction
+of many of the shot and shell, especially the latter, and observe
+their effect. A little after noon, the Mercury, a small gunboat, got
+on the southerly side of Fort Walker, so near that its guns could not
+be sufficiently depressed to bear upon her, and from that point was
+able not only to shell the troops outside of the fort, who were held in
+reserve, but to throw in so effective an enfilading fire upon the fort
+itself that its guns could not be served. It was a stroke of impudence
+which seemed so ludicrous on account of the apparent insignificance of
+the little craft that the troops on the transports shouted themselves
+hoarse in admiration of this seeming act of bravado, which, however,
+proved an important feature of the attack. As soon as the fire from
+Fort Walker ceased, and it was apparent that at least a part of its
+garrison, with the other forces on the island, was retreating, a flag
+of truce was sent ashore to arrange the terms of surrender. But it was
+too late for any conference, as none but the dead and wounded remained,
+and the Stars and Stripes soon waved the announcement that the first
+step in the avenging of Fort Sumter had been consummated.
+
+[Illustration: FORT WALKER.]
+
+Not a man in the command but felt the significance of that victory.
+Charleston was nearer now than it had been before, and, in the minds
+of many, it seemed but a little thing to cover the intervening
+distance with victorious troops. The flight of the Confederates was
+precipitate, and they left behind everything that would cumber a rapid
+retreat. Fort Beauregard had suffered less from the bombardment than
+Fort Walker, but the fall of the latter hastened its evacuation, and on
+the following morning no opposition was offered to its occupation by
+our forces.
+
+[Illustration: FORT BEAUREGARD.]
+
+One fact _in this attack_ is worthy of special mention. General
+Drayton commanded the Confederate forces on Hilton Head, and the
+home of the family was located on a prominent point near the shore,
+overlooking the bay, while his brother, Captain Drayton, commanded the
+gunboat Pocahontas, which participated in the bombardment. Some time
+afterwards, in company with other officers, I visited the Monitor,
+which he then commanded, and his grave and saddened demeanor told of
+the sacrifice he had made in his loyalty to the government.
+
+[Illustration: DRAYTON'S MANSION.]
+
+I know that patriotism is a word with some considered stale and
+obsolete. Such know little of the temper of the brave men who composed
+our army and navy during that terrible struggle. For while few were
+called upon to make such sacrifices as Captain Drayton, the number
+of those who went to war for hire only was but a small detachment of
+that great army. And the arguments, even of those unlettered men who
+formed so large a part of the rank and file, as I have often heard them
+stated, though clothed in rude and homely language, had in them a
+degree of intelligence, and were so charged with honesty and sincerity,
+so backed by courage and fidelity on many a gory field, that it were
+shame to say the stream of patriotism has run dry. It has not now, and
+never will, while men have manhood left, honor to defend, homes to
+protect, good laws and a righteous government to transmit.
+
+November 9 we were all ready to land, having been provided with two
+days' cooked rations, but for lack of transportation we were detained
+on board the steamer until Sunday morning, the 10th. The night previous
+was spent in securing boats and attaching them to our steamer, so that
+on Sunday morning, as soon as the word was received, we pulled for the
+shore with a will. At this time, the harbor presented a most animated
+appearance. The transports were crowded together near the shore, all
+busy in discharging freight. Boats of all sizes and descriptions were
+passing to and fro, and horses and other animals were being hoisted
+from the holds by means of broad bands which encircled them, swung over
+the sides of the vessels, and gently dumped into the water, to find
+their way to land as they could, while men stood by ready _to secure
+them on the shore_. Occasionally the poor distracted brutes, confused
+by the unwonted sounds, and half drowned by their sudden and unexpected
+immersion, turned seaward, but were soon brought back.
+
+[Illustration: POPE'S HOUSE AT HILTON HEAD.]
+
+It was a beautiful Sabbath morning, but with little to remind us of
+the sacred character of the day. After landing, we marched a little
+way from the beach and remained until about noon, when our camp was
+located, not far from general headquarters, and we proceeded to prepare
+the ground for our tents, and establish guards and pickets. Two nights
+were spent without shelter, on account of the difficulty and delay in
+landing baggage. After this we settled down to regular work. From ten
+to twelve each day we had battalion drill, in which the colonel was
+very exacting, requiring the officers to know their duties, and holding
+them responsible for the condition and drill of their companies.
+Company drill was from two to four in the afternoon, and dress parade
+in the evening, often followed by more battalion drill. Details were
+made for fatigue duty in building entrenchments, an extensive line of
+earthworks was thrown up as a precautionary measure, and frequently
+nearly the whole regiment was picking, shovelling, or felling trees to
+furnish material for the works. There was no idle time, except when a
+day on picket or other guard duty secured the following as a day of
+rest.
+
+[Illustration: LIVE OAK GROVE AT PORT ROYAL.]
+
+Having been detailed as officer of the guard the first day in camp, the
+following day I was permitted by the colonel to accompany a small party
+bound on a tour of observation. During the day we wandered far away
+from camp, to the other side of the island, and the afternoon found
+us on the borders of a large plantation, which proved to be that of a
+Mr. Seabrook. Approaching the place, we mistook the whitewashed huts
+of the negroes for tents, and remained a long time in doubt whether to
+advance or retreat, feeling quite certain that it was a Confederate
+encampment that we saw. While debating what course to pursue, a stray
+contraband relieved our apprehensions by informing us that our troops
+occupied the place. We found on our arrival a detachment of the 45th
+Pennsylvania, posted there to keep watch for Confederates and prevent
+foraging. That night we spent in Mr. Seabrook's store, after using
+the portion of the afternoon that remained to us after our arrival in
+endeavors to secure some of the cattle, pigs, and poultry, which seemed
+to be wanting an owner, to which the guard, usually lenient on such
+points, raised few objections. These came mostly from the quadrupeds
+and bipeds themselves, and were so strenuous that the result of our
+efforts was a meagre show of two or three lean pigs, an occasional hen,
+and an ancient goose, which succumbed to my own personal prowess.
+
+On our way back to camp, the next day, we narrowly escaped arrest,
+as General Viele had issued an order that all parties coming in from
+foraging should be deprived of what they had collected and sent to
+his headquarters under arrest. My poor goose suffered the fate of
+the pigs and hens, and no doubt rested heavily on the stomachs of the
+pickets, if not on their consciences. We were glad to escape with the
+loss of our plunder.
+
+[Illustration: NEGRO QUARTERS.]
+
+Supplies were abundant, the negroes bringing to camp whatever the
+plantations produced, and although General Viele issued an order that
+everything should be taken to his headquarters, where a general market
+would be held every morning, no attention was paid to it, and as far as
+we ever heard, no general market was established.
+
+About a week after the capture of Hilton Head, I was detailed to take
+command of the Grand Guard, whose headquarters were at Drayton's
+plantation. The negroes had generally remained here, as well as at
+the other places within the range of our command, and were encouraged
+to cultivate the plantations abandoned by their masters. This was
+important, as the famous Sea Islands formed a part of the territory
+captured by our forces, and considerable of the cotton remained
+unpicked, while nothing had been done towards the harvesting of corn,
+potatoes, and many other products of the soil. Some of the negroes here
+were owned by Captain Drayton, who had left them in the care of his
+brother, and no doubt some of the shot from his guns had fallen among
+his own people. The evidences of the cannonading were manifest all
+about, and the negroes, when questioned as to its effects upon them,
+declared that at first they didn't mind the firing, but "when them
+rotten shot began to spatter about them, they jes' ran for de woods."
+
+The regiment soon became proficient in drill, in spite of the frequent
+details for fatigue duty, and was regarded as one of the best, if not
+the very best, in the Department.
+
+November 24 we had a general inspection and review, by Generals Sherman
+and Viele, in which the brigade marched first in quick, and then
+in double-quick time, around a circle of some two miles in extent,
+according to the journal of Conklin, to which reference has before been
+made. We can all testify that it seemed much longer, with the sand
+sometimes almost ankle-deep. General Viele perhaps thought us amply
+paid for the exertion, when he declared that we marched as well as
+regulars, and were equal to any regiment in the service.
+
+Day followed day with about the same round of duties. We had already
+become fairly accustomed to tent life, our food supply was ample and
+good, and the paymaster furnished the means of providing ourselves
+with comforts and luxuries according to our several positions, or,
+rather, the amount of pay received. Besides the regimental sutler,
+who was prepared to furnish anything, from Golden Seal to toothpicks,
+for a consideration, shops of all kinds sprang up with amazing
+rapidity, as soon as it became known that this would be a permanent
+basis of operations, and usually only a short time elapsed after the
+visit of the paymaster, before his next appearance was looked for
+with eagerness, even by the sutler, who cultivated a disposition for
+extravagance, by giving credit to such as seemed likely to regard the
+obligation. Occasionally, when, too grasping, he became exorbitant
+in his prices, or in the rate of interest charged for accommodation
+loans--for too often the offices of banker and sutler were combined--a
+sudden raid would equalize the account.
+
+At this time, measles and smallpox prevailed to some extent, and from
+the former several deaths occurred, while the latter was limited to a
+few cases by the isolation of those attacked.
+
+Thanksgiving and Christmas passed with no observance on the part of the
+non-commissioned officers and privates, except perhaps a more general
+application to pick and spade. On Thanksgiving Day, the officers,
+many of whom had been suitably remembered by friends at home, united
+their private stores with such good things as could be collected in
+the vicinity, and indulged themselves in unusual luxuries, forgetting
+for the time their surroundings, and giving themselves up to the full
+enjoyment of the day, so far as their duties permitted.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER V.
+
+ Expedition to Port Royal Ferry. Progress up Broad River. Colonel Perry
+ acting brigadier-general. The rebel yell heard for the first time. The
+ regiment's first baptism of fire. The old horse. Night on the field.
+ Return to Hilton Head. Object of the expedition. Presentation of
+ flag to the regiment. Off for Dawfuskie. Southern homes. Preparatory
+ work by Major Beard and others. Building batteries on Jones and Bird
+ Islands. Mud and malaria. Reconnoissances and midnight wanderings.
+
+
+The closing day of the year brought rumors of a contemplated movement.
+The scene of operations, and their extent, were only subjects for
+conjecture. Early on the last day of the year, we received notice to
+be in readiness to march with a number of days' cooked rations, and
+about noon of that day started for the dock. The expedition was under
+the command of General Stephens, and two regiments were taken from our
+brigade,--the 47th and our own,--in addition to those of his regular
+command. By the middle of the afternoon we were on board of the steam
+transport Delaware, and on our way up Broad River towards Beaufort,
+where we anchored for the night. In the early morning, we started for
+Port Royal Ferry, against which point we learned that the expedition
+was directed. Several gunboats accompanied us, under the command of
+Captain Rodgers. Our progress up the river was slow and cautious, until
+we arrived opposite the plantation of Mr. Adams, where we disembarked.
+
+We were much interested, while on the steamer, in watching that portion
+of our troops already landed, as they could be distinctly seen,
+pursuing their winding way through the woods and over the fields,
+their bayonets glistening in the sunlight. Sometimes they went at
+slow step, at others in quick or double-quick time. Sometimes they
+fired, and charged the Confederates whom they encountered, while the
+gunboats covered them to guard against attack by superior forces, all
+the time shelling the woods in front of them as they advanced. As soon
+as landed, we formed in line and moved forward, the two regiments--the
+47th New York and our own--under the command of Colonel Perry. Acting
+as reserves, the duty assigned us was to intercept the Confederate
+retreat. Very soon, however, orders were received to attack the
+battery which was found to cover the road over which we were expected
+to advance, and the 47th was moved through the woods on the right to
+attack it in flank, while the 48th was to charge in front. Some delay
+occurred in establishing the position of the 47th, and arranging so
+that the attack might be simultaneous. Well do I remember the rebel
+yell, heard for the first time as I was returning from conveying
+orders from our colonel to the 47th. Accompanied by the discharge of
+cannon and musketry, it seemed, to my unaccustomed ears, as if the
+inhabitants of pandemonium had been let loose, and as I rounded the
+last point of woods which shut out from view the scene of operations,
+I expected nothing less than a hand-to-hand conflict. Instead, I found
+the regiment lying quietly down between the furrows of a cornfield,
+over which the Confederate shot skipped harmlessly. In this way the men
+were protected while awaiting the final order to charge. This was found
+unnecessary, for the yell of the Confederates proved only the parting
+word given while in the act of abandoning the battery, which was
+speedily occupied by our troops. The guns were removed, and the works
+destroyed, and we continued our advance towards Port Royal Ferry, where
+the enemy was known to be strongly entrenched.
+
+At this time two horses had been captured and placed at the disposal
+of the colonel and his aid, to which position I had been appointed. I
+have no recollections of the colonel's, but my horse soon gave evidence
+of manifold infirmities. Three times we rolled over together on that
+cotton-field, before it was discovered that, with his other weaknesses,
+he was stone blind, when he was left to tempt some other officer, and I
+returned to nature's conveyance, sadder and sorer for the experience.
+That night we lay down on the field, but gained little rest, as the
+Confederates were known to be in force in the vicinity, and an attack
+was looked for. The next morning we embarked for Hilton Head, the
+objects of the expedition having been accomplished, in the destruction
+of the Confederate works, which were being constructed for the purpose
+of preventing any forward movement on our part in that direction, and
+confining us closely within the territory already captured. This was
+only one of the points which the Confederates proposed to fortify,
+which were intended not only as a restraint upon any forward movement
+by us, but also as bases of aggressive operations against us.
+
+January 12 the regiment was presented, through Adjutant Goodell, with
+a beautiful flag from the ladies of Hanson Place Methodist-Episcopal
+Church of Brooklyn, of which Colonel Perry had been pastor. That flag
+has waved over many battle-fields, and is a witness that the 48th never
+faltered in the discharge of any duty. It is now in the custody of the
+Long Island Historical Society, having been committed to its charge,
+with suitable ceremonies, on the evening of April 21, 1881.
+
+January 25, 1862, we broke camp, and marched to Seabrook's Landing,
+on our way to Dawfuskie, an island bordering on the Savannah River,
+some four or five miles above Fort Pulaski. That night we spent at
+Seabrook's, and on the next morning embarked on the steamer Winfield
+Scott, and proceeded to a place on Dawfuskie called Hay's Point,
+where five companies disembarked, and at 9 P.M., under the command of
+Lieutenant-Colonel Barton, started for the other side of the island.
+Three hours of wearisome marching brought us to Dunn's plantation on
+the bank of the river. Pickets were established, and sentries posted,
+and we got what sleep we could. The next day was occupied largely in
+procuring supplies of food, as everything of that nature had been left
+on the Winfield Scott. Detachments were sent out in all directions to
+secure the cattle, pigs and poultry abandoned by their owners on the
+approach of our troops, and to collect whatever else could be found
+that was edible. The men were quartered in the houses and sheds,
+while the officers occupied the family mansion. In the afternoon we
+learned that the Winfield Scott had been wrecked on Long Pine Island,
+where the other wing of the regiment remained until taken off by the
+steamer Mayflower, which conveyed them, with the regimental baggage
+and supplies, to Cooper's Landing, on Dawfuskie. At this point they
+remained until February 1, when they joined us, and, a permanent camp
+was established near the borders of the woods, a little way back from
+the river.
+
+During the interval there was little of severe duty, and all were
+allowed the largest liberty consistent with proper discipline. Frequent
+excursions were made to different points on the island, especially
+to the beautiful residences along the shore. Of these, the most
+attractive were Munger's and Stoddard's, the former a short distance
+below us, the latter some miles away, and occupying a commanding
+position, overlooking the sound. Both gave evidence of large wealth
+and cultivated tastes, in the character of the houses and beauty of
+their surroundings, and as we wandered through the shaded avenues, and
+among the shrubs and flowers, in gardens where roses and japonicas grew
+in tropical luxuriance, where the air was full of sweet odors, and
+the eye confused with the multitude and variety of brilliant colors,
+and remembered that these abodes of happiness and beauty had been
+abandoned to pillage and destruction, and that wherever our armies
+penetrated, homes would be broken up, and in the place of comfort would
+come suffering, and in the place of beauty, desolation, we cursed the
+madness of those who had brought such miseries on the land.
+
+[Illustration: OBSTRUCTIONS IN SAVANNAH RIVER.]
+
+While we were enjoying this short season of comparative idleness,
+active and aggressive operations were going on all about us.
+Expeditions were planned, obstructions removed from the creeks and
+rivers where openings were desired, and midnight scouting parties
+penetrated the surrounding country in all directions, even to the very
+walls of Pulaski. In all of these, Major Beard, of our regiment, took a
+leading part, and did most efficient service. As we sat around the fire
+one evening at Dunn's, he suddenly appeared among us, with General
+Gilmore, who had already been promoted from the position of Captain
+of Engineers in the regular army, to that of Brigadier-General of
+volunteers. They had just returned from the work of clearing the spiles
+from Wall's Cut, by which a convenient way was opened for our boats
+to the Savannah. Much of the night was spent in listening to their
+adventures, but we little knew how intimately connected these were with
+our own immediate future.
+
+It was not long after our camp was established, before we had our
+full share of labor and danger. It had been determined to establish
+batteries on the islands of the Savannah, to cut off communication with
+Fort Pulaski, and prevent re-enforcements and supplies. The points
+where these were to be located having been selected, the engineers
+were ordered to prepare the materials for their construction, and
+our regiment and a portion of the 7th Connecticut were employed for
+weeks in conveying this material from the woods to the dock for
+transportation. Some eight or ten thousand logs, of from ten to
+fifteen feet in length, and from three to six inches in diameter, were
+carried a distance of from three-quarters of a mile to a mile and a
+half, on the shoulders of our men, and, in consequence, many of our
+best soldiers were ruptured or otherwise injured, and crept out of the
+service, maimed and ruined for life. Late on the evening of February
+9, a detachment under Captain Greene was ordered to report at the dock
+to complete the loading of the Mayflower. It was raining very hard,
+but the men worked faithfully until after midnight, when word came
+from brigade headquarters to take off a part of the load. This was
+done, and the admirable foresight of the commanding general was fully
+appreciated, as was manifest from the frequent comments in which the
+men indulged, which had the merit of earnestness if not of elegance.
+
+At 3 A.M. of the 10th, we started for Jones Island. We were all wet,
+hungry, and tired. Not expecting to leave Dawfuskie, we had taken no
+provisions. There was no opportunity for sleep, for, arriving quickly
+at the point of debarkation, the work of unloading and conveying the
+materials across the island was pushed forward hurriedly. It was a
+season of the year when, even in this southern latitude, the sun gave
+but scanty heat, and the men must needs work lively to keep the blood
+from chilling. The island was but a deposit of soft mud, into which
+they sank to their knees at almost every step, while occasionally the
+logs or planks which they carried were needed to bridge over spots
+otherwise impassable. During the forenoon, a party was despatched to
+camp in a small boat, for food, but the supply which they brought was
+totally inadequate, from the size of the boat and the number to be fed.
+During the day all the materials for building the battery were conveyed
+across the island, a distance of about a mile.
+
+While engaged in this work, a Confederate steamer made its appearance,
+and stopped opposite, and so near to us that every movement of those
+on deck was discernible. The officers, with their glasses, scoured
+every point in the vicinity, while we crouched down among the
+cane-brakes. So long as the steamer remained, we expected a shot from
+her guns, or a closer inspection by one of her boats, which would have
+been extremely disagreeable, as the order for detail required us to
+leave our guns in camp, and there were not six rifles on the island.
+Fortunately we were not discovered, and the steamer, after a little
+delay, proceeded down to Fort Pulaski. About this time the guns for the
+battery arrived, and the general in command of the district, who had
+arrived with them, declared that they must be mounted before morning.
+We felt very much like harnessing him to the foremost, and giving
+him a taste of Jones Island mud, but there were objections to such a
+procedure, and, instead, we made a platform on which to load them,
+and prepared to do our utmost. By frequent crossing and recrossing, a
+way had been sufficiently marked through the canes, but the constant
+tread of heavy feet had reduced the soft mud to the consistency of oil
+for a depth of several inches, making a road not perfectly calculated
+for the transportation of cannon. However, there was no time for
+hesitation, and placing two planks before the wheels, we united our
+strength in the task of maintaining them on these planks, while we
+carefully urged them on, replacing the planks as we proceeded. Woe be
+it, if, slipping on the greasy mud which covered the planks, as they
+sometimes did, they buried themselves in the soft embrace of its slimy
+nastiness. Should it be asked how were they recovered, it would be
+impossible to tell. We can only say they were, and that with slow and
+suffering steps we guided, pushed, and pulled them forward, until flesh
+and blood rebelled at loss of food and sleep, and they were covered
+up, and we ordered back to camp, to be relieved by others. We had to
+wait, however, until the relief came from Dawfuskie, and I quote from
+Sergeant Thompson's journal to show how this second night was spent:
+"At midnight we covered the guns and endeavored to find some place
+to lie down in. Found a place, but was soon routed out by the tide.
+Came to the conclusion to walk the rest of the night to keep warm.
+Found a twenty-foot plank with four men on it. Jumped on and ran my
+chance. Kept moving until morning." This was only the beginning of
+such labor and exposure, and is it a wonder that so many men, protected
+from rebel bullets, have come out of such a service as we have here
+described, to worry through a life of suffering, the effects of which
+they have transmitted, and will continue to transmit to children and
+to children's children. The malaria of those mud islands is considered
+death to any one, even to such as have been acclimated to the South,
+and their only inhabitant is the ugly alligator.
+
+This battery was hardly established before, pushing across the river,
+another was planted on Bird Island, farther up, so that, together, they
+cut off all further communication with Fort Pulaski, by way of the
+Savannah. An attempt was made to destroy these batteries, but without
+result, except in the disabling of several of the enemy's steamers,
+after which we were left in undisputed possession.
+
+The smell of the mud of Bird Island lingers in the nostrils yet, and
+it is no wonder that in the progress of the work of establishing the
+battery, at times not a man was fit for duty. Whiskey and quinine were
+powerless to stay the effects of such labor and exposure. As a partial
+protection, our tents were nailed to heavy timbers a foot or more in
+diameter, snatched from the river as they floated down, while boards
+were laid across on which we slept, but even then in the high spring
+tides we were scarcely out of water, and not a spot was dry on the
+whole island.
+
+During our stay on Bird Island, frequent reconnoissances were made
+up the river in different directions. One dark night, two boats were
+sent up the Savannah, on either side of Elba Island, to ascertain if
+batteries were being planted, which would threaten ours of Bird and
+Jones Islands. Closely hugging the shore, we worked along cautiously,
+to avoid being seen by the Confederate pickets. At a distance of some
+miles from where we started, while the pickets on the shore were
+plainly visible by the light of their camp fires, one of our men was
+attacked with a sudden and most sonorous cough. Suspecting that it was
+intended to stop our further progress, we waited patiently for its
+cessation, and resumed our progress up the river, until suddenly the
+sound of voices immediately in front of us gave warning that we had
+gone too far for safety. Fortunately, the tide had turned, and a single
+whisper stopped the motion of the oars, otherwise we should not have
+suffered long from the chillness of the night air. Dropping back with
+the tide, stopping occasionally to learn more certainly that there were
+no batteries where they had been suspected, we reached our quarters in
+season for an early breakfast.
+
+Lying alongside, but extending much farther up the river than Bird,
+was McQueen's Island, the upper extremity of which was bounded by
+St. Augustine's Creek, which connected the Savannah with Wilmington
+River, and afforded a channel of communication with Fort Pulaski by
+means of small boats. Across St. Augustine's Creek, the telegraph wire
+connecting the city with the fort had been stretched on tall, heavily
+constructed spindles. The wire had been destroyed some time before, but
+the fact that steamboats from Savannah, at some risk from our battery,
+continued to come down to this point, and seemed busily engaged in
+some operations near these spindles, determined Major Beard, who
+commanded on the island, to investigate the matter, and, if possible,
+to bring away a scow which was known to be lying in that vicinity.
+The investigation was very proper, but the object of getting the scow
+we never understood. However, a detail was made, a boat was dragged
+across McQueen's Island to Wilmington River, and from that point a
+small party, with a guide supposed to be acquainted with the region,
+started for these spindles. It was a curious experience, paddling along
+under the overhanging banks in perfect silence, save when the vivid
+imagination of some one of the party pictured a Confederate picket from
+some peculiar conformation of the shore or eccentric growth of bush
+or shrub, when a word of caution would stay our progress until cooler
+eyes discovered the deception. One of the party even descried a picket
+beside its camp fire, whose bright glow shed a clear light upon their
+waiting figures, but to all the others there was but the blackness
+of darkness, and we passed on without molestation. The leaky little
+dug-out, which required constant bailing to keep it afloat, had room
+for neither rest nor comfort. Hour after hour we paddled along with
+the incoming tide, vainly hoping to reach the point we sought, every
+moment taking us farther within the lines of the enemy, and when, at
+last, completely lost amidst a maze of devious, winding creeks, the
+tide turned, we turned also, and by marvellous good fortune found our
+way back before the morning dawn discovered us to the Confederates.
+Determined to have that scow, and equally determined to have a better
+knowledge of the country before a second attempt was made, a small
+party was started one bright afternoon, which, rowing some distance up
+the river, landed on McQueen's Island, and striking through the canes,
+made straight for the spindles. We took no notice of the picket on the
+other side of the island, but kept right on, until, approaching the
+shore of the creek, the men were held back behind the trees and bushes
+which grew along the bank, until we could be assured of no special
+danger. Satisfied on this point, they were allowed to come on, and we
+gathered along the shore, and endeavored to impress upon each others'
+minds the direction of the creek, the location of the scow, and the
+probable means of reaching it from Wilmington River. The order to
+return had been given, when suddenly the Confederates appeared from
+behind the timbers of the spindles opposite, and not a hundred yards
+distant, and from the bushes near, and the order to lie down was given
+none too quickly to avoid the bullets which came whistling over our
+heads in close proximity. No one of our party was hurt, and we never
+received an official report of the number killed and wounded by our
+return fire. The locality was not sufficiently attractive to induce
+us to remain until the report was made up. Not only the danger of
+being cut off by the picket we had passed, but the shells from our own
+battery soon began to trouble us, for, as it afterwards transpired,
+one of our number, unaccustomed to the sound of bullets, became so
+thoroughly frightened at the first discharge that he started for camp
+by the most direct course, and on his arrival announced that we had
+been attacked by greatly superior numbers, and that he had been sent
+back for re-enforcements. Our own battery was soon throwing shot and
+shell over our heads, much to our discomfort,--for those missiles often
+make serious mistakes, and fall where they are least intended,--and
+all that could be spared were preparing to set out to rescue us from
+the peril to which we were exposed, when our appearance on the river
+put an end to the alarm. On reaching the island, we found the utmost
+excitement prevailing, and that every preparation had been made for the
+reception and care of our wounded. The author of all this confusion
+was discovered to be suffering the extreme effects of fright, and in a
+pitiable condition of mental and physical prostration. His youth, for
+he was a mere boy, shielded him from the consequences of his conduct,
+which otherwise would have been very serious. He was never permitted,
+however, to forget the circumstances and effects of his fright. Soon
+after this I was sent to Wilmington River to intercept the despatch
+boats, which, we had reason to suppose, found their way to the fort,
+but although many nights were spent in watching, while the miasma from
+the swamps was doing its deadly work, penetrating to the very bone and
+marrow, and preparing many a poor fellow for his final rest, the creeks
+and rivers which intersected the country in all directions afforded
+abundant means for avoiding us, and we made no captures.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VI.
+
+ Planting batteries on Tybee Island. General Gilmore. Listening for the
+ opening gun. Bombardment of Fort Pulaski. Watching the contest from
+ Dawfuskie. Surrender of the fort. Its appearance after the bombardment.
+
+
+While we were engaged in the work described in the last chapter,
+General Gilmore was planting his batteries on Tybee Island, which
+borders the mouth of the Savannah. These were placed from one to two
+miles distant from Fort Pulaski, and in the work of establishing them,
+difficulties were encountered similar to those which so thoroughly
+tested the skill and endurance of our men on the mud islands above. It
+required the combined efforts of two hundred and fifty men to drag a
+single mortar from the beach where they were landed, to position, and
+as several of the batteries were in plain sight from the fort, the work
+was largely done at night, until the embankments afforded sufficient
+protection. The fire from the fort was annoying, but less constant and
+spirited from the confidence of its commander in its security against
+the fire of guns so far distant. The value of rifled cannon for siege
+operations at long range was about to be tested, and while the result
+in this instance was not entirely to the satisfaction of the commandant
+of the fort, it fully justified the confidence of General Gilmore, for
+to him belongs the credit of this achievement, from its inception to
+its final termination.
+
+By April 6 we became aware that the crisis was approaching, and from
+that day anxiously listened for the opening gun.
+
+[Illustration: FORT PULASKI.]
+
+On the 9th, a demand was made for the surrender of the fort, to
+which the commandant replied, "I was placed here to defend, not to
+surrender." And he had an opportunity, for on the morning of the 10th
+the boom of cannon was heard, and from that time until about two
+o'clock of the afternoon of the following day, the batteries kept
+up a steady and constant fire. On the first day we could discover
+little effect, as we watched the progress of the contest from the
+shore of Dawfuskie, but the next day the frequent clouds of dust
+arising, especially from the southwest angle of the fort, indicated
+that progress was being made. During the night the firing had been
+continued, with intervals of about fifteen minutes, permitting little
+rest to the garrison, and effectually preventing all attempts to repair
+or strengthen the fort, and in the morning all the batteries opened and
+kept up a terrific cannonade, until the white flag appeared. Throughout
+the day the shore was lined with the excited soldiers, especially in
+the vicinity of Munger's, where a few of us secured places in a large
+willow tree overhanging the water, and affording an unobstructed view
+of the conflict. It was not long before a large breach was visible,
+which gradually widened as the day advanced. The firing from the fort
+was spirited, but had little effect. Several times the flagstaff was
+cut away by our shot, and as often replaced, until about 2 P.M. of the
+11th, when the firing ceased. Still, we were ignorant of the exact
+state of affairs, until an accident revealed the fact that the fort had
+surrendered. A sailing vessel was seen slowly drifting towards it. A
+steamer followed, apparently for the purpose of rendering assistance,
+but for some reason she seemed to be unmanageable, and gradually
+approached and passed the fort without drawing its fire. By this we
+knew that Pulaski was ours, and another entrance for blockade runners
+was closed.
+
+[Illustration: BREACH IN FORT PULASKI.]
+
+Soon after its surrender, the officers were from time to time allowed
+to visit it. One bright morning, after the details for the day had
+been made, in company with several other officers, I was rowed across
+the river, and spent the day in the quiet inspection of the fort
+and surroundings. The effects of the bombardment were everywhere
+visible. Guns were dismounted, bomb-proofs torn and shattered, and the
+traverses--great mounds of earth for the protection of the gunners, and
+to guard against the effects of enfilading shots--were levelled almost
+to the ground. The terre-plein was ploughed and furrowed in every
+direction, while wide and deep ditches extended across it, to ward off
+the effects of bursting shells. In many places the blandages, which
+were heavy timbers inclined against the inner wall, although covered
+with earth to the depth of three or four feet, were splintered and
+broken, and large sections of the walls themselves destroyed. The angle
+against which the heaviest fire had been directed was a gaping mass of
+ruins, through which at last the shot and shell drove steadily against
+the magazine, threatening to envelop fort and garrison in one common
+destruction. It was this danger which compelled the surrender.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VII.
+
+ Camp life at Dawfuskie. Scheelings and his "leetle tog." High living.
+ Effects of malaria. Discussing the situation. Emancipation order
+ of General Hunter. Lincoln the emancipator. John C. Calhoun and
+ nullification. Ordered to Pulaski. James Island expedition. A sad
+ failure. Shouting service of the negroes.
+
+
+For the next few weeks our duties were less severe than they had
+been. The men, by various expedients, had softened down the severer
+features of camp life. The tents were enclosed in frameworks of poles,
+which were covered and decorated with evergreens and southern moss,
+and the officers vied with each other in rendering their quarters
+attractive. The most pretentious of all were perhaps those of Captain
+Elfwing, commonly known as Volks Garden, from the fact that, having
+many friends in the 46th New York, a German regiment, he brought back
+from his frequent visits to them liberal supplies of their favorite
+beverage. Several companies of the regiment were stationed at Cooper's
+Landing and at other exposed points on the island, and on moonlight
+nights we sometimes made up parties to accompany the officer of the
+day in his grand rounds. Often these were made occasions for pleasant
+entertainments at the little outposts. At Cooper's Landing especially
+we always found hearty welcome, perhaps because we were often the
+bearers of letters, which, received at headquarters, were sent in this
+way to those on detached service. Sometimes the colonel visited not
+only these stations, but other points less carefully guarded, but from
+which an attack might be possible. At times the officers united in a
+general mess, but for the most part were divided up into small parties
+of such as were most congenial, which allowed to a greater extent the
+indulgence of individual tastes.
+
+The bugler, Anthony Scheelings, must not be overlooked, for at
+this time especially he was one of the most useful members of our
+organization. With his little pack of dogs, he was roaming the woods
+from early morning till evening parade, and seldom returned without an
+abundance of appetizing game, which he distributed among the messes
+with impartial liberality. Occasionally a huge rattlesnake contested
+with him the right of way, but with gun and dogs he was more than
+a match for beast or reptile. On one occasion however, Scheelings
+returned from his accustomed ramble with downcast countenance, and
+upon being questioned as to the cause of his depression, could only
+answer, "mine leetle tog, mine leetle tog." Some time afterwards,
+when his grief had lost some of its poignancy, he was able to explain
+that, while hunting in the marsh, the little cur which was his special
+favorite, in jumping across a narrow creek, had suddenly disappeared
+from sight. A huge alligator was discovered soon after, making its
+way to deeper water, whose movements were hastened by the contents
+of Scheelings' gun, but the "leetle tog" never returned. The woods
+abounded with birds and animals, and the numerous creeks and bayous
+furnished a continuous supply of delicious oysters, and the great
+sea-turtles, which deposited their eggs along the shores of the river
+and sound, were often caught too far from their favorite element to
+effect a retreat. Drill, guard and picket duty were kept up with
+regularity and constancy, but we look back upon the interval between
+the fall of Pulaski and our assignment as its garrison as one of
+comparative rest and comfort. The effects of our exposure on the river
+batteries now began to be manifest in the pale faces and shrunken forms
+that crept about the camp, showing that the slow but deadly malarial
+poison was fastening upon its victims. Loss of appetite, broken sleep,
+and a general feeling of lassitude, which found but slight alleviation
+in quinine, were the precursors of more violent attacks, from which
+many escaped at the time, but whose after life of miserable weakness
+and suffering has told how deeply were sown the poisonous seeds of
+lingering disease.
+
+Our mails came with frequency and regularity, and the papers were
+fairly devoured in the eagerness to learn of operations in the other
+departments of the army, but the confusion of statements, often half
+falsehoods and half conjecture, with the reports of deserters, and
+negroes who found their way through the rebel lines, and the claims
+of the Southern papers which they brought, altogether, made a jumble
+and jargon, in which the truth was buried too deeply for any hope of
+resurrection. The affairs of our own department were equally involved
+in obscurity and doubt as far as we were concerned, except those
+matters in which we took part. This uncertainty, however, did not
+prevent an active interest in and frequent discussion of movements, and
+that fiction took the place of fact detracted nothing from the hotness
+of the argument. We fed on what was furnished us, and often built our
+hopes and theories, fought battles and gained great victories, on the
+brilliant but groundless conjectures of unreliable correspondents.
+
+From the journal of Sergeant Thompson I learn that on May 12 the
+emancipation order of General Hunter was read to the troops. While this
+was somewhat premature, and was annulled by orders from Washington, it
+foreshadowed the purpose of President Lincoln, who, with a majority
+of the people of the North, soon came to regard it as a military
+necessity, and as such the proclamation of January 1, 1863, was issued,
+by which slavery in this country was forever abolished. Comparatively
+few slaves were immediately affected, but as our armies penetrated
+the rebellious states at different points, and the negroes were not
+only received and protected, but were organized into regiments for
+service against their late masters, the wisdom of the measure was fully
+demonstrated. For this act the name of Lincoln, handed down from age
+to age, will ever be held sacred in the memory of man, as one of the
+greatest benefactors of the race.
+
+By the middle of May it became manifest that new movements were
+contemplated in the department. The other regiments on Dawfuskie
+were gradually withdrawn, and we became interested to learn what
+disposition was to be made of us. On the 19th the rumor reached us that
+we were to garrison Fort Pulaski, while most of the troops were to be
+concentrated in an attack upon Charleston. The 6th Connecticut and
+the 28th Massachusetts, which had been encamped near us, were ordered
+away, and we were left almost alone. On the 21st a party visited Hilton
+Head, where assurances were received that we should form a part of the
+attacking force, but results showed the falsity of this assurance.
+
+On our return from the Head we stopped at the house on Braddock's Point
+formerly occupied by John C. Calhoun, and, among the letters scattered
+about, found many dating back to 1832, which showed the general
+prevalence of the nullification doctrines at that time, throughout
+the state. Had the loyalty and energy of President Jackson descended
+to Buchanan, these years of suffering and loss would all have been
+avoided. But out of the evil has come such good that few will dare to
+say that the results are not worth all the sacrifice.
+
+May 23 all doubt in regard to our destination was removed by despatches
+from Generals Terry and Benham, directing us to proceed at once to Fort
+Pulaski to do garrison duty. We were very indignant, and felt ourselves
+grievously wronged, in being placed in what we regarded as ignominious
+retirement, after having labored so hard, and prepared ourselves so
+thoroughly for the field; and the officers united in a respectful
+but spirited protest to be forwarded to the commanding general, but
+the colonel, knowing better than we, disapproved, and there was no
+alternative.
+
+On the 25th, the steamer Mattano took seven companies to the fort,
+leaving E, B, and C on the island, under the command of Captain Coan.
+At the wharf we were met by General Terry, who directed us to pitch our
+tents in the most convenient places outside the fort, still occupied
+by the 7th Connecticut, which was under marching orders. Several days
+elapsed before the final orders came for the transfer of this regiment
+to Edisto Island, during which nearly our whole command was constantly
+engaged in fatigue duty. Company K was detailed to occupy the hulk of
+an old vessel that had been anchored in the channel, just opposite the
+fort, and it was not until June 2 that the remaining companies were
+moved into the fort and entered upon garrison duty. On the same day
+our troops, under General Benham, landed on James Island, on their
+way to Charleston. The Stono River had been cleared of obstructions
+by the navy, and it was supposed that the enemy could not interpose
+an effectual barrier to our advance. The Confederates were gradually
+driven back, but finally made a stand at a place called Secessionville,
+which possessed many natural advantages for defence. On the 15th,
+preparations having been completed, General Stephens charged the
+earthworks with his division; but the position was too strong, and he
+was obliged to retire, with heavy loss. A second attempt was about to
+be made, with a better disposition of the troops, when General Benham
+ordered the withdrawal of General Wright's division, and General
+Stephens was obliged to follow. The losses were very heavy, owing to
+the nature of the ground. The Confederates were able to concentrate
+the fire of artillery and infantry upon a narrow neck of land between
+two marshes, over which our troops must pass to make any substantial
+progress. They soon received re-enforcements, and this attempt on
+Charleston was abandoned.
+
+From the first it seemed to be determined at Washington that no
+important movements were expected in our department. The number
+of troops was always too small for any large undertaking, and in
+maintaining a depot of supplies and a place for repairs for the navy,
+and shutting up the entrances to the coast in our vicinity, and thus
+limiting the operations of the blockade-runners, we seemed to meet all
+requirements.
+
+[Illustration: THE PLANTER.]
+
+While the attempt at James Island was being made, I was on the steamer
+Cosmopolitan, the headquarters of General Benham, and the reports that
+were continually brought in were heart-rending. Our troops were cruelly
+slaughtered, and many fell who had been our companions on Dawfuskie
+and elsewhere. My business, which was with the commanding general,
+delayed me several days, and while on the boat, one evening, I was
+much interested by the performances of the negroes on the lower deck.
+A great many of them had fled from the neighboring plantations and
+found refuge on the boat, so that the lower hold was crowded with them.
+At first, my attention was caught by the sound of the soft, plaintive
+music of a few female voices. The melody was wild and peculiar,
+differing from anything I had ever heard before, but presently the
+character of the music changed to the rude and boisterous, in which
+a multitude of voices were joined. Being interested, I descended to
+where I could view the proceedings, and was thus able to witness that
+singular religious exercise called shouting--which bears a striking
+resemblance to the ordinary worship of the Shakers. At first the
+dancing was confined to a few, and some leading voice sang the melody,
+and the others joined in the chorus, but by and by even the old and
+decrepit men and women seemed seized by the spirit of music and motion,
+and one by one were drawn into the moving circle, swelling the volume
+of sound until the vessel fairly shook with the fierceness of the
+hallelujah. It was a tumultuous, but hearty expression of thanksgiving
+that the bonds of slavery had been sundered.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER VIII.
+
+ The wreck of the sutler's schooner. Its consequences. The death of
+ Colonel Perry. His character. Action of officers. Sent to New York.
+ Lieutenant-Colonel Barton promoted. Detailed on recruiting service.
+ General Mitchell commander of the department. Expedition to Bluffton.
+ Blockade-runner Emma. Confederate ironclad. Back with the regiment.
+ Its condition. Bluffton again visited. Ravages of war.
+
+
+On the 16th and 17th of June, a fearful storm prevailed along the
+coast during which a schooner was discovered on her beam ends, on
+the bar off the west end of Cockspur Island. With much difficulty
+the crew was rescued, but the vessel became a total wreck, and the
+cargo, which consisted of sutler supplies, floated ashore on Tybee
+and Cockspur Islands. Cases of claret and champagne and barrels of
+beer and wine, were too strong an attraction to be resisted, and the
+result was that on the 17th the regiment was in a terrible state of
+demoralization. As soon as the facts were discovered by the colonel,
+the severest measures were applied. Guards were set along the shores
+to secure the cargo, and those who were intoxicated were confined in
+the guard-house and dungeon. The liquor was collected, and locked up
+in the magazine, and comparative order was restored. It is probable,
+however, that the excitement and vexation so overcame the colonel as
+to induce the attack of the following day. It was the first time that
+the brutalizing effects of the war had manifested themselves in our
+regiment, and he was grievously wounded. At about three o'clock of the
+afternoon of June 18, while the colonel was writing at his desk, his
+pen suddenly dropped from his hand, his head dropped, and scarcely
+with other sign, _the silver cord was loosed and the golden bowl was
+broken_. It was a sad day in the regiment. He was so strong--so far
+above the jealousies of ordinary army life--so just and true--that he
+was as a rock of defence to such as were in any way dependent upon
+him. Although holding a subordinate position, we felt that he had no
+superior in the department, in those qualities which constitute a
+leader and commander. How well I remember him, as firmly seated on his
+gray horse, the gift of his ministerial friends and others, he moved
+about the field at battalion drill, so familiar with the duties of
+his position as never to suggest a doubt, giving the word of command
+without effort, but with a power of tone such as I have never heard
+equalled. Here, as elsewhere, always dignified, always composed. A man
+to respect, to trust, to obey. It was his misfortune to be confined in
+a department which furnished so little scope for his abilities, and
+a still greater misfortune that he incurred the envy and jealousy of
+those over him. At the time of his death he had applied for leave of
+absence, and the promise of promotion led him to expect a transfer to
+some other corps. Had he lived, so large an estimate had we formed of
+his abilities that we should have expected his rapid advancement to a
+conspicuous position among the leading generals of the army. As a man
+he was admired and beloved, for, although reserved and reticent, he did
+not withhold his confidence, and esteem from such as he deemed worthy
+of it. Everything relating to those under him received his personal
+attention, and in cases of discipline, while sometimes severe, he was
+always just, and when he died the feeling was universal throughout the
+regiment that the loss we had suffered could never be made up to us.
+From the time of my first introduction to him, until that morning when
+I parted from him at Pulaski, never again to see him in life, I recall
+many instances of his kindness and thoughtful consideration; but they
+are too personal to be recorded here. Notwithstanding his reserve and
+his habitual seclusion, except when engaged in active duty, he knew
+his officers better than they thought, and cared for them better than
+they knew. As an evidence of this I recall with great distinctness the
+ride we had together, when we visited various points on Dawfuskie,
+when he found the rebels were making preparations to annoy or attack
+us. On our return as we slowly rode towards camp, the conversation
+turned upon the character and relative merits of the officers of the
+regiment. He was in a singularly communicative mood, and spoke with
+unusual freedom. There was no unkindness, no bitterness in what he
+said, but there was abundant evidence of keenness of observation, and
+a knowledge of the temper and disposition of those of whom he spoke,
+and had he lived, no good man would have had occasion to fear him, and
+no bad man to despise him. His parting words at our last interview in
+Pulaski, meant more than I knew then, but they were not needed to keep
+him in my mind, embalmed with loving thoughts and precious memories.
+We buried him outside the fort, but subsequently his body was removed
+to Cyprus Hill Cemetery, in Brooklyn; and a granite monument has now
+been erected above his remains,--by the efforts of James H. Perry Post,
+G.A.R., and the survivors of the regiment, assisted by the Hanson
+Place Methodist-Episcopal Church of Brooklyn, of which he had been the
+pastor. On this is inscribed, in fitting words, the story of his life,
+his services and sacrifice.
+
+His death left us in a state of some embarrassment. The promotion to
+the colonelcy naturally belonged to Lieutenant-Colonel Barton, but
+Major Beard had done much important service in the department, which
+seemed to deserve recognition, and in addition, his father's relations
+with prominent men in Brooklyn could command their influence. But he
+lacked the full confidence of his brother-officers, and his promotion
+over Lieutenant-Colonel Barton would have been an undesirable precedent
+to establish, and at a meeting held for the purpose of ascertaining
+the views of the officers of the line and staff, it was found that we
+were unanimous in favor of Lieutenant-Colonel Barton, and a paper was
+drawn up, and signed, requesting from the Governor his appointment.
+Chosen for the purpose of conveying this, with other letters of
+recommendation, from Major-General Hunter and Brigadier-General
+Terry, I hastened to New York by the first steamer, in company with
+Lieutenant-Colonel Barton, and had the satisfaction of securing all
+that we desired. From this time until October, being detained in New
+York, with Captain Farrell, on recruiting service, I must depend upon
+the journals of Thompson and Conklin, and the sketch recently written
+and sent me by Major Barrett, for an account of what transpired in the
+regiment during the interval.
+
+The record is short, and lacking in interesting or important
+circumstances; occasionally, a flag of truce came down from Savannah,
+with persons who desired to join their friends in the North. General
+Mitchell, who had established a character by successful operations
+in the West, relieved General Hunter, and by his urbanity, and an
+undefined and indefinable magnetism, had captivated the soldiers, while
+his reputation as a successful general inspired them with a belief that
+the department of the South would thereafter have opportunity to make
+for itself a place in the history of the war, by solid achievements.
+Poor man! how little he knew of the lack of material, of opportunity
+and force, in his new command. Better for him had he remained in a
+subordinate position in the West, where the field was large, and
+afforded encouragement for the exhibition of military skill and genius.
+
+The work of repairing the fort was carried on energetically, and an
+occasional excursion up the river, or to neighboring islands, relieved
+the monotony of garrison duty. One expedition to Bluffton, on the May
+River, for the purpose of destroying the salt works, resulted not only
+in its immediate object, but in securing a large supply of excellent
+and convenient furniture, including a piano for headquarters. The
+blockade-runner Emma, having for a long time been tied to the wharf
+at Savannah, made an effort to escape with its cargo of cotton. Just
+as the sun was beginning to light up the horizon, it was discovered
+near the entrance to Wright's River, hard and fast, with a receding
+tide. Boats were manned and sent with all speed to secure her, but
+too late to save more than the scorched and blackened remains of her
+valuable cargo of cotton. The fact that an English steamer had, by the
+contributions of the ladies of Savannah, been converted into a ram
+of powerful armament kept the garrison on the lookout for an attack,
+until it became known through deserters that she was an unwieldy mass
+of iron, with engines of insufficient capacity to move her against the
+ordinary current of the river.
+
+One morning our gunboats, in the spirit of mere bravado, ran up the
+river to within range of Fort Jackson and the batteries near, but
+without result, except to show how poorly both were provided with
+artillery. Had the navy made a serious attempt on Savannah, we always
+felt that it would have met with but feeble opposition. There had grown
+up a wholesome dread of our gunboats, especially of the ironclads, and
+although our troops met with obstinate resistance, wherever the navy
+could penetrate the way was almost undisputed.
+
+While affairs were thus comparatively stagnated in the department,
+Captain Farrell and myself were hard at work recruiting, and, as a
+result, the regiment was brought up to nearly its original number. It
+was a pleasant relief from the stale, stupid life in garrison, and
+afforded an opportunity to recover from the dreadful effects of the
+exposure on the swamps and islands of the Savannah. Some of the duties,
+however, were by no means agreeable; and when the order came for a
+return to the regiment, it was very welcome. We had been away long
+enough, and were quite willing that others should take our places; and
+October 2, when we rejoined the regiment, it was with a feeling of
+pride that we took up the regular duties of army life again.
+
+During our absence, the officers had been accustomed to meet together
+to discuss tactics and military law, and it was apparent that we must
+make special exertion to place ourselves abreast of those who had thus
+profited. Some few changes had taken place. At night the "All's well,"
+which every hour was carried round the fort from sentinel to sentinel,
+proclaimed the fact that every one was watchful, and illustrated
+the system which prevailed. The several expeditions to Bluffton had
+furnished our quarters with useful and attractive furniture, and, with
+every convenience for garrison duty, we should have been content,
+except for the feeling that we might be serving our country better in
+more active operations.
+
+October 9, General Mitchell and staff visited the fort, and it soon
+became known that an expedition was planned in which a portion at least
+of our regiment would take part. From that time until the 21st, the
+companies which were to join the expedition engaged in target practice
+every day, and there was much emulation among them. The officers
+also joined in the practice, for the sake of encouragement. In the
+meantime the steamboat Planter made another expedition to Bluffton,
+to complete the demolition of the salt works. Just as we were about
+to cast off from the dock to return to the fort, the Confederates,
+who had been awaiting their opportunity, attacked us, and for a few
+moments the firing was quite sharp. Owing to the low state of the tide,
+our artillery was useless, until, having cut the hawser, we swung out
+into the stream, when a few discharges of grape and canister scattered
+the enemy and we proceeded back to the fort. Our casualties were one
+killed and several wounded. The frequent expeditions had stripped the
+town of almost everything portable, and it is not surprising that the
+inhabitants were desperately angry. It was a pretty village, apparently
+a summer resort for the wealthier people of Charleston and Savannah.
+The houses, for the most part of neat and attractive appearance and
+embowered in trees, stretched along for some distance on the high
+table-land near the water, and the shore of the river was dotted here
+and there with boat and bathing houses of pretty design. Deep ravines
+ran from the river back through the town until lost in the darkened
+shades of the woods beyond. But the houses were desolate and given up
+to pillage, the happy households scattered, lost in the whirlpool of
+mad rebellion, fathers and sons were measuring out their life-blood in
+the rebel army, and mothers and daughters were mourning over the loss
+of friends and homes and all that makes life dear, while suffering
+the terrible privations of an invaded country. A sad picture of the
+cruelties of war!
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER IX.
+
+ Expedition to Coosawhatchie. Landing at Dawson's plantation. March to
+ Coosawhatchie. Ambuscade. Firing on Confederate train. Confederate
+ prisoners. Destruction of track. Retreat. Peril of Lieutenant Corwin.
+ Lieutenant Blanding wounded. Pocataligo expedition a failure. Perilous
+ voyage back to Pulaski. Confederate weapons. Yellow fever. Death of
+ General Mitchell. His character. Review of Coosawhatchie.
+
+
+October 21 we embarked on the steamer Planter, six companies of fifty
+men each, and proceeded to Hilton Head, where we joined the main body
+of troops belonging to the expedition, and, accompanied by a number
+of gunboats, started for the point of attack. The morning of the 22d
+found us opposite Mackey's Point on the Coosawhatchie River, in rear of
+the fleet, which numbered in all fifteen gunboats and transports. This
+was the point of disembarkation for the main body, but we proceeded
+farther up the river, accompanied by two gunboats. We had not gone far
+before our boat grounded on a point on the Dawson plantation near the
+house, and we landed in small boats. A few cavalry pickets delayed us
+a little, but we finally started up the road with Company H deployed
+as skirmishers under command of the writer. This road led directly to
+the village of Coosawhatchie, and ran nearly parallel to the railroad.
+The attempt to skirmish through the woods was soon abandoned, owing to
+the dense growth of plants and shrubs and trailing vines. The Spanish
+bayonet plant was the most formidable, its thick bristling points
+presenting such obstacles to our progress that we were soon compelled
+to confine ourselves to an advanced position on the road. Where other
+roads intersected, guards were stationed. A short march brought us to
+an open space, with the railroad in plain sight, only about two hundred
+yards distant from the turnpike. Without waiting for special orders,
+Company H was deployed along the railway embankment, at the same time
+that the whistle of an engine warned us that a train was approaching.
+Carefully posting the men along the track, but out of sight, a cautious
+observation discovered the train stopped a short distance below us.
+It was a period of anxious suspense, until we were assured that it
+was again in motion, when, the most careful instructions having been
+given as to when and how to fire, we awaited its approach. Several
+platform cars were loaded with troops, and as we poured in our fire
+upon them, at only a few feet distance, the effect was terrible. In an
+instant those crowded masses of humanity had disappeared. Some were
+killed and more were wounded, but a large number jumped from the train
+and concealed themselves in the swamp and woods. A few were taken
+prisoners, but the wounded were left to be cared for by their own
+people, who were known to be near by, as we had no means of caring for
+them. It was a cruel ambuscade, for as they came to the place where
+we were awaiting them, it was apparent that they had no intimation of
+our presence in the vicinity. We hoped to injure the engine and so
+wreck the train, and a number of the most reliable men were assigned
+to that special duty; but it passed on out of sight, and we gave our
+attention to the destruction of the railroad, under the direction of
+the engineers who had accompanied us for such purposes. Not much was
+accomplished before heavy firing warned us that we could not delay;
+and, collecting the prisoners and such arms as we had captured, we
+proceeded to join the regiment. This had arrived at the open space
+just in season to discharge the little cannon, which the colonel had
+borrowed from the navy, at the passing train, when it pushed on, hoping
+to destroy the bridge which crossed the river a little farther up the
+road; but the Confederates were found strongly entrenched, with heavy
+batteries guarding its approaches, and, after carefully feeling of
+the position and drawing the fire of the batteries, the colonel was
+obliged to give the order to return. Company H was again thrown out as
+skirmishers, and, discovering what was supposed to be a Confederate
+detachment, commenced firing. Fortunately, before any injury was done,
+it was ascertained that it was Lieutenant Corwin with his company,
+which had been left to guard a threatening point. Nothing further
+occurred until we reached the boat, when, as we were embarking, the
+little knot of cavalry which had been closely watching our movements
+for some time rode rapidly forward and gave us a volley, by which
+Lieutenant Blanding, of the 3d Rhode Island Artillery, who accompanied
+us, was severely wounded. A few shells from the little Parrot gun on
+our bow dispersed them, and we steamed down the river without further
+casualty. The main body of the expedition had the usual experience at
+Pocotaligo, where they hoped to be able to effectually destroy the
+railroad. The force was too small, and was repulsed with severe loss.
+We nevertheless expected to renew the attempt the next day; but this
+purpose was given up, and we were ordered back to the fort. The perils
+of our return passage were quite equal to any that we had encountered,
+for in the intense darkness the pilot lost his way, and for a long
+time we were buffeted about by wind and waves, not knowing what was to
+become of us. The next day we had leisure to examine the weapons we had
+captured. It was a curious collection, consisting of rifles, swords
+of venerable age, and a species of cleaver, much resembling those
+commonly used by butchers, showing to what extremities the Home Guards,
+at least, were already reduced. As I write I have a specimen of the
+last mentioned weapon on my table, personally taken from a rebel at
+Coosawhatchie.
+
+[Illustration: HEADQUARTERS OF HUNTER AND MITCHELL.]
+
+October 28, General Mitchell was reported seriously ill with yellow
+fever, and General Brannon assumed command of the department. October
+29, Dr. Strickland, our chaplain, an old friend of General Mitchell,
+was sent for to attend him. October 30, General Mitchell died, at
+6 P.M. And as others at Hilton Head were prostrated with the same
+disease, there was danger that it would spread through the department,
+and every precaution was taken to guard against it. The loss of
+General Mitchell was a severe blow. He had the confidence of the
+troops, had shown his ability as a commander, and was supposed to be in
+such relations with the authorities at Washington as to promise such
+additions to our forces as would enable us to undertake something of
+importance. Our last expedition would perhaps have had a better result
+had he been well enough to assume its direction. As it was, the colors
+of the Whippy Swamp Guards, with the prisoners and arms, captured by
+Company H of our regiment, were the only favorable results, while the
+complete failure of the main expedition, with the loss of so many men,
+added another to the disheartening blows from which the department had
+suffered from the beginning. And now the loss of General Mitchell, on
+whom our hopes were centred, left us without a promise for the future.
+Soon after our return from Coosawhatchie, two deserters from the 1st
+Georgia regiment, called the Whippy Swamp Guards, came down from
+Savannah. They reported the loss of thirty men, their major, and the
+engineer of the train, at Coosawhatchie, together with their colors.
+These latter, which we had in our possession, attested the correctness
+of their statement in at least one particular. Had the Confederates
+whom we attacked been commanded by any one of ordinary ability, troops
+would have been sent down by the railroad to cut off our retreat, for
+there was but one road by which we could return, and this was bordered
+on either side by impenetrable woods, so that a small force could have
+held us and made our escape impossible. It is probable that our attack
+at the railroad so disconcerted them that before they recovered, it was
+too late to interrupt our rapid retreat. Those who sent us into such a
+trap either knew nothing of the country, or were willing to make the
+sacrifice of our command for the sake of drawing off troops from the
+main point of attack. Looking back upon it now, it seems a part of the
+blundering operations which characterized our department for the most
+of the time that we were there, the attack on Pulaski forming a happy
+exception to the general rule.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER X.
+
+ At Fort Pulaski. Changes at Dawfuskie. Amusements. The pride and taste
+ of the soldiers in fitting up their quarters. Mosquitoes and other
+ pests. Thanksgiving celebration. Incidents of garrison life. Flag
+ of truce. Confederate ironclad. New Year's Day. Mr. Logan's account
+ of the condition of things in Savannah. Prices of provisions, etc.
+ Resignation and departure of Chaplain Strickland. Inspector-General
+ Townsend's and Colonel Green's opinion of the regiment. Flag of
+ truce. Interesting interview with Adjutant-General Gordon and
+ Lieutenant Styles, of the Confederate army. Formation of negro
+ regiments. Our theatre. Building a steam-launch. Deserters. Capture of
+ blockade-runner. Effect of garrison life on the regiment. Capture of
+ Confederate ironclad Atlanta.
+
+
+After our return from Coosawhatchie, for a time, we were left
+undisturbed in garrison. The work of repairing the fort and replacing
+the guns injured in the bombardment continued, with company and
+battalion drill, whenever the weather permitted. November 4, a few
+officers made a trip to Dawfuskie, visiting Munger's and Stoddard's;
+but neglect and decay were manifest everywhere. A few old negroes,
+abandoned because of inability to bring further profit, with the
+desolated homes, together exhibited the barbarisms of war and slavery.
+The cold weather soon relieved our apprehensions from yellow fever;
+and affairs at the fort moved on in the old sluggish current. Games of
+ball on the terre-plein, and hunting on the islands near, varied the
+monotony somewhat, and artillery drill added somewhat to our regular
+duties. The ducks in the bay were numerous; and, as we had collected
+quite a fleet of boats, parties were made up, almost daily, to hunt
+them.
+
+Thanksgiving was approaching, and we determined to make the day
+memorable. The officers contributed liberally, and committees were
+appointed to plan for a celebration, which should not only afford
+pleasure to ourselves, but attract to the fort the general officers
+of the department, as well as others. November 18, we indulged in a
+regatta. The colonel had selected the most promising craft, and fitted
+it up quite handsomely; others also had apparently been fortunate
+in their selections, but Captain Strickland, while obliged to take
+an inferior boat, had in Company H the most skilful sailors of the
+regiment, who, for love of their captain and the honor of the company,
+worked with a will to overcome all inequalities. The trial trip of our
+boat was made very early in the morning of the day on which the race
+occurred, and resulted in christening it the "Tub," by those who had
+watched its movements. A few changes and alterations were made, and it
+was ready to start with the others. The race was very exciting, and the
+course a long one, and it was for some time doubtful which would win
+the prize, but when the Tub came into the dock, having distanced the
+whole fleet, by common consent she received the more reputable name of
+Maggie.
+
+During the pleasant days of autumn, scarcely a day passed without
+some form of amusement or recreation. The Sabbath, while we were in
+garrison, was usually observed in a becoming manner, and was a day of
+rest from work and play, save in the matter of inspection. Regularly
+every Sunday morning the colonel, accompanied by his staff, made
+a thorough examination of the interior of the fort, and such was
+the character of the men, and the discipline which prevailed, that
+no effort was spared to make these inspections satisfactory. The
+companies which occupied the casemates on two sides of the fort availed
+themselves of all the materials at hand to fit them up in a manner
+not only to secure the greatest comfort to themselves, but to render
+them most attractive in appearance. And it was a great pleasure to
+note from Sabbath to Sabbath the ingenuity and skill displayed in the
+arrangements for eating and sleeping, as well as for general effects.
+Bunks were made, either single or double, and tastefully covered with
+colored netting, to ward off the attacks of mosquitoes and sand flies.
+Tables, chairs, and lounges of various designs occupied the spaces
+around the guns, while dogs, cats, 'coons, and other pets shared the
+quarters and the messes. The season for sand flies, mosquitoes, and
+fleas, passed by with the warm weather, but each for a time had proven
+severe trials to us all. First the sand flies swarmed in countless
+numbers, microscopic in size, all bite and poison, penetrating
+everywhere, and, while they lasted, the agony of dress parade, with
+the men at rest, will be remembered, but cannot be described. The
+mosquitoes were quite tolerable, but when, under the hot sun of
+midsummer, the fleas made their appearance, there was little rest night
+or day. Walking on the shore, it seemed sometimes as if every grain of
+sand had been quickened into life, like the dragon's teeth of Jason.
+
+Rumors reached us, from time to time, that an effort would be made to
+recapture the fort, and General Beauregard was reported to have stated,
+in a speech, that but a few days would elapse before he would replace
+the present commandant. Others have made similar mistakes, and to few
+is given the spirit of prophecy.
+
+November 27, Thanksgiving Day, opened bright and beautiful, the
+atmosphere clear and cool. All preparations had been made, and we
+awaited the coming of our guests. The chaplain consecrated the day
+in a short but interesting sermon upon the political aspects of the
+country. After the discourse, the amusements of the day commenced,
+with target-shooting and boat-races. When these were concluded, the
+officers marched to the south dock, to meet the guests. Three boats
+came, quite loaded with passengers, among them Generals Brannon and
+Terry. Proceeding to the fort to the sound of music and the firing of
+salutes which announced the quality of our visitors, the amusements of
+the day recommenced, with foot-races, followed by hurdle, sack, and
+wheel-barrow races, greased pole, greased pig, and other games. Perhaps
+the most ludicrous were the attempts of the negroes, with hands tied
+behind them, to pick out with their teeth the gold piece concealed
+in a tub of flour. Finally the day closed with dress parade by the
+non-commissioned officers and privates, in which the most grotesque
+costumes were used, and the largest liberty permitted. Taking advantage
+of this, the peculiarities of the officers were brought out with the
+grossest exaggerations, manner and tone being imitated so well, and
+withal in such good-natured frolicsome spirit, that the subjects of
+the pleasantries enjoyed it equally with the others. The published
+orders were admirable hits, ending with the one attributed to Major
+Beard, which, after announcing the death of a member of the regiment,
+concluded with, "The God of battles will give him a soldier's rest by
+order of O.T. Beard, Major Commanding." A long nooning gave ample
+time for the dinner, which was spread in a temporary building on the
+terre-plein, and consisted of a variety of fish, fowl, and joints, with
+the usual accompaniments. The evening and most of the night were given
+up to dancing. At midnight a supper was served, and many of us retired,
+but a few, who had passed the bounds of moderation in their libations,
+served to keep alive the echoes of song and laughter until the morning
+brought exhaustion, and permitted a little rest. The day was a
+memorable one, contrasting as it did so severely with the events which
+placed us there and continued to disturb the country. The following day
+we parted with our guests, and resumed the old routine.
+
+At this time our company was stationed on Tybee Island, with
+headquarters in the Martello Tower, and it was a common trip to run
+over and dine with Swartwout, who was one of the most genial and
+hospitable officers in the regiment. He had very comfortable apartments
+on the top of the tower, and his men were pleasantly disposed in neat
+and cheerful barracks near by. There were horses to ride, and a
+long, beautiful, and solid beach to ride on, little to do, no special
+annoyances, plenty of game and an almost independent command, so that
+those detailed there were inclined to remain.
+
+[Illustration: MARTELLO TOWER, TYBEE ISLAND.]
+
+Soon after our arrival at the fort for garrison duty, a bed of fine
+large and luscious oysters was discovered near by, having been planted
+by the former occupants of the fort, by whose labors we profited
+much, for the supply seemed unlimited. Base-ball became a regular
+institution, in which the whole garrison joined, from the colonel down.
+When the officers were not playing, the men occupied the ground, when
+off duty. And it was well, for we needed all the exercise we could get,
+on account of the enervating effect of the long confinement in the
+fort, and we wished to be ready for active service, which we trusted
+would come in time.
+
+December 24, Colonel Barton returned from Hilton Head with the
+announcement that Lieutenant-Colonel Beard had resigned, and his
+resignation had been accepted, and that several ironclads were expected
+from the North.
+
+December 27, the steamboat Mattano conveyed a party up the river on
+flag of truce. Starting early in the forenoon, we proceeded slowly to a
+point nearly opposite St. Augustine's Creek, when we were hailed by the
+officer of a Confederate picket, and, having dropped anchor, awaited
+the return of the messenger which had been sent to the ram Georgia
+as soon as we appeared in sight. This was plainly visible, about a
+mile distant,--a low, sullen mass of iron, apparently immovable.
+While waiting the return of the messenger, we had ample opportunity
+to examine it, but could make out little beyond her general shape.
+Designed to clear the river and vicinity of our gunboats, she had thus
+far proved a failure, and, as confessed by an officer who visited us,
+had greatly disappointed those who had furnished the means to build
+her. The officer sent to communicate with us was Lieutenant Johnson,
+who, in the course of a very pleasant conversation, stated that for
+seventeen years he was in the United States service. That at the time
+of our attack on Port Royal he was in command of one of the steamers of
+Commodore Tatnall's fleet, which was nearly blown out of water by one
+of our eleven-inch shells. In the afternoon, Captain Sawyer, of General
+Mercer's staff, came alongside, having started for Pulaski on flag of
+truce. His boat was manned by sailors from New York.
+
+January 1, 1863, opened with a clear sky and an invigorating
+atmosphere. It was observed as a holiday, and Captain Elfwing, who
+could not forget, even in our unfavorable conditions, the good old
+custom of open house and spread table, invited his friends to partake
+of his hospitalities. Lieutenant Wallace, who had resigned, spent the
+day in taking leave of his companions.
+
+January 3, nine men from the 47th New York State Volunteers, a
+regiment with which we had been brigaded from the first, and between
+which and our regiment there had always existed a special friendship,
+came to the fort in the steamer Mattano, for a match game of base-ball
+with our picked nine. They took their defeat in the best humor, and
+nothing occurred to mar the good-fellowship between the two regiments.
+
+January 8, Mr. Logan, who went up to Savannah December 27, returned
+to the fort with several ladies. Lieutenant Johnson came with them,
+and our acquaintance was renewed. Papers were exchanged, and from
+the Savannah News we gained information which silenced certain
+unfavorable rumors which had been current in the garrison for some
+days. Mr. Logan gave an interesting account of what he saw within the
+Confederate lines, and we note a few of his statements. The supply
+of clothing had become so reduced that the cast-off garments of past
+generations were drawn upon, so that the grotesqueness of costumes,
+even among the better classes, was often ludicrous. The prices of
+nearly everything had advanced to enormous figures. The following
+will serve as examples. Tea was fourteen dollars a pound, salt fifteen
+dollars a bushel, flour from thirty to fifty dollars a barrel, men's
+boots from twenty to forty dollars per pair. He further stated that
+his brother-in-law paid a hundred dollars for a coat made of Kentucky
+jean, and fifty dollars for two pairs of hand cards for carding cotton.
+He himself paid two dollars for a tooth-brush, and four dollars for a
+daguerreotype. Sugar was sold for seventy-five cents per pound by the
+hogshead, and other articles in proportion. Merchants had but little in
+their stores; and great inconvenience, and even suffering, generally
+prevailed. From these facts we derived great encouragement. If they
+indicated the condition of things generally in the South, the war could
+not last long. The report of the capture of Vicksburg, about this time,
+strengthened this feeling. The news, generally, was encouraging.
+
+February 3, Generals Hunter, Foster, Negley, Potter, and Seymour
+visited the fort. General Hunter was quite extravagant in his praises
+of the regiments. February 6, Dr. Strickland left us, and was not
+expected to return. He was an excellent chaplain. Faithful, earnest,
+and fearless, he helped materially in keeping the regiment to its
+high standard of morals and propriety. While not aggressive, he was
+constant in his labors, and was heartily respected in them. There was a
+wholesome and agreeable freedom in his manner, combined with dignity of
+habit and speech, which we liked. He had many warm friends, and, if any
+enemies, they were not known.
+
+February 9, the regiment was inspected by Colonel Green, the assistant
+inspector-general of the army, who came to the fort accompanied by
+General E.D. Townsend, Adjutant-General, U.S. A. They both expressed
+themselves very much pleased at our appearance, and complimented us
+very highly.
+
+February 16, I was despatched on another flag of truce, with Captain
+Kenzie, of General Hunter's staff, who was entrusted with special
+business for headquarters. Near Bird Island, the steamboat Ida met
+us, and Captain Gordon, adjutant-general of General Mercer's staff,
+with wife and two children, came on board our boat, accompanied by
+Captain and Lieutenant Styles of the Virginia army. They were all
+people of education and refinement, and during the several hours that
+we spent together, there was no suggestion of personal antagonism as
+an outgrowth of the general attitude which we maintained towards each
+other. In spite of my earnest protest against the introduction of any
+irritating subject, the war, its causes, and its different phases, were
+discussed with freedom, but without the least appearance of bitterness.
+Mrs. Gordon and family had suffered privations in common with others,
+and Lieutenant Styles spoke of the division of the army to which he was
+attached as often without shoes, and even sufficient food, but bearing
+everything without complaint. The coat he had on, made of ordinary
+gray cloth, cost one hundred and fifty dollars, and he had ordered a
+pair of cavalry boots, to cost sixty dollars--thus corroborating the
+statements of Mr. Logan. The picture which he drew of the soldiers
+of the Confederate army,--marching over the snow without shoes, with
+a cake of gingerbread in hand, costing a dollar, and a newspaper in
+pocket, costing twenty-five cents,--would have been pathetic had it
+not suggested such a lamentable want of judgment, in preferring the
+luxury of gingerbread and newspapers to the comfort and protection of
+suitable covering for the feet. We parted with mutual expressions of
+personal esteem, knowing that within the hour of our parting, we might
+be called upon, in the discharge of duty to which we were bound, to
+take each other's life, while we equally lamented the necessity for
+such brutality.
+
+February 20, reports reached us of difficulty between General Hunter
+and some of the officers on the staffs of the new generals who had come
+to the department from North Carolina, who showed too little respect
+for the negro soldiers, the pets of the commanding general. And this
+reminds me of neglect in overlooking the fact that, in the formation
+of the negro regiments, Lieutenant Corwin obtained the position of
+major, and several of our sergeants and corporals obtained commissions.
+Advanced positions in these regiments were offered to several of our
+officers, who declined to accept them.
+
+February 23, our theatre was opened, with the following
+entertainment:--Address by Corporal Michaels. Singing by the members.
+Farce, "Family Jars." Song, "The Flea," by Owens, of Company H.
+Recitation by Hutchinson. Light balancing by Dr. Haven. Tragedy, 1st
+act of "Richard III." Song by Dickson. Concluding with the tableau,
+"Washington's Grave." The theatre was very pretty, and the performances
+excellent. The scene-painting was done by Harrison, who was by
+profession a scenic artist, and was very good. From this time forward,
+during our stay at the fort, performances were continued regularly, and
+afforded a great deal of pleasure.
+
+March 3, several officers went to the Ogeechee river to witness the
+attack on Fort McAllister by the ironclads. About this time a little
+engine and boiler were completed, under the direction of Captain
+Paxson, out of materials found in the fort, and placed in a large boat,
+which had floated down to the island. They worked satisfactorily, and
+this little craft was used for a long time in trips about the island
+and to neighboring points. Our regiment might be taken as an example
+of the material of our army. Every profession, and almost every
+department of mechanical pursuits, was represented, and, whatever work
+was required, there was no lack of such as were familiar with it.
+
+March 15, four men, comprising a Confederate picket, came in to the
+fort, bringing their officer with them, much against his will. They
+were well armed, with Maynard rifles and Colt's revolvers. In all,
+twelve deserters came in within ten days. Day after day we were called
+upon to entertain visitors, and the fort became a place of resort
+for the idle and curious in the department. The theatre was a great
+attraction.
+
+March 30, a small schooner was discovered near the entrance to Munger's
+River, and the colonel started for her in the Mattano. At first she
+hoisted the English colors, but was compelled to acknowledge that she
+was a blockade-runner, bound for Savannah with a load of salt. She was
+our first prize.
+
+[Illustration: NEW IRONSIDES AND MONITORS.]
+
+March 31, we learned, through Mr. Whitney, the designer of the monitor
+Keokuk, who was visiting his cousin, Captain Lockwood, that there
+were now eight ironclads at Hilton Head, or near Charleston Harbor,
+which meant that something was to be done. The men were soon set to
+work moving mortars to the south dock for shipment. Great activity
+prevailed; constant communication was kept up with Hilton Head by
+signal to Braddock's Point; and a steamboat was nearly all the time at
+the service of Colonel Barton. In addition to our regiment, a company
+of the 3d Rhode Island Artillery, under Captain Gould, had for a long
+time, formed a part of the garrison; and at this time several gunboats
+were in the river, to help protect the fort against any attack which
+might be made on Pulaski while our ironclads were operating against the
+forts in Charleston Harbor.
+
+April 7, an attack was made upon Fort Sumter, which was unsuccessful,
+owing to the obstructions in the channel, which confined the operations
+of our fleet. The Keokuk, which took the most advanced position,
+and received the heaviest fire, was so injured that she sank on the
+following morning.
+
+From this time until June 3 nothing occurred of special interest. We
+all had leisure for recreation, which was really needed to overcome the
+effect of confinement in this debilitating climate. Every fair day,
+after the regular drills, the terre-plein was turned into a playground.
+Every one drifted into habits of idleness, and while an admirable
+opportunity was afforded, during our stay in the fort, for reading
+and study, few had the inclination to engage in serious or profitable
+pursuits; and so many were inclined to occupations of a frivolous and
+demoralizing character that it is safe to say that the morals of the
+regiment suffered a severer strain during our stay in Fort Pulaski than
+during all the remainder of its service in the army.
+
+June 3, several companies were ordered to be ready with cooked
+rations, and it soon became known that Bluffton was to be burned. Why
+this order was issued, we never knew; but it was carried out most
+literally. Judging from the force detailed, opposition must have been
+expected; but the work was accomplished without any hindrance, and the
+beautiful little village was reduced to a mass of ruins.
+
+[Illustration: THE INTERIOR OF FORT SUMTER.]
+
+June 12, General Hunter was relieved by General Quincy A. Gilmore, the
+same who was captain of engineers in the first expedition to Port Royal.
+
+June 17, we became aware that something unusual was taking place
+in Warsaw Sound; and after an early breakfast, several of us took
+positions favorable for observation, on that portion of the ramparts
+overlooking that quarter. A number of steamers were visible, and for
+a few moments there was heavy firing. We thought we distinguished
+the rebel ironclad Atlanta, formerly the Frugal, and the return of
+the steamboat Island City from the scene of operations confirmed
+this impression. From her we received a full account of the affair.
+The Atlanta came down Wilmington River, expecting to capture the two
+ironclads, who were on the lookout for her, but four shots from the
+Nahant were all that was needed to crush in her sides, and reduce her
+to submission. At close range, even her four inches of iron plate,
+backed by fifteen inches of solid oak, were not proof against the
+heavy guns of the monitor. The other vessels which came down from
+Savannah to see and perhaps participate somewhat in the fight did not
+wait for their share, but returned with all speed to report the sad
+failure.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XI.
+
+ Good-by to Fort Pulaski. At St. Helena Island, under General Strong.
+ Billinghurst and Regua battery. Folly Island. Masked batteries.
+ Attack on Morris Island. Killed and wounded of the regiment. Captain
+ Lent. Capture of Confederate batteries. Building batteries. Hot work
+ and little rest. Completion of batteries. Assault on Wagner. Badly
+ managed. Terrible losses. General Strong. Negro soldiers. Their
+ effect upon the Confederates. After the assault. The shelling by the
+ Confederates. Incident.
+
+
+June 18, General Gilmore arrived at the fort, and in the evening a
+telegraphic despatch was received,--for, some time before this, a
+telegraphic cable had been successfully laid between Braddock's Point
+and the fort,--ordering us to have eight companies ready to start in
+the morning, with cooked rations. Although we were ready at the time
+appointed, it was decided to be better to defer embarkation until
+evening, that it might not become known to the Confederates that the
+garrison was so weakened. Accordingly, when the darkness of night had
+settled down on the fort, the eight companies marched to the dock and
+embarked in the Ben De Ford, which steamed away from the fort, but
+anchored off Tybee Island for the night. Companies G and I were left
+behind; but before we started, the officers all gathered together, and
+joined in "Auld Lang Syne." Seldom had such a solemn feeling rested
+upon us, and the cheers and good-wishes of those who parted there were
+to many the last words of fellowship together upon earth.
+
+The following morning, we passed the Atlanta, on our way to St. Helena
+Island. It was a formidable-looking craft, being supplied with a heavy
+armament, and all the appliances for offence and defence, including
+an immense ram and an ingenious contrivance for exploding torpedoes.
+Arrived at St. Helena Island, our destination, we found ourselves in
+the brigade of General Strong.
+
+June 27, the writer was placed in command of the Billinghurst and
+Regua battery, and separated from the regiment. As soon as detailed,
+reported to General Strong, and had twenty-five men detailed from the
+several regiments of the brigade to handle the pieces. Each of these
+consisted of twenty-five rifle barrels on a carriage, so arranged
+that the fire from a single cap, opposite the centre barrel, was
+through a tube communicated to all, so that they could be discharged
+simultaneously. The barrels were heavy, with long range, and, as a
+defence against attack of infantry, might be very effective. The idea
+was similar to the French mitrailleuse; but whether borrowed from it,
+we cannot tell. This was the only battery of the kind ever used in
+the department, and, being entirely new, every moment was occupied
+in practice, in getting the range, and in securing the necessary
+equipments. Worse than all, it was necessary to improvise a drill while
+the practice was going on, but General Strong, who was one of the
+noblest, kindest, and most considerate of men, assisted in every way,
+and by all the means at his command. It was not long before we were
+as much captivated by his military bearing and his gentle urbanity of
+manner as the other officers and men of his brigade. It is given to but
+few men to attach others to them as he did.
+
+[Illustration: SIEGE OF CHARLESTON.]
+
+July 4, we were ordered on board the Harriet M. Weed, and proceeded to
+Folly Island, on the northerly portion of which we encamped until the
+10th, when we moved up to the other end of the island, in rear of our
+batteries. These contained about fifty guns, and had been masked by a
+grove of trees until this morning, when a clearing had been made, and
+the guns opened fire. Only the day previous, a number of Confederate
+officers had been out on the sandbar which at low tide almost
+connected Folly with Morris Island, and made a careful inspection of
+the vicinity, with their field-glasses, all the time in plain sight
+of our men behind the batteries, but without discovering anything.
+The bombardment was a disagreeable surprise to them. Arrived behind
+the batteries, we were compelled to go their whole length and return,
+on account of confusion of orders, while the shot and shell from the
+Confederate batteries opposite played around us in the most reckless
+manner.
+
+[Illustration: NOISELESS HAULING OF THE GUNS.]
+
+That night we crossed to Morris Island, and encamped on the beach. In
+the meantime the 48th, with other troops, had been massed near the end
+of Folly Island, and as soon as the cannonading from our guns ceased,
+landed on Morris Island, charged the Confederate works, and, proceeding
+on, cleared every obstruction, even to the very foot of Wagner. But not
+without loss. Quite a number were killed and wounded. Among the killed
+was Captain Lent of Company A, a man of genial, happy disposition,
+beloved by every one. Although a brave, earnest, and competent officer,
+he was so quiet and retiring in his habits that he seemed almost out
+of place in such scenes, and it was hard to reconcile so gentle and
+amiable a life with such a sudden and cruel death. While encamped on
+Folly Island, he called at the battery on his way to the front, and
+I well remember his expression as we parted: "How I wish I had your
+place! I would rather have it than the command of the regiment." It was
+not of danger that he thought, but of the independence of the command.
+Before the attack, our regiment was divided for convenience of landing,
+and while our guns were thundering against the batteries opposite, the
+men were waiting in anxious expectancy; and when the word was given
+they shot across the little strip of water, and, in the face of a
+murderous fire, rushed up the beach, and with fixed bayonets carried
+all before them. There was no faltering, but only an onward movement;
+and, although many fell, others supplied their places, and with cheer
+upon cheer they cleared the Confederate works, capturing men, guns,
+camp-equipage, and everything, until the recall was sounded, and they
+came slowly back to count their dead and wounded. It was a gallant
+charge, and in it General Strong set the example, when, leaving shoes
+in the clinging sand, he rushed forward, the first to land, and the
+last to realize the necessity for a recall. It was a glorious charge
+and a glorious success, which gave a vantage-ground for our troops on
+which to plant their batteries, and a place for successful operations
+against the strong defences of Charleston. Had the proper use been made
+of this early success, Wagner would have been ours; but, unfortunately,
+the attack on this fort was delayed until the following morning,
+when, with a garrison re-enforced, our attacking column was easily
+repulsed. The days that followed were full of labor and exposure.
+The guns of Wagner and Sumter searched every nook and cranny of
+the island, and many men lay down at night to sleep, to waken in the
+Eternal City. As fast as possible, guns were hurried up into position
+to bear upon Wagner, and the heavy armaments of the ironclads kept up
+a constant clamor, but with little effect; shot and shell came flying
+into camp in all directions. General Strong's headquarters were fairly
+uprooted by a bursting shell, and when solicited to move to a less
+exposed position he laughed, as if it were only play. Hour by hour he
+grew into the affections of his command, and it is certain that no
+officer was ever more beloved. After a time, earthworks were thrown up
+across the island, near Wagner; and the men, from habit, learned to
+protect themselves in some measure from the enemy's fire. July 13, the
+48th were at the front for twenty-four hours, during which time the
+Confederates made a sortie, but were repulsed with considerable loss.
+A sergeant endeavored to capture Lieutenant Tantum, but made a bad
+mistake. The powerful grasp of the lieutenant was not to be resisted,
+and the sergeant went to the rear, an humble prisoner. Attached to our
+battery, and under my command, was a small company of sharpshooters,
+with telescopic rifles, who buried themselves in the sand close to the
+walls of Wagner in the hour before light in the morning, and proved
+most effective in controlling the fire of the fort. Not a head or hand
+could appear without being reminded of their presence.
+
+[Illustration: BOMB AND SPLINTER PROOF.]
+
+July 18, the attack on Fort Wagner commenced at about 10 A.M., and a
+steady fire from our batteries and the ironclads was kept up until
+evening. The following is the account of the assault, written by J.A.
+Barrett, who was second lieutenant of Company H:--
+
+ "We lay on our arms all day, and just before dark were formed in
+ column by companies, and advanced under a galling fire up the beach.
+ It was a trying hour, our ranks thinning at every step. For much of
+ the way the right of our column was obliged to wade in the water. On
+ our left another column composed of the 54th Massachusetts colored
+ regiment, under Colonel Shaw, also advanced on the fort. We waded the
+ moat and scaled the parapet. Our loss was terrible, sometimes whole
+ companies being mowed down at once. We jumped over the parapet into
+ one bastion where there were two guns, but the firing was so hot that
+ we were unable to turn them to any use. Darkness was upon us, and
+ we could see nothing. The supporting columns coming up in our rear,
+ poured in a heavy fire, mistaking us for the rebels. Our killed and
+ wounded kept piling up. A rebel officer for some purpose came among
+ our men, and was seized by a private of the 48th, who called to
+ Colonel Barton that he had a prisoner. To which the colonel replied:
+ 'Take him to the rear.' 'But he won't come,' said the private, who
+ was nicknamed 'Plucky.' 'If he wont yield, then bayonet him,' was
+ the order; when a wounded man dragged himself up, and, with all his
+ remaining strength, plunged his bayonet into the side of the rebel
+ officer, and, falling back, expired. A retreat was ordered, but was
+ not altogether understood, and some fifty of our men remained and
+ continued firing. I was severely wounded in the thigh, but roused
+ myself, and directed the fire of these few men as best I could,
+ collecting ammunition from the dead and wounded. When this gave out, I
+ ordered all who could to go to the rear. This section of the fort was
+ literally full of dead and wounded, piled up even with the parapet. I
+ crossed over their bodies, slid down the slope and crossed the moat,
+ which was full of our dead. A rebel sentry was pacing up and down
+ the beach, but by keeping near the bank I was able to pass him. My
+ scabbard was shot away, my pistol bent and useless, and, leaning on
+ my sword, I hobbled down the beach to camp. The 48th went into this
+ assault with five hundred men and sixteen officers, and three hundred
+ men and fourteen officers were killed, wounded, or prisoners."
+
+[Illustration: FORT WAGNER AT POINT OF ASSAULT.]
+
+While this brief account is valuable, as the statement of a cool,
+self-possessed, and brave officer, who participated in the assault,
+and was an eye-witness to what he states, no words can adequately
+describe the horrors of that night. Sufficient time had elapsed, since
+the occupation of the island by our troops, to allow of a complete
+and careful preparation for the assault, which the enemy had reason
+to expect. A large re-enforcement was added to the garrison, and the
+men were most carefully drilled in the minutest details, to provide
+against every possible emergency. The heavy bombardment which preceded
+the assault, while it seemed as if it would tear the fort from its
+foundation, had really no serious effect in weakening it; and as soon
+as it ceased, the men were withdrawn from the bomb-proofs, where they
+had been completely protected, and assigned to their positions, and,
+when our troops made the assault, were as ready to receive them as if
+not a cannon had been fired. On our part, there seemed to be a want of
+accurate information, and of carefully matured plan, which resulted
+in confusion of action; while on their part, there was the most
+intelligent and thorough preparation possible, and most perfect concert
+of action between all those assigned to special duties in the defence.
+The result was inevitable, and the carnage terrible. The responsibility
+of the assault was generally ascribed to General Seymour, and, as
+subsequent events clearly proved, it was a useless sacrifice of life.
+General Gilmore continued to plant batteries, by which we not only
+reached the forts in the vicinity, but, with the famous Swamp Angel
+guns, threw shot and shell a distance of five miles into the city of
+Charleston. These batteries, and the mine which he constructed, which
+destroyed one whole force of Wagner, compelled its evacuation on the
+night of September 6.
+
+[Illustration: FORT WAGNER, SEA FRONT.]
+
+On the night of the assault, July 18, there was no sleep in the
+48th. It was past midnight when the last of the men came in from the
+fort, and the horrible scenes through which they had passed, and the
+anguish of grief over friends and comrades, maimed and wounded, or
+lying silent in that pit of darkness and blood, forbade all thought of
+rest. Colonel Barton was wounded through the thigh, Lieutenant-Colonel
+Green, Captains Farrell and Hurst, and Lieutenant Edwards were dead,
+and Captain Paxson was mortally wounded. Captains Lockwood, Elfwing,
+and Swartwout, and Lieutenants Miller, Barrett, and Acker, were also
+severely wounded. It was a heart-rending sight when, on the following
+morning, I visited them in the steamer which was to convey them to
+Hilton Head. No one could doubt the quality of the 48th now. The
+heroism of the men was only equalled by that of their officers. None
+could have been braver. All the wounded officers had made their escape
+with the exception of Lieutenants Taylor and Fox, who were left in the
+hands of the Confederates. While we mourned for our immediate friends
+and associates, we did not forget that our brigade commander, General
+Strong, was among the fatally wounded. I had been accustomed to report
+to him in person for commands for the battery; and, of all the men I
+have ever known, few have left such deep and such pleasant impressions
+on my memory as he--of the gentlest and most winning manners, yet
+always the thorough soldier, brave even to rashness, kind, courteous,
+and considerate, he grew more and more beloved as he became better
+known. He never asked men to go where he would not lead the way.
+
+[Illustration: THE SWAMP ANGEL BATTERY.]
+
+On the night of the assault, my battery was stationed at the outer
+lines of our defences, on the shore, to resist any counter attack which
+the Confederates might make, and I witnessed much of its horrors. As
+one after another of the wounded came in, eager and anxious were the
+questions asked, until the return of the torn and broken remnants of
+the proud columns which a few moments before had rushed to victory told
+too plainly the story of savage butchery and defeat. Well do I remember
+the appearance of the negro soldiers as they came straggling back
+from the front that night, for I was not favorably impressed by their
+conduct. I have often thought that their presence in the attacking
+column was a mistake, and that the hatred and disgust which they caused
+in the minds of the Confederates overcame every other feeling, to such
+an extent that the instinct of self-defence was converted into brutal
+ferocity, as was manifest in their treatment not only of the colored
+soldiers themselves, but the gallant officers who led them. With the
+highest respect for the opinions of those who have testified to the
+discipline and valor of the negro troops, I am impelled to say, in
+spite of the criticisms that my statement may provoke, that my own
+observation and experience, as well as the experience of others, have
+convinced me that the prevailing opinion, especially in New England, of
+the valuable services rendered by colored troops in actual conflict, is
+erroneous, and that their most effective work during the war was done
+with the pick and spade. If quickness of perception and independence
+of thought and action are desirable qualities in a soldier, this
+conclusion seems both obvious and necessary. After the repulse of the
+18th, the Billinghurst and Regua battery was kept at the front all
+the time, and, although protected somewhat by earthworks, there was
+no complete guard against the shells which night and day exploded
+all about us. One of my men was sitting in the sand just outside the
+battery, when a shell from Wagner literally ploughed him out of his
+seat. Fortunately, it did not explode, and he only experienced a good
+shaking-up. Night after night we were obliged to keep watch of those
+magnificent streams of light which, proceeding from the mortars at
+Castle Pinkney, seemed charged with intelligence as well as powder, for
+as they moved through the air and reached the point over our batteries,
+they appeared to poise themselves as if to select the most vulnerable
+point, when they descended with a peculiar whizzing sound into our
+very midst. Our only recourse was, by determining on which side the
+earthworks they would fall, to make the most expeditious movement to
+the other side, to await the explosion.
+
+I remember one night when it was determined to plant a
+_chevaux-de-frise_ from our battery to low-water mark. A night was
+chosen when it was thought that the heavy clouds would obscure the
+moon and conceal our operations. The wagons proceeded up the beach
+with the materials, until they had nearly reached the point selected,
+when the opening clouds disclosed them to the garrison of Wagner. No
+time was lost in opening upon them with their Armstrong guns, from
+the parapet. The first shot produced a stampede, and in an instant
+the teams had turned about, and the horses were scampering back, with
+the shot and shell skipping about them in the most unceremonious
+fashion. The sight was so ludicrous that I was thrown off my guard,
+and exploding with laughter, until the danger of my own position was
+recalled by the bursting of shells about my head.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XII.
+
+ Back to the regiment. Off for St. Augustine. The duties of
+ provost-marshal. The quaint old city. Its pleasant people. Two months
+ of rest. Lieutenant Ingraham. Back to Hilton Head. The regiment
+ reunited. Visit to Morris Island. Captain Eaton. Fort Wagner and its
+ reminders. Lieutenant-Colonel Green.
+
+
+July 30, at my own request, I was relieved from the command of the
+Billinghurst and Regua battery, and returned to the regiment. While
+an independent position, it was one in which there was no promise of
+important service, and I have never heard that the batteries were ever
+successfully used. They lacked the strength of the ordinary battery,
+and the mobility of columns of troops. I joined the regiment at Hilton
+Head just in season to superintend its embarkation for St. Augustine,
+Major Strickland and Captain Coan being ill.
+
+Arrived at St. Augustine August 2, and remained until October 3. Our
+duties were light, and opportunity was afforded for recovery from the
+effects of the Morris Island campaign. As provost-marshal, I had the
+complete supervision of the city, the receiving of flags of truce,
+and the regulation and examination of the correspondence between
+the inhabitants and their friends within the Confederate lines. All
+fire-arms had been taken from the citizens by my predecessor; but the
+owners were permitted to use them occasionally for hunting, under
+certain restrictions. People were allowed to come in and go out of the
+city, when it was apparent that no harm could result, and the planters
+outside were encouraged to bring in produce and other supplies under
+the scrutiny of men detailed for the purpose. The materials of the
+theatre were brought from Fort Pulaski, and the performances afforded
+much amusement, and helped to make the regiment popular during our
+stay. We found many pleasant people, some of whom had never sympathized
+with the rebellion, and were glad of the protection of United States
+troops. Others, while bitter and hostile, were incapable of any harm.
+The quaint old town was in itself a never-ending fund of enjoyment and
+interest. The men were comfortably quartered, and the officers indulged
+in unusual luxuries. Among those whom I recall of the good people
+who resided there were Mrs. Anderson and her son, the doctor, whose
+delightful home in the suburbs, in its surroundings and furnishing, but
+more especially in its charming atmosphere of culture and refinement,
+so often helped us to throw off the hardening and brutalizing effects
+of army life and associations. The Misses Mather and Perritt, with whom
+a number of our officers boarded, natives of the North, driven to this
+softer climate by delicate health, were in the fullest sympathy and
+accord with us, and were not only exceedingly kind, but afforded much
+assistance, by reason of their familiar acquaintance with the city, its
+affairs, and its people.
+
+The two months spent in St. Augustine passed quickly and pleasantly.
+Occasionally, the pickets were fired upon, but no regular attack was
+made. Communication was undoubtedly kept up between the citizens and
+the enemy, outside the city, in spite of the great precautions taken
+to prevent it. Applicants for admission to the city were reported
+waiting at the picket stations almost daily, some of whom were received
+and others turned away. Visitors came to the city by almost every
+steamer, and the abundant leisure of most of the officers allowed
+of their generous entertainment. From my office I looked across the
+square, past the old building with open front, formerly used as a slave
+mart but now converted into a general market, to the office of the
+commissary--Lieutenant Ingraham; and frequently, when the duties of the
+forenoon were well over, we signalled to each other to drop work, and
+engaged in some form of recreation together. During our stay at St.
+Augustine we were thrown much together, and the pleasant feelings which
+I had always entertained towards him ripened into a strong attachment.
+I think of him now with feelings of peculiar sadness. Some time before
+the battle of Cold Harbor, his promotion rendered it necessary that
+he should take his place as an officer of the company to which he
+was attached. Previous to this he had always been detailed in the
+quartermaster's or commissary departments. At that battle, while we
+occupied the Confederate line of works which we had just captured, we
+were subjected to a merciless enfilading fire, which we could neither
+avoid nor return effectively. Lieutenant Ingraham, in command of his
+company, had pressed to the very front, and, while encouraging his men
+by word and example, he suddenly dropped from my side, and I never saw
+him more. With a great rush, the enemy was upon us both in front and
+flank, and we were pushed through the woods, and our wounded and dead
+were left to their care. Ingraham was a good soldier, a good friend,
+and a good man. October 3, a steamer, containing the 24th Massachusetts
+regiment arrived at the dock, and we were ordered to prepare for our
+departure. October 6, we bade good-by to the old city, to the many good
+people who had done so much to make our stay among them contented and
+restful, and to the peculiar comforts and pleasures, which, to so many,
+were the only suggestion of home that came into their lives during
+their long term of service. On the 7th we reached Beaufort, S.C.,
+and reported to General Saxton. The next day the writer was ordered
+by the colonel to proceed with four companies to Seabrook Landing,
+to guard the shipping. This point was rather an important one at the
+time, being used as a coaling station and for naval repairs. November
+9, one hundred and fifty-six conscripts arrived from New York and were
+distributed to the various companies of the regiment. November 13,
+companies G and I, so long detached as garrison of Fort Pulaski, joined
+us at Hilton Head, where regimental headquarters were then established.
+November 20, the subject of re-enlistment as veterans began to be
+agitated, and the promise of thirty days furlough and a bounty were
+strong inducements. November 25, having business at Morris Island, I
+took occasion to visit Fort Wagner, which had been rebuilt under the
+supervision of Captain Eaton of the New York Engineer regiment, a most
+excellent officer, who seemed almost to belong to us, having had charge
+of the repairing of Fort Pulaski while we were there as garrison. With
+him I wandered about the fort, and around the localities marked by
+special events connected with the siege and assault. But memory was
+too busy with painful scenes to permit of much satisfaction. As we
+talked together of old times, and recalled the names of those with
+whom we had been intimate at Pulaski, it seemed impossible to realize
+that the clean white sand on which we were then treading had drank in
+the life-blood of so many, and the clear, bright, sparkling water,
+that idly played upon the beach, had reached out its eager tongue to
+lick up the cruel stains. The air was mild, not a cloud obscured the
+sun's rays, and the silence that reigned about us was profound, almost
+oppressive, but, as we recalled the past, the din of battle rang in our
+ears; the flash of musketry pierced through the darkness of night and
+lighted up a scene of carnage; the groans and cries of the wounded and
+dying mingled with the shouts and yells and fierce oaths of combatants.
+The spirit of peace rested upon the landscape which lay spread out
+before us, and upon the face of the quiet waters which, with gentle
+embrace, pressed lightly against the shore; but the past came back to
+us like a mighty surging torrent; a tempest raged; darkness and horror
+enveloped us, and we turned away. We could not endure it, and were glad
+to get back to camp, to lose the thought of the past in the performance
+of present duty.
+
+During this visit, as we talked together of the friends who had fallen,
+one name more than any other occupied our thoughts and conversation.
+It was that of Lieutenant-Colonel Green, whom Captain Eaton had known
+quite intimately when he was quartered with us at Fort Pulaski. Like
+those of us who had known him longer, he had not only formed a strong
+personal attachment for him, but, from the peculiar and somewhat
+opposite traits of character which he exhibited, had become specially
+interested in watching his career. It was not singular, for no one
+could be associated with him, for any length of time, without being
+attracted towards him and becoming interested in him. Possessed of a
+frank and generous disposition, he was not only beloved by those under
+him, because of his thoughtful consideration of them, but equally by
+his fellow-officers, because of his sprightly, sunny temperament. He
+was welcome everywhere, and, on all social occasions, his quick and
+susceptible nature caught and communicated the spirit of humor that
+prevailed, until no one could withstand its influence. He bubbled over
+with mirth whenever the occasion or surroundings stirred the humorous
+vein within him, and was the frequent instigator of the harmless
+practical jokes with which the officers sometimes sought to enliven
+the dulness of garrison life. I can see him now, as, after a period
+of duty, he starts out from his quarters in search of recreation,
+the very personification of mischief. He never needed to go far, for
+every latch-string was out for him, and none but the hardest and most
+obdurate could withstand the appeal of his merry eyes and bright,
+cheery countenance. He was a good soldier, always ready for duty,
+and in its discharge both earnest and exact. From "grave to gay" was
+sometimes a rapid transition with him; but he saw every duty to its
+ending, and, especially when hardship and danger were involved,
+every fibre of his mental and physical nature was absorbed in its
+performance. Few will be remembered longer by his comrades than he, and
+none with more general warmth of affection.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIII
+
+ Relations between the 47th and 48th regiments. Re-enlistment of
+ veterans. Court-martial. Departure of veterans on furlough. Expedition
+ to Florida. Battle of Olustee. A great blunder. Heavy losses.
+ Admirable conduct of the troops. Dr. Defendorf. The retreat. Return of
+ veterans. Sergeant Thompson. At Palatka. Expedition into the country.
+ Dunn's Creek. Its marvellous beauty. Ludicrous scenes. Good-by to
+ Palatka. At Gloucester Point, Va. A happy change. Shelter tents.
+ General Grant. Army of the James under Butler. General Terry.
+
+
+Of the several months that followed, until January 31, 1864, little
+can be gathered from the journals which furnish the materials for this
+history. Aside from the usual routine of duties incident to life in
+camp, a few changes took place in the distribution of the companies to
+the outposts within the district. On Thanksgiving Day the members of
+the 47th New York State Volunteers were our guests, and on Christmas
+we partook of their hospitalities, cementing by these courtesies that
+bond of union between the two regiments which was unbroken during our
+term of service, and was one of the pleasantest facts in our army
+experience. The rivalry between the two regiments seemed to manifest
+itself only in generous expressions and friendly offices.
+
+During this period, the officers used all their influence to induce
+re-enlistments as veterans, and, as a result, some three hundred or
+more of the best men in the regiment signified their willingness to
+sacrifice anew their comfort and safety, their prospects in life,
+and life itself, if necessary, in the service of their country, if
+perchance, by such a sacrifice the blessings which they and their
+fathers had enjoyed, and by which the world had so largely benefited,
+might be transmitted to future generations. If, after the lapse of
+years, and in the dim light of the past, such a sacrifice seems a
+common thing to those who, in security and comfort, at this time,
+thought of little but of the opportunity afforded, through the waste
+and destruction of war, for the accumulation of riches, or to those
+who, too young to take interest in the events of which we write, know
+nothing of them except as a part of the history of days gone by; it was
+not a common thing to those who, having already given of the best of
+their years, and the freshness and vigor of their strength, declared
+their willingness to plunge anew into those scenes the effect of which
+they knew full well was to harden their natures, blunt and benumb their
+sensibilities, and paralyze those finer instincts through which come
+the enjoyments most prized in life; it was not a common sacrifice for
+these men to turn again from the sweet influences and tender affections
+of home and friends that others might be benefited. Nor let it be said
+that the considerations to which I have referred could have entered the
+minds of only the intelligent few, while to the great body of the army
+they were far beyond their thought; for, while we must admit that there
+were different degrees of intelligence, and that that which formulated
+itself in clear, distinct, and logical following in some minds was but
+faintly outlined in others, who so dull that, from the lessons of the
+past three years, had gathered so little as not to appreciate this new
+demand upon them! Had children forgotten father and mother, husbands
+their wives and little ones!
+
+About this time I was made familiar with a feature of army life to
+which I have made only slight reference. As a member of a general
+court-martial, day after day and week after week was occupied in the
+examination of charges of the gravest character, involving the liberty
+and life of scores of officers and men. It was the highest tribunal
+by which those composing the rank and file of the command could be
+adjudged. Questions of the gravest moment, and of supremest interest to
+those concerned, were discussed and determined. It was a responsibility
+shared only by the highest judges in the land, and life and death
+often hung upon our decisions. A photograph of army life is incomplete
+without this feature, and while the duty is the gravest and the most
+solemn which an officer is called upon to perform, it is as necessary
+to the well-being and efficiency of an army as the ordinary courts of
+justice to the preservation of the state.
+
+January 30, the Enfans Perdus, an independent battalion, was
+consolidated into the 47th and 48th New York regiments. The number
+received by us was about one hundred and fifty. On the 31st, the
+veterans left for New York, under the charge of several officers.
+February 4, those left behind received orders to prepare six days'
+cooked rations, and be in readiness to march, and on the 5th, with
+the left wing of the 115th New York, they embarked on board the
+steamer Delaware. On the 6th they left Hilton Head, in company with
+a number of transports, under the convoy of a gunboat, and proceeded
+to Florida; the force numbering in all from six to seven thousand
+men, and comprising artillery, cavalry, and infantry. The artillery
+and cavalry were under the immediate command of Colonel Henry, and
+the infantry under Colonels Barton, Hawley, and Scammon, with General
+Seymour in command of the whole expedition. Its object was to aid the
+Union people of the state in withdrawing it from Confederate control.
+General Gilmore accompanied the troops as far as Jacksonville, where
+they disembarked, and, after seeing that all necessary arrangements
+were made which could promote the success of the enterprise, returned
+to Hilton Head, leaving with General Seymour instructions not to
+attempt an advance beyond Baldwin without further orders, nor unless
+well assured of success. His intention was to hold and fortify several
+important points, including Jacksonville, as centres of Federal
+authority, and reopen those sections to trade. But General Seymour,
+apparently satisfied that he could not be successfully opposed by any
+Confederate forces within the state, conceived the idea of destroying
+the railroad, and cutting off communication with Georgia. As soon as
+notified of this intended movement, General Gilmore sent a despatch
+to stop it, but was too late to prevent the massacre which followed.
+On the 20th a general advance was ordered, and the troops proceeded
+towards Lake City, about five thousand in all; Colonel Henry with the
+cavalry in advance, followed by three columns of infantry; Colonel
+Hawley, with his brigade, on the left; Colonel Barton in the centre;
+and Colonel Scammon, with his regiment, on the right. In the rear was a
+brigade of colored troops, under Colonel Montgomery. Near Olustee they
+came upon a strong force of Confederates favorably posted in the woods,
+with a swamp in front, over which our troops must pass to reach them.
+Before they were well aware of the vicinity of the enemy, a murderous
+fire was opened on them, at a distance of little more than a hundred
+yards, and for more than two hours they could scarcely do more than
+stand up to be slaughtered, the nature of the ground and the strength
+of the enemy effectually preventing any advance. No severer test could
+be applied to men than they suffered at the battle of Olustee, and
+when, at evening, the troops were withdrawn, nearly one-fourth of
+their number were dead or wounded. The most of the latter were left on
+the field, under the care of Surgeon Defendorf of our regiment, who
+volunteered to remain with them; an act of bravery and self-sacrifice
+which cannot be too highly commended. The testimony of those engaged
+in this affair, as we gather it from journals and other sources, is
+that it was the most trying position in which they were placed during
+the war, and the heroism displayed by our men is accounted marvellous.
+The retreat to Jacksonville was such as might have been expected from
+broken, dispirited, and defeated troops, with a strong body of the
+enemy in their rear, flushed with victory, and determined upon their
+destruction. On the way back, the stores at Baldwin were burned, and
+when the broken columns were gathered at Jacksonville, it was found
+that twelve hundred men had been sacrificed, five pieces of artillery
+and a large number of small arms left in the hands of the Confederates,
+while the purpose of the government in ordering the expedition was
+completely frustrated. Our own regiment, whose conduct in the affair
+was beyond all praise, suffered terribly.
+
+While these events were transpiring, the veterans, and the officers
+sent with them, were enjoying the comforts of home and the society
+of friends once more. But the time was all too short, for on the
+9th of March we were securely housed in Fort Schuyler, waiting for
+transportation to the South, which was furnished on the 11th, when we
+embarked on the steamer Arago, and on the morning of the 16th landed
+at Hilton Head. Some of us took the opportunity to visit our wounded
+men in the hospitals. Among them was Sergeant Thompson, whose journal
+has been of so great service in the composition of this history. It is
+a pleasure to record of him that he was a faithful soldier, and that,
+in the recent battle of Olustee, he was conspicuous for coolness and
+bravery. His services as a soldier ended at this time, and we hope that
+his subsequent career has been both successful and happy.
+
+Late on the evening of the 16th, we started on the steamer Dictator, to
+join the other portion of the regiment, which was stationed at Palatka,
+on the St. John's River, where we arrived on the 18th. The camp was
+located on the outskirts of the town, and protected by entrenchments.
+The village consisted of some thirty or forty houses, with three
+churches, and was almost entirely deserted by its former inhabitants,
+only a few Union men remaining with their families. Very little
+occurred, during our stay at Palatka, of special interest. There were
+occasional alarms, and several attacks by small bodies of Confederates.
+Pickets were stationed at some distance on the hills back of the town,
+and the country between was frequently patrolled by guards who were
+mounted for the purpose.
+
+On the afternoon of the 25th, an expedition was started for the
+interior, consisting of forty men, with guides, under the command of
+the writer. We were conveyed up the river about fifteen miles, in the
+gunboat Ottawa, to what was called Dunn's Creek, through which we
+proceeded in small boats. The beauty of this stream is impressed on
+my memory with wonderful distinctness. At its point of junction with
+the St. John's, and for some little distance, it was narrow, with
+considerable current, but, as we proceeded, it broadened out, and moved
+so sluggishly that, at times, it seemed caught and held by the rank
+growth of grasses and other plants which filled its bed and covered
+its surface. The branches of the overhanging trees intermingled above
+our heads, and the pendent moss and dense foliage formed a canopy,
+through which the sunbeams struggled with dim and softened light,
+while on either bank the shrubs and trailing vines presented an almost
+impenetrable wall of bright green leaves and fragrant flowers. Only
+the songs of birds that fluttered about us broke the stillness, for
+every one was strangely impressed and subdued by the marvellous beauty
+by which we were surrounded. Silently we pursued our way, except when
+an occasional opening broke the spell that bound us, until, shooting
+out of the darkness which had gradually enveloped us, we emerged into
+the bright moonlight which lighted up the waters of Dunn's Lake. A
+sharp row of two hours or more brought us to Booth's Landing, where we
+disembarked. Our object was to capture a few obnoxious individuals who
+were making special trouble for the Union men who lived in that region;
+and the night was spent in visits from house to house, much to the
+discomfort of the inmates. Some very ludicrous scenes occurred, for,
+while the utmost consideration was used, consistent with the success
+of our plans, sometimes the occupants of the houses were startled most
+unceremoniously from their sleep by the tramp of armed men, who entered
+without knocking, and occupied without permission. A few captures
+were made, including a Confederate soldier home on leave, and on the
+following day we rowed back to camp, having accomplished upwards of
+fifty miles within the twenty-four hours. April 1, one of our pickets
+was captured, and we never heard of the man afterwards.
+
+[Illustration: A FLORIDA SWAMP AND JUNGLE.]
+
+April 14, we bade good-by to Palatka, and started for Hilton Head.
+At Jacksonville we were transferred to the steamer Ben De Ford, and
+ordered to Beaufort, where we spent a day. On the following day,
+bidding a final adieu to the Department of the South, we headed for
+Fortress Monroe, where we made but a brief stop, our destination being
+Gloucester Point, opposite Yorktown, on the York River.
+
+Glad were we to get into another department, for, from the first, we
+had felt that, while often performing the most arduous service that
+falls to the lot of the soldier, the limits of our operations were
+circumscribed, and the results meagre. Now we were going into the very
+midst of the conflict. The nature of the change was made manifest by
+the substitution of shelter tents for those we had been accustomed to
+use. Each man was served with a single tent, which he carried with his
+blanket on his back, and by joining with two or three of his comrades,
+and uniting their tents, a fair shelter or covering could be obtained.
+The officers were served after the same fashion, the only distinction
+being that three tents were furnished them instead of one, and they
+were not compelled to carry their baggage.
+
+[Illustration: GENERAL GRANT'S HEADQUARTERS AT CITY POINT.]
+
+Who does not recall the first experience with the shelter tents,
+into whose openings we were obliged to crawl on our hands and knees
+to effect an entrance, or the curious sight which the various camps
+presented, especially at night, when the innumerable sparks of
+light which dotted the sandy plain seemed to rise from subterranean
+caverns, and suggested anything but human habitations? Few were so
+dull as not to interpret this change from the ample quarters of the
+Southern Department as meaning for us more active duty, frequent
+and rapid marches, and fewer comforts. However, there was only a
+little good-natured grumbling. We all realized that more labor and
+care would be necessary to preserve arms and equipments in that
+excellent condition which had elicited such general commendation
+from the inspectors of the regiment; but it was given cheerfully for
+the most part, and our reputation for superiority in discipline,
+drill, and general appearance did not suffer in the comparison
+with the new troops by whom we were surrounded. General Grant had
+been made lieutenant-general, and virtually commander-in-chief,
+and had established his headquarters with the Army of the Potomac.
+Having shown his ability in many successful campaigns in the West,
+he was now to contend with a general who easily held the first
+place in the Confederate service, and with an army long accustomed
+to victory--fortunately at last, the choice of the President had
+fallen upon the right man, and he was invested with authority which
+extended over all the military power of the government. Possessing
+in a remarkable degree those rare qualities of equanimity and
+self-possession under all circumstances, he united with these a clear
+understanding of the condition of the Confederate armies, and the
+ability to organize and carry forward a well defined and comprehensive
+plan, which embraced every corps and division in the several
+departments, by which he was able to hurl against the already weakening
+forces of the enemy, in simultaneous attacks, the whole power of the
+Federal army. Allowing little time or opportunity to the enemy for rest
+or recuperation, he never confessed or accepted defeat.
+
+Our corps, the 10th, was commanded by General Gilmore, while General
+W.T. Smith commanded the 18th, with which we were associated, the
+operations of these two being under the direction of General Butler,
+who commanded the department. April 29, the superfluous baggage of
+the officers was sent with the company property to Norfolk. April 30,
+general inspection and review.
+
+At this time General Terry was in command of a division of our corps,
+and Colonel Barton, who at Hilton Head had been district as well as
+brigade commander, was in charge of the brigade of which our regiment
+formed a part, the 47th New York and the 76th and 97th Pennsylvania
+regiments completing the organization. For General Terry we had
+already formed a strong attachment. From the time that we met him
+first, when our regiment was ordered to garrison Fort Pulaski, we had
+frequently been under him, had watched him through the Morris Island
+campaign, as temporary commander of the Department of the South,
+had observed his quiet self-possession, his kindly disposition, and
+careful forethought for those under him, and had learned to look to him
+with the respect, confidence, and affection which can only be won by
+those of superior qualities of mind and heart. We could narrate many
+incidents in his career, all of which would tend to justify the high
+estimate in which he is held by the country at large, and, in common
+with all who have ever served under him, we rejoice in his prosperity,
+and wish for him a continuance and increase of the favor with which he
+is justly regarded by the people, whom he has so well served.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIV.
+
+ Bermuda Hundred. Company E as skirmishers. Battle of Chester Heights.
+ Couldn't resist the temptation. Company E fighting on its own account.
+ Bad predicament. Company E did nobly. More fighting. In sight of
+ Richmond. Confederate sharpshooters cleaned out. Battle of Drury's
+ Bluff. Company E again in a bad spot. Wonderful examples of discipline
+ and soldierly conduct. General Terry to the rescue. Retreat. Back to
+ old quarters. Captain Lockwood.
+
+
+May 3 and 4 the regiment did picket duty, and on the 5th left on the
+steamer Delaware, and sailed down to Fortress Monroe, up the James
+River, past City Point, to Bermuda Hundred. On the 6th we landed, and,
+after a brief delay, marched several miles up the Bermuda Hundred
+road. Early on the morning of the 7th we started again, and, after
+marching and countermarching for several hours, approached Chester
+Heights. Behind the hills which concealed us from the enemy, we left
+our knapsacks, blankets, and other impediments, and the order to
+advance was received, when we resumed our march, with Company E thrown
+out as skirmishers. The instructions received by me from the colonel
+were general, and somewhat indefinite, the only point well understood
+being that we were to clear the front of any opposing force. Grasping
+this idea and at the same time our muskets, we worked our way forward
+through the woods, until we found ourselves on the top of a hill, with
+the whole Confederate force in view in the valleys below. But we were
+entirely separated from our regiment. After vainly endeavoring to take
+up the connection, we were finally compelled to the conclusion that if
+we were to have any further part in the affair, it must be by acting
+independently.
+
+Before us, in the vast amphitheatre, so completely enclosed by the
+surrounding hills that there seemed no avenue of escape, was the enemy,
+against whom our attack was directed. Every movement was plainly
+visible, for not a tree or stone obstructed our view. The utmost
+activity prevailed, and officers were observed hurrying to and fro,
+while the changes that followed showed that every preparation would be
+made to repel attack. One officer, especially, who seemed to be in
+command, was conspicuous, as he rode about on his white horse, and our
+men amused themselves for some time in vain attempts to reach him with
+their rifles, but he was too far away.
+
+As the scene comes back after the lapse of so many years, it seems
+impossible that the picture imprinted upon the memory can be that
+of war. That deep, quiet valley, the rich green of its meadows, the
+protecting hills which circled it, the little hamlets which told their
+stories of homes, of comfort, and happiness, constituted a picture so
+peaceful and restful, that those bodies of armed men whose movements we
+were watching, and the bristling cannon and flashing muskets, seemed
+strangely out of place.
+
+But there was little time for contemplation. The batteries, one after
+another, sped up the hill, and, lost for a time, reappeared again, and
+took position far off to our right, giving us the first intimation of
+the position of our own troops. Following the same general direction,
+the several battalions moved up to the support of the batteries, or
+took positions on the sides of the hills, where they could most
+effectually resist the advance of our troops. Some two or three of
+these battalions lay down near the railroad which ran around the valley
+at the foot of the hills, to be out of the way of our fire, and at the
+same time be ready to engage in the action if required. These offered
+altogether too tempting an opportunity to be resisted, and, rushing
+down to the turnpike, which at this point ran parallel to and very near
+the railroad, we opened on them a terribly galling and destructive
+fire. It was a sad predicament, for they could neither return our fire,
+nor change their position, without exposing themselves to the fire of
+our main line. When, however, this wavered and fell back, they were
+at liberty to devote themselves to us, and, with a yell of rage, they
+precipitated themselves into the deep cut of the railroad, and for a
+few moments the whistle of bullets about our ears was like the hum of
+angry bees, whose hive had been disturbed. A large number of Company E
+of the 7th Connecticut regiment had been doing good work, but with no
+officer to command them. These joined with our men, and, by carefully
+availing themselves of such shelter as offered, both companies were
+brought out of the fiery shower with but slight loss.
+
+Proclamations from headquarters announced the complete success of this
+expedition, but those who participated in it were unable to discover
+the success. The whole Confederate force should have been captured,
+for, once driven into the valley, there could have been no escape
+for them. Only one division of our corps was engaged, and that not
+seriously. A portion of the railroad and telegraph line was destroyed,
+causing a temporary interruption of communication between Richmond and
+Petersburg. The losses on both sides were small. Dunn, orderly sergeant
+of Company E, deserves special mention for his coolness and bravery,
+but every member of Company E is to be commended. Although dreadfully
+exposed for a few moments, they obeyed orders as if on parade, and it
+is to their prompt obedience and strict discipline they may impute
+their safe conduct out of their perilous position. The material of the
+company was of the best, and it had been specially favored in having
+such commanders as Coan and Lockwood. Had Sergeant Dunn showed less
+soldierly pride (which, however, was very noble in him), he would have
+avoided the painful wound from which he suffered so long.
+
+On the 8th, we rested; on the 9th, we fought with what were generally
+called in our camp Gilmore's rifles. In other words, we worked on the
+intrenchments with picks and spades, and occupied the intrenchments
+at night. The firing was heavy all about us, and it was rumored that
+Butler would be able to enter Petersburg in the morning. On the 10th,
+we shouldered the Gilmore rifles again, but at ten o'clock in the
+forenoon were ordered to the front, to support Colonel Howell, who was
+reported falling back; were exposed during the day to the fire of the
+enemy, but were in much more danger from the fire in the woods, which
+were burned to clear them from Confederate sharpshooters. Quite an
+engagement occurred in our front, in which our batteries did fearful
+execution. General Foster, who went out on flag of truce, reported
+seeing heaps of Confederate dead in the edge of the woods, many of them
+half-burned. General Butler did not enter Petersburg, being deterred
+from making any forward movement by the battle in his rear (so it was
+said).
+
+[Illustration: LINE OF DEFENCE AT BERMUDA HUNDRED.]
+
+On the 11th, we rested, and early in the morning of the 12th started
+away from our intrenchments at Bermuda Hundred, and marched all day
+in the rain. Rested at night as best we could, with no shelter but
+the dripping trees (for the rain continued through the night). On the
+afternoon of the 13th, we moved forward and up to the turnpike, about
+two miles, where from the tops of the trees those so inclined obtained
+a view of Richmond and Fort Darling. Again on the 14th, we moved
+forward into the advance to relieve the 76th Pennsylvania regiment,
+having up to this time acted as reserve. Our position was about in the
+centre of the main line, with our right near the Richmond turnpike.
+Generals Terry and Ames were on the left, and steadily moving forward.
+That night we occupied the old lines of the Confederates, from which
+they had been driven by General Gilmore. The 15th was a trying day,
+for the most of the regiment were out on picket duty, or skirmishing
+through the woods in our front. The firing of the Confederate
+sharpshooters, many of whom were stationed in trees, was very annoying,
+until our men, becoming desperate, hunted them from their places of
+concealment, and before night that mode of warfare was effectually
+stopped. No quarter was given, and no mercy shown. Still, the firing
+from the rifle-pits was kept up without intermission, and quite a
+number of our men were wounded.
+
+[Illustration: PICKETS ON DUTY.]
+
+Very early on the morning of the 16th, we were conscious that something
+serious was impending. The irregular firing of musketry was first
+heard on the extreme right; this was soon followed by regular volleys,
+mingled with the roar of artillery, and as it continually approached,
+we knew that it meant a serious disaster to our troops; we could feel
+the conflict rolling up against us, and quickly disposed our men along
+the irregular and broken line of wall and fence. Unfortunately, no
+attempt had been made to construct a regular line of intrenchments,
+and there was little protection for our troops. About 8 o'clock in
+the morning, the regiment on our right gave way, and left our flank
+exposed, and the Confederates poured in upon us in overwhelming
+numbers, but the brave men of Company E, who held the right of the
+line, would not give way, but stood their ground as firmly as if no
+danger threatened, while the Confederates surged in upon them in such
+masses that it seemed impossible that a single man could escape. The
+position which they occupied was somewhat in advance of the remainder
+of the regiment, on a little natural terrace, so that it was some
+time before the commanding officer was aware of the critical situation
+in which we were placed, and the order to retire was not received
+until that little knoll was literally covered with the dead and dying.
+Corporals Smalls and Brassell, and poor Jockers, the brave little man
+from the Enfans Perdus, with eleven others, lay dead or wounded, while
+others, less severely injured, had made their way to the rear.
+
+In the very hottest of the fire, Lawson, the orderly sergeant of the
+company, hobbled up to where I was stationed, and, saluting, said, "I
+am wounded, sir." "Go to the rear" was the reply. A ball had passed
+completely through his thigh. Corporal Barton, almost for the first
+time in battle, having, for the most part, been employed as a clerk at
+division or corps headquarters, came to me, and, saluting, exhibited
+his wound, while every line of his countenance told the anguish he
+was suffering. A ball had shattered his hand while he was in the act
+of loading; but he would not go to the rear without the order of his
+commanding officer. Never shall I forget the brave soldier Vreeland,
+who, stationed behind the little apple-tree, continued loading and
+firing, until fairly dragged away, so grievously wounded that there
+was no hope of recovery. As I write, I feel that every name in that
+heroic band, the living and the dead, should be inscribed in letters
+of gold on the pages of history. Such faithfulness, such heroism,
+such discipline, I never saw exhibited elsewhere. Better soldiers
+never lived; braver men never died. Not a man left that knoll without
+permission till the order came to retreat. But what confusion followed!
+Who of those present will not recall that struggling mass of broken
+regiments; hopeless, and distracted, until the cool self-possession
+of General Terry brought order out of the confusion, and led the way
+out to safety and security. Not a moment too soon, for as we toiled
+our weary way up the hillside, the shot and shell from the Confederate
+batteries in the turnpike made many avenues through the retreating
+columns. And very glad were we when the distance and intervening hills
+secured us from further annoyance.
+
+[Illustration: FORT DARLING.]
+
+We should here state that the right of the line, which was the first
+to give way before the Confederate assault, was under the command
+of General Wright; while the left of the line, under General Terry,
+resisted every attack, and only retreated when the danger of being
+cut off and captured became imminent. That night we spent in our old
+camp, near the intrenchments at Bermuda Hundred; and the following day
+rested. On the 18th, did some picket and skirmish duty, and on the
+19th were still in the front, enjoying the music of shot and shell;
+and to the 28th, there was little rest, night or day, between fatigue,
+picket, and skirmish duty. The enemy made frequent attacks on our outer
+lines, but without success; and we could observe them for the most of
+the time engaged in constructing intrenchments. General Butler was not
+accomplishing the work allotted to him. Petersburg was not taken, and
+no important advantage had been gained.
+
+On the 25th, Captain Lockwood left us, to return to civil life. It was
+a great loss to the regiment, for he was a good officer, an intelligent
+man, an agreeable companion, and a loyal friend. The places of the old
+officers, so many of whom have fallen in battle or have voluntarily
+left the service, cannot be filled. They were loyal men, who were borne
+into the service by that first fresh, pure wave of patriotism which
+swept over the North in the earliest days of the war. Of them all,
+Lockwood was my most intimate friend--respected, trusted, and beloved.
+Returning home, he engaged in the business of manufacturing, in which
+he continued until his death, which occurred some years after the war
+closed. He and Lieutenant-Colonel Strickland were law partners in New
+York city at the breaking-out of the war.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XV.
+
+ Assigned to 6th. corps. On the way to the Army of the Potomac. A
+ dreadful march. At Cold Harbor. Trying situation. Assume command. A
+ gallant charge. Grand success. Severe losses. Driven back. Lack of
+ support. Incidents of the battle. The demoralized general. Further
+ account of Cold Harbor. Occupying the Confederate line. A sad picture
+ of war. An uncomfortable situation. Relieved. Close work. Change of
+ base. Grand but perilous movement of the army. The old church at
+ Jamestown.
+
+
+On the evening of the 28th, we broke camp, and marched all--night
+towards City Point, which we reached about daylight on the morning of
+the 29th. We remained there until afternoon, when, having embarked on
+the steamer Delaware, we proceeded down the river. By this time, it had
+become generally understood that our division of the 10th corps had
+been temporarily united with the 18th corps, and that we were on our
+way to join the Army of the Potomac. About the middle of the forenoon
+of the 31st, we landed at the White House, on the Pamunkey River. Here
+rations were distributed, the men got their dinners, and late in the
+afternoon the order was given to fall in.
+
+Nearly all night was spent on the march; and when we halted it was not
+to rest, but to do picket duty. Early on the morning of June 1, we
+resumed our march, and continued all day, resting occasionally, as the
+men became too exhausted to keep on. The heat was almost intolerable,
+and the dust so filled the air that at times it was impossible to see
+the distance of a company front ahead of us. When the command to halt
+was given, the regiment seemed to melt away, and it was with the utmost
+difficulty that the march could be resumed. Many men were reported as
+fatally exhausted and left to die by the roadside from the commands
+that had preceded us, and it required the combined efforts of our own
+officers, and the example of patient and cheerful endurance on their
+part, to keep our men from falling away and straggling. Arrived at Cold
+Harbor, late in the afternoon, we were ordered into the woods--as we
+supposed, to encamp. But alas! a soldier may never rest, till he or the
+enemy is dead.
+
+[Illustration: GENERAL SMITH'S HEADQUARTERS, COLD HARBOR.]
+
+After standing in line, with arms stacked, for a half-hour, the order
+came to move forward to engage in an attack on the enemy's works, first
+from the brigade commander, afterwards from the division, and finally
+from corps headquarters. The 47th New York regiment, which was on our
+left, had already moved away, and still no word of command was given.
+What should we do? The greatest excitement prevailed. Finally, in the
+absence of Major Coan, who had been detailed on special duty, and at
+the earnest solicitations of several officers, the writer assumed
+command, although not the ranking officer present. The situation was
+peculiar, and the emergency desperate; and when the order was given to
+take arms, they were seized with an alacrity which told of the feeling
+that prevailed. The officers expressed their satisfaction, and the men
+moved with a promptness which signified the relief they felt for their
+rescue from the impending disgrace. "Shoulder arms! Left face! Forward
+march! By the right flank, march! Left oblique! Double quick!" and we
+had joined the brigade. "Charge bayonets!" across the field, and into
+the woods; and the first line of the enemy's rifle-pits was occupied.
+Here the men stopped, and commenced firing; but a lull in the fire of
+the enemy enforced the order to move forward, and in little more time
+than it takes to write it we had captured and occupied a section of the
+main line of Confederate works, and had more prisoners marching to the
+rear than the whole number present in the regiment. Will any of our
+readers recall the name of the little corporal of Company G, scarce
+five feet high, at whose command, as he stood on the top of the works,
+at charge bayonet, "Come out of there, you d----d rebels," a lieutenant
+and nearly a dozen men emerged from the works, and humbly and quietly
+proceeded to the rear with the other prisoners?
+
+How much was crowded into the short time that we occupied that line
+of intrenchments. Lieutenant Ingraham, for the first time in action,
+having heretofore been detailed in the commissary department, with
+many others, was shot in the very moment of victory. It was a dreadful
+place to hold, with the rebels massed just at the foot of the hill,
+on the right, and pouring in upon us a deadly flanking fire. Repeated
+messages were sent to the commanding general, explaining our situation,
+and urging an attack on our right, or re-enforcements to enable us to
+do it; but no help, and no word of any kind, was received. Efforts
+were made to induce the commander of the 47th New York, which was
+separated from us by a little ravine on our left, to unite with us
+in a charge down the hill; but without avail, for either our purpose
+was misunderstood owing to the distance between us, which made
+communication difficult, or disinclination or positive orders forbade,
+and so we were compelled to wait and suffer, hoping that some general
+officer would become interested to find our whereabouts, and organize
+some new movement, by which we would be relieved. The order to
+charge down the hill would have been welcome, but it would have been
+madness to have attempted it without support. While we waited, and our
+numbers were rapidly diminishing, we could plainly see the Confederate
+reserves gathering in the distance, across the meadow at the foot of
+the hill, and knew that we could not hold our position long unless help
+came.
+
+[Illustration: POSITION OF GENERAL SMITH'S COMMAND AT COLD HARBOR, VA.]
+
+At this time, the adjutant-general of the brigade that had charged
+across the same ground that we had come over, came to me, and offered
+his services, stating that his brigade had been routed and scattered,
+and nearly all the field officers of the command killed or wounded.
+While explaining to him the position of affairs, and urging him to go
+to the rear and endeavor to hurry up re-enforcements, a bullet pierced
+his brain, and he sank in death. I remember Corporal St. John of
+Company G, who, finding a sword which had belonged to a rebel officer,
+kindly presented it to me, as unmindful of the bullets which whistled
+about our heads as if they were not freighted with missions of death
+to himself or comrades. Of such men was the regiment composed. But, as
+the shadows deepened about us, there came a rush. The enemy was fairly
+upon us; and, before we could gather ourselves to repel the attack,
+some one, without authority, had called out to retreat, and, in the
+confusion which followed, the colors were seized and held by the enemy,
+not, however, without a fierce but hopeless struggle. Back through the
+woods we went, broken and dispirited. After securing a victory, we had
+been left alone and unsupported, to be shot down like sheep, and the
+men knew that it was time to seek a place of shelter.
+
+There was a rally at the edge of the woods, where we found the
+commander of a division reclining under a tree, apparently deserted by
+every one, and in a state of complete helplessness and demoralization.
+Although he has since occupied positions of great prominence and
+responsibility, we never hear his name without recalling his
+appearance, when, emerging from the woods, we discovered him in the
+situation described, and learned his name and rank. Completely
+beside himself because of the defeat and dispersion of his command,
+he insisted that the feeble line of officers and men who collected in
+his vicinity should renew the attack, when a whole division had been
+defeated and scattered. Fairly out of the sound of his voice, we left
+him to his own reflections. Already darkness had settled down upon us,
+and, after a little council of war, with Lieutenant Barrett and others,
+we lay down for a little rest, in the field over which the regiment had
+so gallantly charged that afternoon. It had done nobly, and, with the
+other regiments of the brigade, can claim the only substantial success
+attained by the division; for we believe they were the only troops who
+succeeded in capturing the main line of rebel intrenchments.
+
+At the point which we occupied, this line passed across the top of a
+hill, which sloped down to a meadow in front, and on the right dropped
+more abruptly, to what seemed quite a deep ravine. The Federal line
+stopped with the right of our regiment, and evidently no successful
+attack, if any at all, had been made on our immediate right. After we
+commenced our charge across the field, no communication whatever was
+received from our commanding officers, while it has always seemed to
+the writer that, if the success which we attained had been followed up,
+most important results would have been achieved. It is possible that
+the troops who preceded us in the attack reached the first line of the
+enemy's rifle-pits, for at that point we met with little opposition.
+But they penetrated no farther, and, either unaware of their partial
+success, or exhausted in the effort, they became so completely
+scattered that we saw no trace of them.
+
+The next day, June 2, the remnant of the regiment capable of duty was
+ordered to occupy a portion of the Confederate line, to the left of
+that captured by us the night before. As we filed through the woods,
+we passed a little pale-faced boy. Separated from his comrades, he
+struggled on through the underbrush, with wearied steps, uncared-for
+and alone. His feeble hands scarce held the musket which he dragged
+along. All his remaining consciousness seemed concentrated on the
+effort to do as others did, and as we hurried past him, he turned on
+us a dazed, bewildered look. We could not stop, else we would have
+taken him by the hand, and led him away from the danger he was in, to
+the protection and care of comrades and friends, as we longed to do.
+We found him when we came back, but he had passed beyond the sphere of
+human sympathy and aid. The look of painful weariness was gone from
+that little upturned face. He had found rest. It seems strange, but
+that picture is burned into the memory with such distinctness that
+it comes up before the eye whenever the touch of recollection brings
+back the incidents of army life. That day, on those intrenchments,
+we lay down beside the dead and dying of the regiment relieved, to
+serve as targets for the enemy, who were close at hand, and familiar
+with the locality. We did not remain long, and were glad to get away.
+During our stay, the greatest precaution was necessary, on account of
+the near vicinity of the enemy. Lieutenant Barrett, who was always
+at the point of danger, while obeying the order of the commanding
+officer to lie down behind the log which lay across the path, at the
+foot of the intrenchments, received a painful wound, which kept him
+in hospital for months afterwards. A member of company G, who had
+sheltered himself behind a stump, which rose about two feet above the
+top of the earthworks, received, as he supposed, his death-wound, and
+gave audible expression to his dying agonies, but, as the effect of the
+shot, which had nearly spent itself in the rotten stump, passed off,
+the sharp whizzing of a bullet, which came uncomfortably near his head,
+brought him to life so suddenly that, starting up with a spring, he
+darted away for the intrenchments as if the Evil One were following,
+and did not fully recover his senses until he found himself in a place
+of safety, outside the wood. The nature of the situation in which we
+were placed may be judged by the order which I was constrained to give
+in respect to the manner of retiring when we were relieved; namely,
+that the men should go out one at a time from the extreme left of the
+line, hugging closely to the earthwork as they crawled to this point.
+This was accomplished without a single casualty, and the writer resumed
+command just outside the danger line, where he found the regiment
+formed as if for parade. It was a constant pleasure to be associated
+with such officers in the command of such men. That night we remained
+under arms near our intrenchments, which had been thrown up after our
+repulse of the day previous. From the journals before me, I learn that
+the casualties in the regiment, during the twenty-four hours, were five
+officers killed, four wounded, and eighty enlisted men killed, wounded
+and missing,--a very large proportion of those engaged, especially of
+officers.
+
+June 3, no special duty, but frequently moved from one point to another
+along our works. Some hard fighting was going on near us at different
+times in the day, and we were constantly under an irregular but
+annoying fire. June 4, moved up into an exposed position in the rear of
+our advanced line of works. June 5, although the men built intricate
+lines of rifle-pits, with most ingenious contrivances for protection,
+they were still very much exposed, and several were wounded. In the
+evening occupied the very front line. A sharp attack was made on
+our left, but without avail. During the afternoon of the 6th, the
+firing ceased for a little while, and we had an opportunity of seeing
+the Confederate works, which in our immediate front were somewhat
+disconnected and not as strong as ours. It had been dangerous to expose
+even a hand, so close were the Confederates, and so sharp the firing;
+and it was good to be relieved from this for a few moments. When the
+short truce was over, some of our men commenced singing, "We'll hang
+Jeff Davis on a sour apple-tree," which so enraged the Johnnies that
+they made it warm for us until the singing ceased.
+
+The 7th was a quiet day, but we had need of watchfulness. The 9th
+corps, under Burnside, was on our right, and formed the right flank of
+the Federal army. In front of some parts of our lines, the Confederate
+works were apparently within a hundred yards, and extreme precautions
+were necessary to guard against a sudden rush. Men were stationed
+outside, in rifle-pits, so near that they talked with the Confederates
+similarly posted. These men could only be relieved in the darkness of
+the night. This evening the bands played all along our lines, not
+funeral dirges, but airs of joy and triumph, telling us that something
+important had occurred, or was about to occur.
+
+The 8th and 9th were, comparatively speaking, days of rest. The woods
+between us and the 9th corps had been cut down, to make the connection
+more perfect. Our position and duties continued about the same until
+the night of the 11th, when extra precautions indicated that something
+was going on. On the 12th, the air was full of rumors, and it was
+soon understood that the whole army was about to change its base of
+operations. Just at dark, the 76th Pennsylvania, on our left, moved out
+of the rifle-pits, and their places were occupied by our regiment. At
+the same time, we were informed that the 9th corps had already left,
+and we should be the last to go. The constant yells and the heavy
+firing of the Confederates indicated that they suspected something
+unusual, and we prepared ourselves for an attack on our weakened line.
+The utmost vigilance was exercised, for every one knew the extreme
+peril of our situation, and when, at one o'clock on the morning of
+the 13th, the order came to evacuate, every voice was hushed. The
+whispered word was passed from man to man, to retire from the works one
+by one from the left, in perfect silence, and rendezvous in the woods
+some distance in the rear; seven companies thus moved out, without
+accident, or casualty, although the shot and shell shrieked about
+our heads continually. But the most delicate task remained--namely,
+the extricating the three companies who, as outpost sentinels and
+sharpshooters, were so near the enemy that it seemed impossible for
+them to escape. This, however, was accomplished, with the loss of a
+few men, who were necessarily left behind, and we took up our line of
+march for the White House, occupying the most honorable position in
+this perilous movement, when the whole Federal army was withdrawn from
+the immediate presence of Lee's army, without its knowledge and without
+serious loss. It has been well remarked, by an able writer on military
+operations, that it was one of the most remarkable movements in the
+annals of warfare, and could not have been carried out successfully
+except by the most experienced troops, under the most perfect training
+and discipline.
+
+[Illustration: BATTERY AND CHURCH TOWER. SITE OF JAMESTOWN.]
+
+Early on the morning of the 14th, we steamed away from the White House
+on the Pamunkey River in two small transports on our return to Bermuda
+Hundred. During our voyage, we passed within sight of the ruins of
+the old church at Jamestown. How full of suggestion and reflection,
+recalling, as they did, the history of the proud old state, with its
+long line of distinguished patriots, soldiers, and statesmen. We
+thought of Patrick Henry, whose glowing eloquence first set ablaze the
+smouldering embers of rebellion, and of Washington, whose wisdom,
+endurance, and constancy, sealed at Yorktown the title to independence,
+and the inalienable rights of manhood to life, liberty, and the pursuit
+of happiness, and wondered at the inconsistency and blindness of the
+early fathers of our country, who permitted the ingrafting of the
+gigantic, festering evil of slavery upon our system of government,
+thereby entailing on us the sufferings and horrors, the changes and
+uncertainties, of this war. All the more singular because liberty and
+justice were the foundation principles of church, state, and society.
+During the voyage to Bermuda Hundred, the transports became separated,
+and the morning of the 16th found only one wing of the regiment
+arrived at its destination. This was immediately ordered outside the
+intrenchments, to the Confederate picket-line, which had been evacuated
+during the night.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVI.
+
+ Back to Bermuda Hundred. A running fight. Destruction of railroad.
+ Kindness of Major Young and General Terry. Ordered to charge. A
+ happy escape. President Lincoln and General Butler. Ordered to
+ attack Confederate line. Recalled. Captain Fee and others killed.
+ Picket-lines at Petersburg. Sanitary and Christian Commissions. Mine
+ explosion. Our losses. Major Swartwout. Effects of malaria.
+
+
+Of our change of base, conducted so cautiously and secretly, the enemy
+did not continue long in ignorance. All day we were running against
+the troops, ordered from the South to anticipate us in the occupancy
+of Petersburg. Firing was going on continually, and the only effective
+service that we rendered was the destruction of the railroad. Even this
+was only partial, as we had neither time nor appliances, for thorough
+work. The section of the road upon which our battalion operated was on
+the side of a hill, and the men being placed near together along the
+track, at the word of command, seized, lifted, and tumbled down the
+hill, the portion spanned by the line, ties and rails going together,
+leaving the road-bed clean. This was repeated, until the appearance
+of the enemy in large numbers warned us that we should move, and move
+quickly, which we did. At night the men were completely exhausted,
+and without food, all the stores belonging to the regiment being on
+the steamer with the field and staff. It was plainly my duty to see
+that they were supplied with rations--but there was no one to whom I
+could apply, except General Terry, and his headquarters were miles
+away. I had no conveyance, and there was no one near whom I knew. The
+nearest regiment was the 142d Ohio, under command of Major Young.
+There was no alternative, and I was compelled to apply to him for
+means of transportation. Although a stranger, there was little need of
+explanation before his horse stood ready at his tent. General Terry
+responded most cheerfully to my request, and by midnight the men were
+enjoying the simple food which served them for the next day of labor
+or suffering. Neither of these officers knew what a kindly act they
+did that night; but had they witnessed the distribution of stores to
+those famishing men, who waited patiently till midnight for my return,
+they would have been fully repaid for their kindness. The result of the
+day's operations was the destruction of quite a large section of the
+railroad, and the capture of some fifty or more prisoners.
+
+On the 17th, the remainder of the brigade landed at Bermuda Hundred,
+and the regiment encamped near the intrenchments. Towards evening
+were ordered out to charge the enemy's intrenchments, and for an hour
+lay on the side of a hill, watching the movements of the brigade
+whose place we were to take in case it was not successful. What we
+witnessed was not at all inspiriting; for, as the smoke lifted from
+the first heavy discharge of the Confederate artillery and musketry,
+we looked in vain for any sign of our troops, who seemed to have been
+completely annihilated. To take their place was not to be looked upon
+as a privilege; and when the order was received to return to camp, we
+were not reluctant to go. It should be said, by way of explanation,
+that our loss was very slight, the order to lie down having been given
+in season to avoid the shot and shell, which passed harmlessly over
+our troops. Why they did not rise and charge immediately was never
+explained to us.
+
+[Illustration: BATTERY NEAR DUTCH GAP.]
+
+On the 18th, we remained encamped near the intrenchments. The 18th and
+6th corps were in our vicinity, while the 2d, 5th, and 9th were near
+Petersburg. We heard heavy firing, but could learn nothing definite
+concerning the progress of our army.
+
+On the afternoon of the 22d, a message was received from General Butler
+that President Lincoln was approaching our vicinity, and would shortly
+reach the point where we were encamped. The purpose of the message
+was to give time and opportunity to arrange a fitting welcome, but it
+was unfortunate that nearly all the troops in our neighborhood were
+hundred-days men, who, having been enlisted to do duty within their
+respective states, had been forced into the Army of the Potomac, and
+pushed into the most perilous service, in violation of their contract.
+For this reason they were much disaffected, and one regiment, at least,
+had been deprived of its arms, and placed under guard, to prevent a
+serious outbreak. Naturally, the message of General Butler was received
+by them very coldly, and as the cavalcade surrounding the President
+appeared, there were but few straggling squads of soldiers in sight,
+and from these there was no sign of enthusiasm or interest. I have
+seen General Butler many times, and under a variety of conditions
+and surroundings, but never so completely disconcerted as then. As
+the party neared the point where we stood, an aid was hurriedly sent
+forward to command the men to cheer, and General Butler, dropping
+behind the President, endeavored, by frantic gestures and pantomime,
+to enforce the orders of his aid. But all to no purpose. The men were
+angry and sullen, and when the general, rising in his stirrups, shook
+his fist at them, the exhibition of impotent rage was greeted with
+shouts of derision. As the little cavalcade advanced farther along
+the line, an effort was made by the other troops in the vicinity to
+make amends to our honored and beloved President for this discourtesy;
+but, while the whole army was intensely loyal, and devotedly attached
+to him, he was unfortunate in having, as his chief escort through our
+lines, a general who had, at least temporarily, lost the confidence and
+respect of the command.
+
+On the 23d, the regiment was ordered to join that portion of the army
+in front of Petersburg. Nothing unusual occurred until the 30th, when
+we were ordered to prepare for a charge on the Confederate works.
+Instead of remaining where we were, protected by our intrenchments,
+until the charge was ordered, we were moved over our earthworks, where
+we were kept for some time, exposed to a murderous fire, by which
+Captain Fee, a brave and excellent officer, and many others, were
+killed or severely wounded. After nearly a half-hour of this exposure,
+we were recalled, and the attack was given up, as well it might be
+after our intention was so fairly made known to the enemy.
+
+[Illustration: DEFENCES OF RICHMOND AND PETERSBURG.]
+
+At this time the main lines of the two armies were in such close
+proximity that the utmost care was necessary, especially on the part
+of the pickets who were posted in the little valley between, and were
+so near that no part of the body could be exposed for an instant
+without drawing the fire of the enemy. The approach to the picket-line
+was through intricate and carefully protected, covered ways, but,
+with all the precautions which ingenuity could devise, day by day
+our ranks were diminished by losses. Many of these occurred in the
+passage to and from these picket-lines, and often were due to the
+recklessness and carelessness of the men. Many and curious were the
+devices used to draw the enemy's fire, by exposing a hat, or coat, or
+other object, while, from ingeniously constructed lookouts, our men
+watched for the heads which were sure to pop up from behind their
+intrenchments in the eagerness for a shot. This brutal warfare was
+kept up during our whole stay in front of Petersburg, except when a
+short truce brought the picket-lines together, when the utmost freedom
+of intercourse prevailed. At such times papers were exchanged, the
+situation discussed, and the best of friends seemed engaged in mutual
+congratulations. In a few moments, the old state of things was resumed,
+with all its cruelties.
+
+At this time more than ever before, we realized the magnitude of the
+works performed by the Sanitary and Christian Commissions. As an
+illustration, I find it recorded in my journal that at this time our
+whole army was supplied with vegetables by the Sanitary Commission;
+while the agents of both societies were to be found in camp and
+hospital, ministering to the sick, wounded, and needy, with a generous
+impartiality, which made no distinctions, and shrunk neither from
+danger by bullet or contaminating disease. It is not my province to
+enter into a history of these societies; but I should be ungrateful
+did I not make fitting acknowledgment of the good work performed by
+those devoted Christian men and women. Not only were the officers
+and soldiers largely benefited as individuals, but the army, as a
+whole, was sustained and strengthened by the knowledge that through
+these two societies, and others of similar character, the whole
+people were manifesting their readiness to bear their share of burden
+and sacrifice. The office which they performed, in establishing and
+sustaining a higher moral standard in the army, and the increased
+efficiency which resulted from it, cannot be over-estimated.
+
+[Illustration: OUTLINE OF THE CRATER AND MAGAZINES.]
+
+During the most of July, we occupied the front or rear lines before
+Petersburg, under fire the most of the time, the shot and shell
+reaching us even in the most protected spots. The men were picked off
+by sharpshooters whenever within range, and there was no respite from
+duty, although we participated in no regular engagement until the
+30th. At sunset on the 29th, the regiment took up its line of march to
+the left and rear, to be ready to join in the attack which was to be
+made immediately after the explosion of the mine in front of the 9th
+corps. The explosion took place between four and five o'clock on the
+morning of the 30th, and the attack was made; but, owing to want of
+preparation, or some lack in the arrangement, the favorable moment was
+allowed to pass, and the charge was irregular and ineffective. After
+advancing to the ground which had been occupied by the fort, a halt
+was made, intrenchments thrown up, and two guns mounted. This gave
+an opportunity for the enemy to rally, and when at last the charge
+was made upon Cemetery Hill, which was immediately in front, and some
+four hundred yards distant, the concentrated fire from the front, and
+from either flank, ploughed through our lines, creating disorder and
+confusion. The loss was dreadful, regiments and brigades being almost
+completely annihilated; a second attempt only added to a disaster which
+was one of the most serious that our army had suffered for months. Our
+division had been joined to the 18th corps, which made a demonstration
+on the right, but without avail. Our losses were severe. Among the
+killed was Major Swartwout, one of the oldest and best of all the
+officers who had been connected with the regiment. No one among us
+possessed to a larger extent the real soldierly instincts, and no one
+was more generally beloved. His genial good-nature, his ready humor,
+and exuberant spirits, made him welcome in every circle. Lieutenant
+O'Brien was also killed, and our loss otherwise, in non-commissioned
+officers and privates, was severe. The scheme, which originated with
+Lieutenant-Colonel Pleasants, of the 48th Pennsylvania regiment, was
+well conceived and perfected by him; but the attack which followed the
+explosion was managed badly.
+
+July 31, the regiment was ordered to Bermuda Hundred, where we remained
+until August 13, when we broke camp, and, starting late in the
+evening, marched all night. The writer's experience on that night march
+was peculiar, and, as showing the severity of the duties to which we
+had been subjected, and the condition to which many of us were reduced,
+it may properly be mentioned. The command of the regiment devolved
+upon me, owing to the absence of all the field officers. Starting at
+its head, we had proceeded but a short distance before I was seized by
+an attack of drowsiness, which no effort and no expedient could throw
+off. Mortified beyond expression by this singular but uncontrollable
+weakness, there was nothing left to me, at last, but an appeal to the
+orderly, and, directing him to keep me in my proper position, and to
+arouse me if anything special should occur, I gave up the useless
+struggle. The false or heavy step of the horse which I was riding
+aroused me frequently to sudden consciousness, when the struggle would
+recommence, but with the same result, for the seeds of malaria, brought
+from the swamps of the Savannah, were fruiting in a deadly exhaustion,
+which no effort of the will could overcome. This was the precursor
+of more serious attacks, which finally drove me from the service.
+Our movement was in the direction of the Dutch Gap Canal, a project
+of General Butler, which proved a failure, like many others of his
+undertakings while in the service.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVII.
+
+ On duty at the front. Strange sickness. General Grant under fire.
+ Captain D'Arcy. Battle of Strawberry Plains. Splendid behavior of
+ the regiment. Lieutenants Tantum and Sears picked off by Confederate
+ sharpshooters. Other losses. The excited officer. Hurried retreat.
+ Captain Taylor. The greeting of General Terry. A night's rest. On
+ picket duty. Sad condition of the regiment. Expiration of term of
+ enlistment. Disaffection. Severe duty. Artillery attack on Petersburg.
+ Out of the service.
+
+
+We have never heard of any general order issued to the army annulling
+the Fourth Commandment, but such had been our experience that we needed
+no argument to persuade us, on the morning of the 14th of August, which
+was the Sabbath, that some special service, in field or camp, would
+be required. All day long, we were at the front, in plain sight and
+within range of a Confederate battery. The weather was intensely hot,
+and a most curious effect followed the long exposure to the glaring
+sun. Many officers, as well as non-commissioned officers and privates,
+succumbed to the heat, and were led or carried to the rear. Some were
+taken with spasms, and sometimes whole groups fell together; but, the
+surgeon being summoned, a wonderful change took place, and the powerful
+remedies which he administered to the most marked cases seemed to have
+a peculiar effect on the others. It was a remarkable experience, and I
+have never been able fully to explain the nature of the attack. For a
+time it seemed likely that we should have a battalion of invalids; but
+the illness was of short duration, and no serious results followed.
+While occupying a little hill, the top of which was crossed by a stone
+wall, General Grant made his appearance, with General Barnard and other
+members of his staff. Passing through our ranks, he ascended the hill
+to the stone wall, where he remained some time, taking observations. In
+the meantime, the battery across the meadow kept up a constant fire,
+and General Grant was often obliged to duck his head behind the wall
+to avoid the shot. One of these, which had passed uncomfortably near
+him, proved fatal to Captain D'Arcy, who was just returning from the
+valley below, with some of those who had retired under the effect of
+the sunstroke. He was a good officer, but sometimes showed the want
+of coolness and self-possession. This would undoubtedly have come to
+him with age and longer experience. With this, he would have been an
+officer of unusual excellence; for he was well informed, of quick
+perceptions, and prompt in all his movements, while his bravery was
+beyond question. The only result of the day's work, of which we had any
+report, was the capture of a battery and fifty prisoners by General
+Terry. The next day, the 15th, we were moved from point to point
+continually, but were not engaged.
+
+On the next day, the 16th, occurred the battle of Strawberry Plains,
+where our loss was very severe. I copy from my journal: "During the
+forenoon moved to the left in rear of battery. Remained a little while,
+and then moved to the right through the woods. On the way, the firing
+became heavy in our front, and we soon got the order to double-quick.
+Through the woods, over dead bodies,--Federals and Confederates mingled
+together,--past lines of prisoners, into the open ground, knapsacks
+thrown off, full of enthusiasm, away we went, forming behind the
+Confederate works, by the right into line, as straight and true as
+ever on parade drill, amid the cheering of the troops about us. Men,
+cheerful, cool, and obedient, under a heavy fire, in which Lieutenant
+John M. Tantum, of Company D, a Christian man and good soldier, was
+killed, and Seward, Sears, and many others, wounded. We stuck to the
+works until the regiments on our right and left had fled, and only gave
+way when the Confederates were so near that we could almost feel their
+breath."
+
+During the day we witnessed a marked illustration of the necessity for
+coolness, as well as bravery, especially on the part of officers. Our
+position was a trying one, for, although there was no enemy in sight,
+we were under a heavy enfilading fire, probably from sharpshooters
+stationed in the trees of the adjoining woods, and we had reason to
+expect an attack, either in front or flank, at any moment. Under the
+circumstances, it was necessary that the command should be well in
+hand, cool, alert, and ready for any emergency. While we were closely
+hugging the intrenchments, to avoid as far as possible the enemy's
+fire, every man grasping his musket, and waiting for the word of
+command, a staff officer, possessing more courage than discretion,
+came along, with pistol in one hand and sword in the other, and gave
+the order to commence firing. In an instant the men were on their
+feet, and the utmost confusion prevailed. The firing which followed
+indicated more perfectly the position of our regiment to the enemy,
+who were themselves so completely concealed in the woods at our left
+that no return fire could be effectual. Worse than all, our men could
+only fire directly to the front,--where as yet there was no sign of
+the enemy,--on account of the regiment which at that time connected
+with our left flank. As long as the firing continued, the advantage
+of preparations to repel attack was entirely lost, and it was only by
+threats of immediate personal injury that the officer was induced to
+take his ill-timed enthusiasm elsewhere, and order was restored. In our
+retreat, which occurred soon after, Captain Taylor was the only officer
+left to assist in the command of the regiment; and, as we hurried
+through the woods, a last look behind discovered several Confederate
+battle-flags close at hand, and already occupying the position we had
+just left. How heartily we congratulated each other on our escape,
+when so many of our friends and comrades had fallen; but only an hour
+afterwards, our picket-lines having been established, and placed in his
+charge, word was brought to me that he too had been grievously wounded.
+It was a sad blow, and left me in a very embarrassing position; for
+the enemy was pressing hard upon us. Soon, however, several officers,
+who, for various reasons, had been absent during the day, reported for
+duty; but no one who took his place. Always ready for whatever he was
+called upon to do, he was cheerful and intelligent in its performance.
+An excellent officer, and most agreeable companion. This was his third
+wound, and, although he recovered sufficiently to attend to ordinary
+business, he was obliged to leave the service. His constitution was
+much shattered, and gradually gave way, under the combined effects of
+his wounds and the malarial disorders contracted in the army. Never
+shall I forget the greeting of General Terry as we emerged from the
+woods. He had seen our good regiment through the whole affair, and his
+plaudit of "well done" was honest and hearty. There was no rest that
+night, but when, at the close of the following day, the 17th, after
+much wearisome marching, we sank down on the damp ground, wet, hungry,
+and exhausted, many a prayer of thanksgiving went up to Him who had
+spared us, where so many had fallen by our sides. On the 18th, there
+was fighting in our front, but we were not engaged.
+
+Having got back to the intrenchments at Deep Bottom, we were allowed a
+short season of rest. Heavy firing was continually going on about us,
+especially in the direction of Petersburg; but, although so near, we
+received no reliable accounts of what was transpiring.
+
+On the 20th we left Deep Bottom, and for a portion of the day acted as
+a picket guard. The line was formed across Strawberry Plains; and the
+duty was a delicate one, as our troops were retreating over the roads
+by which the enemy was expected. The following day we marched to our
+old camp-ground at Bermuda Hundred.
+
+During the week just passed, we had lost Captain D'Arcy, Lieutenants
+Tantum and Sears, killed, and Captain Taylor and Lieutenant Seward,
+wounded, while Lieutenant Acker was in hospital, suffering from
+sunstroke. Many non-commissioned officers and privates had been killed
+and wounded, while others, officers and soldiers, were incapacitated
+for duty.
+
+About this time there arose much disaffection in the regiment among
+those men who, having served three years, demanded their discharge.
+While sympathizing fully with their feelings, although the commanding
+officer, it was impossible for me to relieve them from duty, especially
+as at this time we were taxed to our utmost in guarding a long line,
+which had previously been occupied by a whole brigade. A few cases
+of discipline were necessary, but, for the most part, the men were
+amenable to reason, and recognized the necessity of performing service
+until relieved by competent authority. On the 24th, we moved farther
+to the right, and every man was put on picket. At this time there
+were but three officers present for duty. Chills and fever were very
+prevalent, and the regiment was reduced to a skeleton of its former
+self. Early on the morning of the 25th, a sharp attack was made on our
+picket-line, but was repulsed. Our loss was one man killed, and nine
+wounded and missing. Rumors prevailed for several days that we were
+to be sent to Petersburg, and on Sunday, the 28th, the order came,
+and by nine o'clock of that evening we were in our old quarters. On
+the evening of the 29th, the batteries on the hills back of us opened
+a heavy fire on Petersburg, and continued for some time. It was a
+magnificent sight. The air was alive with shells, and in their flight
+they seemed to rise even to the stars, and to mingle their light with
+them. From this time until September 14, the duties of the regiment
+were without variety or special interest. With the 76th Pennsylvania,
+it alternated in serving at the front and resting in the rear lines. On
+the 14th, my connection with the regiment ceased. After more than three
+years of service, completely broken down by malarial disease contracted
+in the early period of the war, at my urgent request I was permitted
+to resign. What follows of this history has been largely drawn from
+the journals of others, and several histories of the war, which I have
+constantly consulted in preparing this narrative.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XVIII.
+
+ Discharge of old members of the regiment. Attack at Chapin's
+ Farm. Partial success. Condition of the South. New recruits. In
+ winter-quarters. Thanksgiving Day. Resignation of Colonel Barton.
+ His long and faithful service. Tenth and Eighteenth corps united.
+ Expedition against Fort Fisher. Second expedition against Fort
+ Fisher. Gallant charge and capture of the fort. An important event.
+ Other successes. March to Wilmington. Pursuit of the Confederates.
+ Their surrender of Union prisoners. Their condition. On the march
+ to join Sherman's army. Sherman's grand march to the sea-coast, and
+ its results. Grant's operations ending in surrender of Lee and his
+ army. With Sherman's army on the march for Johnston. Announcement of
+ surrender of General Lee. Continued pursuit of Johnston. Lincoln's
+ assassination. Its effect on the army. Surrender of Johnston.
+
+
+September 17, the old members of the regiment who had not re-enlisted
+were honorably discharged, and started homewards. On the 28th, the 10th
+and 18th corps left the intrenchments at Petersburg, and, crossing
+the Appomattox, marched to the James River. The 10th corps, under
+General Birney, was to attack the enemy at Deep Bottom, while to the
+18th corps, under General Ord, was assigned the duty of taking the
+Confederate works at Chapin's Farm. The 10th corps made an assault
+early on the morning of the 29th, and were completely successful; but
+the 18th corps, after gallantly carrying the outer works at Chapin's
+Farm, and capturing fifteen pieces of artillery and many prisoners,
+found the second line of defence so formidable that more careful
+preparations were necessary before attempting its capture. In the
+meantime, General Birney proceeded up the Newmarket road towards
+Richmond, and established communication with the 18th corps. The delay
+which followed the first assault at Chapin's Farm, gave time for
+the enemy to call in re-enforcements, and the second assault proved
+unsuccessful. The following day the enemy attempted to recover the
+portion of the works which they had lost, but were repulsed with
+considerable loss. In these engagements, the 48th lost a number of men,
+in killed, wounded, and prisoners.
+
+[Illustration: ARMY'S HUTS AT CHAPIN'S FARM.]
+
+October 7, a vigorous effort was made by the enemy to drive us out of
+our positions on the north side of the James, but, after a partial
+success, they were driven back. This proved the close of active
+operations for the year, as nothing further of importance took place
+in this department. Our army was rapidly filling up from the recent
+conscription, while the South had already reached its last ditch.
+It had no reserve force to call upon, its resources were becoming
+exhausted, and its army reduced to extremities.
+
+About this time our regiment received some forty or more recruits,
+and for the week that followed, until December 7, it remained in the
+vicinity of Deep Bottom. Its routine of duties is indicated by a single
+day's record, taken from the journal of Townsend--date, November 8. "In
+the morning, at four o'clock, we were turned out, and went inside the
+fort, and remained until seven o'clock, and were then dismissed. The
+weather being clear, after breakfast we were all ordered on fatigue;
+some building log huts, and the rest in the woods carrying logs. We
+worked all day, and at six o'clock in the afternoon were dismissed."
+On the 15th, the huts were completed, tents were taken down, and the
+regiment went into winter-quarters.
+
+[Illustration: OFFICERS' QUARTERS, CHAPIN'S FARM.]
+
+The 24th was Thanksgiving Day, to be specially remembered by every
+soldier on account of the abundant supply of turkeys, apples, and
+other good things, furnished them by the people of the North, and
+distributed through the agency of the two societies previously
+referred to. Through this period, squad, company, and battalion drills
+were kept up with as much regularity as relief from other duties
+permitted. The size of the regiment may be inferred from the fact that
+five companies were usually united for a company drill.
+
+December 3, Colonel Barton, having reached the limit of his term
+of service, was mustered out at his own request. The inconvenience
+resulting from the wounds received at Fort Wagner and Cold Harbor, and
+his general condition of physical prostration, demanded a rest. He had
+proved an earnest, faithful, efficient, and intelligent officer, and
+the regiment, under his command, attained a proficiency in drill and
+a condition of general excellence that easily placed it at the head
+of the troops with which it was associated. Often detached on special
+important service, he filled every position with credit to himself
+and satisfaction to his superior officers. His relations with the
+commanding officers under whom we served in the several departments
+were uniformly of an agreeable character, a circumstance from which
+the regiment profited to no inconsiderable extent. His brevet of
+brigadier-general was well earned, and he may well regard the years
+of service which he gave to his country as entitling him to general
+respect and esteem. On the 5th of December, all the white troops of
+the 10th and 18th corps were consolidated and formed the 24th, and the
+colored troops from the same formed the 25th corps.
+
+[Illustration: PONTOON BRIDGE AT JONES' LANDING, NEAR DEEP BOTTOM.]
+
+On the evening of the 6th, orders were received to pack up and be ready
+for a march, but the movement did not take place until the afternoon
+of the 7th, when the 2d division, to which our regiment was assigned,
+formed in line and started for Jones' Landing, near City Point,
+where they arrived on the morning of the 8th. Here they embarked on
+the steamer Perritt, and proceeded to Fortress Monroe, the point of
+rendezvous of the expedition. On the 13th they left Fortress Monroe,
+and for much of the time until the 30th were steaming up and down the
+coast. For several days they were at Beaufort, N.C., taking in supplies
+of coal and water, and from there proceeded to Cape Fear River, and
+landed near Fort Fisher, intending to make an assault; but General
+Weitzel, who had immediate command of the troops, declared it would
+be suicidal to make the attempt, and the men re-embarked, and the
+transports returned directly to City Point.
+
+General Butler, who had charge of the land forces, conceived the
+idea of sending in near to Fort Fisher a vessel loaded with powder,
+expecting that by its explosion the fort would be materially damaged.
+The plan was carried out, but no visible effect followed the explosion,
+and the expedition, which was based upon the success of the plan,
+proved a failure. From City Point the regiment returned to its old
+position at Chapin's Farm. The men had suffered from their long
+confinement on the dirty steamer. The food was insufficient and the
+vermin intolerable, and it was a blessed relief to get back where they
+could cleanse and purify themselves and clothing.
+
+From December 30 to January 3 they were allowed to remain in camp,
+enjoying quiet and rest. On that day everything was packed and made
+ready for a change, in obedience to orders, and on the evening of the
+3d they started for Bermuda Hundred. On the 4th, they embarked on the
+steamer Tonawanda, and the next day were at Fortress Monroe. On the
+8th they were in Hatteras Inlet. On the 9th, they joined the fleet off
+Beaufort, N.C. On the 12th, they were in Cape Fear River, and on the
+13th moved farther in, and nearer Fort Fisher.
+
+A change had been made. General Butler had been relieved on his return
+from the former expedition, and General A.H. Terry was now in command
+of the troops, while Admiral Porter commanded the naval forces, as
+before. At ten o'clock on the morning of the 13th, a landing was
+effected in small boats, and the troops formed on the beach and stacked
+arms, and proceeded to throw up intrenchments from Cape Fear River to
+the beach. During the 13th and 14th, a heavy bombardment was kept up on
+Fort Fisher by the navy, and on the 15th our division, which had been
+working round to the rear of the fort, prepared for an assault.
+
+Having left behind knapsacks and all other encumbrances, about two
+o'clock in the afternoon the first charge was made, which resulted
+in securing the outer section of the fort. At the same time, the
+naval brigade charged in front. Charge succeeded charge, until ten
+o'clock in the evening, when the garrison, having been driven into our
+bastion, surrendered. The fighting on both sides was very stubborn.
+From the description of the fort, which I gather from those present
+at the assault, it was composed of detached mounds. When one was
+taken, our men gathered behind it for a short halt and rest. And then,
+with a sudden rush and bound over and around this mound, another was
+taken, until at last the whole was captured, with twenty-five hundred
+prisoners and sixty guns. Our losses were quite severe. Captain Dunn,
+my old orderly sergeant, who behaved so well at Chester Heights, was
+killed; and many names in our regiment, as well as in the others
+engaged, were added to the long list of martyrs. Everything had been
+arranged to blow up the fort, rather than surrender it; but the wires
+connecting the batteries which were arranged to effect the explosion
+were cut off from their connections with the magazines by the shot and
+shell from the navy. A slight explosion did take place, late at night,
+after our regiment had been withdrawn. Several other small forts in the
+vicinity were blown up by the Confederates, but the garrison of Fort
+Anderson, some little distance up the river, remained in possession
+until February 19, when the disposition of our troops was such that
+there could no longer be any hope of being able to hold it, and it was
+evacuated.
+
+[Illustration: INTERIOR OF FORT FISHER.]
+
+During the interval, our forces had been strengthened, by the arrival
+of the 23d army corps, under General Schofield, and many new recruits
+had arrived from the North, our regiment receiving on the 7th of
+February two hundred and ten.
+
+The capture of Fort Fisher was an important event. By it one of the
+worst points on the southern coast was shut up, for, in spite of
+the utmost vigilance on the part of our navy, immense quantities of
+supplies had been brought in, through the several entrances of Cape
+Fear River, by blockade-runners. But a much more important service was
+rendered to our cause by its capture than in cutting off supplies. For
+at this time General Sherman, having completed the wonderful march from
+Atlanta to the sea-coast at Savannah, had now turned northward, and
+was on his way to co-operate with the Army of Virginia, in that final
+struggle which ended the rebellion; and the capture of Fort Fisher, and
+the other defences on Cape Fear River gave a new basis of supplies and
+military operations, which materially aided Sherman.
+
+[Illustration: PLAN OF LAND AND NAVAL OPERATIONS AT FORT FISHER.]
+
+General Terry, having succeeded in capturing these forts, disposed
+his forces, which consisted of about eight thousand men, in such
+a manner as to be secure from attacks, and awaited the action
+of General Schofield, who had been assigned the command of the new
+department of North Carolina. No time was wasted. New and more
+favorable positions were taken from time to time, and on the 20th a
+general movement was made towards Wilmington.
+
+On the 21st, our regiment, which, with the other troops under General
+Terry, was advancing towards this city on the east side of the river,
+suddenly came upon a strong force of the Confederates, who opened
+a heavy fire, by which two men were killed, and Major Elfwing and
+seventeen others wounded. The enemy were driven within their works
+and held there, until a division under General Cox, by threatening to
+cross the river above the city, compelled a general retreat, which was
+effected after the burning of the steamers at the wharves, and the
+destruction of the military stores and cotton in and near the city.
+
+On the 22d, Washington's birthday, Wilmington was occupied by our
+troops, and perhaps no result of this occupation was of as much
+interest to the soldiers as the fact that by it they secured a supply
+of tobacco, of which they had been deprived for several weeks. In the
+recent operations, the loss to the Federal side was about two hundred
+in killed, wounded, and missing; and the Confederate loss, about a
+thousand, in killed and wounded, while a large number of prisoners,
+with thirty pieces of cannon, and an immense quantity of ammunition,
+had fallen into our hands.
+
+General Schofield's next movement was against Goldsboro, to open a
+communication with General Sherman; and a large force was sent to
+Kingston, to secure and repair the railroad. These troops advanced by
+way of Newbern. Our division was allowed no rest, but on the afternoon
+of the 22d started in pursuit of the retreating enemy. So sharply
+was this kept up that on the 27th a flag of truce was proposed by
+the Confederate commander, for the purpose of transferring the Union
+prisoners, so much did they encumber his movements. Accordingly, we
+received into our lines nearly ten thousand, officers and privates,
+some of whom had been captured from our regiment at Olustee and Cold
+Harbor. All were in the most deplorable condition, half clothed and
+almost wholly starved. These were conveyed to Wilmington, to which city
+our regiment returned March 2.
+
+[Illustration: MOUND BATTERY, NEAR FORT FISHER.]
+
+New recruits arrived from time to time, and were instructed in their
+duties, and, with the exception of one short expedition to guard
+wagon-trains, the regiment remained near Wilmington until the 15th.
+
+March 12, General Sherman, who had arrived at Fayetteville, sent
+despatches to General Schofield, directing him to march at once to
+Goldsboro, and to order General Terry to do the same. Accordingly, on
+the 15th they broke camp, and started to join Sherman. That night,
+before they lay down, they had marched twenty-five miles. The following
+day the march was resumed, and, although the roads were very heavy,
+they moved rapidly, and day after day continued on, with no special
+accident, or incident, until the 21st, when signs of Sherman's bummers
+began to appear, and in the afternoon there was heavy cannonading on
+our left.
+
+At this time, and for some time previous, our troops had subsisted
+largely by foraging. Sugar and coffee were almost forgotten luxuries.
+
+On the 23d, the 17th corps of Sherman's army passed near our troops,
+and the motley procession which accompanied them showed how successful
+they had become as foragers. Goldsboro had been taken by General
+Schofield's troops on the 21st, and Johnston had massed his army at
+Smithfield. General Sherman had now a large force under his command,
+and, with several good safe bases of supplies, and uninterrupted
+communication with the coast, was prepared to perform his part in
+these final struggles of the rebellion. His march from Savannah had
+resulted in the loss to the Confederates of all the fortified points
+along the coast, with the immense quantities of supplies and materials
+of war which they contained. A tract of fifty miles in width, along
+his whole route, had been stripped of all kinds of provisions, and the
+richest portion of the South had been devastated. The great system of
+internal communication and supply, which had afforded them such great
+advantages in the movements of their armies, was either destroyed or
+fatally disarranged.
+
+By this time General Grant was ready for that final movement against
+Lee which resulted in the surrender of his army. This movement
+commenced on the 29th, and, after repeated attempts upon the enemy's
+right, a general assault, along the whole line, on April 2, resulted in
+complete success, and on the morning of the 3d it was discovered that
+Lee's army had fled, and on that day our troops, under General Weitzel,
+occupied Richmond. The principal part of Grant's army passed on after
+Lee. Sheridan, with his whole force of cavalry, by rapid marches,
+finally succeeded, on the 9th, in intercepting Lee's retreat, and,
+by a vigorous attack, held him in check until the arrival of several
+corps of infantry made escape impossible; and on that day Lee, and
+what remained of his army, fell into our hands. The principal army now
+remaining to the Confederates was that commanded by Johnston.
+
+General Sherman, while these operations were going on, was resting at
+Goldsboro; but on the 11th orders came from General Grant to move
+against Johnston. As late as March 28, new recruits were received from
+the North, nearly a hundred and fifty being assigned to our regiment;
+and when, on the 11th, General Sherman broke camp and started for
+Johnston, it was with an army invigorated, strengthened, and refreshed,
+and stimulated to unbounded enthusiasm by the success of the Army of
+Virginia. April 6, general orders had been promulgated to all the
+troops at their evening parades, stating that Petersburg and Richmond
+had been taken, and that Lee was retreating.
+
+April 7, another despatch was read, announcing that General Sheridan
+had captured twelve thousand prisoners and fifty pieces of artillery.
+On the 10th, two divisions of the 10th corps, which had again been
+reunited under General Terry, started on the march towards Raleigh. On
+the 11th, the march was continued rapidly, our brigade being in the
+advance. Frequent halts were necessary, on account of the destruction
+of the bridges by Johnston's army. On the 12th, while resting and
+waiting for a wagon-train, for which they were to be escort, a
+despatch was read from General Schofield announcing the surrender of
+General Lee. This had been known by other portions of the army, which
+had passed on from other points, and had already driven Johnston's army
+out of Smithfield.
+
+[Illustration: M'LEAN'S HOUSE, THE PLACE OF LEE'S SURRENDER.]
+
+The forward movement was resumed by our brigade on the afternoon of
+the 12th, but the roads continued very heavy, and the men were often
+compelled to wade through swamps, and at night slept on the ground
+with scarcely more than the sky for a covering. On the evening of
+the 14th, they arrived in the vicinity of Raleigh, and established
+camp a short distance outside the city. The Confederate army had made
+no stop here, and General Sherman continued the pursuit some twenty
+or twenty-five miles, to a point called Durham Station, when, the
+hopelessness of further resistance being apparent, a request was sent
+to General Sherman by Johnston, asking for a truce, with a view to
+arranging the terms of surrender of his army. This occurred on the
+15th, and as the fact became generally known on the 16th, that night
+was given up to rejoicing, for it was felt that the war was now over.
+This, however, proved premature, for the terms proposed, and which were
+evidently dictated by Davis and other leaders of the rebellion, who
+were known to be in the vicinity, although accepted by General Sherman,
+when submitted to the authorities at Washington, were unhesitatingly
+repudiated as dealing with questions which were beyond the province
+of military commanders; and orders were issued to resume operations
+at once. General Grant was despatched to Raleigh, where he arrived
+on the 24th, and notice was sent to Johnston demanding an immediate
+surrender, on the same terms given to General Lee. The troops were put
+in motion, and preparations were made to reopen the campaign; and it
+is safe to say that no order was ever issued to our troops which was
+received with such universal satisfaction as that to prepare to march
+against Johnston. News had been received of the assassination of
+President Lincoln, and, had our troops encountered Johnston's army, no
+quarter would have been given, so terribly were they exasperated. But,
+fortunately for Johnston and those under him, wise counsels prevailed
+in his camp, and on the 26th his whole army was surrendered, and the
+war was virtually over.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XIX.
+
+ A general review. Change in condition of the regiment. Barrett as
+ provost-marshal. Delicate question. Colonel Coan. Gradual disbandment
+ of the army. Discharge of the 48th. Some personal explanations.
+
+
+Little remains to chronicle in the history of the 48th. On the 20th of
+April, during the truce between the two armies, a general review was
+held in Raleigh by General Sherman. The 10th corps presented no such
+appearance as when it marched in review at Hilton Head. Few of the old
+officers and soldiers were left, and the experiences of the past year
+had been such as to preclude the possibility of keeping up that almost
+perfect condition and discipline for which we were so long noted. Our
+regiment had changed so much that it bore its share of the censure
+contained in general orders issued a few nights after the review.
+But sufficient allowance was not made for the peculiar hardships and
+exposures of the recent campaign, nor for the addition of so many new
+recruits, at a time when no opportunity was afforded for their proper
+training and drill. The work of all the troops was done and well done,
+and no censure should have mingled with the approval they so richly
+deserved.
+
+[Illustration: PLACE OF JOHNSTON'S SURRENDER TO SHERMAN.]
+
+After the surrender of Johnston, our brigade, commanded by Colonel
+Coan, remained in Raleigh, until sent home to be discharged from the
+service. Captain Barrett, now commissioned major, but unable to be
+mustered in, on account of the wound of Major Elfwing, which prevented
+his advancement, was made provost-marshal. The duties of the position
+were varied and peculiar, but, exercising that excellent good sense
+and kindly disposition which always characterized him, he gave general
+satisfaction. It must have been a little embarrassing when he was
+called upon to settle the question between the negro and his two wives.
+Having been separated from the object of his early affections, by
+change of ownership, the negro had found another to solace and comfort
+him, with whom he had been living some twenty years, and the sudden
+appearance of wife number one with a request that he should resume his
+former relations involved questions too deep for his understanding. The
+decision of the provost-marshal, that possession for so long a time
+established the right to hold, and that number one must continue to
+regard the separation as final, as she had done for so long a period of
+years, was satisfactory, at least to the negro and wife number two.
+
+The order announcing that Johnston had surrendered, and that the
+troops would soon be marching homewards, was published April 27; but
+it was found no simple matter to disband so large an army, and, while
+no further hostilities were feared, there were many questions to be
+decided, arising out of the war, which required the presence of troops
+in the South.
+
+The weeks and months which followed brought to the regiment little
+change from the regular round of guard and fatigue duty, inspections
+and parades. Coan, who was a captain of the regiment at its
+organization in 1861, was now its colonel. Almost the only one of
+the original officers who remained with the regiment, he had served
+constantly and faithfully through the intervening years, and was
+finally mustered out with it. In every position which he occupied,
+whether commanding a company, the regiment, or a brigade, he always did
+his part well, and enjoyed the confidence and respect of every one. He
+had no enemies, because he always exercised the authority entrusted
+to him with good judgment and a due consideration for others. Sharing
+hardships and dangers equally with others, he was wonderfully spared,
+having never suffered seriously from sickness or wounds. His services
+on earth are now ended, but his memory is fondly cherished by all who
+knew him.
+
+June 10, the remnant of the 117th New York State Volunteers was
+consolidated with our regiment, which became nearly complete in
+numbers, both of officers and privates. June 19, the 48th escorted
+the 115th New York to the depot, on their way home to become citizens
+again, and on the 23d, performed a similar duty for the 203d
+Pennsylvania Volunteers, which had been brigaded with it for many
+months.
+
+On the 26th, the regiment was considerably reduced, by the
+mustering-out of all those whose term of service would expire before
+September. From this time onwards the story of the journals before us
+is a dull and unvaried account of simple and uninteresting details,
+which continues until August 31, when the regiment was mustered out of
+the service of the United States. On Sunday, September 3, it started
+in the cars for City Point, where it took steamer for Baltimore.
+September 5, it arrived in New York city, and on the following day was
+conveyed to Hart's Island, where it remained encamped until the 12th.
+On that day, the pay roll was signed for the last time, the regiment
+was discharged, and the men were transported to New York city, free and
+independent citizens once more.
+
+This completes the history of the struggles and triumphs of "the
+Saints," so far as it could be gleaned from the materials at hand. The
+assistance received from the several journals sent me I have already
+acknowledged, but while drawing as largely as possible from these, I
+have been compelled to rely to a great extent upon my own. This was
+kept with constancy and regularity from day to day, during my whole
+term of service, and has been useful not only in furnishing such facts
+of our daily experience as it contained, but also in recalling by its
+perusal much that was unrecorded which has come back to me from the
+sleeping recesses of memory. If out of this great dependence upon a
+personal narrative there appears more of the individual than is seemly
+and proper, I beg, especially from those who participated in the scenes
+depicted, a charitable construction of this natural if not necessary
+tendency, and that I be absolved from any intention to give to my own
+special services undue prominence.
+
+
+
+
+CHAPTER XX.
+
+ Special references to some of the officers of the regiment. Remarks
+ upon prominent questions before the country. Finis.
+
+
+Of some of those who were my companions during the progress of the
+war I have made mention, but in the final review of narrative I am
+reminded of many others whom I have omitted, to whose worth I could
+testify with earnestness and feeling. I am conscious, also, of not
+having given sufficient prominence to the social life in the army. Our
+duties were oftentimes severe, trying, and perilous; but it was not
+all duty, and my intercourse with many if not most of the officers
+whom I met was both elevating and stimulating, especially within
+our own regiment. I remember well my first introduction to Captain
+(afterwards Lieutenant-Colonel) Strickland. He was officer of the day
+when I made my first application to be admitted to the camp at Fort
+Hamilton. "What are you here for?" he asked, to which I replied that
+I hoped to become an officer of the regiment. "Impossible!" said he,
+"and I advise you to take yourself off as quickly as possible, as
+every officer has been selected, and there isn't a ghost of a chance
+for you." Further explanation, however, effected an entrance to the
+camp; and before the guard was relieved I had been regularly mustered
+into the service, as second lieutenant of Company G. Notwithstanding
+the brusqueness of his first salutation, I found him to be an educated
+gentleman, and my relations with him while he remained in the service
+were intimate and most agreeable. Of Lockwood I have already written,
+but have only faintly expressed the constant pleasure which I enjoyed
+in his companionship. Hurst and Edwards, both sacrificed at Wagner,
+although of diverse habits and tastes, contributed their full share to
+the social life of the regiment, while Carleton, Miller and Bodine are
+all living to enjoy the memory of their faithful service in camp and
+field. Among the younger officers was Dr. J. Mott Throop, assistant
+surgeon. I could not forget him; for, while lying in the hospital,
+stricken down with fever, he brought me the welcome papers which made
+me free again. Better than medicine had been his friendly offices;
+but better than all else combined was the release from army life when
+there could be no hope of restoration to health, and consequently no
+further efficient service. In all the world he could find no lovelier
+scenes than now surround him in his home among the Berkshire Hills.
+As he goes his daily round of ministration to the sick and suffering,
+may the beauty which appeals to him from hill and mountain side and
+peaceful valley minister to his soul continual comfort and joy, is the
+sincere wish of his friend and former comrade. Now, having told my
+story and rendered these forgotten tributes, I seem to hear the patient
+reader who has followed me to this point say: Why don't he add the
+finis and have done. So perhaps I should. But may I not be indulged in
+a few reflections which seem to claim a relationship with the events
+herein narrated? Since the surrender at Appomattox, another generation
+has arisen, and many of those who were too young to participate in,
+or even understand, the questions involved in the war have grown to
+manhood and are occupying places in the State and National councils.
+The war is indeed over, but to these, and to all others who aspire to
+official positions,--yes, and equally to the people at large,--there
+remain duties to perform, difficulties and perils to encounter. Not so
+great, it may be, as those here narrated, but such as shall test the
+loyalty and patriotism as surely if not so severely as in the scenes
+herein depicted. The colored people of the South have been endowed with
+the full rights of citizenship under the law; but the task remains of
+fitting them for the exercise of this great privilege, and protecting
+them against injustice and wrong. Under the influence of a discontented
+and vicious class of emigrants from the old world who have brought from
+its oppressions and want a spirit of rebellion against even the most
+necessary restraints of society, serious divisions have been created.
+The poorer and those who call themselves the laboring class have
+arrayed themselves in organized antagonism against those more sagacious
+and more successful than themselves. The cry of the communist of Paris
+is being repeated here and must be heeded, or the most unhappy results
+may follow. May we rest, then, in blind security, or shall the men of
+this and coming generations rather emulate the spirit of their fathers
+who, with true devotion to principle and duty, freely offered all, even
+life itself, on the altar of their country? Let the questions which now
+occupy the minds of the people be settled on the broadest principles of
+justice. Let every wrong that now disturbs the peace and well-being of
+society be met and adjusted, with the fullest regard for the welfare
+of the humblest and most dependent, and may the spirit which animated
+the "Saints" be the promise and fulfilment of the hopes and prayers
+of those who sought these shores whereon to found a government which
+should guarantee to all men freedom, justice, and equality.
+
+
+
+*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 58480 ***