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Yale University Library

39002000960923

YALE UNIVERSITY
LIBRARY

HISTORY

OF THE

13TH infantry regiment

of

COMECTICUT VOLUNTEERS,

DURING THE

QRE^T REBELLION

BY
HOMER B. SPRAGUE,
FKINC'IPAL OF THE CONNECTICUT STATE XOKMAL SCHOOL, JNEW BKITAIN,
CONNECTICUT.

HARTFORD, CONN.
CASE, LOCKWOOD & CO.
1867.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1867,
By HOMER B. SPRAGTTE,
In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Connecticut.

PREFACE

The following history was undertaken near the close of
the year 1865, at the request of a certain publishing house,
while the author was still actively engaged in military duties
in the State of Georgia. It was substantially completed
and ready for publication on the return of the Veteran Bat
talion to New York, May 1, 1866, and was soon afterwards
placed in the hands of the intended publishers. Various cir
cumstances caused long delays, and it finally became neces
sary to entrust it to the enterprising firm which now issues
it to the public.
The book never would have been commenced, but for the
earnest and repeated solicitations of the officers and friends
of the regiment. It was composed at intervals in the midst
of pressing duties and in spite of serious discouragements ;
and, although the author had collected many materials, the
work was found to be so laborious that it would often have
been at the point of abandonment, had he not been deeply
impressed with a conviction that some permanent record
ought to be made of the remarkable services of this regi
ment. Some public tribute, too, was due to the memory of
those brave men, our departed compatriots, who gave up
their lives so freely in battle, in hospital, or in prison, and
whose heroic deeds ought to be inwoven with the legible his
tory of the republic which they died to save.

The regimental narrative is based mainly on the author's
private diary — The "Life and Sufferings of Captain
Sprague." So far as the events came under his personal
observation he is quite confident of the essential correctness
of the statements ; but even here, he dares not hope he has
escaped all errors. Jotted down at odd moments, in the
midst of weary marches, on picket duty, on horseback, in
the rain ; sometimes by the light of blazing buildings, often
in presence of hissing bullets, as during our six weeks at
Port Hudson ; undoubtedly mistaken impressions may have
been recorded. Having been present, however, in every
battle, skirmish, siege, and march, in which the regiment
was engaged, until the nineteenth of September, 1864, when
he had the misfortune to charge too far and hold his position
too long, and so fell into the enemy's hands, the author fears
more that his observations may lack breadth than that they
may be wanting in distinctness.
For the history of the Thirteenth during the six months
of the author's imprisonment, the statements of Messrs
Blinn, Bradley, Perkins, Clary and Clark have been his
main reliance ; though others furnished important facts. It
was contemplated at first to publish the story of that impris
onment, but it was found that it would swell the volume
beyond the assigned limits.
This work has been its own reward. At every step it
has brought vividly to remembrance the dark realities and
the bright romance of war. As in a grand panorama the
scenes and experiences of other days again passed succes
sively through the mind, — the dreary barracks, the rolling
ship, the luxurious city, the rapid, exhausting marches, the

blistered and bleeding feet, the scorching sun, the rainy
nights passed without shelter, the sickness that wasted or
convulsed the stoutest frames ; the rush, the frenzy, the fas
cinating pomp, the terrible energy of battle ; the wheeling
and plunging of cavalry, the thundering of batteries, the
steady and resistless charge of infantry ; the thrilling shout
of victory ; the unutterable magnificence of midnight bom
bardments ; the patient endurance, the triumphant faith, and
the beautiful patriotism of those suffering in hospital ; the
slow martyrdom in rebel prisons of those brave soldiers of
the Thirteenth who would not turn traitor to save their
lives, but deliberately chose rather to die by inches, of cold
and hunger ; and then the thousand interchanges of kindly
sympathies ; the warm friendships ; the story, the wit, the
songs of love and home and country around blazing camp-
fires ; and, to crown all, the satisfaction of having done what
one could for God, for Freedom, and for the Great Re
public !
To keep alive in the breasts of the survivors those feel
ings, to perpetuate those friendships, to rekindle those me
mories, to collect and preserve in permanent form the pic
tures of those scenes, and so to add one drop to the great
current of liberty-loving and patriotic sentiment that is bear
ing our country on to her sublime destiny, this little book is
respectfully dedicated to his former companions in arms, the
surviving officers and soldiers of the glorious Thirteenth, by
The Author.
New Britain, Conn., August 16, 1867.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE.
Circumstances and time of the raising of the Regiment.
Brief notices of the original officers. — Life in the
New Haven barracks. — Embarkation for Ship Island. 35
CHAPTER II.
At sea for twenty days. — Life on Ship Island. — Up the
Mississippi to New Orleans. — Occupation of the Cus
tom House ; Slavery ; Butler's Rule ; Expeditions ;
Flag Presentation, &c. - - - 73
CHAPTER III.
Camp Kearney. — The LaFourche Campaign. — Battle
of Georgia Landing. — Foraging, &c. — Explosion of
Ammunition Car. — To Baton Rouge. — Passage of
the Forts at Port Hudson and Midnight Bombard
ment. — To Brashear City. — Battle of Irish Bend. —
Hospital.  121
CHAPTER IV.
Pursuit up theTeche.— SimsporUt-Music— Free Fight
To Port Hudson. — Siege of Port Hudson. — Assaults.
Storming Column.— Surrender.— Effects of the Siege. 173

CHAPTER V.
PAGE.
Second LaFourche Occupation. — Re-enlistment as Vet
eran Volunteers. — Red River Expedition. — Guerril
las. — Battle of Monet's Ford. — Alexandria. — Battles
of Marksville and Mansura. — Veteran Furlough. —
Return to New Haven.  219
CHAPTER VI.
To the Shenandoah Valley. — Battle of Berryville. —
Battle of the Opegnan. — Battle of Fisher's Hill. —
Battle of Middletown. — Consolidation of Regiment "
and Muster-out of a portion.— To Savannah. — To
Newbern. — To Savannah again. — To Augusta. —
Life in Augusta. — To Northern Georgia. — To At
lanta. — Muster-out.  259

APPENDIX.
List of Officers and Men. — Official Report. — Case of
Slave Caroline. — General Index.

History of the Thirteenth Connecticut.

CHAPTER I.
What true American can evflr forget those dark
days that followed the first battle of Manassas ! how
the nation was bewildered, blinded, stunned for an
hour, by that unexpected blow ! what thrills of
shame and rage tingled in every nerve of the body
politic ! with what frantic energy it then began to gird
itself for a death grapple with the monster Rebellion !
how beautiful the first flashes of a million bayonets in
the northern sky !
Of all the regiments in that vast host, few, if any,
were more patriotic or more brave than the Thirteenth
Connecticut. Not with hot haste or mad excitement,
not with noisy or glittering parade, nor yet with lavish
outlay of money, did its officers collect a thoughtless
or mercenaiy throng. But uniting ardent zeal with
a cool estimate of the dangers and sacrifices, and
holding up to view the great issues of Religion, Lib
erty, Civilization and Union, they made deliberate
selection of their men. The day of bounties had not
come. Conscription had not been thought of. The
romance of a march " On to Richmond " had van
ished. The holiday of McDowell's army had closed
with fireworks that rained blood and death. The
2

12
in the summer of 1861. A severe attack of inflam
matory rheumatism, brought on by the cold and
dampness of the New Haven barracks, which he
shared equally with the private soldiers, deprived us
of his presence during most of the winter of 1861-2
and the whole of the following spring. He was
mustered-in on the ninth of April. He rejoined us
about the first of June, 1862.
Colonel Warner was an active, energetic officer, and
the drills he gave the regiment were valuable in pre
paring it for the field. He was a clear-headed business
man, attentive to the comfort of the soldiers and desir
ous of securing to them their rights. In June, 1863,
while the regiment was at Port Hudson, being absent
in New Orleans on " sick leave," he was assigned to
the task of raising a battalion for the defence of that
city. This service he performed with skill and
energy. He resigned his commission and was honor
ably discharged on the twenty-ninth of July, 1863.
He immediately accepted a position as special agent
of the Treasury Department at New Orleans, which he
held until recently. He is understood to be now cul
tivating a cotton plantation in Mississippi.
Major Richard E. Holcomb, of East Granby, Conn.,
had also served honorably in the three months' cam
paign of 1861 as Quartermaster of the Third Con
necticut. Before the war he was a railroad contrac
tor. He was a man of remarkable force of body and
mind. Soon after we reached New Orleans he was
selected by General Butler to raise a regiment of
Louisiana men. This was the First Louisiana a
white regiment, of which he was commissioned
Colonel on the sixteenth of August, 1862. On .the

13
fatal fourteenth of June, 1863, at Port Hudson, he
fell at the head of the assaulting column in a charge
upon the rebel stronghold. The Thirteenth always
loved his memory, and regarded him as one of their
own number. There was a rugged grandeur in his
stern yet generous nature, a rough strength, an
unyielding determination, a heroic soul ; and when
his scattered brains besprinkled the van of our regi
ment on that day of horrors, a cruel pang tore our
breasts, for we felt that the bravest of our brave had
fallen. Adjutant William M. Grosvenor, of New Haven,
was local editor of the New Haven Palladium at the
breaking out of hostilities. To the performance of
the duties of adjutant he brought signal ability. He
united untiring industry and an iron constitution
with quickness of insight, clearness of comprehension,
and an unwonted energy. On the 31st of December,
1862, he was promoted to be Captain of Co. D. On
the 14th of June, 1863, he was shot through the arm
at Port Hudson. On the 29th of October, 1863, he
was mustered as Colonel of the Second Regiment
Louisiana Native Guards (colored). After the war
he was for a time one of the editors of the New
Haven Journal and Courier. Recently he has
assumed the editorial charge of the Missouri Demo
crat at St. Louis, where he is a decidedly rising man.
At mention of Quartermaster Joseph B. Bromley,
of Norwich, a smile infallibly overspreads the counte
nance of every member of the Thirteenth. His inex
haustible wit and humor were irrepressible on all
occasions, and many good jokes and amusing inci-

14
dents are related of him. He was not less funny than
his younger brother " Ike," editor of the Norwich
Bulletin. Those who only knew of his mirth and
facetiousness, however, only half knew him. He had
a vein of serious thought, a keen conscience that
never allowed him to do wrong with impunity, and an
unwavering belief in the great doctrines of the Chris
tian religion. His heart was as pure and. warm as
ever beat in human breast. Whatever conduct seemed
questionable was the result of his desire to make his
regiment comfortable, or to gratify the fun-loving
propensities of his associates. His services ended
with his resignation on the 29th of December, 1863.
He was afterwards located at Thibodaux, La., as a
special agent of the Treasury Department, or, as he
ttermed it, "A snapper-up of unconsidered trifles."
jHe was a valuable member of the Union Convention
to form the new constitution for the reconstructed
State of Louisiana, and was also a candidate for Con
gressional honors. He has since been engaged in
planting near New Orleans in company with Colonel
'Charles L. Norton, of Parmington, Conn*
Chaplain Charles C. Salter, of New Haven, was a
graduate of Yale College, of the class of 1852, and
afterwards a tutor in that institution. He had been
settled as a minister in Minneapolis, Minnesota, but
resigned his pastorate on account of ill health. He
was distinguished for his thorough scholarship, and
still more for his fervent piety and his zeal in every
good cause. As a minister of religion, a kind, warm
and affectionate friend, especially to the suffering and
the distressed, he greatly endeared himself to many
*The generous and genial Bromley died of fever at New Orl«,.
;Sept. 3d, 1866, at the age of 39. ""eans,

15
of the soldiers. He realized the perfect picture which
Goldsmith gives of the faithful preacher. Mr. Salter's
health failed him. After a ministry of several months
he was forced by bronchial disease to resign his com
mission on the 15th of June, 1862. He has since
resided in Minneapolis.
Surgeon Benjamin N. Comings, of New Britain,
Conn., had practiced medicine and surgery with suc
cess for many years. He compiled a popular school-
book on Physiology, and was a lecturer on that science
in the State Normal School. He had attained repu
tation as a temperance advocate, giving especial atten
tion to the effect of alcohol on the brain. On the 6th
of August, 1862, he nearly lost his life by the sink
ing of the steamer Whileman on the Mississippi with
a load of wounded of whom he was in charge, from
the battle-field of Baton Rogue. An inflated rub
ber pillow, buttoned beneath his overcoat, kept him
afloat. The doctor was a close " student of natural
history ; especially ornithology. Many a hapless wild
fowl attested his accuracy as a marksman in the woods
around Thibodaux, until our waggish quartermaster
made the officers believe that guerillas infested the
neighborhood. On all occasions he showed himself a
skillful Surgeon. He resigned his commission in
January, 1863, and has since resided in New Britain,
where he is greatly esteemed.
First Assistant-Surgeon George Clary was a native
of New Hampshire and a practising physician of Hart
ford, Conn. He entered the war from patriotic
motives, and remained in the service until the final
muster-out of the Veteran Battalion. In our first
battle Dr. Clary accompanied the regiment into the

16
hottest fire, and manifested that calm courage which
proceeds from deep convictions of right and conscien
tious devotion to the cause of his country. His
merits were recognized by his promotion, May 23d,
1863, to fill the vacancy caused Dr. Comings' resig
nation. Second Assistant-Surgeon Nathan A. Fisher was
se-nt as an additional medical officer by the State of
Connecticut, which, in its parental care, left no means
untried to promote the health and comfort of the
soldiers. His extensive experience and his practice
in the southern states previous to the war, were of
much value to the regiment. He was held in high
esteem by officers and men. Ill-health compelled his
resignation June 16th, 1863. He has since resided
in Norwich.
Sergeant-Major George W. Whittlesey, of Norwich,
after serving with great fidelity in that capacity, suc^
ceeded Grosvenor as adjutant, Dec. 31st, 1862. He
made a most excellent staff officer. He resigned on
account of sickness, Oct. 9th, 1863 .He has since,
resided in Norwich, where he has been engaged in the
coal trade.
Quartermaster-sergeant Andrew T. Johnson, of
Montville, Conn., was one of the first non-commis
sioned officers promoted to a lieutenancy. He
enlisted twenty or thirty men for " special service in
the Quartermaster's Department," and was an officer
of much promise. His commission as Lieutenant bore
date June 30th, 1862. The high hopes of his friends
were blasted by his sudden death, caused by the explo
sion of an ammunition car at the LaFourche Railroad
Crossing, near Thibodaux, La., Nov. 7th, 1862.

IT
Commissary-Sergeant Charles A. Tracy, of
Montville, was promoted to a lieutenancy in Colonel
Holcomb's regiment, the First Louisiana, on its orga
nization, July 16th, 1862. His skill and economy in
weighing out rations were valuable to the Quarter
master of the Thirteenth. He was afterwards made
quartermaster of the First Louisiana, a position he
filled with great credit.
Hospital Steward William Bishop, of Southington,
Conn., was clerk in the apothecary establishment of
Hale A Dickinson at New Britain before the war. He
was conspicuous for the fearless discharge of his duty
in the midst of the dangers of battle at Irish Bend.
Though a non-combatant, he volunteered in the
storming column at Port Hudson. On the 1st of
May, 1864, he was promoted to be quartermaster, a
position which he filled with honor to himself and
advantage to the regiment. He is now travelling
agent of the Union Paper Mills, Springfield, Mass.*
Principal-Musician, alias " Drum Major," Joseph
Hadley, of New London, Conn., had been a musician
more than twenty years before, in the Seminole War
in Florida. He was one of the most accomplished
of drummers, and would evoke a surprising amount of
music from that most unmelodious of all instruments.
Unfortunately he got into the habit of deserting in
the summer of 1863, and finally disappeared alto
gether in August, 1864.
To fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of
Chaplain Salter, Rev. Henry Upson, of Berlin, Conn.,
then a theological student at Yale, was commissioned
on the 16th of June, 1862. He joined us about the
*Married Miss Ellen Lum, of Naugatuck, April 18, 1867.

18
first of the ensuing September and remained with us
a year. In his care for the soul he did not forget the
body. He was not only an eloquent and faithful
preacher, but a good forager, as many a load of tur
keys, pigs, sweet potatoes, and the like, brought into
camp and distributed by him to the half-starved sol
diers, bore abundant witness. At the battle of Irish
Bend he displayed great courage, and rendered invalu
able service by communicating orders, and by dis
pensing refreshments and consolation to the wounded.
He is now settled in the ministry in New Preston.
Second Assistant-surgeon Samuel McClellan, of
New Haven, cousin of Major-General McClellan, was
commissioned March 14th, 1863. Having been de
tailed in charge of the University Hospital in New
Orleans, he was absent from the regiment iintil their
veteran furlough in July, 1864. As a physician he
was successful, and the hospital under his charge was
a model establishment. As a gentleman, he was cul
tivated, refined, and of steady habits. He had charge
of the hospital boat " Laurel Hill," on Banks' Red
River expedition, and not having the hospital flag, (a
yellow flag, bearing a very large letter H), flying, his
boat was hotly fired on by a party of guerillas, about
the 1st of May, 1864. He . gives an interesting
account of his loading and discharging with his own
hands one of the pieces of artillery during the fight.
On the 9th of May, 1863, he was promoted to be
First Assistant-surgeon.
Second Assistant-surgeon Lucius W. Clark of
Winsted, Conn., had been a Yankee schoolmaster.
He was commissioned July 9th, 1863, and joined the
regiment at Carrolton, La., next month. We were

19
then, and for some months afterwards, suffering to an
unusual extent from swamp fevers, and Dr. Clarke
rendered invaluable assistance. Few surgeons ever
took so much pains, or had so much success, in the
treatment of the sick. The soldiers of the Thirteenth
will ever retain a grateful recollection of his kindness
and skill. He remained with the regiment and bat
talion until the final muster-out. He is now residing
in Cambridge, Wisconsin ; unmarried, but hopeful.
At least the nucleus of every company was in the
New Haven barracks previous to December' 1st, 1861.
The building was the large carriage-factory of Messrs.
Durham & Booth, corner of Chapel and Hamilton
streets, since burned down. The regiment was not
filled suddenly. Twelve regiments, comprising not
less than eleven thousand men, had already been
raised in Connecticut. The growth of each company
was rapid or slow according to the popularity of the
proposed officers, the influences of friends, the efforts
made by advertising, by recruiting agents, by holding
war meetings, and in some instances, by the offer of
money. Every recruit was taken before Dr. S. G.
Hubbard, or some other of the appointed physicians,
and carefully examined as to his physical ability. If
he passed the test, he was sworn into the United
States service, made to sign enlistment papers in trip
licate, furnished a suit of blue clothes, and sent to
drill with a musket in the barracks. Once in two or
three weeks the mustering officer, Lieut. W. W.
Chamberlin of the Fourteenth United States Infantry,
who afterwards fell at Fredericksburgh, visited and
mustered them. The last company was accepted
Jan. 7th, 1862.

20
Company A was commenced in August, 1861, in
the town of New Britain by First Lieutenant John E.
Woodruff and Second Lieutenant Charles H. Corn- •
well. It was at first intended for the Eleventh regi
ment, which left Connecticut on the sixteenth of
December of that year. Mr. Henry L. Bidwell, of
Brooklyn, N. Y., formerly of Hartford, was soon
afterward associated with them as captain. The com
pany was called after the popular governor of Con
necticut, " The Buckingham Guards," and that dis
tinguished official presented its captain with a beau
tiful sword. One autumn evening about twenty
young men, members of some of the most respectable
families of New Britain, joined the company in a body.
Among them were First-sergeant Cowles, whose death
on the 19th of February, 1862, was one of the first
that filled the regiment with mourning ; the two
Frank Stanleys, whose life-blood moistened the san
guinary field of Irish Bend; Gladden and Carpenter,
and other brave men whose names are forever enrol
led among those of the martyrs of liberty. No town
in Connecticut can point with more pride to its heroic
dead. On the 26th of November, 1861, the " Buckingham
Guards " entered New Haven, and marched to the
barracks. Here they occupied the corner room, sec
ond floor, at the intersection of Chapel and Hamilton
streets. Being the right flank company they were
armed with Sharps' Rifles.
B was begun in October of the same year as a com
pany of sharp-shooters by Captain Apollos Comstock
of New Canaan, Conn., assisted by First Lieutenant

21
William E. Bradley of the same town, and Second
Lieutenant William C. Beecher, of Southbury, Conn.
The test of most accurate shooting had to be aban
doned after a few weeks' trial. This was about the
middle of December, when the company entered the
barracks. Captain Comstock was indefatigable in his
efforts. Hisbuggy was his recruiting office. He rode
through the State holding war meetings, testing the
skill of applicants, giving time and money freely to the
cause. This patriotic and noble energy was well
rewarded by the enlistment of one of the finest
companies that served during the war.
Like A, they soon lost their first-sergeant, Haw-
ley, by sickness. He was a man of character, ability,
and integrity ; was discharged from service in
June, 1862, and soon afterwards died of consumption.
Being the left flank company, they were armed with
Sharps' Rifles.
Co. C was raised by Captain Charles D. Blinn, of
West Cornwall, assisted by his cousin, First Lieuten
ant Issac F. Nettleton, of Kent, and Second Lieuten
ant Charles E. Tibbets, of New Milford. They
established a recruiting office in Cornwall and another
in Kent. The company was raised, almost wholly
from the northwestern portion of the State especialy
from the three towns which were the homes of the
three officers, a fact which testifies to their personal
worth and popularity. Another indication to the
same effect is seen in the rapidity with which their
ranks were filled. They marched into New Haven in
November, eighty-three strong, under the designation
of the " Lyon Guards," called after that distinguished

22
son of Connecticut, who fell in Missouri early in the
war. Nettleton was the first of our officers to die. In
September, 1862, he fell under the fatal stroke of dis
ease in New Orleans. His death caused a deep gloom
and heartfelt sorrow among his associates. His body
was embalmed and sent north ; but the operation had
been so unskillfuUy performed that it was necessary
to throw it overboard in mid-ocean.
C was the color company, and right gallantly
bore the beautiful flag of Connecticut and the ever-
glorious Stars and Stripes through many a fight.
Co. D was raised by Captain Cyrus E. Prindle, of
Roxbury, First Lieutenant Perry Averill, of South-
bury, and Second Lieutenant Joseph H. Meredith, of
New Haven. It lost its patriotic captain and second
lieutenant by resignation the following August. In
the same month its efficient first sergeant, George
Mayne, one of the best drilled non-commissioned offi
cers in the regiment, having served in the summer of
1861, was promoted to an office in the First Louisiana.
This company, though small in numbers, contained
many valuable men. Besides Mayne it gave ser
geants Timothy Whittlesey and Eugene Ward in the
summer of 1863 to officer other regiments. It was
called " The Litchfield County Rifles," and that good
old county, mother of so many distinguished sons,
never had cause to be ashamed of the company that
now bore her name.
Co. E was 'raised by Captain Eugene Tisdale of
New Britain, who had served in a Massachusetts regi
ment in the three months' campaign of 1861. He was
ably assisted • by First Lieutenant Eugene E. Graves

23
of Thompson, and Second Lieutenant William P.
Miner, of Norwich. Captain Tisdale was afterwards
promoted to the office of lieutenant colonel in a New
Orleans regiment. Lieutenant Graves became succes
sively captain and major on General Weitzel's staff,
where he is said to have displayed much gallantry.
Col. Tisdale still retains his military office, and resides
in New Orleans.
Of the non-commissioned officers, First-sergeant
Charles H. Beaton, who had served handsomely
through the summer of 1861, and Sergeant George
B. Deming, were afterwards promoted to be commis
sioned officers in the Thirteenth Connecticut. The
latter afterwards accepted a captaincy in the Fifth
Regiment, Corps d'Afrique. Beaton is now captain of
a battery. Co. E. was composed of good material and always
showed real pluck. For its excellence it was de
tailed as Provost Guard at New Orleans in the sum
mer of 1862, and afterwards at Washington, La., in
the spring of 1863. It rejoiced at first in the appel
lation of " The New England Guards."
Co. F was raised by Captain James J. McCord, of
Norwich, who had served honorably in the three sum
mer months as Second Lieutenant of Company B,
Second Connecticut Infantry. He was aided by First
Lieutenant Charles J. Fuller, of Hartford, and Second
Lieutenant John C. Abbott, of Norwich. Lieutenant
Fuller had recruited about a dozen men under the
name of " The Catlin Rifles " in honor of Lieut. Gov.
Catlin, from whom he received a handsome sword and
sash. Captain McCord was one of our most exemplary
and efficient officers: He now resides in Norwich.

24
His eminent military merit has recently caused his
promotion to the colonelcy of the Third Connecticut.
Lieutenant Abbott was soon detached as signal
officer, in which capacity he distinguished himself
by his skill, industry and courage. He was
actively engaged on board the sloop-of-war Richmond
at the great bombardment of Port Hudson, March
14th, 1863, when Farragut run the gauntlet of the
rebel batteries.
Private David Black of this company was the first
soldier of the Thirteenth Connecticut killed in battle.
He fell at Georgia Landing, Oct. 27th, 1862. Ser
geant James Torrance was the first offering of the
Thirteenth at the investment of Port Hudson, May
24th, 1863. He was one of our bravest and best men.
Among those discharged to accept commissions in
other regiments were corporals George R. Case and
Amos R. Ladd, and private George R. Sanders.
Notwithstanding these losses the company never
lacked for true manliness, nor failed to achieve an
enviable reputation.
Co. G was raised by Captain Sylvester G. Gilbert, of
Hebron, Conn., assisted by First Lieutenant Denison
H. Finley, of Marlborough, Conn., and Second Lieu
tenant Joseph S. A. Baker, of New Haven. The
Captain had been a successful professor of music.
Lieutenant Baker had been Second Lieutenant of
Company C, Third Connecticut, during the summer
campaign of 1861. He was one of the most thor
oughly drilled of our officers, having enjoyed the
advantages of a semi-military education at Russell's
Collegiate and Commercial Institute, New Haven.
The company lost its excellent Captain by resigna
tion, July 16, 1862, and also soon lost all its Sergeants

25
by discharge for physical disability. Yet, through
the unwearied efforts of Lieut. Baker, it attained
great excellence in drill, and was inferior to none in
martial appearance or solid merit. It was always a
fine company. It was recruited under the name of
" The Hebron Rifles." Finley was promoted to a
captaincy and was for a long time assigned to duty on
the staff of General Grover. He was an energetic
and clear-headed officer.
After his discharge Captain Gilbert was again con
nected with the army as sutler, and was afterwards
captain in a colored regiment. Lieutenant Baker,
having served till the close of the year 1864 was mus-
tered-out of service. He was afterwards engaged in
vine-growing in Ohio, but now resides in New Haven.
Co. H was raised by Captain Homer B. Sprague,
First Lieutenant Jonah F. Clarke and Second Lieu
tenant Julius Tobias, all of New Haven. Captain
Sprague had previously used his law office for recruit
ing and enlisted fifty men for the Seventh Connecti
cut. These unanimously elected him captain, which
office he then declined. In Nov. 1863, he was com
missioned Colonel of the Eleventh Regiment, CD.
A. In November, 1861, Lieutenant Clark commenced
raising a company under the name of " The Winfield
Scott Guards." Lieutenant Tobias, who had been
severely wounded in the Austrian service, had col
lected about twenty men. These bore the name of
" The Welch Rifles," in honor of the patriotic mayor
of New Haven. These squads were consolidated, and
the company raised under the latter name.
Lieutenant Clarke died of fever at Baton Rouge,
January 27th, 1863. He was a brave, intelligent, up-
3*

26
right and patriotic officer, and his loss was deeply felt.
Sprague is now principal of the State Normal School
at New Britain, Conn.
First Sergeant Merrill, who had seen service in
South America, and been First Lieutenant in the
Second Connecticut, afterwards declined a commission
which was offered him as Captain in the First Louisi
ana. Sergeants James M. Gardner and Charles H.
Grosvenor became respectively lieutenant and major
of the First Louisiana. Private Louis Meissner was
successively promoted to be corporal, sergeant, first-
sergeant, second lieutenant and first lieutenant. He
fell gallantly fighting, April 23d, 1864, in the bloody
battle of Cane River, La.
Co. H was a good company. " The men are better
set up than the rest," remarked Inspector-general
Dudley of them at Thibodaux, in the fall of 1862. l
Co. I was raised by Captain Henry L. Schleiter, of
New London, assisted by First Lieutenant Frank
Wells, of Litchfield, and Second Lieutenant Joseph
Strickland, of New London.
The Captain had begun to collect a company under
the name of " The New London Rifles," and in com
pany with Lieutenant Strickland had procured thirty
or forty recruits. Lieutenant Wells had also been
¦very successful in Litchfield county, and by the
patriotic aid of his brother-in-law, Hon. John H.
Hubbard, and other distinguished men, had obtained
fifty or sixty. "When the two bodies were consoli
dated, there was no better-looking company in the
service, and its deeds were of corresponding merit.
Lieutenant Strickland was the first officer of the
Thirteenth killed in battle. It was at the head of the
•charging column on the 14th of June, 1863, at Port

27
Hudson ; and of the many gallant officers that then
fell, there was none more fearless or 'more deeply
mourned. Lieutenant Wells served on the staff of the celebra
ted General Phelps, also of Generals Birge and King.
He repeatedly distinguished himself by gallantry in
action. He, as well as Sergeant Louis Beckwith, and
Corporal Abner N. Sterry, became captain in the Vet
eran Battalion, after the muster-out of the regiment.
Co. K was originally intended for the Twelfth Con
necticut. It was commenced in August, 1861, by
First Lieutenant Jared D. Thompson, Second Lieu
tenant William F. Norman and Sergeant John T.
Wheeler ; all of New Haven. It was the first com
pany to enter the barracks, reaching them one day
earlier than Co. A. It was raised under the name of
" The Knowlton Rifles." It had been the understand
ing that Lieutenant Thompson should be captain,
and Wheeler, second lieutenant. But unfortunate
difficulties having arisen, Alfred Mitchell, Esq., of
Norwich, an author by . profession and a particular
friend of Colonel Birge, was commissioned captain.
Sergeant Wheeler's merits soon secured his promotion
to a lieutenancy. Sergeant William C. Gardner,
John C. Kinney and George G. Smith were afterwards
commissioned the first two in the Thirteenth Connec
ticut, the latter, who had brought a squad of recruits
into the company, in the First Louisiana. Kinney
was detailed as acting signal officer oh the flagship
Hartford. During the severe naval action in Mobile
harbor he was lashed to one mast and Farragut to the
other. Captain Mitchell was commissioned major, May

28
12th, 1863, but declined. He resigned his captaincy
March 11th, -1864, having been on the staff of Colonel
(afterwards of General) Birge nearly all the time.
On the 7th of November, 1862, Lieutenant Wheeler
was instantly killed by the explosion of an ammuni
tion car on the New Orleans, Opelousas and Great
Western Railroad. The regiment thus lost a valu
able officer and a true man.
Co. K was a fighting company, rarely missing an
opportunity to distinguish itself in that line. It is
due to the members, however, to state that their bel
ligerent propensities were displayed, for the most
part, against the public enemies. They were clearly
of the opinion that war could not be conducted on
peace principles. In the battle of Cedar Creek and
on other occasions the company rendered eminent
service.

The winter of 1861-2 was very severe. The bar
racks, three stories high, were only partially warmed
by steam pipes, which often got out of order ; when
the temperature would suddenly pass to the extreme
of cold. It was difficult to ventilate the rooms prop
erly. The beds of the soldiers were arranged one
above the other, each company by itself. The officers
generally had rooms in town, but some chose to
remain in the barracks. The soldiers suffered, and
the seeds of many a sickness and many a death were
sown in these dreary and unwholesome quarters.
Measles, the invariable concomitant of a crowd of sol
diers, broke out among them and carried off some of
our best men. Small-pox made its appearance but

was managed so skillfully that the soldiers and the
community knew nothing of it till the danger was
past. The infected were quietly removed to a pest-
house. Report was spread that they had deserted, or
were absent without leave. One of the nurses of
these patients, private James Barry, Co. F, was sup
posed to have deserted ; and so generally was this
believed, that his afflicted wife, giving full credit to
this report, left Norwich and returned to her native
Scotland ! First-sergeant Cowles of Company A,
private Slover of C, Welch of D, Warner of G, Win.
F. Scribner of H, Ferris and Tyrell of I, Ryan and
Goldsmith of K, were among those who died before
the regiment left New Haven, of disease engendered
within those unhealthy walls.
One large room in the east side of the building was
set apart as a chapel. Here divine services were held
every morning at 9 o'clock, with preaching every Sun
day. Rev. J. M. Dudley, residing in Olive Street,
New Haven, usually officiated. Occasionally Rev.
James H. Bradford, at that.time a student in the Yale
Theological School, afterwards chaplain of the Twelfth
Connecticut, conducted the services. Sergeant (after
wards Lieutenant) John C. Kinney, Co. K, then a
theological student, could also be depended upon to
lead the devotions. His Excellency, Gov. Bucking
ham, was present at one of these meetings and offered
a fervent prayer. About the first of February, 1862,
the field and company officers were called upon to
choose a regimental chaplain. The two prominent
candidates were Rev. Mr. Win slow, formerly of the
New Britain Center Church, and Rev. Mr. Salter, of
whom mention has already been made. Mr. Wins-

30
low's ready eloquence and social qualities made him
a powerful competitor ; but Mr. Salter's long acquaint
ance and companionship prevailed, and he was com
missioned accordingly on the 5th of February, 1862.
At evening the chapel room often presented a scene
of surpassing interest. Lectures were delivered by
eloquent orators, speeches made by professional and
other gentlemen, the fairest ladies of the city sung
sweet and stirring songs. Especially was the subject
of temperance urged upon the soldiers, and with good
effect. A temperance society was formed, and large
numbers signed the pledge of total abstinence. Rev.
Mr. Dudley deserves the thanks of every soldier for
his efforts to make us all better and happier.
The patriotic ladies of New Haven merit a more
particular notice in this history. They sent innumer
able comforts to the sick, and presented every soldier
with what they called a "house-wife" — a nice little
arrangement of pin cushion, needles, thread and the
like, in compact form and sometimes with the name
of the fair maker embroidered thereon. They hardly
need the assurance of our thankfulness now ; as many
a marriage knot, tied during and since the war, will
testify that these names, and the beautiful faces and
forms that sometimes glided through our gloomy
barracks and reappeared in dreams as we lay on the
frosty ground or beneath pelting storms, were never
forgotten. Especially is a sumptuous dinner, given
by them to our soldiers on the anniversary of Wash
ington's birthday, gratefully remembered ; when the
delicious viands were rendered doubly attractive by
their charming presence.

31
When a sufficient number had enlisted in a com
pany, an election of officers was held, and the suc
cessful candidates were immediately commissioned
by Gov. Buckingham. A few Lieutenants had receiv
ed appointments previously, to facilitate recruiting.
Daily drills by the officers and sergeants were had
in the barracks or outside except Sundays. In the
chapel room the officers were thoroughly exercised in
the manual of arms and the school of the company
by John Arnold, Esq., formerly General of the State
militia, and Colonel of the 3d Connecticut in the three
months' campaign. Upon the suggestion of Captain
Tisdale, the so-called Zouave stack-of-arms was adopt
ed by the regiment. Aware of the great importance
of pride of appearance and esprit du corps, Col. Birge
early endeavored to induce the officers to pay extraor
dinary attention to neatness, cleanliness, and martial
bearing. He secured dark blue trousers in place of
the regulation sky-blue; every belt, shoe and box
must be neatly polished ; every gun-barrel and bayo
net must shine like a mirror ; every hand must wear
a glove of spotless white ; every form must be erect
and manly ; every soldier must feel himself a gentle
man. A few months later, when we entered New
Orleans and marched to the custom-house in all " the
pride, pomp and circumstance of glorious war," we
were greatly amused and edified by the frequent com
ment among the thousands of spectators, " This regi
ment is composed only of rich men's sons !" " They
say they didn't receive any soldiers taxed for less than
five thousand dollars!" Parton, in his "Butler in
New Orleans," styles the Thirteenth Connecticut a

" dandy regiment." Many prophesied that our men
would prove parlor soldiers, fit only to
" caper nimbly in a lady's chamber,
To the lascivious pleasing of a lute,"
and that those fine clothes would never tarry to be
riddled by bullets. A year or two afterwards, at the
close of a hot battle, Captain Sprague reminded Colo
nel Birge of these predictions. " Well," he replied,
" I noticed they did'nt run away, like some of those
dirty regiments !"
Little occurred to break the monotony of the daily
routine. Occasionally the Governor would visit us,
when special pains would be taken to present a- good
appearance. Frequently we marched through the
streets of New Haven, drilled in front of the Tontine
Hotel or on Whitney Avenue, or attended church by
companies. In the latter part of February the regi
ment turned out in funeral procession in honor of the
lamented Colonel Russell, of the Tenth Connecticut,
killed at Roanoke Island. During this winter Colonel
Birge was disabled for some weeks by a severe injury
to his knee, having been thrown from his horse. In
February, a board of examiners, of which Brigadier
General Daniel Tyler was chairman, examined the
company officers in the Regulations and Tactics.
Of course we were not free from the usual bicker
ings of army life. At one time eighteen men were
shut up in our guard house for refusing to do duty.
They claimed that they had been enlisted under false
pretences, " for special service in the Quartermaster's
Department," and that they were unjustly put into
the ranks. They employed counsel and refused to

33
drill. Great was the excitement, for their complaints
were not unfounded. At the request of the Colonel,
who remarked, " If I had them in the field, I should
know better how to deal with them ; but I fear that
severe measures now would retard the recruiting,"
the captain of Company H visited them in the guard
room, listened to their complaints, explained to them
their obligations, showed them that no one had au
thority to enlist them for " special service," but that
by their voluntary enlistment they had bound them
selves in writing and by a solemn oath to obey the
orders of their superior officers, promised them their
choice of companies, and appealed to their patriotism
and manhood to show themselves true men and good
soldiers. The appeal was successful. They were re
leased from arrest and did their duty manfully ever
after. At another time, during our stay at the New Haven
barracks, the soldiers grew clamorous for their pay,
and many refused to drill until their demands were
satisfied. Major Holcomb called some of the most
obstinate, loaded his pistol in their presence, and read
to them the ninth Article of War, which threatens
death to those who " disobey the lawful order of their
superior officer." It needed but a single look at the
Major to satisfy them that he was not trifling. They
yielded, and in a few days after received their pay.
Nor is the " undress parade" of company K forgot
ten. Lieutenant Thompson had somehow excited the
ire of those of his men who were unpoetically styled
" Head-of-the-wharf Rats." One midnight, on return
ing to the barracks, he found bottles, guns, valises,
4

34
chairs, tables and various trumpery piled to the ceil
ing on his bed. Thereupon he ordered every man
out into line, where they shivered two mortal hours,
almost as " Naked as when from earth they came."
It was generally conceded that the Lieutenant had the
best of it.
On the 18th of February most of the officers were
mustered into the service of the United States by
Lieutenant Chamberlin. Until that date they were
in the pay of the State of Connecticut. , Into, the
usual form of the oath, " to serve" the nation "faith
fully against all enemies or opposers whomsoever," he
inserted the words, " against England or any foreign
power that may wage war against us."
We now awaited Orders to depart. We hoped for
any other destination rather than the Department of
the Gulf. But Major General B. F. Butler was at the
time engaged in organizing his great " New England
Division" for service in the extreme south, and he so
managed as to secure the ninth, twelfth and thir
teenth Connecticut regiments. The ninth had left
us in the preceding November ; the twelfth, on the
twenty-fourth of February.
Sunday, March 16, 1862, the long-expected orders
came. Colonel Birge called the officers together:
" You will hold your commands in readiness to move
to-morrow. Our destination is undoubtedly Ship
Island." Monday, March 17, was a sad day to most of us,
though the bustle and excitement of preparation kept
the officers busy till the moment of embarkation. Pa-

35
rents, brothers, sisters, wives and other loved ones
gathered around us for a parting grasp of the hand
and a last good-bye. We were well assured that many
of us would never return ; that sickness would pros
trate some, the sword others ; sorrow and hardship
and danger would encompass all. Yet high hopes
and firm resolves mingled with these forebodings, as,
proudly conscious that we were the representatives of
the great republic, we filed with streaming banners
down Chapel; Street to the landing near Tomlinson's
Bridge, and marched on board the steamer " Granite
State."

CHAPTER II.
Arriving in New York Harbor on the morning of
March 18th, 1862, we were transferred to the ship
City of New York, a staunch vessel of eighteen hun^
dred tons. The ship had been fitted iip for our recep
tion under the superintendence of Captaiii Mitchell,1
who had been sent to New York; for the purpose by-
Colonel Birge, and whose extensive experience in
traveling by sea had thoroughly qualified him for'
the task. The " bunks " for the officers had each the
sliding tin dish fastened alongside suggestive of the
effects of sea-sickness. We laughed at the idea at
first, but most of us came to regard the contrivance
with a friendly and solemn interest. In one particu
lar the arrangements were defective. No proper and
sufficient room had been allowed for a hospital. Col.
Birge and staff and Captain Mitchell occupied the
cabin rooms on the quarter deck with Mr. Salter, the
captain of the ship. The rest of the officers were in
the ward-room below. The nominal aggregate of the
regiment was one thousand and seventeen, of whom
thirty-nine were commissioned officers. Many of the
enlisted men were left behind, sick or deserters ; so
that the number on board, all told, was about nine
hundred and fifty, besides the crew.
We remained in New York Harbor and Sandy Hook
Bay five days, taking in stores and, waiting for favor
able winds. Sunday, March 23d, we weighed anchor
about noon, and in a few hours saw the, heights of
Neversink vanishing beyond the distant waves.

37
For twenty days we were afloat. We stood far out
into the Atlantic, passing around the eastern coast of i
Great Abaco, one of the Bahamas, and in full view of
the famous " Hole in the Wall," through which the
billows are forever tumbling. A barren group
appeared these islands, windy, rocky, sandy ; the
peaks and ridges of submerged mountains scorched
by every sun and swept by every blast. We' thought
if Guanahani, the San Salvador of Columbus, and the
first land discovered by him looked like the rest, a
melancholy satisfaction must have rewarded the great
navigator after his seventy days' sail ; but the books
say that to his vivid imagination the island seemed
" covered with forests and decked with all the flowers
of the tropics !"
Soon after passing Cape Hatteras we had the usual
" Storm at Sea." We were in the Gulf Stream. It
came on at night with much lightning and heavy
wind, rain and thunder. Some of the soldiers, who
had never been on salt water before, were afflicted
with anxiety and sea-sickness ; a combination amus
ing enough to all but the sufferers. It was a night of
horrors to poor Underwood, our fife-major, the begin
ning of whose fatal sickness dates from this storm.
An officer of the day was regularly detailed to look
after the order and cleanliness of the ship and men.
The work of sorubbing was renewed every morning by
fatigue parties. Messrs. Wait and Champion, sutlers,
accompanied as. Either the soldiers or the sailors
committed extensive larcenies of their goods. To
bacco, cigars' and raisins strangely disappeared. Poor
Wait was reduced to the point of death by rheumatic
fever. This was but a prelude to their woes ; for soon
4*

38
after arriving in New Orleans, they were robbed of a
# largo sum; in the following autumn Champion had
both legs broken, and his stock of merchandise was
smashed by a railroad explosion.
Daily, when the weather permitted, the Colonel
assembled the officers on the quarter deck at three p.
m., and heard them recite carefully-prepared lessons
from Hardee's Tactics or the Army Regulations.
These lessons and the discussion of disputed points
were of great utility.
Occasionally for some misdemeanor it was found
necessary to punish a soldier by tying him to the
mast, gunwale, or rigging, or thrusting him into the
stifling air of the " dark hole." Many of us recollect
3iow Captain Salter pursued one of the seamen with
¦cocked pistol, endeavoring to shoot him for mutinous
language, and how emphatically he swore on the
'Occasion ; which drew out from Captain M., the
remarkable statement, " I should never dare to cross
the ocean in a ship with a captain who did not swear."
Every morning at nine o'clock the soldiers were
'Called together for prayers by our faithful chaplain
Salter, when a chapter of the bible was read, a hymn
sung, and prayer offered. At evening, religious meet
ings of great interest was held in the quarters of the
enlisted men. Cases of undoubted reformation and
conversion gladdened the chaplain and those seriously
disposed. The experience of after years often showed
us what indeed must be evident to* a thoughtful
-observer, that, of all persons, the soldier has most need
to be a religious man. Napoleon's maxim (if he ever
•uttered it), "The worse the man, the better the sol
dier," may be true in a clearly unrighteous cause ;
but not otherwise.

39
Sometimes dramatic representations were given at
evening, with recitations and songs. In fact, quite a
theatre was started. Sergeants Gardner, of K, and
Gardner, of H, corporal Devereaux Jones, of A,
afterwards lieutenant in the First Louisiana, and
private Charles Raffile, of K, all actors of experience,
gave scenes from Hamlet and other plays. Between
the scenes songs were sung by private Jeremiah
Keefe, of H, musician James McAllister, of I, pri
vate William B. Bragg, of D, afterwards captain in
the First Louisiana Cavalry, and by others. These
performances afforded entertainment to hundreds of
delighted listeners until near midnight.
Often at evening in fair weather Co. A's accom
plished Glee Club, comprising Lieutenant Woodruff,
sergeant Gladden, corporals Warren, Jones and Car
penter, and private Gladden, assembled on the quar
ter deck at twilight, and charmed all with such songs
as Ihe Star Spangled Banner, The Sword of Bunker
Sill, Hurrah for Old New England, Home Again,
and the more modern music of patriotism and the
fireside. On the 27th of March occurred the first death on
ship-board. It was that of private Michael Dobson,
of Co. H. The disease had long been undermining
his constitution, and the close, crowded, unhealthy
quarters had quickly destroyed his remaining vitality.
The funeral services made a deep impression, as they
always do on those who behold for the first time a
burial at sea. Chaplain Salter officiated, reading the
Episcopal service from the Book of Common Prayer.
The body had been sewed up in the blanket of the
deceased, with a cannon ball at the feet to sink it.

40
The pall-bearers laid it on a plank and lifted it on the
gunwale. The tender pathos of the chaplain's voice
touched every heart. Earth to earth, ashes to ashes,
dust to dust ! The corpse splashed heavily in the
dark green waves and vanished forever. Three times
was tbis solemn scene repeated before we arrived at
Ship Island.
With the usual curiosity we gazed upon the gulf-
weed drifting on its aimless journey ; saw the dark-
blue forms of sharks gliding like attendant demons
beneath us ; saw the dolphins flash past us, the por
poises rolling, the flying fish leaping, the sea-gulls
perpetually hovering in our wake. On the distant
line where sky and water seem to meet, we loved to
watch with our glasses the projecting masts of invisi
ble hulls, proving so plainly the convexity of the ocean.
Sleeping on deck as we advanced further south and
the air grew warmer, we nightly witnessed the stu
pendous march of the moon and stars across the sky ;
and at the great miracle of sunrise and sunset, we
could almost imagine we heard the hiss of- the burn
ing wheels.
The unpoetic side of sleeping there was this : that
precisely at earliest dawn the deck was flooded with
water by the sailors, who took a malicious delight in
wetting us as we lay unconscious in the arms of
Morpheus !
About daylight, Sunday morning, April 6th, we
were suddenly aroused by noise on deck, the loud
voice of the first mate, Mr. Craig, shouting, " Belay
there J Belay !" the stopping of the ship, the heavy
rumbling of the great anchor- chain down the side.
We were wedged in among the most dangerous of the

41
Florida keys, having been drifted several miles out of
our true course by unsuspected currents. Two or
three old wrecks lay in sight. The white breakers
and coral reefs all around us betokened our peril. A
couple of miles distant in the direction of the main
land lay a beautiful circular island, shaded with cocoa-
nut trees. Half hid^among these were buildings that
so far off looked like well-built mansions. An old
man came from the island in a boat. He told us the
place was Indian Key ; he lived by wrecking ; did not
know much about war ; the war did not disturb him ;
the last he had heard was' that the Yankees were
rather getting worsted, but that was several months
before. He gave us valuable information about the
" lay " of the land, or rather, of the rocks. As it was
likely to take several hours to extricate the ship, Col.
Birge went ashore in a row boat, accompanied by Adjt.
Grosvenor, Captains Bidwell, Mitchell, Sprague, Lieut.
Tibbets and one or two others. The sun's rays were
intensely hot, but with sergeant (afterwards major)
Grosvenor, and several other picked oarsmen, we
quickly reached the little island, that looked up so
pretty in the distance. We found it two or three
acres in extent. The romance vanished, for the most
part, on reaching the place. It was low, sandy,
almost destitute of vegetation except a few clusters of
cocoa-nut tree. It had three or four small families,
as many cows, and a dozen pigs. The buildings shrunk
into poor, dilapidated houses without glass windows
and almost without furniture. For drink, the inhabi
tants depended on reservoirs of rain-water beneath
the houses. They gained a rather precarious and mis
erable subsistence by wrecking and fishing, selling.
cocoa-nuts, shells and sponges. On every side the

42
sea-water broke monotonously over the worn, porous,
coral rocks. The margin was fringed with sand
which was bespangled with shells. These, with some
enormous sponges and a few cocoa-nuts, were all we
brought away as curiosities.
After two or three hours' strolling about the island,
during which some of the party went in bathing and
got the prickles of the sea-urchin or some equally
sharp acquaintance introduced to their feet, we com
menced returning. On our way back we were startled
by the sight of a large ocean steamer, which seemed to
rise like an apparition 'from the waves. It made
swiftly for our ship, on board of which we observed
considerable commotion. The troops took post for
fighting, hoisted the Star Spangled Banner, and run
out the two cannon. The strange craft showed no
colors, nor was any one to be seen on her. She
steered straight for the ship, but when about half a
mile distant she suddenly shifted her course and
passed away like a phantom.
We had heard before leaving New York that the'
rebel privateer Alabama was on the Atlantic coast,
and after some sort we had made arrangements to
show fight if attacked. We had taken on board two
old twenty-four pounders from the Brooklyn navy
yard, with a supply of ball cartridge. Every morn
ing at sunrise, First Sergeant Merrill, with private
Thomas Harrison and the rest of his squad of cannon.
iers, fired a shotted gun, and went through an artil
lery drill.
On reaching the ship, Colonel Birge was greatly
annoyed to find that nearly all the officers had taken
the liberty to go off in one of the ship's boats, and had '

43
not returned. This breach of discipline he rebuked
in terms so emphatic that no officer of the Thirteenth
cared to repeat the offence.
Passing Key West we stood in a northerly and
afterwards in a westerly direction, keeping not far
from the Florida coast. As we passed Pensacola the
wind freshened, and by and by it blew almost a gale.
Next morning, off the mouth of Mobile Bay, a violent
thunder storm overtook us. Its effects on Ship
Island were quite serious, prostrating tents and
destroying property. Several soldiers on guard were
killed by lightning. The view of our anchored
squadron lying opposite Forts Morgan and Gaines,
and tossing in dreary solitude on the wild waste of
waters, gave us a repulsive idea of the monotony of
life on a ,blockader.
Saturday, April 12th, towards evening, we first
came in sight of Ship Island. The lower end was
thronged by shipping. It is a long bank of the finest
sand. The greater portion is utterly destitute of trees
and verdure. A few blades of coarse grass and weeds
straggled here and there. We gained a more just
appreciation of the simile in Coleridge's Ancient
Mariner, " Thou art long and lank and brown
As is the ribbed sea-sand."
The water at high tide covers most of the island,
and a storm sometimes rolls the billows quite across,
sweeping everything before them. A few summers
ago it was thus submerged, and quite a number of
lives were lost of persons visiting it from New
Orleans for pleasure. The unfinished fort and the

44
lighthouse, half destroyed by the rebels soon after the
commencement of the war, were the only evidence of
prior occupation. A sergeant of Co. H informed the
writer that he had hunted wild hogs on the upper end
of the island while engaged in smuggling !
As we drew near, the island seemed almost covered
with tents. Sixteen regiments of Butler's command
were already there, besides artillery and cavalry. As
we came to anchor, several batteries were practising
on the level beach, and in the deepening twilight their
flash and roar made the scene quite sublime.
We disembarked next morning, Sunday, April 13th,
1862. For the first time we pitched tents as a regi
ment. We were much straitened for want of room.
The camp ground was an irregular sand-heap. While
the rest of us were leveling it, marking out company
limits, and quarreling about the possession of shovels,
the cooks were busy boiling coffee. Colonel Birge
coming along took a cup, and for want of a spoon
stirred in the sugar with his forefinger, remarking,
" This is what we've got to come to."
On the 15th of April, musician Underwood, of Co.
E, died ; a man of pure character, and simple unpre
tending piety. He had enlisted from patriotic
motives, and won the sympathy of all by his suffer
ings on the ship. His comrades buried him in the
sands ; the first of our regiment to mingle his dust
with southern soil. *
We remained three weeks on Ship Island, having
daily battalion and company drills and dress parades'.
Colonel Birge pursued his design of perfecting the
personal appearance of the men, by selecting at every
guard-mounting the neatest and handsomest for •his

45
orderly, and bestowing special honor upon all such.
His maxim was, Good officers make good men. Slov
enliness was the unpardonable sin. Those were days
of crocus, emery paper, paste blacking, and white
gloves. A spirit of emulation prevailed among the
officers, and they contributed from ten to a hundred
dollars each to purchase the means of display for their
commands. Our first dress parade at Ship Island is
well remembered. The long line of eight hundred
men in dark blue clothing with white gloves and
burnished arms showed like a beautiful painting in
the yellow rays of the setting sun. " Look at them !"
said the Colonel, pointing to the soldiers with enthu
siastic pride as the officers marched up on the dis
missal of parade.
We soon found the island an uncomfortable place.
A small fly abounds here, that bites as vigorously as
the African tsetse, though not poisonous. The fine
white sand would not soil the cleanest linen, but it
drifts like snow in- the perpetual breeze, unerringly
insinuating itself into every crevice. No pains nor
skill could keep it out of our food. Months after
wards on unpacking clothing from the inmost recesses
of our trunks, we found the omnipresent sand even
there. It has one admirable quality : it holds rain
water like a sponge. Dig down two or three feet, and
you find fresh, sweet water in abundance. It is said,
however, to be impregnated with sulphur, and it had
a very laxative effect. In a week or ten days, too, the
water of each well became* vitiated, and it was neces
sary to dig in another spot. Beneath the sand lies a
beautiful, compact, blue clay, which seems to form
the bottom of this sort of rain-water reservoir.
5

46
Above it the sun glares like a white-hot furnace ; so
that we found it necessary to use green goggles.
It was exceedingly difficult to get wood for cooking.
We were obliged to send parties to cut and haul it
¦ through the surf from the upper end of the island
several miles distant.
On Ship Island we first saw General Phelps, of
Brattleboro, Vermont. He had preceded Butler in
arriving on the ground, and had published the cele
brated Ship Island Proclamation, in which he
declared the death of slavery, and invited the Louisi
ana planters to adopt free labor. It required two
years for the nation to come up to that high stand
point, and the country could not even bear to hear
the truth at that time. They thought him insane,
and he was soon forced to resign his commission
rather than submit to what he deemed the tyrannical
requirements of a political general in the interest of
slavery. Like so many of the illustrious advocates of
progress in every age, he may have been too much in
advance of his times ; yet this is his imperishable
glory, that he alone of all our generals at this early
day had the intellect to perceive the truth, the cour
age to proclaim it and the hand to execute it ; and
that, in the summer of 1862, he dared, first of all our
generals, to arm the blacks in defence of liberty, as
the rebel governor of Louisiana had already done in
defence of slavery.
The General used to amuse his soldiers by his dry
wit and shrewd criticisms. * He had a cool incisive
way of taking out conceit, that was refreshing- to the
beholder. One day a red-legged Zouave officer in the
fantastic dress of his regiment swaggered past a group
among whom was General Phelps. The general

47
asked, " What are you ?" •' Me ! I'm a Zouave."
" A Zouave !" said the general, ",Why, what on earth
is that ?" " A Zouave, sir, is a soldier," replied the
" Zou Zou." " Ah ! a soldier ! I thought you was
a circus rider /"
Another day on Ship Island the general was atten
tively watching an officer who was pompously display
ing his ignorance of the very rudiments of tactics at'a
battalion drill. The general called him aside, and
said, " I have been observing for a long time your
remarkable performances in the way of drill." Here
the officer's eyes brightened, expecting some high com
pliment. " I noticed," continued the general, " that
you seem acquainted, I might say, perfectly ac
quainted, with everything," (here ^ie officer's face
wore the blandest of smiles) — " perfectly acquainted
with everything ; except your duty ! Now, you go to
your tent. Study tactics a few weeks ; and when you
have learned something about war, I'll come and see
you drill your company !"
Near the end of April we heard the distant boom
ing of cannon, and at night some thought they could
distinguished the occasional flash of exploding shells.
It was the bombardment of Fort Jackson, about sixty
miles in a direct line from Ship Island. We had
hoped to share in the first grand attack in Louisiana,
but never doubted we should see fighting enough in
the expected battles around New Orleans. It seemed
incredible that they should give up their chief city
without one tremendous conflict by land as well as by
water. The naval fight was indeed terrible ; hardly
paralleled in the annals of war, either for the fierce
ness with which the combatants fought, the destruc-

48
tiveness of the contest, or the completeness of the vic
tory. To the surprise of all of us, the chivalry that
had flamed so brightly seemed to have been suddenly
extinguished in the river. The great city tamely sur
rendered at sight of the first gunboat ; her thirty-
thousand soldiers vanishing before Farragut came
near. The forts surrendered on the twenty-eighth ;
the city, on the twenty-ninth of April, 1862.
On the 3d of May we received orders to be in readi
ness for re-embarkation on the ship City of New York.
Sunday, May 4th, we struck tents in the morning, and
after waiting all day in the hot sand and sunshine, we
commenced going on board at night. On the fifth we
set sail for the southwest pass of the Mississippi. As
we approached* this great outlet, Captain Salter
insisted that it was impossible to cross the bar without
first lightening the ship of its enormous ballast.
Accordingly several scores of soldiers were kept at
hard work a day or two, shoveling the dirt overboard.
It was strongly suspected and loudly complained by
many of the laborers, who " had been there before,"
that all this statement about the difficulty of crossing
the bar at that stage of the water was a mere pre
tence of Captain Salter's, who thus anticipated, they
said,. the labor which would have been necessary at
New Orleans, and saved a few hundred dollars by the
operation. "Sugar," they argued, "makes as good
ballast as pure gravel."
A small steam-tug slowly towed our ship up the
majestic river. It was the second week in May. The
breath of orange groves and millions of flowers the
broad level fields, bounded by the green woods in the
distance, and rich in all the waving glories of that

49
lovely climate and unequaled soil, the beautiful pil
lared mansions of lordly planters, whose taste, culture,
luxury and pride had been amply ministered to by
the unpaid toil of hundreds of slaves — all contrasted
strongly with the white burning sand of Ship Island,
or the limitless expanse of the " harvestless sea."
The Mississippi had not been so high for many
years. It filled its channel to the top of the levees.
Like the Po, as it nears the ocean it becomes more
and more, and increasingly from year to year, an
enormous aqueduct between artificial banks ; and
the day may arrive when the deposit of sediment and
the necessary rising of the levees will have lifted the
very bottom of the river above the surface of the sur
rounding country.- On a level with the house roofs
we glided along as if by enchantment. Hoeing in
fRegTeen fields, or thronging the banks of the Father of
Waters, were swarms of many-colored slaves, from
the delicately-tinted white of the octaroon with the
soft, lustrous eyes, to a darkness before which night
grows pale. These, with indubitable demonstrations
of joy, waved their handkerchiefs, shouting, " Wel
come ! Welcome ! Glory to God !" while their white
masters and mistresses scowled defiance, or turned
their backs in impotent scorn and rage.
We anchored a day at Fort Jackson, and had
opportunity to examine the effect of the iron hail
which Farragut had poured upon it. All the ground
within a quarter of a mile of the fort on every side
was thickly dotted with great holes scoopedout by
the explosion of the thirteen-inch mortar shells. The
river face of the fort was considerably battered. A
few guns had been dismounted. Two casemates had
5*

50
been nearly knocked into one. But though some
what disfigured, covered with debris, and blackened
by the fire that-had consumed the wood-work of the
interior, the fort was pronounced by Chief Engineer
Weitzel " as strong as before the bombardment."
Evidently it might have made a much more protracted
resistance. Fort St. Philip, lying diagonally opposite,
on the other side and a little higher up, was entirely
unharmed. In the river we saw the ugly hulk of the
iron-clad Manasses and other rebel wrecks. The deep
stream, now swollen by the spring floods, covered
nearly all ; an occasional mast or smoke stack, like a
grave stone, marking the spot where a buried vessel
lay. Quite a number of fire-rafts loaded with pitch
pine, tar, rosin, and other combustibles, were seen
here and there along the banks.
At last on the twelfth of May we came in sight of
the city. How changed from the New Orleans of
other days ! A dozen government vessels were all
the shipping that could be seen, where, a year before,
hundreds of sea-going vessels and river craft crowded
upon one another along the whole front of the city.
Many of these had gone up the Red River for safety ;
some had been sunk ; some burned at the wharves ;
many concealed in the numerous bayous that connect
•with the Mississippi. A charred and blackened mass of
burnt cotton lined the wide empty levee for miles,
where, a few months before, bales, barrels, boxes,
bags, and every kind of merchandise, were piled high
as the roofs. A hundred or so of jubilant negroes of
both sexes, and a score or two of white men and boys
-immediately gathered at the pier. The second mate
¦threw ashore the looped end of a stout cable. "Boy "

51
said he to a youth of a dozen years, who wore a con
federate artillery cap, " Boy, won't you just put that
'ere rope over that log?" "No, I'll be damned if I
will !" was the instant reply.
Towards evening Colonel Birge buckled on sword
and pistol and went unattended from the ship up
through the streets to report to General Butler. Ap
prehensive for his safety, we were gratified to see him
return safe, after an hour's absence.
May 13th, we landed on the levee and marched a
short distance to the yard of the Orleans cotton press,
where the regiment went into temporary quarters.
We immediately proceeded to make ourselves com
fortable, and had just got nicely settled when orders
came to move again. General Butler's eye had rested
on the regiment, and he assigned us the post of honor,
the Custom House. So, on the morning of May
15th, every man put on his best attire, and we
marched through the streets with great pomp, going
a little further than was absolutely necessary, in order
to give the rebels a full view of a live Yankee regi
ment. Many old citizens of New Orleans told us
afterwards they had never seen so fine-looking troops,
either in the Union or Confederate service.
We found the building filthy beyond expression.
Never completed nor even roofed, though millions
of dollars had been spent upon it by the United
States, under the superintendence of Beauregard and
other engineers, it had been tenanted a year by the
Confederate troops ; cannon had been mounted on the
topmost story and peered through the upper windows ;
the walls were disfigured by disloyal and obscene
inscriptions ; and a confused mass of rubbish had

52
been piled up in the numerous rooms. In front and
rear were many half -burnt gun-carriages. Here, too,
were scores of church bells, which the frenzied inhabi
tants had contributed from all parts of Louisiana, to
be melted into cannon — fit illustration of the demon
power of war, which substitutes the horrible clangor
of arms and the din of hell itself for the melodious
chimes that call to prayer and praise.
"is it, 0 man, with such discordant noises,
With such accursed instruments as these,
Thou drownest Nature's sweet and kindly voices,
And jarrest the celestial harmonies ? "
The Custom House was now the military center of
the Department of the Gulf. From this point Butler
fulminated his famous orders. Here was the Post
Office. Here the Provost Court, the Courts Martial,
and the Military Commissions sat. Here, in case of
insurrection in the city — no improbable contingency
at that time — was the strongest, most defensible posi
tion ; a fortress in itself.
General Butler's office was in the second story,
northeast (rear) angle. The Provost Court, of which
Major Bell, of the old firm of Choate & Bell, was
Judge, was held in the second story looking out on
Magazine Street. The officers of the Treasury De
partment occupied rooms in the same story on the
river side. Hon. Reverdy Johnson, during his in
quisitorial visit, occupied the front center room same
story, on Canal Street. The Post Office was on the
first or ground floor, on the corner of Canal and Mag
azine streets. Prison rooms, blacksmith shops kitch
ens, sutler's rooms, guard-houses, stables, boat-build-

53
ers' shops, Quartermaster's and Commissary's rooms
were on the same floor. The companies of the Thir
teenth Connecticut were scattered through the large
building.. Company A took the rear room, top of the
building, fourth story, near the center ; Company C>
directly under Company A ; Company H, directly
under Company C, and therefore in the second story;
Company D, alongside Company H ; Company G,
third story, back corner room, on Magazine Street ;
Company B, the same side and story, front corner
room ; Company F, front room, third story, next to
Company B ; Company D, front corner room, third
story, on the river side ; Company E, a large room,
second story, on Magazine Street ; Company K, the
front corner room, next to Company E.
Battalion drills were commenced, but soon discon
tinued on account of the other laborious duties and
the oppressive heat. Returning in route step one May
morning from our second battalion drill, the regiment
at suggestion of Colonel Birge struck up as one man
the song, never before heard in New Orleans,
" John Brown's body lies a mouldering in the grave,
His soul is marching on."
We immediately began to put the Custom House in
order. Overwhelmed by the influx of contrabands,
who came from every part of the country as well as
the city, making their way by stealth or force past the
Confederate pickets, and past the city police who used
every effort to exclude them, we set about a hundred
of them at work cleaning the floors, ceilings, stair
ways, walls, drains, casement, and kept them so em
ployed week after week, until the Augean Stables

54
presented an appearance worthy of the "finest-looking
regiment that ever entered New Orleans." Among
other permanent improvements, Major Holcomb built
a broad, handsome and substantial flight of stairs in
the center of the front on Canal Street, leading from
the sidewalk to the second story. On the summit of
the Custom House we flung to the breeze, amid the en
thusiastic shouts of the soldiers- and the. peals of ar
tillery, a large United States flag. It floated from a
beautiful flag-staff which had been mysteriously " con
veyed" from a ship lying at anchor at Ship Island
when the Thirteenth took its departure for New Or
leans. In addition to the heavy guard about the Custom
House, we sent out every night an officer with a com
pany to patrol the streets till morning. At nine every
evening we also sent a company to serve as the special
body-guard of the hated prince of policemen.
Prince of policemen ! for General Butler had, per
haps, the most villainous set of rascals to deal with
that ever disgraced and endangered a city. Deserters
from the Confederate army, deserters from the Union
army, foreign rogues from the four quarters of the
world, gamblers, "fancy men," thieves, cut-throats— all
to some extent banded together, and forming a sort of
" Devil's regiment of the line," under the significant
appellation of Thugs ! A vigilance committee had to
be organized a few years ago to protect decent people
from the assaults of these Thugs! The city to a man
yea, to a woman, was hostile to Federal rule. " Every
union man is drunk, and every union woman a  "
remarked Colonel Birge to the writer, one evening—
an assertion too sweeping, but yet conveying some

55
idea of the truth, though exaggerated. Add to this
moral Gehenna the material filth that had accumu
lated for a year, and that made the most pious of the
confederates believe that God would mercifully sweep
away the Yankees by yellow fever, when the set time
to favor the rebel Zion should have fully come ; and
some idea may be gained of the need that existed in
this city for the prince of policemen. They needed a
master and they found one. He governed the city
with "an iron hand" without " a velvet glove," and
he governed it well. He made it safe for any man or
woman to pass alone, on any street at any hour, from
one end of New Orleans to the other. The streets
the drains, the canals, were cleaned as they never had
been before. The sanitary condition of the city was
perfect. Yellow fever did not come. " Order reign
ed in Warsaw;" Thugdom was tranquil.
Before we had been a week in the Custom House
we began to discharge the disabled and to receive re
cruits. We took in about two hundred and twenty in
all, filling the regiment to the maximum. Nearly all
were of foreign birth, and most of them had lived in the
northern states. For illustration : Company H re.
ceived twenty four recruits in May. ' Of these twelve
were born in Ireland, ten in Germany, one in NewYork,
aud^ne tn Massachusetts. All but five had lived in
the North. Alljbut six had beejj in the Confederate
^service. These New Orleans men were a valuable
accession to our ranks, many of them being brave
men, experienced in war. They were credited to the
quota of Connecticut, and few of them ever dishon
ored her name. They were well aware of the risk
they incurred of being executed as deserters if recap-

56
tured by the rebels. At the Bayo Des Allemands, on
the New Orleans, Opelousas and Great Western Rail-
Road", during that very summer, several companies of
the Eighth Vermont, stationed at Algiers, were' am
bushed and captured, and seven of their number were
recognized as having served in the Confederate ranks.
They asserted that it was by compulsion ; but the plea
did not avail. They were taken about five rods from
the rail-road, a single shallow pit was dug, they were
placed on the brink, and without respite were shot
down ; their bodies tumbled into the ditch, and a few
shovelfuls of earth were thrown , over them. The
desolate spot has a mournful interest, and we often
visited it. Overgrown with weeds, it is yet easily re
cognized, beside some trees, nearly abreast with the
earthworks, on the right side as you go from Algiers.
The traveller who has either sentiment or patriotism
will hardly restrain his tears, when he stands there
and listens to the story of a father's anguish as he
shoveled the dirt away to find the mouldering remains
of his handsome and manly boy. Will not the great
republic some day rear a monument to mark the last
resting place of the seven martyrs who died for her at
the Bayou Des Allemands in the summer of '62 ?
About two weeks after our arrival in the Custom
House, we concluded to have a brass band. We ac
cordingly engaged the services of Mr. Charles Bother,
one of the best band leaders in the United States. He
selected sixteen other musicians, all of them distin- :
guished for their skill. , They were enlisted into the
regiment, and mustered into the United States service.
The same band, with two or three exceptions had
been in the Confederate army, and had played o'n the

57
•jloody field of Shiloh. All being professional musi
cians, the band of the Thirteenth soon became famous
in the Department of the Gulf. Active and long-
continued operations in the field finally forced us
to the conclusion that it was impracticable to retain
them, and they were accordingly mustered out after
a year and a half with the Thirteenth.
We were more than four months in the Custom
House, during which the regiment by its general good
conduct gained the esteem of the citizens. Of course
there were exceptional cases. About the first of June
a band of burglars was organized, including one
member of Company F, Thirteenth Connecticut, and
Mr. Craig, First Mate of the ship City of New York.
They represented themselves as officers of our army,
and empowered to search houses for arms and contra
band papers. With forged orders and in disguised uni
forms they forced their way at dead of night into the
dwellings of peaceable citizens, searched trunks, draw
ers, wardrobes, seized whatever money or plate they
could lay hands on, and made off with their booty.
The villainy was quickly laid before General Butler.
A Military Commission tried them on Friday, sentenc
ed 'them on Saturday, and four of them, including
the two above named, were hanged the following
Monday, June 16, at the Parish Prison.
Butler executed only one other person during our
stay in New Orleans. It was the gambler, Mumford.
He was hung at the Mint. His offence was endeavor
ing to excite insurrection by tearing down the United
States flag from the top of the Mint after the sur
render of the city. After his conviction he was con
fined in the Custom House under a guard from our
6

58
regiment. Here Chaplain Salter repeatedly visited
him, and with tears offered him the consolations of
religion, and begged him to accept a Saviour's mercy.
Mumford's reply to the exhortation to prepare for
eternity was singular enough. He said in substance
as follows : " I have no fear of death, because I
have lived a blameless life. Having never done any
thing wrong, I am prepared for a future world, if
there is any future world. I only hate to leave my
friends." Well might our kind chaplain be perplexed
and amazed. In this stoical indifference, without a
prayer on his lips, Miimford met death as coolly as
did old John Brown on the Virginia scaffold. But
Brown was a man of different mould ; of austere
morals, trained to piety, accustomed to spend much
of his time in reading his bible or on his knees in
prayer. Mumford was conceded to have no religious
convictions, was dissolute, intemperate, and a noted
gambler — poor material to exalt into a martyr, even
in the cause of slavery, for which he died.
Six other men were doomed to be shot by sentence
of a Military Commission, for the offence of recruit
ing for the Confederate army within our military lines.
The appointed day came. A detachment of the Thir
teenth Connecticut was detailed to do the shooting.
At early morning the prisoners, with a strong military
escort from our regiment, proceeded a couple of miles
towards the lake, with a vast concourse of spectators
thronging around. Passing out of Canal Street, they
halted in an open field on the left. The troops were
drawn up on three sides of a square. The soldiers
charged with the execution stood in line about ten
paces from the victims, who were seated on their cof-

59
fins. Perfect silence reigned. The order for trial,
the charge, specifications, findings and sentence, were
read by the Provost Marshal in a clear voice. The
muskets were loaded. The fatal word " Fire," was
just on the point of beiug uttered, when an orderly
rode up with a reprieve ! Two of them listened to
the merciful tidings in silence. Two thanked God
aloud and manifested ardent gratitude. But one of
them damned General Butler with horrible oaths for
having "fooled" him and the others by this mock
show !
The irrepressible conflict met us constantly. What
ever a Federal bullet struck, wherever a Federal bay
onet pierced, the demon of Slavery started up into
visible and gigantic proportions, like Satan at the
touch of Ithuriel's spear. Butler at first tried hard to
pacify the people, and avoid wounding their feelings.
On the subject of slavery he was especially anxious to
win their favor. For about three weeks he used all
his influence, and in at least one instance* his author
ity, to cause fugitives to be restored to their masters.
Vain and foolish attempt. To serve liberty by prop
ping slavery ! To soothe Niagara by pouring on a
little sweet oil ! Yet he tried it. The police as of old
were allowed to seize and deliver up fugitive slaves.
The punishment of whipping them in jail was still
inflicted with the full sanction of ' the military au
thorities. When the Thirteenth Connecticut had established
itself in the Custom House, most of the companies
employed, as laundresses, colored women, who had run
* Case of the slave girl Caroline. See Appendix.

60
away or been driven off to the Yankees. Besides these
slaves, about a hundred negro men had been set at
work by Bromley in the Quartermaster's Department,
as black-smiths, carpenters, shoemakers, wagoners, and
laborers. Somehow we got the reputation of being
an anti-slavery regiment ; or as a certain high officer
on Butler's staff expressed it, " a d  d abolition
regiment!" Butler issued stringent orders to keep
the negroes out of the Custom House. On the 26th
of May he caused the names of all to be taken, and
ordered all unemployed negroes to be driven out. On
the 27th he -commanded that all laundresses should
be put out. On the 28th he directed that the pay
for servants be deducted from the pay for officers, in
order to prevent officers from harboring runaways.
The night after the promulgation of the order to
admit no more slaves into the Custom House, several
able-bodied negro men from the plantation of Alexan
der Grant, twenty miles down the river, made their
way with much difficulty and danger to our quarters.
They had been shot at, hunted with dogs, and some
of them bore the marks of recent whipping. With
tears they begged to be protected from the police, who
would pounce upon them at daybreak and lodge them
in jail to be again whipped and returned to their rebel
master. Here was a quandary. It was past mid
night; the Custom House was full; there was no
work for any more blacks. Butler's order was still ;
ringing in our ears. The Officer of the Day (Captain j
of Company H) went to Bromley, in whom as in
Daniel of old, " were found an excellent spirit, and
knowledge, and understanding, * * * and showing of
hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts." " I iiave no

61
use for them," said Bromley; "I have more now
than I can well employ. I can take them up on my
papers, however, and will do so, if you '11 find work
for them. Will you agree to. find labor for them ? "
"Yes. But I'm curious to know how you'll enter
their names on your papers so as to evade the Gene
ral's order." "Oh! that's easy enough," replied the
Quartermaster. " I'll give them a pass dated a week
back in red ink. There's great magic in red ink!"
So the Quartermaster received them. Next morning
the Officer of the Day set them at work washing
floors ; and week after week they scrubbed with un
wearied industry, and endless repetition. They prov
ed to be most valuable hands, and we never regretted
our kindness to them. In due time they enlisted in
the military service and fought well for freedom.
The idea of a Southern slave was associated with
that of a black skin. In this we were quickly unde
ceived. On the 19th of May, a handsomely dressed
yoting man, having found his way. into our quarters,
asked the captain of Company H if he could not fur
nish him employment. The officer surveyed the well-
behaved applicant, and noticed a certain diffidence
and respectful air mingled with his otherwise aristo
cratic bearing, remarked his polished manners, fault
less broadcloth, and soft white hands, and with real
compassion said :
" I regret, sir, that I have no such position at my
command as you would probably desire."
" I would accept a'most any situation, sir."
"Excuse me, sir, but I presume you are in the
same condition as scores of others in this city — tem
porarily reduced to straitened circumstances by the
6*

62
fortune of war— and that you would prefer a clerk
ship, or some writing in the Custom House or Post
Office." " 0 no, sir, I can't write! My Massa never learnt
me to write ! But I should be glad to do most any
thing. I can take care of your clothes, black your
boots, wait on table, and do a right smart heap
o' things." " What ! Are you a slave ? "
"Yes." " Why, I had'nt noticed any African features."
" My father was a white man — Mr. Barnes, my •
former master." .
" What's your name ? "
" Charley Barnes."
"Whom do you belong to now ?"
"Mr. Oviatt, on  street. He's from Connect
icut." " You'd easily pass for white."
" Yes. But if you notice my hair carefully, you'll
see it a little kinky about the roots. There 's many
slaves a heap whiter 'n me."
Lieutenant Julius Tobias employed him as his ser
vant, gave him the name of Julius Caesar Thompson,
and in a few weeks got him enlisted as a white soldier
in the First Louisiana regiment. There he served faith
fully and gallantly, to the great grief of Mr. Oviatt,
who was afraid some harm would befall his valuable
chattel, and often called to enquire after his welfare.
In spite of Butler's stringent and repeated orders,
the negroes would get inside the building, which was
besieged daily by owners hunting for their slippery
property. Some of these chattels had their backs

63
shockingly lacerated by whipping ; others had huge
freshly-burned marks of the branding iron. Many
had chains on their wrists, ankles and' necks. A few
wore great iron collars with long projecting prongs,
like the spokes of a wheel. More than once did the
writer of this history work till past midnight filing off
these collars. " I used to think," said Captain McCord,
" that the stories about cruel treatment of slaves were
exaggerated ; but the reality is fully equal to the
worst description." It was hard to resist the piteous
appeals of these slaves for protection. And even
when received within our quarters, they were not
safe. Repeatedly slaves were seized in the Custom
House, sometimes by the connivance of United States
officers ; repeatedly were they knocked down, and
brutally dragged away from under the folds of the
" Flag of the Free." Colonel Warner rescued one ot
these victims at considerable personal risk. The
captain of Company H was Officer of the Day, on the
6th of June. That day, one of the Quartermaster's
employees was violently torn away by armed police
men, and was dragged across Canal Street, in spite of
his vigorous resistance, in the midst of a great crowd.
The captain was notified of the high-handed outrage
in time to interpose. Drawing his sword and seizing
a revolver, he rushed to the scene, forced his way to
the center of the mob, released the negro, brought the
two men-stealers back in custody, and lodged them in
the guard house.
Another time, the same captain, as Officer of the
Day, stood at the door on Magazine Street, through
which Butler usually eritered. A venerable looking

64
gentleman with white neck-tie approached, and the
following conversation ensued :
" Captain, I would like to come into the Custom
House and look round a little."
"What for?"
" I want to look for a boy of mine that has run
away, and I think he's inside."
" Oh ! You want to come in and hunt for ajiigger ?"
"Yes. He's a boy I've always been kind to — al
ways treated him as one of the family. He 's always
had every thing he wanted. It 's very strange he should
treat me so. But they're an ungrateful race." '
" I dont think I can admit you without a pass from
General Butler to come in and hunt your nigger."
" Cant I go in and see the General ?"
" Not about the nigger. The General has more
important business. Besides, you are probably aware
that the United States Government forbids its officers
to return fugitive slaves to their masters."
" But the boy is my property — my own nigger."
"We can't investigate questions of that sort. The
military law don't acknowledge the right of one man
to own another."
" You come here pretending to respect our rights ;
our constitutional rights, our bible rights ; and yet
you wont let me get back my nigger, my nigger that's
my lawful property. I say it's unconstitutional, it's
inconsistent, it's unchristian."
" I dont know whether you own the nigger or the
nigger owns you. .1 would as soon deliver you to
him, as him to you. I tell you we can't investigate
such questions."
" This is strange language — strange language ! "

65
" Very common language where I came from. I
guess it'll be common here before long. Look here,
sir. You appear to be a minister. What do you
make of that passage which says, ' Thou shalt not de
liver unto his master the servant which is escaped
from his master unto thee' ? "
" I dont choose to argue that question, sir. Do you
say I can't come in to look for my nigger ?"
"That's what I said."
" Can't I come in to see General Butler?"
" Good morning, sir."
" Good morning."
Such cases were of daily occurrence. Some officers
were disposed to allow indiscriminate slave-hunting.
Large bribes were offered.
To protect our servants still more from the man-
stealers we gave our blacks new names. Amoihg them
were John C. Calhoun, Horace Greeley, Tiglath Pile-
ser, Henry Ward Beecher, Julius Caesar Thompson,
Solomon, Wendell Phillips, Prince of Darkness, King
Richard, Polyphemus (a one-eyed man), Sardanapa-
lus (a " slow coach").
The change of views at Head Quarters in regard to
slavery, was announced by deeds rather than words.
One night twenty or thirty slaves fled from a planta
tion, and attempted to enter New Orleans. But a
body of policemen sent out to patrol by the slave
holders, who still tenaciously clung to the reeling in
stitution, undertook to arrest them as they entered
the city limits. The negroes were armed with cane-
knives ; the police, with pistols ; and a hard fight en
sued. Some negroes were shot dead, others were
severely wounded ; but eleven of them reached the

66
Custom House just as morning tinted the east. The
Officer of the Day, making his nocturnal visits to the
sentinels, came to the contrabands, heard their story,
and determined to secure fair play, if possible, to men
who had shown by their courage that they deserved
liberty. That day, on complaint of their overseers,
the slaves were arraigned before Judge Bell for vio
lating the peace, riotous conduct, assault with danger
ous weapons, and the like. The case was pretty
clearly proved. Captain Sprague acted as counsel,
and insisted on the failure of the prosecution to iden
tify. Judge Bell cut him short in the midst of his
argument, and much to his chagrin said, " I think
there can be no doubt about their guiltr" " But, your
Honor," said the captain, "there surely is no evidence
to inculpate more than two or three, and are these
eleven to' be delivered to their masters on such a pre
tence as that ? " A roguish twinkle and a knowing
smile from Judge Bell, re-assured the captain as he
proceeded with his decision : " I find them all guilty,
and sentence them to six months at Fort Jackson ! "
This was precisely what the owners did not want.
One of them went to General Butler. Lieutenant
Tibbets was present and heard the master ask the
General, " What assurance have I that I can get my
niggers back after their six months at Fort Jackson ?"
"None at all," replied the General." "Then I'm
afraid I shall never get 'em again," sadly exclaimed
the proprietor of the sable merchandize. "Very
likely," responded the General. They found their
way subsequently to the Corps d' Afrique.
Surgeon  of our army, an associate of Dr.
Fisher in hospital, had employed a fugitive slave as

67
hospital nurse. The former master, finding the girl
in the street near the hospital, forcibly seized her and
hurried her off to his home. The surgeon brought
the matter to the attention of General Butler. The
General opened the law books and found that, by the
Code of Louisiana, the least penalty for abducting a
slave was a term of two years in the Parish Prison.
He took the position that the slave being rightfully in
the surgeon's possession, had been abducted by her own
master ! Consequently, he sentenced the patrician
owner to two years in the Parish Prison ; a decision
which made the New Orleans aristocrats open their
eyes very wide. The prince of policemen was pro
gressing fast.
The rebel Governor, Moore, having raised, armed,
drilled, and reviewed a regiment of negroes, and call
ed them into service in behalf of the Confederate
cause, Butler took the very same appeal in which the
Governor had summoned these colored men to the
side of treason and slavery, and, changing only a few
words, the General bade them fight for union and
liberty. Three regiments were quickly raised, and
officered by colored men, whereat all the confederates
sent up a howl ! How atrocious the man who had
first dared to follow their own example !
Some of the city magnates having threatened But
ler with French or English intervention, he silenced
them by declaring with tremendous emphasis, " Gen
tlemen, I warn you that if England or France inter
venes, I shall call on Africa to intervene, and the men
that cut your bread to-day will cut your throats to
morrow!" These anecdotes are recorded as illustrations of life
in the New Orleans Custom House in the summer of

68
1862. There was no escaping the omnipresent negro.
It did not require much discernment to see the signs
of the times. Butler did not have a very tender con
science, but he had a great deal of tough common
sense. And even a little common sense will some
times wonderfully light up one's path. He was a rath
er rough specimen of civilization, but not a savage ;
severe, but not cruel; summary, but not a Jeffries ;
as far removed from Polyphemus as from Abdiel. He
had a Napoleonic vigor, but a kind heart. He some
times stooped to blackguard, but oftener rose to gene
rous deeds. He never was marked as a perfect man,
and he never was the slave of low vice. If some of
his subalterns stole books, furniture and plate, he was
not therefore a Verres. If he kicked a fashionable
courtezan down stairs, who had been put up by the
waggish secession lords to call on Mrs. Butler, that
did not make him a Haynan. If he unceremoniously
bade the rich leaders of rebellion " stand and deliver,"
he bounteously fed the poor victims of rebellion from
the proceeds. If he told the high-born ladies who spit
on Federal officers that such conduct would make
them " liable to the treatment of common women
plying their avocation," there was none more prompt
than he to punish any officer or soldier who should
interpret that order as licensing to insult any woman.
During the summer several of our companies were
temporarily detached from the rest of the regiment.
Company A, Lieutenant Cornwall commanding, was
stationed at Hickox's Landing on the lake ; Company
E, Captain Tisdale commanding, was detailed as Pro
vost Guard, (with Captain, afterward Colonel, Stafford
Provost Marshal); Company I, Captain Schleiter

69
commanding, was stationed as body-guard for General
Butler at General Twiggs' house; Company K, Cap
tain Mitchell commanding, as guard at Colonel Birge's
head-quarters, in St. Charles Street. Squads were
stationed as guards at other points in the city ; as at
Lieutenant Colonel Warner's house, Carondelet Street;
Adjutant Grosvenor's house, Burgundy Street ; and
other places.
Occasionally an expedition was sent up the Mississip
pi or across Lake Pontchartrain to procure sugar, corn,
cattle, cotton, and other supplies, or to chastise par
ties of guerillas. Companies B and C, under com
mand of Captains Comstock and Blinn, respectively,
embarked as part of a force under Major (afterwards
General) Strong, to cross the lake, surprise and cap
ture the [rebel force at Pass Manchac and Pontcha-
toula, the head-quarters of the eccentric general, Jeff.
Thompson. The steamers grounded as they approach
ed their destination, and only a portion of the troops
disembarked. They were but partially successful.
The rebels rallied, drove them back, and inflicted a
loss of a considerable number killed, wounded, and
prisoners.. Among the latter was Dr. Avery, surgeon
of the Ninth Connecticut, a pretty good specimen of a
smart Yankee. While a prisoner, he beat Jeff, at
cards, got him drunk, and challenged him to a horse
race, in which he managed to run Jeff, off among some-
trees. Jeff, fell from his horse and nearly broke his
neck. Altogether, the rebel general gained some new
views of Yankee character.
On the return of this expedition, Major Strong
represented it as a brilliant success, inasmuch as he
captured a sword and a pair of spurs. He was soon

70
promoted to be General, and afterwards fell, gallantly
fighting, at Fort Wagner.
In August, Companies A and K, under command
of Captain Mitchell, made a foraging expedition up
the Mississippi, and returned, partly by steam-boat
and partly by land, down the left bank to New Or
leans. They had some skirmishing with guerillas,
but without loss returned, bringing a few prisoners^
and an immense nximber of horses, cattle, mules,
sheep, swine and poultry. While up the river, Cap
tain Fuller, with a detachment of Company D, went
up on a steamer, and by some misunderstanding, they
were smartly shelled by one of our own gunboats.
On Monday, September 22, Captain Sprague, with
fifty men of Company H, proceeded up the Mississippi
as a guard to the Steamboat Iberville. On the 23d
they reached a point* six miles from Bayou Goula.
Here they found a Frenchman with four hundred
cattle, trying to cross the river to the same side as the
rebel rendezvous, not many miles distant. Captain
Sprague demanded his papers ; whereupon he pro
duced a pass dated a few days earlier from the United
States Provost Marshal at Jefferson City. The cap
tain, not satisfied, searched him, and found another
similar pass in his pocket signed by the rebel colonel
commanding in that vicinity ; also a permit from the
rebel general Dick Taylor. It was decided to take
him and his cattle to New Orleans. If he proved to
be honest, he could have his cattle on paying twenty
dollars a head for transportation; if dishonest, his
cattle would go to the United States Commissariat.
In any case it was thought unsafe for his cattle to be
so near Camp Moore. We commenced taking them

71
on board. They were the wildest, fiercest of Texas
oxen. The fifty soldiers formed a circle around them,
taking the position of " Guard against Infantry ! "
Crowding in a compact mass, which moved like a roll
ed wheel circularly round the center, the desperate
beasts manifested a most passionate hostility to man.
Often two or three would dart off in a tangent,
trampling down, as if all flesh were grass, the soldiers
that stood in their way. Bayonets had no terrors for
them ; nearly twenty were bent double on the fore
heads of the brutes. Others of the infuriated animals
would rush along the plank, cross the steamer and
plunge into the stream. GunboatNo. 8 " headed them
off" by steaming up and down the river, and drove
them back to the same bank. Occasionally a few
would be secured on our boat. This exciting affair
lasted from noon till night ; when the frantic beasts
made one grand charge, broke en masse through the
line, and dashed away into the darkness. The region
being infested with guerillas, and the captain of the
steamboat being very drunk, we steamed rapidly
down with one' hundred and seventy-six cattle, and
eight hundred hogsheads of sugar. Reaching New
Orleans September 25th, Captain S. repaired immedi
ately to General Butler, stated the facts of the seizure,
submitted the papers, and said he had felt some hesi
tation about taking the cattle by force. After about
five minutes examination and study, the general fixed
his half-shut eye on the captain and with a smile said,
" Captain, you did right. You followed the old rule
in Hoyle, ' When you're in doubt, take the trick''!"
In July, 1862, Major Holcomb, of the Thirteenth
Connecticut, was empowered to raise a regiment of

72
white Louisiana volunteers. His recruiting station
was the old United States barracks, a few miles below
the Custom House and on the same bank. Company
G, Thirteenth Connecticut, under Captain Finley
(successor of Captain Gilbert) and Lieutenant Baker,
was stationed there as a guard. The Thirteenth con
tributed quite a number to the offices in the First
Louisiana. Besides Major Holcomb, the following
among others were commissioned : Commissary Ser
geant Charles A. Tracy ; First Sergeants Oscar F.
Merrill, Company H, and George A. Mayne, Company
D ; Sergeants James T. Smith, James M. Gardner,
Charles H. Grosvenor, George G. Smith ; Corporal
Deveraux Jones ; Private Leonidas R. Hall." We lost
also scores of other valuable men, who were detached
from the regiment to officer colored troops, and to act
as clerks, orderlies, telegraph operators, messengers,
recruiting agents, signal-corps men, and the like. No
regiment was so constantly culled from, and yet the
supply of good men seemed inexhaustible.
Parton, in his Butler in New Orleans, relates what
he considers a pretty good joke perpetrated at the ex
pense of the Thirteenth. It appears that two very
handsome girls, the Misses C  e, of New Orleans,
who had made deep inroads into the affections of cer
tain officers, and who professed a great love for the
Union, had made a beautiful embroidered silk flag
for the Thirteenth Connecticut. Arrangements were
perfected to have it presented in fine style on the com
ing Fourth of July. The day came. General Butler,
with his brilliant Staff, reviewed the regiment on the
levee. The troops looked as beautiful as extraordi
nary efforts could make even the Thirteenth ; resplen-

73
dent in brass and steel, neat clothing, and polished
accoutrements. The review closing and the distin
guished officers taking proper stations, the fair donors
of the flag rode up to the front of the regiment in a
magnificent carriage, under the escort of our most
stylish officer, the handsome Lieutenant T  , of
Company K. The banner was brought out, unrolled,
and presented to Colonel Birge in a neat and tasteful
speech by one of these dark-eyed beauties. Colonel
Birge received it in a dignified and graceful manner,
amid thunders of applause. Everybody was happy
that day ! But how horrified were certain fine gentle
men on the morrow, when it began to be whispered
around that those seraphic patriots had Africaii blood
under that celestial skin ! In fact they we're perfect
specimens of the effects of that miscegenation which
the Chivalry of the South condemn so loudly and
practice so freely !
The halcyon days of the summer of 1862 quickly
passed. Colonel Birge longed for active service in
the field, and the regiment shared his desire. They
thirsted for adventures, marching, fighting, and " glo
ry." " Fortunati, si sua bona norint ! "

CHAPTER III.
On Monday, September 29, 1862, orders came to
hold the regiment in readiness to move at ten o'clock
next morning. On the 30th we accordingly left the
Custom House, and went into camp close by Green
ville Station Carroll ton, some five miles above New
Orleans. It was near the residence of Honorable
Christian Roselius, who often visited us. The ground
had been a Confederate rendezvous, called by the
name of Camp Lewis. We christened it Camp Kear-
•ney, in honor of that valiant and lamented General.
Here we formed a portion of what was known as
the Reserve Brigade, under the command of General
Godfrey Weitzel, who had just received his commis
sion as Brigadier. The other regiments were the
Twelfth Connecticut, Colonel Colburn, the First Lou
isiana, Colonel Holcomb* the Seventy Fifth New York,
Lieutenant Colonel Merrit, the Eighth New Hamp
shire, Colonel Fearing ; with Perkins' Massachusetts
Cavalry, Barret's, Godfrey's, and Williams' Louisiana
Cavalry, Carruth's Sixth Massachusetts Battery, and
Thompson's First Maine Battery. We spent twenty
four days here. Colonel Birge being sick at his house
in New Orleans, Lieutenant Colonel Warner drilled
the regiment. Captain Comstock undertook the same
task, but the regiment was not yet quite well enough
'drilled to form at this time an oblique square ! Gen-
'eral Weitzel personally gave the officers instruction

75
and practice in skirmishing, and showed himself an
accomplished drill-master. The men were exercised
in target shooting, as well as the usual tactics. On
the fourth of October the General carefully inspected
his brigade, and complimented us, especially the Thir
teenth, in very high terms. On the eighteenth of Oc
tober there was a grand review of the Reserve Brigade
by General Butler. We marched down to New Or
leans and were paraded in Canal Street, where the
review was held. We returned to Camp Kearney the
same evening, where rations of water, slightly tinged
with whiskey, were distributed to the tired soldiers by
the Quartermaster, who said he was "fearful of the
effects of ' whiskey straight' upon the empty stomach !"
At Camp Kearney we had Sibley tents, and were
very comfortably situated. The regiment was a thou
sand strong. Company A, however, was absent until
the middle of October, at " Dan Hickox's" on the
lake. The principal difficuty at this time was in getting
wood. Our Quartermaster, never long at a loss for
expedients, finally proceeded to the depot of the Car-
rollton Rail Road, and commenced loading his teams.
The Superintendent is said to have come up, and to
have held the following dialogue with Bromley :
" What are you going to do with that wood ? "
" Cook rations. (Go on with your loading, cor
poral.)" " Who are you ? "
"Bromley, Q. M. Thirteenth C. V. Allow me,
sir, in turn to inquire whom.I have the distinguished
honor to address ?"
" I'm Superintendent of this railroad."

76
" All right. (Go on with your loading, corporal.)"
" That wood belongs to the railroad."
" So I supposed."
" But 1 forbid you to take it."
" Put your protest in writing in red ink. Tie it up
with a piece of red tape. I '11 approve it and forward
it. You see, we 've got to have wood to cook with.
Cant eat beans and pork raw. I'd prefer 'em raw, but
the men are so unreasonable they want 'em cooked."
" But that wood 's necessary for the use of the rail
road." " It 's necessary for the use of the Thirteenth Con
necticut." " I should like to know how a locomotive is going
to run without wood."
" I 've often wondered how a regiment could be run
without wood."
" General Butler orders me to run this railroad."
" Colonel Birge orders me to run the Thirteenth
Connecticut." " Who 's Colonel Birge ?"
"'Who's Colonel Birge?' Why— the d— deuce!
dont you know Colonel Birge ? If there 's one man
above another that everybody knows it's Colonel
Birge." " Will Colonel Birge pay for the wood ?"
" Colonel Birge pay for the wood ! why, no. It 's
a reflection on your sagacity to.ask such a question."
" Who will pay for it ? "
" The Quartermaster's Department. If there 's one
thing above another that. I admire in the Quartermas- '¦.< \;
ter's Department, it's because they '11 always pay for
wood. Now, my friend, of the railroad persuasion, if T

77
you'll come and see me, I'll give you receipts, and
help you fix up the proper papers to present to the
Quartermaster's Department."
" How long will it be before I get pay ? "
" It will be at some future day — the futurest kind
of a day, I 'm afraid."
The superintendent posted off to see Colonel Birge.
Bromley preceded him, however, and cautioned the
sentinels to observe the rule to admit no citizen with
out a pass. "Halt!" said the, sentry; and the super
intendent gave up the pursuit in despair.
The instructions which Bromley gave to Corporal
Strange, a member of his Staff, as he termed him,
were quite significant. " Strange, we're going on an
expedition. I want my Staff to be on the look-out for
turkeys, geese, pigs, and sheep. Dont be the aggres
sor in any contest. Stand strictly on the defensive.
But if you 're attacked by any of these animals, show
fight, and dont forget to bring off the enemy's dead!"
On the twenty-first of October orders came to em
bark on steamers. Next day the Thirteenth moved
on board with the remainder of the infantry. Imme
diately, however, the orders were countermanded, and
we returned to camp, and were held in readiness to
move at a moment's notice.
The plan of the La Fourche campaign, on which
we were about entering, as I learned a few days pre
viously from a discussion between General Butler and
some of his subordinate officers, and from subsequent
developments, was substantially as follows :
WeitzeFs brigade was to drive the enemy down the
Bayou La Fourche ; the Eighth Vermont, Colonel
Thomas, and the First Louisiana, Native Guards,

78
(colored), Colonel Stafford, were to intercept them
in the neighborhood of the LaFourche Rail-Road
crossing, three miles below Thibodaux, which is thir
ty-six miles from Donaldsonville ; a naval force co
operating with the Twenty-first Indiana, under Colonel
(afterwards General) McMillan, was to pass around
the coast, ascend the Atchafalaya river as far as Bra-
shear City, and so cut off the enemy from their only
available line of retreat, which would be across Ber-
wicks Bay. It was essential to its success that the
arrival of our troops by rail at the crossing below
Thibodaux, and of the gunboats at Brashear City,
should be nearly simultaneous with the successful
advance of Weitzel on Thibodaux.
On the twenty-fourth of October we again embark
ed. Under convoy of three gunboats we proceeded
aboulf ninety miles up the river to Donaldsonville, La.,
where we arrived next morning, it being Sunday. We
disembarked. For that latitude the day was very cold.
The troops were quartered in the Market-House,
Court-House, Theatre, abandoned hotels and dwell
ing-houses. The Twelfth Connecticut occupied a
large church. Many excesses were committed by the
soldiers ; for which General Weitzel took the blame
partly on himself. " I have violated," said he, " one
of the first principles of campaigning, never to en
camp in a village, when one can just as well remain
outside." Donaldsonville was a neat and thriving place before
the war, but had now suffered from a shelling by our
gunboats in retaliation for guerilla firing on Farra-
gut's fleet at that point. It was destined to suffer still
more severely during its investment by the rebels the

79
following summer. The enemy made no opposition
to our landing, but retired along the Bayou La Four
che, which flows from the Mississippi at this point in a
south-east course to the Gulf of Mexico.
Sunday night, October 25, was very cold, windy
and uncomfortable. Next morning overcoats were in
demand. Leaving the First Louisiana to hold Donald
sonville, and throwing out skirmishers and flankers
the brigade moved along the Bayou in pursuit of the
enemy. These, to the number of about five hundred
cavalry, received us as we advanced. Their intention
was to avoid battle until the troops at Thibodaux,
about two thousand in number, should concentrate at
some strong position. The Thirteenth, with the
greater portion of the brigade, moved down the left
bank. The enemy, like ourselves, were on both sides,
.their rear occasionally skirmishing with our van, and
their numbers constantly increasing. They were
commanded by General Mouton. We passed several
villages, and saw two camps, just vacated, the fires
still blazing. One of these was well built, with com
fortable cane-roofed huts. These quickly disappeared
in smoke, the burning stalks bursting with loud ex
plosions, which rattled like pistol firing. At several
points we saw hastily-constructed breastworks and
rifle-pits, which the enemy abandoned without a con
test. The soldiers straggled a great deal on this, their
first march, but committed few depredations. Great
numbers of negroes left their owners' plantations and
joined us, bringing with them mules, turkeys, furni
ture, and bundles of clothing. It was the first time
they had ever seen the Yankees, and their ivory teeth
and shining eyes glistened behind every fence, as they

80
shouted, " Glory to God !" " God bless you 'uns !"
They were only too happy to carry our soldiers' knap
sacks, and this satisfaction was quite mutual.
We passed that Monday night on the bare ground
without tents or other shelter. It was our first night,
as a regiment, in the open air. Happy the man who
was able to procure a few cornstalks for a pillow..
Suffering from the cold we nevertheless slept pretty
well, and were in good spirits for the battle which
occurred next morning.
We were ignorant of the real position and strength
of the enemy, and knew not on which side of the
bayou to expect the principal resistance. So the
Thirteenth marched on gaily for an hour or two with
banners flying and music from our magnificent band.
A scout named- Miller was our guide. About nine
o'clock, Company A., being deployed as skirmishers
under the command of Cornwell, who had just been
promoted to a captaincy (vice Bidwell, dismissed,
Lieutenant Woodruff having resigned), met the
enemy's pickets and skirmishing commenced on the
left bank. At the same time, very nearly, the scouts
of Perkins' cavalry on the other side met the enemy's
skirmishers. The rebel position was well chosen. It was at a
bend in the Bayou La Fourche, a mile above Labadie-
ville, at a point known as Georgia Landing. Here
they dug extensive rifle-pits and made embrasures in
the levee, which admirably answered the purpose of a
parapet. Their right wing consisted of Sims's battery,
quite celebrated in Louisiana, a regiment of militia,
and two or three hundred .irregular cavalry. Their
center consisted of a battery of field pieces, the spleu-

81
did Crescent City regiment, and another veteran regi
ment from Bragg's army, then at home recruiting ;
and a few hundred cavalry. Their left wing con
tained a section of a battery and about five hundred
cavalry. Their principal rifle' pit was behind and
almost directly under a stout cypress post fence, which
extended nearly a quarter of a mile perpendicular to
the course of the bayou on its right bank. Here their
two veteran regiments lay. Immediately in rear of
this was a thick wood which concealed their opera
tions, while the open ground in front would leave the
federal troops in full view. Most important of all was
the fine bridge across the bayou and only a mile in
their rear, by means of which they could rapidly con
centrate their whole force upon whichever wing of our
little army they might select. A narrow road was
along the levee on each side of the bayou.
Our main force being on the left bank, we had only
the Eighth New Hampshire and Perkins' cavalry on
the right bank. Weitzel's plan was to advance cau
tiously, feel the enemy sufficiently to ascertain 'his
position ; concentrate rapidly by means of a floating
bridge, if matters wore a favorable aspect ; fight the
enemy and drive him into the trap at Berwick's bay,
where the gunboats were supposed to have already
arrived. The floating bridge has not been mentioned
before. It proved to be of most vital importance. .It
consisted of two huge Mississippi flat-boats, which had
been towed along from Donaldsonville by mules and
negroes keeping pace with the rear guard. During
Monday night it had occurred to Weitzel that it might
be necessary to cut down the levee, to allow the pas
sage of artillery over the bridge. Pioneers and ne-
8

82
groes were immediately detailed with shovels and
pickaxes to be in readiness for that work.
The plan of the enemy was similar : to concentrate
the whole of their force upon a portion of ours by
means of the Labadieville bridge. They attempted the
capture of our right wing, not knowing our ability to
make a sort of pontoon b'ridge ; or, if they knew of
it, yet hoping to strike the Eighth New Hampshire
and Perkins' cavalry so quickly that our main body
could not bring relief in season.
Skirmishing having commenced in front and on the
left of the Thirteenth Connecticut, Cornwell's com
pany being at work, and the artillery on both sides
being engaged, and an unknown force of cavalry, in
fantry and artillery before us, we filed from the levee
road into an open field. Here one of our batteries
was at work. We threw off knapsacks and overcoats,
leaving a few half-sick men to guard them who were
soon afterwards frightened away by the enemy's
shells ! The Thirteenth Connecticut and the Seventy-
fifth New York now formed line of battle, the Thir
teenth being on the right. It was the first time we
had formed line on the field of battle. The Twelfth .
Connecticut was still acting as rear guard. In front
of us was a vast field covered with green, full-grown
cane, standing eight or ten feet high. In this field on
its further side the enemy were likely to be concealed.
As we entered it everything was hid from view, and
there was little noise beyond the breaking of the stalks
as we vainly endeavored to keep in line, forcing our
way through the well-nigh impenetrable growth.
Nothing but the regimental colors was visible above
it. Momentarily we expected the flash of hostile

83
rifles in our faces ; yet it was simply impossible to
keep a regimental line. Without orders to that effect
the companies gradually fell into a flank movement,
and then into one rank, advancing irregularly by the
right of companies to the front. Several of the deep
draining ditches which cross these fields at right
angles were a momentary obstacle. Had the enemy
indeed been posted in the field, we must have retired
worsted ; for we were broken completely into long
single files, and it was impossible to see half-a-dozen
rods ahead. Emerging at last, breathless with the
extraordinary fatigue of that rapid march, were Col.
Birge, one captain, and one private, William Keating,
Co. H. " Well, captain, where's the Thirteenth ?"
said Birge. " There's one of them," he replied,
pointing to Keating ; " the rest of them will be here as
soon as they can squeeze through." They were already
arriving in squads, and soon nearly all had come up.
" Where's your horse ?" said Colonel Birge to Lieu
tenant-colonel Warner. " I couldn't get him through,
sir," was the reply. " I got mine through," said
Birge, patting with pride the splendid animal he rode,
a perfect Bucephalus.
While we were struggling with infinite difficulty
through the cane, the enemy had hastily withdrawn
from that side, had crossed the bridge in the rear, and
were pouring down to their strong position on the
right bank. Weitzel divined their plans. " We are
on the wrong track," said he. "The fighting will be
on the other side." He immediately ordered us back
to the bridge, to cross it and support the Eighth New
Hampshire. Having already re-formed line we filed
by a flank movement in quick time into the road

84
alongside the levee, which was here about eight feet
high and was a perfect protection against everything
but exploding shells. These the enemy sent after us
profusely, though little besides our colors could have
been visible above the levee. Several wounded men,
covered with blood, were borne past us. The first
man wounded in the Thirteenth Connecticut ! Pri
vate Coffee, company D, a large fragment of shell
mangling his back. Dr. Clary put him in a one-horse
cart and sent him to the rear. We passed on rapidly,
and soon forgot his sufferings in the excitement and
danger. To make sure work, the rebel commander, at the
time he withdrew his right wing, had sent a section
of battery and a strong force of cavalry by a circuitous
route through the woods to get in the rear of the
Eighth New Hampshire and cut off its retreat. His
arrangements were admirable. Had there been no
flat-boats, nothing could have saved our right wing.
But while his cavalry was pressing ours slowly back,
not too slowly, and their flanking party was making
its long circuit in a swampy road, the two best regi
ments of Weitzel were in process of rapid transfer
across the bayou . The pioneers cut the levee in a
trice. The flat-boats swung end to end. The bridge
was made. To the astonished eyes of the rebels, it
must have appeared the work of magic. They,
instantly opened a fierce cannonade upon the frail
structure ; two twelve-pound howitzers responding.
Amidst the shrieking of shells and round shot which
splashed the water over them but did no harm, the
Twelfth Connecticut, which was already on the spot
and fresh, dashed over the bridge, and debouched into

85
the open field, a distance of about a quarter of a mile
at right angles to the bayou ; then halted, faced the
front and advanced.
The Seventy-fifth remained on the left bank,
and now moved to the rear to guard the baggage
trains and the approaches to the bridge.
For the first time the Thirteenth was now fairly
in battle. The big solid shot were pounding upon us,
and the rifled shells were whistling demoniacally over
our heads. We had great confidence in General
Weitzel and in Colonel Birge, but not yet in ourselves.
Would our men stand fire ? Would they resist a
cavalry charge? for the enemy were superior in
cavalry. Would our men march straight against a
bristling fence of bayonets ? Would they stand firm
and cross bayollets to resist a bayonet charge ?
Would they see their comrades falling, and still press on
in the teeth of batteries vomiting death ? Such ques
tions agitated our breasts as the enemy's shot came,
ripping up the ground, smashing the trees, or scream
ing and exploding over-head.
We neared the opening in the levee. Our step
changed to the double-quick. The enemy were press
ing the Eighth hard, which had just formed square to
resist a cavalry charge. It seems they had mistaken
the horses of the rebel battery for squadrons of troop
ers ! " File left !" commanded Colonel Birge, and
the regiment at a double-quick glided down the bank
and upon the bridge, with muskets at a right-shoulder
shift. Our pace quickened almost to a run, while the
cannon balls were flying over us or ploughing up the
water under our feet. Up the steep bank on the
other side, and straight out among the brambles and
8*

86
trees! We glanced to the left as we passed them
and saw the Eighth retreating slowly, crouching,
broken, somewhat disordered, but still fighting, the
men blazing away here and there without orders,,
those in the rear shooting over the heads of those in
front or between them ! It is said they attempted to
form line by inversion ; an arrangement which brings
the right companies on the left, and is very likely to
confuse the men and entangle the companies. We
reached the middle of the field. " Battalion, halt !
front ! On the centre, dress !" rang out the voice of
Colonel Birge. A shell exploded over his head at this _
moment, and a large fragment dropped under his
horse's feet. " A piece of shell for you, boys," said
he smiling. They soon came thicker than was
amusing. The three regiments were now in echelon descend
ing from the right, at about ten rods lateral and per
pendicular distance between the steps ; the Eighth
resting on the bayou, the Thirteenth in the center,
the Twelfth on the right. The Twelfth were already
in motion to the front, when our colonel commanded,
" Battalion ! Forward ! Guide Centre ! March !"
Through the thick thorn-bushes and among scattering
trees, over stumps and ditches, we pressed forward,
our greatest immediate anxiety being to keep a
straight line. Victory seemed hardly worth gaining,
unless the regiment presented an even and regular
front : such was the effect of habit in drilling ! It
gave us real pain to see the line become wavy!;
There was an astonishing and somewhat shocking
quantity of swearing expended, to keep the ranks
closed and the companies even with the colors. There

87
was, however, no lagging, except when an exhausted,
sick or wounded man fell behind. The Twelfth and
Thirteenth were moving steady forward, the Eighth
, still peppering away in our rear, the enemy's artillery
for the most part firing as if we were thirty feet high,
when we came to a straight rail-fence, extending
parallel to our battalion. " Break it down !" shouted
Birge, and the front rank rushed against it striking it
with their breasts, and laying it flat on the ground
nearly its entire length. The writer of this history,
being on the top of the fence when the front rank of
his company struck it, was precipitated about twelve
feet forward into a ditch, breaking his scabbard but
singularly sparing his neck ! Hastily re-forming the
broken line without halting, we penetrated a very thin
woodland, or rather bramble-land, interspersed with
trees. Weitzel rode a little distance behind us and on
our left, dressed in sky-blue overcoat, smoking a cigar,
looking like a common soldier and keeping amusingly
cool while so many officers and soldiers were bowing
and dodging at every sound of an iron projectile. We
were a little more than a quarter of a mile from the
rebel line, and had not yet fired a bullet, when the
enemy's infantry opened upon us with a rattle like
the discharge of an endless string of fire-crackers.
The invisible messengers came humming and singing
in our ears, and striking a man here and there with a
quick chuck ! that sounded far uglier than the rush of
the larger missiles, which can often be seen and fre
quently give a little warning before they strike.
Here we passed the band of the Thirteenth Connecti
cut, and some of the drum-corps, not standing up or,
marching to the front blowing and drumming as if

88
their life depended upon it, as one sees them repre
sented in pictures ; but lying flat on the ground be-!
hind stumps, and clinging fondly to mother earth.
We passed a few rods further, halted, dressed accu
rately on the center, and stood a few minutes in line,
while the hail flew over us. David Black, private of
company F, dropped dead, a bullet passing through
his heart : others fell wounded. A large tree stood
in touching distance of the line. A quick rush was
made by a dozen soldier? and two or three officers to
get behind it. " Come out from behind that tree, and
go back to your places in the ranks, or I'll blow your
brains out !" exclaimed our colonel, with a succession
of oaths that sounded at the time emphatic rather than
profane. Weitzel came close up. " It's getting
pretty warm," said he; "you'd better lie down."
" Lie down !" commanded the colonel. This order
did not need to be repeated ; nor did any other. We
had passed through the severest test of discipline ;
that which requires a soldier simply to stand straight
up and be shot at, without flinching and without re
turning the compliment. It is very easy to press for
ward in a charge with flying banners and the belief
that a moment of heroism will be crowned with ever
lasting laurels. It is even not difficult to endure a
heavy fire at a stand-still, provided one can defiantly
hurl back the blows. But to stand immoveable at
shoulder-arms and let the iron and lead smash through
the ranks, to be a target for a thousand muskets and
never deliver a shot in reply,_this is indeed trying.
As Weitzel sat on his horse at our left intently
watching the enemy, he suddenly said, " Rise up '»
A moment after he remarked quietly, " Their cavalry

89
are coming." Bayonets were fixed, but there appear
ed not to be time to form square. We' stood breath
lessly awaiting the onset. "You may lie down.
They're not coming," said the General ; " We must
charge them." " Rise up ! Battalion, Forward !
Guide Center ! March !" Colonel Birge again com
manded. The Twelfth were in motion the same
instant, and the final grand charge began. The
enemy's fire redoubled its fierceness. From their
cover in the edge of the wood, and down in their rifle
pits behind the stout fence, they had a full view of
the four hundred men of the Twelfth, and the long
line of six hundred bayonets of the Thirteenth, that
came steadily forward with unbroken ranks ; while
we could see very few of our antagonists, though the
innumerable puffs of white smoke and the terrible
roll of their musketry and cannon fully revealed their
position. With difficulty, by savage threats, we re
strained our men from shooting, while the tempest of
missiles was hissing past us, tearing through our
colors, our clothing, and our persons. Two captains
of the Eighth were shot dead. How we longed to
return the fire ! But our leader seemed determined
to rely on the bayonet alone. The flanking force
which the enemy had sent round, might fall upon our
rear at any moment. Not a second was to be lost by
stopping to fire even a single volley. Forward, still
forward we pressed, shoulder to shoulder, and still
we were the targets of their two batteries and three
infantry regiments. Our impatience to be shooting ,
grew extreme, and I think the sweetest sound that
smote upon our ears during the war was the sudden
crash of the four hundred rifles of the Twelfth Con-

90
necticut on our right. Heavens ! What a volley !
Unable to hold back longer, the Thirteenth instantly
answered with a tremendous roll of musketry. Both
regiments poured in an unceasing fire, all the while
marching steadily forward. The fence beneath which
the first line of rebels lay, was splintered, riddled,
honeycombed. The excitement grew intense. Will
they stand a bayonet charge? See, the rebel line
wavers ! Their officers frantically brandish their
swords and in vain try to hold their men ! Many
are leaping out of the rifle pits ! Many more are
fluttering their white handkerchiefs in token of sur
render !
How wildly some of our men aimed ! " What the
devil are you shooting at up in the sky ?" exclaimed
the pious Lieutenant Clark to private George Hazen,
Company H, whose musket ball must have gone that
instant a quarter of a mile high !
Both regiments now rushed up to and over the
rebel position, carrying it in the twinkling of an eye,,
and driving cavalry, infantry and artillery pell-mell
through the swampy woods. Their cavalry column
gained our rear at this moment, but too late, and only
discharged a few straggling shots at our rear guard
across the Bayou.
The commander of the rebel center, Colonel Mc-
Pheeters, was killed directly in front of the colors of
the Thirteenth Connecticut. He was a brave man,
and we could not look upon his manly face without
sorrow. A bullet had passed through his head. The
famous Crescent-City Regiment lay opposite us, and
many of its bravest men were gasping in the agonies of

91
death. We were destined to meet that regiment again
face to face at Irish Bend six months later.
The Thirteenth, having crossed the rifle-pit, halted.
General Weitzel addressed them a few words express
ing the highest satisfaction at their conduct. The
regiment answered with enthusiastic cheers.
Captain Tisdale volunteered to go with his compa
ny into the woods to pick up the enemy's stragglers,
a work which they performed well. Tired and faint
from the hard work in the morning, we were yet push
ed on several miles in pursuit, but were ordered back
near to the battle-ground the same evening.
In the battle of Labadieville or Georgia Landing,
we captured one piece of artillery, a brass twelve-
pounder, many arms and accoutrements, and two
hundred and eight prisoners. The whole of the rich
La Fourche country immediately fell into our hands.
The retreating enemy, however, were not caught at
Brashear City, as we had hoped ; the vessels of the na
val force having been detained two or three days off
the mouth of the Atchafalaya, unable to cross the bar
in consequence of adverse northerly winds, and the
rebel General, abandoning much of his stores, having
effected his escape with those of his men who did not
improve the opportunity to desert. This was effected
the more easily, as a very large proportion of his men
were mounted.
The Thirteenth lost but few men in this conflict :
one killed and thirteen wounded. Private Thomas
Reilly, Company A, was taken prisoner while skirm
ishing, and the whole company narrowly escaped cap
ture, but were extricated by the forethought and skill
of Captain Cornwell. The Twelfth Connecticut lost

92
three killed, fifteen wounded, and one, Lieutenant
Francis, a prisoner. The whole loss of the brigade
was about ninety, of whom the Eighth New Hamp
shire lost half. The knapsacks and their contents,
overcoats, and the like, which our men had thrown
off at the commencement of the battle, were inextri
cably mixed up with those of other companies and
regiments, and for the most part, lost to the men.
This loss came heavily on them, as the Government,
though importuned, never replaced the articles.
This experience of the Thirteenth was invaluable.
Our first battle was" a victory ; and it had been gained
with just enough of difficulty and danger to give the
soldiers confidence and thirst for military glory.
Next day we marched nine miles further along from
Labadieville to Thibodaux, the capital of the La
Fourche parish. It was with inexpressible pride that
we bore the blue flag of Connecticut and the hated Stars
and Stripes through the half-deserted streets, keeping
step to the music of our re-enspirited and splendid
band. No welcome greeted us from the white race.
They closed their doors and window-shutters, or scowl
ed with eyes askance from verandas and balconies.
The negroes from far and near swarmed to us. " Every
soldier had a negro, and every negro a mule. Many
of the blacks also brought with them horses, wagons,
house-furniture, provisions, bundles of clothing, bed
ding, with their wives and infants, till the bayou was
thronged with them for miles. The question became
exceedingly perplexing, " What to do with them ?"
Many of the able-bodied men soon enlisted in Butler's
three regiments of Native Guards, and more were
afterwards enrolled in Banks's Corps d'Afrique.

93
The second day after the battle the regiment march
ed to Raceland, a small hostile force being reported
there. On the way a rebel wagon, loaded with flour,
sugar and whiskey, and driven by a negro who was
making off with it, came into the hands of Lieutenant-
colonel Warner, then in command of the regiment in
the absence of Colonel Birge. The whiskey was issu
ed to the men at noon. At Raceland we found some
military stores, and a few cannon on the cars ready
to be whirled away ; but no enemy.
On the thirtieth we returned to Thibodaux, and
went into camp a mile below the town, on the same
side of the bayou. Weitzel named the place Camp
Stevens. The weather was delightful and the town
pleasant. Many of the houses had been abandoned
by their owners at the approach of our forces, and
some of them were broken open and shamefully pill
aged before Weitzel had an opportunity to establish
guards. These disorders and abuses, though insepa
rable from a hostile military occupation, filled the offi
cers generally with the deepest shame. A military
Commission for the trial of such offences was conven
ed in the Court House in Thibodaux, consisting of
Lieutenant-colonel Merrit, Major Peck, Captains
Thompson, Barret, Sprague, Mitchell and DeForest ;
but beyond the hanging of one negro they accomplish
ed little towards the administration of justice.
General Weitzel occupied the house of a rebel offi
cer on the plantation where our camp was. Colonel
Birge remained in his tent. Colonel Warner and
Quartermaster Bromley, whose respective wives had
arrived from the North, occupied a house in town.
Three or four miles above us on the bayou was the
9

94
beautiful residence of the Reverend General, Leonidas
Polk, who had laid aside the Bishop's robes for the
sash and epauletts, and whose remains now rest in
St. Paul's churchyard in Augusta, Ga. ; a mournful
illustration of the truth, " They that take the sword
shall perish with the sword." Nearly opposite Bishop
Polk's plantation, across the bayou, is the large plan
tation of General Braxton Bragg. For a week or
two after our arrival at Camp Stevens, we suffered for
want of sufficient food, and our new chaplain, Rev.
Henry Upson, conciliated the good-will of the soldiers
by foraging extensively on these plantations for the
benefit of the hungry. There was a vein of fun in
his composition, the solemnity of his look and 'de
meanor adding greatly to its effect. One morning he
and Adjutant; Grosvenor were ploughing up sweet po
tatoes for the half-starved soldiers ; Grosvenor held
the plough, a negro drove the mule, and the chaplain
walked along side picking up the vegetables and mor
alizing. The course of the plough was anything but
straight, and the adjutant finally becoming impatient
at the awkwardness of the driver, ejaculated, " Where
in h  are you going ?" The chaplain discontinued
his religious discussion for a moment, looked up
gravely through his spectacles, eyed the African and
the crooked furrow, and saidslowly, " Perhaps, under
the circumstances, that is a very proper question."
Colonel Warner and others one day visited Mrs.
Bragg at her house, and politely expressed the wish
that he might at some time meet her husband at his
residence. Mrs. Bragg drew herself up to her full
height, and with great dignity and dramatic effect,
replied, " The place for you to meet General Bragg,
sir, is on the battle-field !"

95
On the seventh of November, 1862, a startling event
brought mourning into our midst. Lieutenants
Wheeler and Johnson of the Thirteenth, had been left
behind sick at Camp Kearney, with other invalids, on
the departure of the regiment. On Saturday, the day
referred to, they took the cars for Thibodaux. Colo
nel Birge was drilling the Thirteenth about four
o'clock, P. M., when a loud explosion was heard, ap
parently several miles off, and a vast column of smoke
was seen to ascend in the direction of the rail-road
crossing. In an hour news came of the blowing up of
a car loaded with ammunition , and the instant death
of the two officers and ten or a dozen others, men and
women. Rumor was rife that General Butler, who
' ...
was expected to visit Thibodaux at that time, and who
actually came next day, was supposed to be on the
train, and hence the attempt to blow it up with an
infernal machine : but the truth seemed otherwise.
Those in the passenger cars heard the deafening ex
plosion, saw the shells bursting in every direction, and
the mangled remains of the victims scattered every
where. Heads were torn frdm bodies, and limb from
limb ; the headless trunk of a female being found
many rods off, blackened by powder. Many were
wounded, and their groans filled the air. The car was
totally destroyed, the track torn up, and the engine
precipitated down the embankment. The dry grass
and cane were immediately kindled by exploding
shells, and this fire in turn exploded other shells that
lay scattered over the fields. Hastening to the spot
with other officers, the writer of this history found
the bodies of the recently promoted Lieutenants
Wheeler and Johnson, of privates Assant, Company
F, and Richmond, Company I, among the rest. The

96
disaster occurred some thirty rods from the bayou.
The surgeons were busy with their amputations, and
the whole.scene was horrible as a battle-field. Cham
pion, our sutler, lay with both legs broken among the
other sufferers. The corpses of the officers were taken
next day to New Orleans, where they were embalmed',,
and shortly afterwards were sent to their friends in
the North.
Wednesday, November 26, at eleven and a half
o'clock, P. M., the " long roll" was beaten, the pickets
having suddenly commenced firing. The brigade in
stantly turned out under arms. The Thirteenth was
one of the first regiments in line. By command of
Weitzel we were ployed into column, deployed, and
made to execute various manoeuvers with the greatest
celerity. After a half-hour's evolutions, Colonel N. A.
M. Dudley, Inspector General, Department of the
Gulf, (familiarly known at that time as " The great
North American Dudley"), for whose gratification
Weitzel had ordered the alarm to be made, came in
front of the Thirteenth Connecticut, as we stood shiv
ering in the intense cold, and there delivered a spirit
ed speech complimentary to us and to the gallant Weit
zel, under whom he said he " should be proud to be a
brigadier general !" He had been cordially treated
on his visit to Thibodaux, and appeared to be in a
very happy frame of mind.
On the last Thursday in November, 1862, the anni
versary of our Connecticut Thanksgiving, we had a
grand celebration. The day was set apart to hilarity
and enjoyment. There were horse-races, mule-races',.
and foot-races, games of ball, and numberless other
amusing exercises. Colonel Birge temporarily abdi-

cated his position, and allowed the regiment to choose
a colonel for the holiday. They accordingly selected
Sergeant Ezra M. Hull, company D, who immediately
arrayed himself in the garb of an Indian chief, and
issued a series of amusing orders, one of which was,
that whosoever should do anything right during the
day should be put in the guard-house ! He appointed
a suitable officer-of-the-day, who arrested all that were
orderly and punished all that committed no offence.
A great dinner was eaten. The whole of the festi
vities concluded with a sham dress-parade, in which
the line officers in disguise personated the band of
music, and the whole regiment, attired in a style that
would have broken even Falstaff 's heart, obeyed the
standing order to do nothing right. Such a Thanks
giving was never celebrated elsewhere.
On the tenth of December were held a review and
inspection of the regiment, on half an hour's notice,
by Colonel Dudley, who showed himself an energetic
and able inspector. Like every other that examined
us at any time, he bestowed special praise upon the
perfection of our muskets and accoutrements.
" Never," said he, " have I seen better belts and
boxes in the volunteer service ; nor better muskets
among either volunteers or regulars."
December 17th, news came of the arrival of Gen
eral Banks at New Orleans the preceding day, with
orders to relieve General Butler. The same day a
portion of Banks' force arrived at Baton Rouge.
December 27th, we received orders to proceed to
Baton Rouge by way of Donaldsonville. Monday
morning, December 29th, we left Thibodaux and
marched through rain and deep mud twenty miles on
9*

the left bank of the bayou towards Donaldsonville.
The roads were in a most wretched condition. The
soldiers, being almost wholly unused to marching and
far too heavily laden with knapsacks, found the labor
fatiguing to the last degree. Like Stonewall Jackson,
Colonel Birge marched his men faster and farther
than was agreeable to themselves or the enemy.
Hardly a foot, the. sole of which was not one huge
blister. Many sunk down exhausted. A year later,
they would have thrown away their knapsacks at the
end of the first half hour. A little after dark we
marched eighty rods from the levee road to a sugar
mill, where we lay on the ground until morning. At
midnight companies E and H were alarmed at a herd
of goats trampling over them in the darkness, which
some dreaming soldiers mistook for a charge of rebel
cavalry !
Next day we marched more leisurely to Donaldson
ville. The captain of company B crossed to the other
side of the La Fourche and preceded us in a buggy,
without permission from Colonel Birge. The latter, '
arriving himself in advance of the troops, was indig
nant to find the captain already at Colonel Holcomb's
head-quarters indulging in social refreshment.
The same day we embarked for Baton Rouge, which
is some sixty miles further up the river. We reached
our destination next morning, December 31. There
we went into camp near a cemetery on the battle
ground where Breckenridge had been repulsed in his
assault the fifth of the preceding August. By what ¦
mysterious influence is it that cemeteries are fated to
become battle-fields, as many a one from Baton Rouge
to Gettysburg!! testifies ? This had its fences perfo-

99
rated like a sieve, its trees cut off, and its tombs torn
open by cannon shot. In one case the body of an in
fant was still exposed to view in a half demolished
tomb. The demon of war ! From the day when the
Roman Conqueror strode into the Jewish Holy of
Holies, no place has been sacred or secure. Our camp
ground itself was evidently a place of burial after, the
battle. Digging a few inches under his tent, the
writer struck the shoes on a soldier's corpse ! But
whose ?
We remained in that field one night. Next morn
ing we moved to the old United States Arsenal
grounds, and pitched tents alongside the barracks.
We had hardly established ourselves here when we
were moved next day to still another portion of- the
same grounds, just inside the strong breastworks that
were still in process of erection. We immediately
resumed battalion and company drills. The captains
successively drilled the regiment in presence of Col.
Birge or Lieutenant-colonel Warner, and under their
supervision. January 9, Colonel Birge ordered a board of officers,
consisting of Captains Sprague and Cornwell and
Lieutenant Baker, to examine the sergeants with a;
view to their promotion to be commissioned officers.
January 26, the regiment moved into camp a mile
from town near the Port Hudson road. About this;
time Colonel Birge assumed command of the Third
Brigade, Fourth (Grover's) Division. His brigade
comprised the Thirteenth Connecticut, One Hundred
and Fifty-ninth New York, Twenty-fifth Conn, and
Twenty-sixth Maine. Brigade drills immediately fol
lowed. Colonel Warner and Quartermaster Bftmley,
with their families, occupied a house in town. Colonel

100
Birge's headquarters and the camps of the whole
brigade were on the upper or north side of the town,
near the creek that flows past the Arsenal grounds. .
On the twenty-seventh of January, Lieutenant
Jonah F. Clark, company H, died of fever in hospital
at Baton Rouge after two weeks sickness. On the
twenty-ninth his funeral was attended by many of the
officers and soldiers, and the body was interred with
military honors. The sudden bereavement was de
plored by all his brother officers, and his memory was
sacredly cherished by his company, who knew his gal
lantry, his patriotism, and his integrity.
Difficulties and disputes having arisen in February
relative to the support of the Thirteenth's fine band,
and the amount appropriated by the quartermaster .
from the savings of rations and from the savings at
the regimental bakery in New Orleans for the pay
ment of the musicians, several excited meetings were
held, and a committee of officers was appointed to
investigate and report. Captain Cornwell at one of
these meetings made in behalf of the committee a
very lucid exposition of the result of his examina
tions ; and the result of the whole was that the officers
found it necessary to make liberal contributions and
subscriptions to pay off the indebtedness. The en
listed men also contributed nobly to that object. The
burden was heavy, but the music was sweet.
Bromley having been appointed acting brigade
quartermaster, Captain Cornwell was detailed as
acting regimental quartermaster. This office he
filled satisfactorily for many months, the command of
company A meanwhile devolving on Lieutenant
Tibbets, than whom a more faithful officer could not
be found.

101
Great interest was felt by the Connecticut soldiers,
at Baton Rouge in the approaching gubernatorial
election. At a meeting called for the purpose of con
sidering the subject, they appointed Colonel Bissell,
Twenty-fifth Connecticut, and Captain Sprague, Thir
teenth Connecticut, a committee to prepare an address
expressive of their views. The latter accordingly,
while on picket duty on the seventh of March, wrote
an Appeal to the People of Connecticut. This docu
ment, after its adoption by the meeting, was exten
sively signed by the soldiers, then under marching
orders. It was published with a portion of the signa
tures in the Connecticut papers shortly afterwards,
and is said to have had some. influence in the election
of Gov. Buckingham.
For a week we were under marching orders. Two
grand reviews had been held ; one by General Augur,
one by General Banks. It was known that we were
to march against Port Hudson. Indeed that intention
was openly avowed. On the ninth of March we struck.
tents. Farewell to comfort thenceforward. Until
the following August, with the exception of three days
at Bayou Boeuf in April, we slept no more under
tents or roofs of any kind. For five months we were
without bed or shelter. Louisiana mud, snakes, mus-
quitos, lice — they soon ceased to have any terrors
for us. We acquired what Carlyle would -<term,
" Toughness plus Astucity."
A great struggle of some kind was evidently im
pending. Grover's and Augur's divisions had long
been concentrating. The fleet of mortar schooners,
gunboats, sloops-of-war, and iron-clads, was assembling^
above Baton Rouge. Banks was there and Farragut

102
was there. Banks' record showed that he was at least
brave, and no one supposed that Farragut ever knew
fear. It is related of the Admiral that, at a dinner in
New Orleans given by General Banks to the officers of
the army and navy, amidst a number of speeches and
toasts the brave old hero was called upon to respond.
He made a speech, in which he strongly urged an
immediate attack upon Port Hudson and the great
duty of self-sacrifice. " Very likely," said he, " it
would be very destructive of life. Many a brave man
will fall. You, General Banks, may fall. I may fall.
Every officer here may perish. But there will be
others to continue the battle. There will always be a
last man, and he will carry the flag on to victory and
glory, and will save the country ! Gentlemen, here's
TO THE HEALTH OP THAT LAST MAN !"
On the thirteenth of March the regiment left in the
afternoon with streaming colors and the music of our
unequaled band, and joined the grand column mov
ing on Port Hudson. We marched eight or nine
miles and then bivouaced. Next day we advanced
slowly about the same distance, preceded by skirm
ishers, cavalry and infantry, till we nearly reached
the outer works of the fortress. Colonel Clark of
General Banks' staff, while reconnoitering, was seri
ously wounded. The enemy were reported eighteen
thousand strong. Our regiments moved to the places
assigned them, and the stronghold seemed to be in
vested. Companies E and H of the Thirteenth were
stationed in an open field separately from the remain
der of the regiment, which was in a wood ; and thesff
two companies were favored with a view of the bom
bardment.

103
The river at Port Hudson is very swift and narrow,
shallow on the opposite side, but very deep where the
channel curves a mile or more round the foot of the
perpendicular bluff, seventy feet high, on which the
village and fortifications stand. Eighteen or twenty
huge columbiads and innumerable smaller pieces of
artillery frowned from the continuous line of works,
and were able to throw plunging shot right down *
upon our decks.
At eleven o'clock, the night of March fourteenth,
the. steamships attempted to run up past the batteries,
and the bombardment commenced all around the
works. It was a spectacle the like of which is not
often seen. The night was intensely dark. Some
times half-a-dozen shells from the thirteen-inch mor
tars would be visible in the air at once ; each, like a
spark of fire, at first swiftly rising and gradually
slower, creeping on its vast semi-circumference up the
sky ; hesitating a moment at the zenith ; then slowly
descending, but with ever-increasing speed, till it
plunged into darkness, or, with a lightning flash,
burst in a tremendous roar. The smaller shells inces
santly darted athwart the firmament like shooting
stars. All the river front, for more than a mile, was
ablaze with the fire of artillery from the land and'
from the ships, while the countless explosions kept up
a continuous roll like heaviest thunder. Near one
o'clock our attention was attracted to a bright light
in the midst of the hottest battle. For a while it
seemed stationary, but increased in vividness, and
then seemed to be moving down the river. We were
stationed two or three miles back, and intervening
woods concealed the blazing mass itself. The

104
fierce cannonade seemed fiercer than ever around it.
What could it be ? In our suspense and anxiety, the
imagination conjured up the image of rebel iron-clads
engaging our wooden fleet, setting one of them on
fire and driving them helpless down the river, our
heroic Admiral fighting to the last. For two hours
this strange exhibition continued ; the blazing object,
whatever it might be', slowly drifting far down the
current ; the sound of its cannonade growing less
frequent. On a sudden, the whole heavens were lit
from horizon to horizon with a fiery splendor. The
stars sank in an ocean of flame. For ten seconds the
lurid glare filled the sky ; then came a moment of
dense blackness ; and then, a crash so loud and deep
that the earth shook for a hundred miles, and it
seemed as if all the thunder of the past five hours had
been concentrated in one terrific peal. The vessel
had run aground, had been defended with frantic
courage, had been set on fire and abandoned, had
floated with the stream, its guns going off and its
shells exploding as the flames successively reached
them ; until the conflagration touched the magazine,
and in a blaze of glory the grand old steam frigate
Mississippi vanished forever !
An orderly soon rode up and communicated the
brief instructions : " The object of the expedition hav
ing been accomplished, the troops will immediately
set ouUfor Baton Rouge." Much wondering at this
Delphic announcement, not yet knowing that Farra
gut had successfully passed the batteries with the flag
ship Hartford and the Albatross, we marched at day
break. A heavy rain commenced falling, and the
roads were soon flooded. We waded on mile after

105
mile in the semi-fluid mud, our shoes and boots being
filled by the torrents of water that seemed to leap
from the open windows of heaven. All day and for
an hour after nightfall we toiled slowly on, till we
reached a point about eight miles above Baton Rouge,
when we were marched by the flank out of the road
and into a pond of water, and told to pass the night
there ! It was an old canefield. The water was from
an inch to a foot in depth, with occasional mud
islands, stumps, logs, and clusters of bushes. Egypt
ian darkness was upon us, and the rain was yet falling.
Such nights are more destructive than battles. How
we envied the horses of the general and his staff, in
their warm, dry stables on the other side of the road !
The Twenty-fifth Connecticut were close beside
us. They alone, of all the regiments, managed to get a
little coffee, a part of which they generously distri
buted to other sufferers, though some of their men
drove some of the Thirteenth from their fires. A few
of our soldiers, going about forty rods and groping in
the darkness, contrived to get a poor supply of wood,
and after a time we had two fires blazing ; but there
was not room to sleep around them. Colonel War
ner, with the surgeon and chaplain and several
other officers, gathered around one burning stump,
and, after a brief discussion, decided that Bromley's
proposition was a wise one : " The only way to keep
the water out is to keep the whiskey in." The chap
lain hailed every passer by, with, "Halt! Who goes
there ? Advance, friend, and give the Countersign!"
and then imparted spirituous comfort. Doctor C,
usually so abstemious, distinguished himself on this
occasion equally by his wit, his sound strategic views,
10

106
and his medical skill. His advice, loudly proclaimed,
and enforced by his own example, was : " If you cant
take Port Hudson take Baton Rouge ; and if you cant
take Baton Rouge, take whiskey !"
Many were the uncomfortable nights we passed, but
none worse than this. We named the spot, " Camp
Misery," and by that appellation we shall always re
member it. The generals called it " Camp Alden,"
but they did not sleep in the mud and rain.
Next day we moved three-quarters of a mile to the
Mississippi bank, and bivouaced there. We remained
till March twentieth, when we returned to our old
camp ground at Baton Rouge. On the twenty-second,
orders came to hold ourselves in readiness to move at
fifteen minutes' notice.
On the twenty-fourth of March the position of Lieu
tenant-colonel in the Fifth Regiment Engineers,
colored, was offered to Captain Sprague. The com
mission was sent him some days afterwards, but found
. a lodgment in some " pigeon hole " at intermediate
head-quarters and never reached its destination.
The morning of March 28, 1863, we were notified
that we should start for Donaldsonville that noon.
We actually left at dark that evening, in the midst of
a thunder storm. Thoroughly drenched, we em
barked on the steamer Empire Parish. Several com
panies slept on the hurricane deck in the rain. Be
fore light the next morning (Sunday) we reached
Donaldsonville and disembarked, cold, wet and ex
hausted. Orders were issued that the soldiers should
take no wood from fences and shoiild cut no trees.
The most stringent orders against straggling and
marauding were issued, authorizing the killing of an

' 107
offender found pillaging. It was currently related
that some three weeks later General D wight ordered
the summary shooting, without even a drum-head
court-martial, of a soldier whom he found with a sto
len pair of citizen's pantaloons.
Tuesday, March 31, we moved at early morning
along the right bank of the La Fourche twelve miles.
Next day we advanced about the same distance, and
bivouaced just below our old battle-ground of Georgia
Landing. The rules against pillaging were rigidly
enforced. Not a fence rail could be taken to make
fire or bed for officer or soldier. It being the first
day of April, Lieutenants Bradley, Kinney and Tib-
bets were put under arrest by the Provost Marshal, by
General Grover's order, for crossing the bayou to
purchase eggs !
Thursday, April 2, we marched through Thibo
daux to the Terrebonne railroad station, where we
took the cars. The same evening at half-past ten we
arrived at Bayou Boeuf, where we remained just a
week. Sunday evening, April 5, an order was issued by
General Grover, requiring all negroes who had joined
the expedition since it left Baton Rouge, to be turned
over to the Provost Marshal ; an order which many
supposed to be tantamount to delivering up the fugi
tives to their masters. Chaplain Upson that evening
preached a sermon, in which he took occasion to say
he should disobey the order.
Next day, General Order No. 68, Head-Quarters,
Grover's Division, was issued, which restricted officers'
baggage on the intended expedition to " a small
valise or carpet bag, a small roll of blankets, and

108
what messing utensils are absolutely necessary.'
We were ordered to store all other baggage in a large
sugar-mill a few rods from camp. Accordingly we
left trunks, our best clothing, records, papers, and
every article we could possibly dispense with on a
march. Few of us ever saw any of these things
again, as the sugar-house was burned to the ground*
with all its contents the following June upon the
capture of the place by the enemy.
At half-past two o'clock, A. M., Thursday, April 9,
we were awakened, ordered to have reveille at four
o'clock, cook a day's rations, strike tents, and be ready
to march at eight o'clock, A. m. At the appointed
time we marched out promptly, and at three o'clock;
p. m., we reached Brashear City. We went into a
field adjoining the camp-ground vacated the same day
by the Twelfth Connecticut, whose tents were still
standing. Here our soldiers stored knapsacks and
every superfluous article, and we held ourselves in
readiness to march at any moment.
Saturday night, April 11, we embarked on the
steamboat Laurel Hill. Sunday morning, Grover's
division, on board the seven steamers Laurel Hill, St.
Mary's, Estrella, Quinnebaug, Clifton, Arizona, and
Calhoun, all crowded with troops, moved slowly up
the Atchafalaya river, which widens into Lake
Paludre, Lake Chestimache and Grand Lake.
Simultaneously with the departure of Grover's^
division, that of Weitzel moved towards the rebel
works just below Franklin on the Bayou Teche, where
the enemy lay in heavy force and strongly fortified.
The region is perhaps the richest sugar-producing
country in tne United States, and as beautiful as a

109
level country can be. On this charming bayou the
rebels had at this time the excellent gunboat Diana,
which, after a gallant fight two weeks before, had been
captured from us with company A, Twelfth Connecti
cut, on board. The plan of General Banks, who was
present in person at Brashear City, was to land
Grover's division on the shore of Grand Lake at a
point where one of the bends of the Teche approaches
the lake within one or two miles, and hold the bayou
and the narrow strip of land on each side and so cut
off the enemy's retreat if Weitzel drove them ; or
march down on Franklin and co-operate with Weitzel
in the investment, if they made an obstinate stand.
Having captured this force the road would be clear
for an immediate march to the siege of Port Hudson.
The morning of April 13, the anniversary of our
landing at Ship Island, we disembarked at a place
called Sand Beach, near Irish Bend. The enemy with
several pieces of artillery and with some small arms
threw shell, solid shot, grape and lead among us while
we were effecting our landing. The First Louisiana
led the way. The Thirteenth Connecticut came next.
We landed by companies, in flat boats, and formed
line of battle on the beach. Pressing forward against
the enemy, preceded a short distance by the First
Louisiana, we drove the enemy before us into the
woods a hundred rods distant from the shore. The
First Louisiana had its Lieutenant Colonel (Fisk) and
five men wounded. This affair is sometimes spoken
of as the battle of Sand Beach.
In perfect silence we passed a mile through the dense
woods in pursuit of the enemy, who retreated to
Madam Porter's plantation. Emerging from the
10*

110
woods, we saw a few of their cavalry a mile distant,
their mounted officers riding rapidly to and fro, or
watching us with glasses, among a few scattered plan
tation houses. While the other regiments and batte
ries were coming up, we improved the opportunity to
take a lunch. Late in the afternoon we moved to
wards them in force, they receding as we advanced.
Crossing the bayou bridge, which the rebels attempt
ed to burn, near the beautiful mansion of Madam
Porter, proprietress of one of the richest plantations
in the South, the soldiers helped themselves liberally
to sugar from the large mill that stood by the road
side next the bridge. We marched a short distance
further and then bivouaced, our regiment being thrown
out as an advance guard. At intervals during the
day we had heard Weitzel thundering at the gates of
Franklin. We supped on hard-tack and sugar, sent
Company A out to the picket line, and forty men of
Company H under Lieutenant Deming to hold one of
the bridges near us, and then lay down in a lane be
tween two fences.
Showers occurred at intervals during the night, and
the regiment got very little sleep on the wet ground.
It appears that the enemy, on learning of the appear
ance of our fleet in the lake near Irish Bend, deter
mined not to be caught between the two fires, and
^commenced moving stores, trains, and troops up the
| Teche roads. During this night they noiselessly evac
uated their forts below Franklin, completely giving
Weitzel the slip. Grover of course ought to have
been in position to intercept them, but was a little too
late. It was currently reported that the landing near
Irish Bend was a mistake; that the understood plan

Ill
was for Grover to land some miles further up, near
Indian Bend, where the belt of ground practicable for
military operations is narrower, and where he could
have seized and held the only available route of re
treat before the enemy could have arrived. All night,
it is said, they were passing. If this was so, their ob
ject in fighting us the next day was only designed to
check our pursuit, or overwhelm a detached portion
of our force by superior tactics. But conjectures are
useless. It was ours to fight battles; not to plan
them. Tuesday, April 14, 1863, the regiment fell into
line at day-break. Some five hundred rods distant
was a forest fringed with low cane on the right as we
faced it. In this wood the enemy were posted, cover
ing the Franklin road, to secure their line of retreat.
General Grover remarked that he thought there
was nothing more than a picket there. Mounting
the fences we watched the woods for some time,
while the Twenty-fifth Connecticut were deploying
and advancing as skirmishers to the edge of the
wood. We were fully exposed to the view of the
rebels, but could see hardly any thing of them. The
right wing of the Twenty-fifth first deployed under
the immediate charge of their gallant commander,
Colonel Bissell, and as these feelers neared .the edge
of the cane, we watched them with intense interest.
Suddenly a sputtering fire opened upon them from
the woods in front, which they warmly returned, and
they were greeted with discharges from a battery
posted a considerable distance to the left in the woods.
The other companies of the Twenty-fifth now deploy
ed and advanced to the support of the skirmish line,

112
which had become warmly engaged along two-thirds
of the whole front of the forest. An unexpected
force of the enemy having been thus developed, Gen
eral Grover ordered up the rest of Birge's brigade.
Rogers' battery was also brought up to reply to the
rebel artillery and to the gunboat Diana, whose guns
now swept the field. She had come up the Teche
that morning. Birge's brigade moved gaily to the
battle-ground under the eyes of the whole division.
The scene is described as having been exceedingly
beautiful ; the thundering of the artillery and the
scattering musketry giving little indication as yet of
the fierceness of the approaching storm. The regi
ments were all large, the'Thirteenth having five hun
dred men in line.
The wood in which the enemy were posted extended
with irregular front about half a mile. Two thirds
of the distance from the right of the edge, as we stood
facing it, a plantation road leads perpendicularly
into the forest. The One Hundred and Fifty-ninth
New York and the Twenty-sixth Maine moved in line
of battle towards the front, while the Thirteenth Con
necticut, having a much farther distance to traverse
before advancing directly forward, moved by the flank
to the left. Crossing the plantation road, the regi
ment came " on the right by file into line ;" Company
B having first be"en detached under command of lieu
tenant Bradley to support a section of Rogers' bat
tery. The right of our regiment now rested on this road.
Directly in front of us was a narrow skirt of thin
woodland parallel to the main forest, and thirty or
forty rods distant from it. Penetrating this strip of

113
ground, Company A was deployed at a double-quick
to skirmish and cover our advance.
A terrific fire on our right on the other side of the
road told us that the three regiments, which were
separated from our view by trees, had met with, a
stout resistance ; but we did not dream how sangui
nary was the contest there.
With a brisk and steady step the Thirteenth moved
up in solid line close on the heels of our skirmishers,
who were tired out, having been on duty all the pre
ceding night. The instant we began to emerge from
the narrow belt of trees and entered the freshly-
ploughed field that now" intervened between us and
.the enemy, a rapid fire greeted us from the battery,
" St. Mary's Cannoniers," the Crescent City regiment
directly in front, and from'the gunboat Diana, a single
shot of which killed two of our men. The Sharps'
rifles of Company A's skirmishers now opened a brisk
fire upon the enemy. The- Thirteenth, though start
led, did not retreat, but continued advancing with as
much precision as if at a review, when Colonel War
ner gave the order to commence firing. This mode
of firing — firing while advancing in line of battle — is
not laid down in the tactics. We had used it at La-
badieville, It seemed the spontaneous action of the
regiment, and it wonderfully supports the courage of
the men. Nothing, however, is more difficult than to
load and fire advancing without breaking into hope
less confusion. Here the rigid drilling we had receiv
ed, and the perfect confidence we had in our success,
sustained us, notwithstanding the shower of missiles
that drove in our faces, and the hellish noise of battle
where the rest of the brigade was engaged out of our

114
view. Had we been able to survey that part of the
field, we should indeed have been disheartened. The
enemy had silently massed several regiments on the
right of our brigade, and had suddenly opened such
a front and flank fire upon the imionists there as
mowed them down by scores. A few moments of
stubborn fighting, and they retreated in disorder to
the middle 8f the large field whence they came. Two
officers of the Twenty-fifth were killed, and five
wounded. The Lieutenant-colonel (Draper), Adju
tant, and several other officers of the One Hundred
and Fifty-ninth New York were killed, and the Colo
nel severely wounded. Drap*er was riding the magnir
ficent horse of Colonel Baker, who fell at Ball's Bluff. .
All the horses of Birge's staff officers, except one,
were killed or wounded. The rebels with their pecu
liar wild-cat yell rushed upon them and made many
prisoners. The moment was an anxious one to the
thousands of Grover's Division who were looking on
at the distance of a mile or more. They saw Birge's,
brigade borne down by the weight of irresistible
numbers, and the rebels forming line of battle in the
open field. The Thirteenth had disappeared from
view in the first strip of wood-land, and had passed
beyond the new rebel line. The spectators in vain
strained their eyes to catch some glimpse of our re
tiring colors, or looked to see us running in confu
sion. Our five hundred men were in the midst of
three thousand rebels. All seemed lost. Suddenly,'
however, from the gleaming rifles of our advancing
line, there poured a steady stream of lead, every man
loading and firing three times a minute, and the twen-^
ty or thirty shots per second making with the answer-

115
ing fire of the rebel line a prolonged and tremendous
roar. It had no cessation. The white smoke reveal
ed the position of the regiment to our friends, and
although they saw that we were in the very lair of the
lion, the terrible and unceasing din of our arms as
sured them we had no intention of backing out.
" When the Thirteenth commenced firing," said an
officer who was among the lookers-on, "it didn't
sound like the other regiments, but there was a stea
dy roll without any break in the sound for near ten
minutes." " That rebel battery ceased firing mighty
quick !" said Lieutenant Leonidas Hall, of the First
Louisiana : " I never heard such firing. It seemed
like a never-ending peal of rolling thunder. I knew
something had got to give way in front of the Thir
teenth, for no troops that ever breathed could stand
such a fire as that." Said another officer who wrote a
history of the battle for the press, " It was the most
heavy, rapid rolling fire to whfch I ever listened, wheth
er in battle or on drill." Said our Lieutenant Bradley,
who was supporting Rogers' Battery at a distance, " 1
felt a good deal alarmed for you, till I heard, that
•stunning steady roar, and then I knew that the old
Thirteenth was all right !" We certainly felt that we
were all right, though fifty of our number fell in the
first two or three minutes. A little extravagance
was natural ; and as the writer of this history was
swinging his sword over his forehead a rebel bullet
splintered on the hilt, and the fragments were buried
in his hand and arm. The blood pattering in his face,
and a numbness in the disabled hand, first apprised
him that he was wounded. All the while we moved
slowly forward in line, and just before we reached our

116
antagonists their pet regiment followed the example
of their pet battery, and disappeared. The latter did
not even stop to carry off its banner which stood lean
ing there against one of their wagons.
It is impossible to describe the enthusiasm of the
men at this moment. A few Parthian shots were
still dropping among us, and the gunboat was still
sending its iron missiles through our midst. Our men
were firing irregularly, wherever they caught sight of
a retreating rebel. " Battalion, halt ! Cease firing !"
now commanded Colonel Warner. The two or three
companies on the right, however, continued to fire
obliquely in that direction. " What does this mean ?"
said our commander ; "I ordered you to cease firing."
"Colonel, do you see those men in gray?" replied
Lieutenant Averill, commanding Company D, in the
absence of Captaiii Fuller, who being ill, had fallen
out of the column in its advance that morning. At
this moment the bullets commenced coming thicker
from that quarter, and some even came from a direc
tion obliquely in rear of the right of our regiment.
This^sprinkling of shot, was fast increasing to a show
er, and again the rallying rebels began to annoy us in
front. The alarming truth flashed upon. Warner's
mind that the confederates had turned our right, as
we had turned theirs, and had actually got in our
rear ! " What shall I do ?" said he in the greatest ]
perplexity ; " they have given me no orders. Why
don't they send me orders ?" " Colonel," said one
captain, " if you ask me, I say wheel round to the
right and charge bayonets on their flank ; or charge
straight ahead, and then swing round and take them
in the rear." This hazardous advice was not followed,

117
for at that moment Colonel Birge rode up and com
municated orders to fall back to the grove, or till we
met the supports which General Grover had ordered
up. We .retired slowly and sullenly across the
ploughed field, many of the soldiers refusing to turn
from the enemy and marching in the backward step,
as dreading to be wounded in the back. Reaching
the thin grove, word came that the enemy's cavalry
were about charging on the Thirteenth. We halted,
fixed bayonets, and awaited their onset ; but they did
not come. We unfixed bayonets and re-opened fire
on the rallying rebels.
The regiments on the right having reformed line,
and Dwight's >rigade of our division having made its
appearance ir the rear, the command " Forward !"
was again giy 1. This time the charge of our united
brigade swept everything before it along the whole
front. In this battle the enemy fought handsomely. They
had, it is true, the advantage of position, and were
comparatively hid from us, while every movement of
ours was distinctly visible to them. This enabled
them to concentrate on the right of our brigade, and
at first defeat us in that quarter. But at this critical
moment the splendidly audacious charge of the Thir
teenth broke the rebel lines, threw them into disorder,
made them believe a heavy force was getting in their
own rear, and wrested victory from their grasp.
But though we had driven the enemy's cavalry, in
fantry and artillery, the gunboat was still dropping its
shells with remarkable precision among us. Lieuten
ant Wells, with thirty sharpshooters of the Thirteenth
and Lieutenant Beaton of Co. E were sent to pick
11

118
off its pilot and gunners. This contest was ended by
the approach of Weitzel's artillery from Franklin,
when the rebels set the Diana on fire, and it soon
blew up with a deafening explosion. •
Great numbers of dead and wounded men and
horses strewed the ground in front of the Thirteenth,
and attested the terrible destructiveness of our firing.
Besides the property we were obliged to abandon
when we received orders to fall back, the Thirteenth,
captured two caissons, one limber, four artillery
horses ; one particularly fine horse, evidently an offi
cers', splendidly caparisoned, and long afterwards
known as " Irish Bend ;" many swords ; muskets ; a
great quantity of ammunition ; sixty prisoners ; also
the large and elegantly embroided silk flag, bearing
the inscription, " The Ladies op Franklin to the St.
Mary's Cannoniers." This trophy has found its way
at last to the archives of the State of Connecticut.
Marching away from the field that evening we
passed the Ninety-first New York under the com
mand of Colonel Van Zandt. " Good evening,
Colonel," said our commander ; " Was your regiment
engaged to-day ?" " Was my regiment engaged ?"
he answered with astonishment ; " I rather think my
regiment was engaged. The heaviest part of the
fighting was done by my regiment. I lost six men."
It seems that after Birge's brigade had dislodged the
enemy and they were in full retreat, Dwight's brigade -
arrived on the spot in time to receive a. few parting
shots from the gunboat. What was our surprise a
few weeks later to see in one of the illustrated New
York papers a glowing account of the battle, ascrib
ing all the honor to General Dwight and adding in

119
substance, as follows : "Thus did Dwight's brigade,
with a loss of six men accomplish in a quarter of an
hour, what Birge's brigade had failed to accomplish
in three hours with a loss of several hundred men !"
In this battle we had seven men killed outright.
Forty-six were wounded. Among the latter were
three officers, Captain Sprague, and Lieutenants
Strickland and Kinney, neither of whom, however,
left the field. Captain Fuller, though not actively
engaged in the fight, was struck on the leg by a spent
ball. As we moved away at sunset with martial music,
bearing our battle-torn flags and the rebel trophy, our
pride was tinged with inexpressible sorrow and many
eyes filled with tears as we passed the new graves
where First-sergeant Frank E. Stanley, one of our
manliest and most promising soldiers, and his brave
compatriots lay. While a member of the Thirteenth
shall live, the memory of the two Stanleys and the
rest of our noble dead fallen on the bloody field of
Irish Bend, shall never cease to be cherished.
Chaplain Upson and Hospital-steward William
Bishop deserve special praise. They fearlessly ex
posed themselves, and rendered most valuable aid in
ministering to the wounded and removing them to the
sugar-house a mile or more in the rear, which had
been suddenly converted into a hospital. One of the
officers of the Thirteenth thus describes the place :
" After my wound had been dressed I visited the
sugar-mill which had been turned into a hospital for
both union and rebel wounded. Twelve of my com
pany had been hurt — some of them severely, and I
wished to find them and supply their wants if possible.

120
The night was very dark and cold. Several hundred
lay there. But one or two candles could be obtained,,
and the surgeons were busy with these. There should
have been at least twenty surgeons, but only three or
four were present. Some of those worst wounded
did not have any attention for several days. Quite a
number of dead lay at one door, and a pile of legs,
feet, arms, hands, beside the /bloody table where the
surgeons were still amputating. Nothing was to be
heard but cries, groans, entreaties. It really seemed
as if nobody cared for the sufferers, so few were there.
to assist them. Groping a few minutes among the
wounded, for the building was pitchy dark, and the
ground was covered with victims, I started for a light.
It was nearly an hour before I was able to procure the
use of one for a few minutes. I soon found my first-
sergeant. He had been shot through the neck ; yet
as if by a miracle, the wound was not fatal. He was
suffering from cold and thirst, and was faint from loss
of blood. Throwing my blanket over the poor fellow,
I returned to camp and brought him a canteen of
hot coffee, and some food for him and for my other
wounded. Detailing William Patterson, one of our
most faithful men, with strict orders to remain with
them and nurse them, I left, being completely ex
hausted, sick at heart of war and all its surroundings."
Glorious, yet mournful at best, is death on the bat
tle-field. Happy he, whose brain is instantly darkened
by the missile crashing through it, or whose life-
gushes away in a crimson torrent ! But sadder than
words can tell is the fate of him who lingers hour after
hour in agony, and then dies. The usual consolations
of the last hour are wanting : the soft hand ; the last

121
kiss ; the cooling draught that quenches the mortal
thirst ; the whisper that bids the soul look heavenward
when the earthly eye is growing dim. Alas ! no
angel graces or heavenly charities there ! But yells,
curses, groans, the rattle of musketry, the shrieks of
shot and shell, the earth ploughed by iron projectiles,
the air rent by explosions, the roll of ponderous
wheels crushing all beneath them, — a hell on earth !

11*

CHAPTER IV.
Next morning we were marched away in pursuit of
the flying foe. Our road lay along the Bayou Teche
through a charming sugar region. Madame Porter's
plantation, already mentioned, seemed a tropical
paradise. The elegant mansion, the delightful
grounds, the wilderness of flowers, orange groves
with fruit like the golden apples of the Hesperides,
Madame Porter herself, a splendidly beautiful wo
man, — all looked lovely as peace itself in contrast
with the ugliness of war. Her young son was taken
prisoner, but soon released. We passed the residence
of a wealthy negro, himself an extensive slave-owner,.
who had raised and equipped at- his own expense a
company of white soldiers for the Confederate ser
vice. His wife, it was said, was a white woman, who
had come South to teach. How often the sublime
topples over into the ridiculous.
That morning a rebel planter requested Col. Birge
to furnish a guard to protect his property. " Cer
tainly," said the Colonel, " if you are a loyal citizen
of the United States." " I'm a loyal citizen of the
Confederate States," he answered with an ' oath.
" Then I can't furnish a guard," was the rejoinder.
In a few minutes we saw, on looking back, a dense
mass of smoke ascending from his dwelling ; a sight
far too common in Louisiana.
We marched fifteen miles that day, the enemy
occasionally attempting to retard our progress.

123
Many of them were taken prisoners. April 16, we
continued the pursuit. At night we bivouacked in New
Iberia. April 17, we passed, as we left town, the car
casses of fourteen horses that marked yesterday's cav
alry fight. At evening, after a twenty miles march
they made a stand at Vermilion Bayou. Here they
set the bridge on fire after a sharp resistance to our
van. The Thirteenth marched rapidly in line of bat
tle to the scene of action. The shells fell harmless
around us. At night the regiment moved cautiously
and silently in the darkness to the river side. No
lights were allowed. We lay on our arms in line all
night ; one of the first instances of a nocturnal ex
perience that became very common. Instructions
were carefully communicated in reference to our duty
in case of a night attack.
Next morning, Captain Grosvenor was sent with
Company I to reconnoitre. No enemy in sight.
During the day a large number of soldiers in bathing
were frightened by what they took for the advance
guard of the rebels, and rushed back to camp in pre
cipitate flight, " naked as when from earth they
came!" Companies A and B, having been deployed
and advanced as skirmishers, found only a squad of
deserters coming in.
The march had begun to be severely felt, and many
of our men fell behind exhausted. Scanty rations,
nights without cover, no change of clothing, the heat.
of noon, the cold of midnight, heavy dews, fast
marching with the regiment always compact and
ready for actian, some of us suffering from wounds —
all combined to render the intelligence most welcome,
that we must rest a day to rebuild the burnt bridge-

124
The enemy, too, were mostly mounted, and our efforts
to catch them would have been amusing, had they not
been so hopeless and fatiguing. The battle of Ver
milion Bayou was inscribed on the colors of some regi
ments, and might have been with equal propriety on
ours. At night, a cold, heavy rain flooded the ground,
and nearly drowned us. Next morning, Sunday,
April 19, we marched fifteen miles in pursuit towards
Opelousas. April 20, we marched an equal distance,
halting a mile from town. Companies H and D went
out on picket. The rest of the regiment, having just
got sound asleep, were waked at ten and a half
o'clock, and pushed eight miles further to Washing
ton, La. Here the two companies rejoined them next
day at sunset.
Much dissatisfaction prevailed at being so hurried
along in pursuit of a foe who appeared to have out
generaled us and rendered nugatory our victories of
Franklin, Irish Bend and Vermilion Bayou. One
day General Banks rode past our regiment as we lay
sweltering in the sun. Not a cheer greeted him. As
he passed in silence, our chaplain, Rev. Henry Upson,
remarked to several who sat exhausted in the dust be
side the fence, " What abominable mismanagement
on the part of Banks ! I think he'd better declare
again, ' The object of the expedition being accom
plished, the troops will return to Baton Rouge !' "
" Why, Chaplain," inquired the writer, " who, after
all, could have done better than Banks ?" " Who
could have done better !" he replied ; '4Grover could
have done belter; Birge could have done better;
Warner could have done better ; you could have done

125
better ; I could have done better. What's your name,
boy?" he said to a little soldier. " McDonough, yer
Riverance." " Well, McDonough could have done
better ! Seriously, I'd rather be under McDonough
than Banks !"
April 22, Dwight's brigade passed us on the road to
Alexandria. We moved this day through Washing
ton to a beautiful grassy knoll, half a mile from the
village and close to the residence of a Captain Pres-
cott of the rebel army. Colonel Warner was appoints
ed Military Commander of the town. Mrs. Warner
having arrived, the Colonel occupied Prescott's house
as head-quarters. It was well furnished and con
tained many fine picture's and valuable books. Part
of the contents had been hastily packed but aban
doned. Captain Tisdale with his company was
assigned to provost duty. Captain Cornwell was still
acting regimental quartermaster; Captain Mitchell,
acting assistant adjutant general of Colonel Birge,
whose brigade head-quarters was near Opelousas ; Cap
tains Comstock, Blinn, McCord, Finley and Fuller, were
absent sick ; Captain Grosvenor, present, sick ; Cap
tain Sprague, the only captain present for duty, was
in command of the regiment.
April 23, the Military Governor of Louisiana, Gen.
Shepley, paid us a visit. April 24, Lieutenant Meiss-
ner was thrown from a disloyal mule, and his collar
bone fractured. April 25, General Weitzel and staff
and Colonel Birge visited us.
April 26, Chaplain Upson preached in the Metho
dist church, the first Union sermon heard in that
town for years. The text was, " Fight the good fight
of Faith," with special emphasis on the first word.

126
Many soldiers and negroes and a few poor whites con
stituted the congregation. An officer's diary contains
the comment, " It was a Jewish and not a non-resist
ant discourse ; in which the preacher fully coincided
with the Psalmist in imprecating vengeance on his
enemies, and gave an edifying description of what he-
considered to be a good fight."
April 27, private John Fogarty was shot at ten P.
M., while endeavoring to escape from the officer of the
day, whose repeated commands to halt he was dis
obeying. His sudden death was a subject of painful
recollection to his company, commander and comrades
A Court of Inquiry, of which Captain Cornwell was.
president, fully justified the shooting. Next evening
at dress parade where Lieut. Wells commanded, an
order of the Military Commander was read, reciting
the occurrence and warning soldiers of the penalty of
disobedience. April 30, our senior captain, Comstock, rejoined us.
Friday morning, May 1, we marched ten miles from
Washington to Barre's Landing on the Bayou Cour-
tableau, where we arrived at noon. Company E, as
provost guard, and the sick, were left behind at Wash
ington. Among the latter was Lieutenant Bradley,.
who appeared to be at the point of death from fever.
His condition was long critical, but he finally
recovered. May 2, Lieutenant Deming, Company H, was
assigned for duty to the First Louisiana Engineers
(colored), Colonel Hodge's regiment. Hours for
duty were announced as follows : Reveille, sunrise ;
sick-call, 6 am; breakfast, 6:30 ; drill, 7:30 to 8:30 J
picket-guard, 8:40 ; camp-guard, 8:50 ; drill, 10 to 11 ;

127
first sergeants, 11:45 ; dinner, 12 ; drill, 3 to 5 ; re
treat, sunset ; tattoo, 8:30 ; taps, 9.
Paymaster Sherman's clerk, William Bragg, Com
pany D, arrived May 3, and paid the regiment next
day to March 1.
May 5, the brigade started at one o'clock p. m., and
went to Washington and five miles further towards
Alexandria. May 6, the regiment marched twenty-
two miles on the dusty road to Alexandria, keeping
alongside the Little Bayou Boeuf. Owing to the state
of the roads, the heat, and the insufficient food, this
march was very severe. May 7, we marched twenty
miles on the same road and halted at two P. M. in a
field of oats, just cut by the rebels. Much of the
cotton in the country was still burning or had been
secreted, at our approach. All the valuable horses,
mules, cattle and pigs had been driven out of our
way. However, fresh meat and sugar abounded. An
infinite multitude of snakes, bugs, fleas, wood-ticks,
and' spiders, beguiled our weary hours. We ate
some honey here, but its effects wore like those of the
book in Revelations.
May 8, we marched seventeen miles along the same
bayou, passing through Cheneyville. We saw what
was said to be the terminus of the railroad from
Alexandria, and the remains of a small stern-wheel
steamer, which the rebels had saved us the trouble of
burning. The road was hot and dusty beyond ex
pression, and the feet of company officers and men
were parched and blistered ; but the Thirteenth were
as proud of their marching as of their fighting. Only
twenty-two of our number this day " fell out " sick
and disabled, so as to be carried in ambulances ;

128
though there were seventy such in the Twenty-fifth
Connecticut, and the One Hundred and Fifty-ninth
New York entirely disappeared in vehicles, except the
major and two color-bearers ! We reached a place
known as Thomson's Plantation, where we lay two
days and heard heavy cannonading all night at a dis
tance. Monday, May 11, the regiment left its bivouac at
six a. m. and marched four miles to Stafford's Planta
tion on the bayou, thirteen miles from Alexandria.
Here Colonel Warner and two other regimental com
manders were put under arrest by General Grover for
permitting soldiers and negroes to seize poultry, and
carry off fence rails for beds. A bed of rails is made
by putting two rails side by side. We slept wedged
in between them. Something should be pardoned to
the hungry and shelterless. This day a mail reached
us, the first for some weeks. Could the fathers,
mothers, sisters, wives, and friends of our volunteers,
have beheld the intense interest felt in these missives,
the joy at receiving them, the sorrow at disappoint
ment, the agony of torture at the least suspicion of
unfaithfulness in those they loved, fewer tears would
have wet faces that never blanched in battle.
May 12, we were saddened by the report of Hook
er's great defeat at Chancellorsville on the third of
May. May 13, the anniversary of our arrival in New Or
leans, Lieut-col. Warner, Surgeon Clary, Chaplain
Upson, and Captains Comstock and Cornwell, rode a
dozen miles to Alexandria, and, after the most classic
model, watered their steeds in this Xanthus. Orders
were received by Captain Sprague in their absence to

129
hold the regiment in readiness to move at four o'clock
next morning with two days' cooked rations. Capt.
Finley arrived at evening after several months'
absence in the North, where he had gone from Thibo-
deaux in consequence of a terribly severe sickness.
Lieutenant-colonel Warner was released from arrest
this day.
Next day we marched seventeen miles back to
Cheneyville. Here in the depot was an immense
quantity of sugar belonging to the Confederate gov
ernment, all of which was soon made into candy by
our soldiers.
May 15, we marched fourteen miles, toward Sims-
port, to Enterprise, a place which some wag must
have named on the lucus-a-non-lucendo principle.
May 16, we marched sixteen miles and encamped
alongside the Bayou Rouge. Peter, colored servant
of Lieut. Perkins, was tied up and flogged by Provost
Marshal Cowie for taking a handful of rebel sugar
from a hogshead for his master.
May 17, we marched twelve miles, the last eight of
them along Bayou de Glaze to its junction with the
Atchafalaya at Simsport. We crossed the Atchafa-
laya on large flat-boats, rowed by negro boatmen, who
sung a plaintive song as they plied the long oars. The
Thirteenth had the honor of crossing first. We then
marched half a mile to the music of our unequalled
band. Finding no one to -report to, we sat down
alongside the fine mansion of Senator Sims (called
also by the contrabands, General Sims, or Semmes).
The house was made Headquarters, Department of
the Gulf.
Orders were received at night to " have full rations
12

130
cooked, reveille at four a. m., and march at five ;"
but when morning came these orders were counter
manded. Almost immediately, however, we were
marched across the road, and into the field between
the houses of Mr. Sims and Mr. Tishins. We had
just established ourselves in camp, if a prostrate regi
ment, a few of whom have blankets stretched over
them, can be called a camp, when we were moved
again to another part of the same field, and there
went into a similar form. At three P. m. we " fell
in " to move again. A detail was now made from
every company to carry back rails, and rebuild the
distinguished rebel's fence, from which our soldieis
had taken a few sticks for fires or bods.
May 18 and 19, our troops were still crossing the
river. Col. Warner, Chaplain Upson, Captain Corn-
well, Adjutant Whittlesey, and several other officers,
among whom was Quartermaster Bromley, visited one
of the few elegant mansions, and were hospitably re
ceived by the ladies. After some time spent in agree
able conversation, one of the ladies volunteered to ex
ecute some music on the piano. She commenced the
Bonnie Blue Flag. When she reached the close of
the line, " As long as the Union was faithful to her
trust," her emotions overcame her, her voice faltered,
tears streamed down her cheeks, and hastily rising
she left the room. Much sympathy was felt for the
beautiful woman in her* grief, and the hearts of our
susceptible officers softened towards the lovely and
melodious impersonation of rebellion. The dignified
matron " improved " the occasion as follows : " Alas!
we are no longer united ! Once we had one country,
one people, one nation. Now we have a northern

131
country, and a southern country, a northern people,
and a southern people, a northern nation and a south
ern nation !" " Allow me in this connection, to re
mark, Madam," interrupted Bromley in his blandest,
politest manner, " that the second nation you so beau
tifully allude to, is a mere imagi-nation !" This con
vulsed the listeners with merriment and restored good
feelings at once." " What's the real object of this
expedition?" asked Mrs. Semmes." The real object
of the expedition," replied the Chaplain, "is to pro
tract the expedition until the quartermasters and con
tractors all get rich. I verily believe if they had their
way they'd keep us in these swamps as long as the
children of Israel were kept in the wilderness."
" Chaplain Upson," responded Bromley, " I can tell
you why the children of Israel were detained so long
in the wilderness. It was because they had too many
chaplains and too few quartermasters !"
Continuous cannonading w-as now heard nearly
every night. Reports reached us that several heavy
guns had been silenced by our fleet at Port Hudson.
These days of rest, though few and brief, were like
an oasis in the desert, after our toilsome marches in
the burning heat with the enemy forever in striking
distance. The fields were covered with blackberries,
which our soldiers gathered by the bushel. The river
Atchafalaya, believed by some geologists to be the
original channel of the Mississippi, was at this season
broad, deep, swift, abounding with alligators ; yet our
men greatly enjoyed bathing in it.
May 21 was signalized by a free fight in the Thir
teenth, principally between members of Companies H
and D. Privates Shannon and Doyle of H met in

132
single combat; private Blake undertook to part
them ; he wouldn't have any. fighting, if he had to
whip them both. He would conquer peace. Lieu
tenant Wells, officer of the day, mistook Blake for an
active combatant, which indeed he seemed to have be
come. Wells endeavored to arrest Blake. Private
Cashin, another peace man, came to the defence of
Blake and drew a bayonet on the lieutenant. Cor
poral Herbert and several other members of Co. I
rushed to the lieutenant's assistance. Other mem
bers of H assisted Blake, Cashin and Doyle. Captain
Fuller, of Co. D, drew his pistol and rushed into the
meUe to aid the lieutenant ; but getting thrown on his
back, other members of Company D supported their
Captain. Lieut. Norman now sprang to the help of
the two officers, whereupon members of Co. K ran to
¦the help of Lieut Norman. So the fight became gen
eral.. Swords were drawn, pistols flourished, and bay*
onets thrust. Captain of Co. H, field officer of the
day, took the guard and marched rapidly to the spot*,
bringing the pieces to a charge bayonet ! The crowd
dispersed instantly. No one being much hurt, it
passed off as a huge joke. Louisiana rum was at the
bottom of it.
The same day our brigade embarked on the steam
ers Empire Parish and Saint Maurice for the siege of
Port Hudson. Our course was up the Atchafalaya to
Old River, thence out to the Mississippi, and down to
Bayou Sara. This is some twenty miles above Port
Hudson. Near the mouth of Red River we saw the
flag-ship Hartford, and the two iron-clads, Lafayette
and Switzerland ; when the brigade gave three cheers .
for Farragut. At midnight we arrived at Bayou Sarat

133
We disembarked, and lay an hour on the wet ground
without blankets, a slight rain adding to our discom
fort. The regiment then crept cautiously along the
streets and out of town in the deep darkness. 'As we
passed one large dwelling house the front door open
ed. A figure in white appeared, and asked in the
sweetest of tones, " What regiment is this ?" Some
of our boys replied, " The Thirteenth, my darling !"
" Ah ! the Thirteenth Georgia?" she tenderly asked.
" No, my dear ; the Thirteenth Connecticut," was the
reply. The door shut with a heavy slam. The seraph
in white had vanished,
" As an angel's wing, through an opening cloud,
Is seen and then withdrawn."
Halting now and then, and, as it were, feeling our
way, we finally turned aside half a mile from town#
into a field which, ominously enough, proved to be a
cemetery. The scant baggage of officers on the
march had been left in wagons, and we slept as best
we might, without fires or blankets. Ex-governor
Wickliffe, reputed at that time the handsomest man
in Louisiana, was arrested this night in Bayou Sara
as a prisoner of war. Here we found people who did
not know what greenbacks were. When we explain
ed, they refused to take them and insisted on receiv
ing confederate paper in payment for butter, honey,
corn-bread, and milk.
At nine o'clock, a. it., we marched out on the road
towards Port Hudson, our skirmishers feeling their
way, and the troops making halts about once every
half mile. About twenty men of the Thirteenth were
hastily mounted and detached as advance guards.
12*

134
From time to time they engaged the guerilla cavalry
of the enemy. In one of these skirmishes private
Flannery of Company B, received a ball through the
leg, anu was borne past us on a stretcher, the first
man wounded of the army approaching Port Hudson,
from the north. Lieutenant Perkins was reported
killed, but we were delighted soon after to find him
" all right." On this march General Banks com
menced picking up all the able-bodied negroes, and
mounting them on mules, to the great distress of
Governor Wickliffe, who accompanied us on foot.
About noon General Banks passed us. We were at a
halt. He was alone, and riding towards the front into
danger. Our men liked this unpretending manner
and his personal bravery, and for the first time they
gave him a rousing cheer. Captain Mitchell volun
teered as a temporary aid to the General, who exhib
ited a fearlessness that almost amounted to reckless
ness. This day, May 23, we reached a point six or seven
miles from Port Hudson. Towards dark a little epi
sode occurred in the camp of the Thirteenth. A
certain Dr. Whicher, surgeon of the Confederate line,
stationed at Port Hudson, was arrested. He had been
seen on horse-back during the day, taking notes from
time to time on the road, inquiring the names of regi
ments and brigades. His appearance and manner
excited suspicion. He looked about thirty-five years,
old, evidently a man of some education and ability, a
little under the influence of stimulants, and a perfect
embodiment of chivalry. As night approached he
was seen ridiiig slowly in a buggy, the orderly of Colo
nel Bissell, Twenty-fifth Connecticut, accompanying

135
him. Inquiring of our soldiers where the pickets
were, he attempted to pass them. Not being permitted
without a pass from General Grover, he returned.
Two or three officers, hearing the statements of the
men, made known their suspicions to Colonel Warner,
who called him back and asked him who he was.
" I want to see General Grover," he answered.
" Who are you ?" said the Colonel.
" What business have you to ask me that question ?"
" I command this regiment, and I have a right to
know who's in my camp. Your conduct has been
very suspicious, and I demand to be answered, and
answered in a respectful manner."
" It's none of your d  business. I shall go to
General Grover, d  you, and report your d 
insolence," replied Dr. Whicher.
" You are my prisoner, sir, and you need not try to
intimidate me," said the Colonel.
" I try to intimidate you ! I swear that's a 

 bright idea, by  ! I try to intimidate you
in presence of the whole Yankee Army ! That is a
d  pretty idea ! In the middle of the whole Fede
ral army !  your army !  .  you
and your army !"
" You infernal puppy !" said Colonel Warner, " you
shut up your mouth. Lieutenant Norman, are you
officer of the guard ? Take this man to General Gro
ver with my compliments. Tell him that he refuses
to disclose his name, and I suspect him of being a
spy-" "By  " responded Dr. Whicher, " I'm not
afraid to disclose my name. My name's Whicher.
I'm a surgeon of the Confederate line, by 

136
I'm not afraid of any d  Yankee that ever breath
ed !   your cowardly soul ! By 
I'd like to fight you. I dare you to fight ! By 
I'll fight you with pistols, I'll fight you with rifles, I'll
fight you with bowie-knives, I'll fight you with any
d  weapon you choose." Springing upon his feet
in the buggy, he struck his right fist violently into
the palm of his left hand, gesticulating fiercely, defy
ing us all and spitting out a torrent of curses. It was
suggested by the writer to Colonel Warner to examine
his pockets for papers. Norman's guard having ar
rived, the doctor was searched, and on him was found
a paper signed by the commander of the Confederate
picket inside Port Hudson, ordering, 'f Pass Dr.
Whicher at all hours ;" also, a letter purporting to
come from the daughter or niece of a rebel prisoner,
praying some friend to intercede with General Banks,
humbling though it might be, to rescue her relative
from the horrid Yankees.
The horse and buggy were given to Dr. Clary for
transportation of the sick. . Of the roast chicken and
corn-bread inside the vehicle it was rumored that
Adjutant Whittlesey made a good evening meal. Dr.
Whicher' s shirts also were confiscated ; a practice not
to be justified under any circumstances. Dr. Which
er himself was delivered into the custody of the pro
vost marshal.
This night it rained, and the officers sleeping under
the thorn trees, without blankets or even shelter-
tents, passed a most dreary night.
Next day we moved, with the rest of Grover's Di
vision, three or four miles to the cross roads leading
to Jackson from Bayou Sara and Port Hudson. Here

137
we met Grierson's cavalry. Weitzel was reported
closing in on our right ; Dwight, between us and Weit
zel ; Auger, on our loft next the river. Augur was
reported to have had a sharp fight in which he drove
the enemy a day or two before. At the forks of the
roads we hastily constructed breast-works of fence
rails, logs and earth, to repel any sortie. Had the ene
my been wise they would have evacuated the place
before our arrival, and the rebel general, Johnson, did
send a courier with such orders, which were either
intercepted or disobeyed. Sergeant Steele, Company
A, was here injured by rails falling on him.
At half past nine, a. m., Sunday, May 24, 1863, the
different converging columns drew nearer, and the
investment was complete. Birge's brigade moved
three miles. The first shot at our advance on the
Jackson road, in which our regiment marched, was
just before noon. Sharp skirmishing ensued. A
labyrinth of woods, lanes, and ravines afforded cover
for defensive operations. We carried several outer
earth-works and rifle-pits on the Jackson road, and
pressed the enemy back within their main parapet.
Advancing, the Thirteenth, near the last bridge, struck
off diagonally to the right into the woods, and took
a position half a mile from the principal line of works.
Here we were treated to shell and grape, and two
or three received slight wounds. The bugs and ver
min were quite as disagreeable as the rebel projectiles.
The whole of the woods for miles bore traces of hav
ing been a rebel camp, and confirmed the report that
at the bombardment in March they had not less than
eighteen thousand men. Captain Fuller was sent in
command of Companies A, F, D, and I. Holding A

138
as reserve, he sent Lieuts. Strickland, Beckwith and
Wells forward with the three other companies to skir
mish. Sharp fighting ensued, the officers and men
pressing forward with the utmost gallantry, until they
were outflanked and obliged to retire. Here fell that
brave and true man, Sergeant Torrence, Co. F. He
was leading his men, when a bullet pierced his fore
head. Three days later we found his body, then
swollen and blackened in the sun, far to the front
where he fell.
Next morning, Cos. A,F,D,1, H, under command
of Captahv Sprague, were pushed forward to a thicket
on the left of the Jackson road, and about a hundred
and twenty rods from the parapet ; the other half of the
regiment remaining in the woods with Col. Warner.
The captain threw out twenty-five skirmishers under
Lieut. Wells, with orders to press the enemy's sharp
shooters and at night constitute a picket. They
forced the enemy back to their rifle-pits, and in the
afternoon put a stop to most of the sharp-shooting
that had been so annoying in the morning. A shower
of balls saluted any one who stepped from behind
cover. We were startled by rapid and tremendous volleys
of musketry close to us on the right, mingled with
discharges of artillery. It was the regiments of Dwight
firing by company, and the rapidity seemed to indi
cate serious work. It soon ceased, however, at a bu
gle signal.
A decayed tree in our front by the road-side appear
ing to be a guide for their artillery, it was suggested to
Col. Birge to cut it down. He sent pioneers, who
felled it that night.

139
By direction of Col. Birge, privates Sidder, Mc-
Grath, and Ellis Robinson, all of G, were selected by
Captain Sprague and sent out at midnight with in
structions to crawl up to the parapet, examine the
intervening ground, the width and depth of the moat,
and the practicability of scaling the works. We sup
plied them with pistols. They were unable to reach
the ditch, but they passed the rebel pickets. Their
investigations were valuable, and their courage de
served reward. The pickets of the Twenty-fifth Con
necticut fired oil them by mistake.
Sergeants Aldrich and Ward, of H and D, were
sent to open communication with Augur's infantry on
our left. With some difficulty and danger they suc
ceeded. Thenceforward these bases were in constant
connection. From tree-tops we could see miles of fortifications,
heavy guns mounted, tents, huts, houses, the rebel
flag, regiments and companies marching, and what
appeared to be inner earthworks. May 26, Colonel
Birge's pioneers constructed a ladder on the main
look-out tree at our place of regimental bivouac.
Sergeants Huntley, Ward, and other intelligent non
commissioned officers were kept constantly on the
watch at the top with powerful glasses. At the foot
of the tree was General Grover, or one of his staff.
Frequent messengers from Augur inquired about the
enemy's movements, and the effect of our heavy shot.
From a captain's diary the following" is extracted :
" May 27, about half-past ten a. m., the Thirteenth
was ordered to the support of Weitzel who was re
ported pressing into the enemy's works on our right.
We moved in that direction half or three-quarters of

140
a mile, through the woods which contained many dead
and wounded. The enemy's projectiles were still
shrieking through the woods. Here we halted and
lay all the afternoon in line of battle, expecting the
order to charge, while the dead and wounded were
borne in long procession past us. The Twelfth Con
necticut is reported to have fought bravely and con
spicuously, some of them scaling the parapet.
Weitzel's whole brigade behaved finely. Three of
his staff were killed. One of them was his Adjutant
k General, Captain Hubbard, formerly of the First
Maine Battery, one of the finest looking and best offi
cers in the army ; another was the accomplished Pole,
Wrotnowski, one of the most skillful of our engineers,
the builder of Fort Butler at Donaldsonville. The
Twelfth Maine charged across the moat and lay all
day on the slope of the breastwork. The negro regi
ment of Colonel Nelson fought with reckless daring,
and the most extravagant tales of their heroism are
related by the correspondent of the New York Herald
and others. There was no need of exaggeration.
The simple fact is, the negroes fought well, and their
heroic conduct reflects honor on their race. Generals
Sherman and Dow were wounded. Two or three of
the Thirteenth were slightly wounded."
The shower of balls was so severe that some of
our cooks dared not bring dinner or supper. Happily
we were allowed to lie down behind logs, while the
long storm wreaked its vengeance on trees and horses.
But the regiments of Weitzel suffered terribly.
After his own desperate onset had failed, he is said to
have sent word to General Banks, " I have yet to
learn that any other general has co-operated in the
assault, which was ordered to be simultaneous."

141
May 28, there was an armistice of several hours, to
allow the burial of the dead. We moved at evening
a quarter of a mile to the left, to support Duryea's
and Bainbridge's batteries. We were here placed
temporarily under Acting Brigadier General Paine,
commanding a division. This night we slept on arms
in line.
Next morning we moved back to the position of the
preceding day. Again we received all day a smart
sprinkling of rebel balls. They had a cross-fire on us,
as the writer learned when, seated with back to a tree,
a ball tore off the bark under his ear. Corporal Fin-
negan, Co. G, received a ball through the arm. To
venture from behind cover was sure to engage the
skill of the rebel sharpshooters. We became accus
tomed to being shot at. We were strikingly remind
ed how vast a quantity of lead and iron may fly
through the air and alight on this wide world, with
out hurting a human being ! Some of these visitors
came close. One bullet passed through Colonel
Birge's coat. A rain at night soaked everything, and
we thought how old Cromwell trusted in God, and
wondered if he really kept his powder dry. A brisk
artillery fire at night awoke us from dreams of home.
May 30 was a busy day. The continued rattle of
musketry and artillery indicated that we were getting
well-acquainted. This interchange of civilities indi
cated no personal hostility. We did not feel like
hurting one hair of a rebel head. Never did men
march to battle with less hatred than the Union sol
diers. The Thirteenth remained all day, and for two
weeks thereafter, in a ravine, under and behind the
13

142
two batteries. Two thirty-pound Parrots of the
Twenty-first Indiana were mounted on the right. The
shot were continually sounding past us from the vol
canic works in front. The noise was singularly varied :
sometimes, a buzzing like a bumble-bee ; sometimes,
a fine sharp tone like a musquito's ; sometimes, a great
rush like a train of cars ; sometimes, a real shriek or
scream like the whistle of a locomotive ; sometimes,
an intermittent squeak like an ungreased cartwheel.
The last was the case with the eleven-inch shells of
one gun mounted on the turn-table at the railroad
depot, which fired all around the horizon every night.
The Thirteenth boys christened it The Demoralizer !
Further along on the right it was known as The Lady
Davis ! The shells being often empty, their swift
rotation caused them to observe a crescendo and
diminuendo, which the soldiers translated into, Where
is he ? Where is he ? till they finally exploded into a
loud, Here ! The strange sounds were caused by
still stranger projectiles ; for they fired not only the
regulation shot, but such curiosities as explosive bul
lets, cane-knives, flat-irons, spikes, bolts, nuts, hatch
ets, ramrods, pig-iron, and wooden plugs wound with
cotton !
The Thirteenth busied themselves in ^constructing
rude huts and caves in the soft, steep slope of the
ravine, the crest of which was crowned with batter? jf/
ies. The chief fear was that some of these guns, in
their recoil, would come crushing down upon our shan
ties, for they often fired all night. The writer slept
with perfect soundness within twenty feet of one
piece of artillery which was constantly firing over his
head.

143
Meantime our sharpshooters were busy at work in
front, and rebel bullets sang incessantly through the
brush roofs of our huts. The pieces of shell often
struck with a heavy thud among us. All day the
gigantic game of battledoor and shuttlecock between
frowning batteries ! All night the meteoric shower
of bombs !
Sunday, May 31, Lieut. Beckwith, while trying his
skill in shooting, was struck by a bullet which carried
away one toe. His language on the occasion would
have led a bystander to infer that he thought, if pro
fanity were ever justifiable, it was precisely then.
Sergeant Eugene Ward's commission as lieutenant
arrived this day.
June 1, Col. Warner and Adjutant Whittlesey
were taken sick, and departed in ambulances for New
Orleans. Captain Comstock, as senior captain, suc
ceeded to the command. Lieut. Gardner was ap
pointed Acting Adjutant. Large guns and mortars
were constantly arriving. We were busy every mo
ment ; cutting trees, removing obstructions, making
military roads, digging rifle pits, raising counter
breastworks, mounting heavy artillery, perfecting
our connections, or sharpshooting. The coils of the
anaconda were growing tight.
Lieutenant Beaton arrived this day with Co. E
from New Orleans, where they had made their way
from Washington, La., with a loss of a few who were
taken prisoners. Captain Tisdale was left sick in
New Orleans. He shortly afterwards secured the
position of Assistant Provost Marshal in that city, and
the regiment lost his valuable services.
June 2, expecting a sally, our regiment, by order

144
of Colonel Paine, formed line just after dark on the
brow of the ravine, and slept on arms. There was
the usual cannon and mortar practice.
June 3, we were occupied with cutting a military
road througli our ravine, under the supervision of
Colonel Paine. This night the enemy shelled us with
unusual accuracy.
June 4, Lieutenant Tibbets, one of our best officers,
rejoined us after a long sickness. Colonel Paine, for
whom we had conceived a hearty respect, was sent to
the rear with two brigades, to watch the enemy re
ported hovering there.
June 5, Captain Grosvenor returned from New
Orleans, where he had been a month sick.
Several marine batteries of heavy guns from the
fleet were in process of erection. One remarkable
battery, called the nineteen-gun battery, was built by
Hodge's colored regiment, of which the writer, had
been commissioned lieutenant-colonel. It was on
the extreme left, opposite one of the so-called citadels
of the rebels. Everything pointed to the coming
bombardment preliminary to a great assault. Rifle
pits, saps, mines, and parallels, were preparing.
General Sherman's force was on our extreme left ;
Augur, on the left centre ; Grover, the centre ; Weh>
zel, the right centre ; the colored brigade, on the ex
treme right ; Farragut and a portion of his fleet, on
the river above ; the mortar schooners and the rest of
the fleet, on the river below ; across the river, and
behind the levee, the batteries of the Twenty-first In?
diana, and Carruth's Massachusetts battery.
June 10, at midnight, there was lively fighting
along the entire front. A continuous line of skirm-

145
ishers had been formed to feel the enemy's strength
on all points, ascertain the position of the rebel artil
lery, and, if the aspect were favorable, scale and
carry the fortifications. Heavy cannonading com
menced about half an hour after midnight, and con
tinued two or three hours. A thunderstorm came on
with blinding lightning and stunning crashes. The
gods seemed mingling in the battles of men, as of old
on the plains of Troy. The Thirteenth " fell in "
under arms, and stood exposed to the hostile fire, but
not participating actively in the engagement. Only
one man, private Jacob Kehr, Co. F, was wounded
seriously. The Twelfth Connecticut were ordered
into the hottest fight, and behaved with the utmost
gallantry. A portion of them even crossed the breast
works ; but not being supported by the other regi
ments of Weitzel's division, they were forced to retire
with heavy loss. The assault failed on every side.
A tedious, though not copious rain fell next day,
which passed rather gloomily ; all sorts of rumors pre
vailing about the assault of the preceding night, and
the coming general attack. The rebel sharpshooters
were rather more active than usual, and the writer
remembers with satisfaction several narrow escapes
with Lieutenant Averill.
In anticipation of the expected storming of the
works, Colonel Paine, who had returned to his former
quarters in rear of Co. A, gaye instructions to a large
number of soldiers in the use of the hand-grenade.
June 12, private Adam Bach, Co. H, was buried by
the falling in of his earth house. With difficulty he
was extricated alive, entertaining new views on the
subject of architecture ! Lieutenant Baker, one of
• 13*

146
our best-drilled officers, who was sick, occupied a
bomb-proof, constructed by engineer John Ryan, Co.
G. The inconveniences to which most of the officers
and soldiers were subjected before Port Hudson can
hardly be exaggerated. Among other privations there
was a great scarcity of water. It was difficult to get
enough to drink, and almost impossible to procure
enough to wash with. Little of clothing indeed had
we ; a shirt, pair of drawers, and pair of socks con
stituting the whole of our underclothing. The most
troublesome plague was vermin. The ground had
been a Confederate camp, and was filled with rebel
lice. When Captain Grosvenor returned, June o, he
asked first-sergeant Sterry, " How are the men ?"
" Pretty well," replied the sergeant, " only very
lousy !" " What !" said the Captain, " lousy ? We
must get rid of that .'" Evidently the Captain was
not posted. " Captain," said Col. Holcomb to the
writer, on the twelfth of June, taking him aside with
an air of great mystery and with many apologies, "I
have noticed that you — ah — in short — that you — I
hope you'll excuse me, for I'm troubled that way my
self — I noticed that you — ah — scratch a great deal !
Now probably you think it's a sort of camp itch!
But I tell you, its nothing mofe nor less than — lice !
The ground's full of 'em, wherever these blamed
rebels have been!" "Colonel," was the answer,
I've fought 'em an hour a day for weeks past ! This
morning Col. Birge and staff caught me at it, and
asked me, ' Captain, what do you find ?' to which I
answered in the language of Orpheus C. Kerr, ' only
a few harmless insects !' " From the Brigadier-Gen-

147
eral to the private, every man must give an hour a
day to exterminate that vile race. Musquitoes are
decent and rattlesnakes quite respectable ; but no man
can apologize for lice !
The arrangements for the bombardment had been
completed ; the great batteries on every side con
verged on the obstinate fortress ; the ships with their
volcanic freight were in position ; the sappers and
miners had run their parallels and concealed ap
proaches far up towards and, in some cases, beneath the
rebel works ; the hand-grenades were filled and dis
tributed to picked men.
June 13, at 11 o'clock, a. m., a furious general
bombardment commenced, which the rebels as furi
ously returned. It lasted two hours, and made con
siderable havoc among the rebels, dismounting a num
ber of their cannon. It ceased on the appearance of
a flag of truce. In vain ! The surrender was de
manded. A defiant answer was returned. The seven
thousand defenders of Port Hudson could not fly and
would not yield.
The night following was unusually quiet, as the
writer had occasion to note, being up on duty as Offi
cer of the Day. Lieut. Strickland, destined to fall in
the early morning, was Officer of the Guard. Together
we visited the different parts of the line, and his cheerful
animated conversation gave no augury of his swift-
coming doom. He had been slightly wounded at
Irish Bend ; but slight wounds only make a brave man
braver ; and he spoke of the coming engagement with
confidence. Colonel Holcomb, who fell by Strickland's side, was
ardently in favor of the storming. " It' s no use to

148
dilly-dally," said he to Dr. Clary, as he was moving
his brigade to its position the evening before the bat
tle; " We'll take the place, even if we leave half of
our officers dead on the field !"
By some ill-advised calculation Sunday was fixed
upon for the assault. Sunday attacks are seldom
successful. This was no exception.
At 3 oclock, a. m., Sunday, June 14, 1863, the regi
ments moved to take the places assigned them for the
bloody drama. Some of them lost their way in the
dark maze of woods and lanes. The Thirteenth
groped to the left till it reached the Jackson road,
where we awaited the rest of the Third Brigade, Gro
ver's Division. We were to be the right of the brigade
line. The brigade of Colonel Holcomb was in front.
We were to act as a reserve. Some regiments were
late in reaching the posts assigned. The Twelfth
Connecticut was detained more than an hour through
the ignorance of a staff officer who undertook to con
duct them. The Ninety-first New York carried hand-
grenades. The Twenty-fourth Connecticut, each man
carrying two gunny-bags filled with cotton, followed
the Twelfth Connecticut. The latter were deployed
as skirmishers to the left ; the Seventy-fifth New York,
rto the right. As we lay next the road waiting for or
ders we got a little hot coffee. '
It was intended that the assault should be simulta
neous on several points, and should be a surprise.
The favorable moment, of course, would be the first
dawn of day. But before this, the deafening roar of
cannon far and near, and the hiss of shot tearing
through the trees, told us that the enemy compre
hended the movement.

149
At daylight the Thirteenth passed into the road and
marched across the bridge up to a sort of plateau
swept by the enemy's guns. We were halted there
and ordered to lie down. As we lay there, a large
number of wounded were brought past us, and a hos
pital was hastily established on the slope. The pres
ence of the groaning sufferers, and the rather rough
performances of the surgeons, were not calculated to
whet the appetite for battle. We looked on in silence.
It is impossible to convey in words any adequate
idea of the difficulties, natural and artificial, pre
sented by the ground between us and the enemy.
There were forty or fifty rods of standing timber, and
then many precipitous, crooked ravines, filled with a
tangled mass of felled trees, vines and brambles ; a'nd
the level ground was scarcely less obstructed ; all be
ing in clear view and point-blank range of the enemy's
works% from which arose incessant puffs of smoke, as
their men fired from safe cover. A winding path,
three or four feet wide, occasionally protected by logs,
sand-bags and earth, had been dug and cut from the
edge of the woods thirty or forty rods along the gul
lies towards the rebel works, but even this was expos
ed in part to a hostile fire, and terminated abruptly
many rods from the fortifications. Such was the
ground in front of the Federal center.
Nothing looks so formidable to an enemy as even
and steady lines of infantry, in successive waves ad
vancing with unbroken front and covering the ground
from right to left. This was the formation in which
we had been so successful at Labadieville, Irish Bend
and Vermilion Bayou ; but it was utterly impractica-

150
ble here. There could be no swift deployment ; no
¦ regular nor rapid advance, if deployed.
At sunrise the Thirteenth was slowly pressing its
way by the right flank between stragglers, wounded
men, trees and stretchers, to the entrance of the nar
row path above described. The place should have
been surprised ; but the different onsets were not
well-timed. The hand-grenades, from which so much
had been expected, proved a failure ; some were
thrown too soon, others did not explode ; some were
picked up inside and hurled back at the besiegers. A
few did their work, and killed several rebels. The head
of the column staggered, and finally melted away, un
der the fire from the fortifications. Owing to the ob
structions on the ground, the supports which were
ordered up arrived too late, and each successive body
of troops had to sustain the whole weight of the rebel
fire. ,
,The Thirteenth reached the edge of the wood, be
tween which and the enemy lay the mass of felled
timber. Two or three rods from the narrow channel
which formed the only practicable entrance to the
irregular ground in front, sat General Weitzel on a
fallen tree. There was a few minutes' halt. The
onward movements of the regiments in front ceased.
A report was just circulating that our troops had
effected a lodgment inside. The writer asked Weitzel
if it were true. He answered with a despondent look,
"No. We've not got a foothold inside." "Why
can't we go in at once ?" asked the writer. " We can
go in," he replied, " if the officers and men will only
do their duty." " Have the enemy massed their troops
at this point ? " "1 don't think they have," he repli-

151
ed ; " and if they have, we've got more men right in
here between us and the works than their whole gar
rison." In this the General was much mistaken, but
he probably said it for effect upon the listeners. An
aid from General Banks now came up, breathless
with haste. " General," said he, " General Banks
orders that you force an entrance at once into the
rebel works at all hazards." Yes," replied Weitzel ;
and then, to a staff officer, " Give my compliments to
Colonel Holcomb, and tell him to go in immediately."
His cool, yet unsatisfied and discouraged air, aston
ished some of us, who looked for an impetuous charge
by the favorite young general. We had unbounded
confidence in him, and would have followed him any
where. But Weitzel was an engineer, and engineers
are slow. He did not favor bloody and hazardous
assaults, either at Port Hudson or at Fort Fisher. He
had no faith in storming columns. It was currently
reported that he said to General Banks, " I can take
Port Hudson without losing a_ man ; and I should con
sider such a victory as evidencing higher generalship
than to carry the place by storm and lose a thousand
men." We left Weitzel sitting on his log, with the
shot flying over his head, and we pressed forward to
support Holcomb.
The narrow path, in many places a mere ditch, was
obstructed ' by dead and wounded, by men carrying
stretchers, and by stragglers making their way to the
rear. Every available cover behind stumps, logs or
earth, every little depression of the ground that could
shelter from the enemy's fire, was occupied. Hand-
grenades were scattered along the path ; also muskets,
bayonets, cartridge-boxes and belts, gunny-bags filled

152
with cotton, apd here and there pools of blood. We
crowded along by the flank in four or two ranks, or
in single file, towards the indescribable din. The van
of the Thirteenth issued from the dry ditch into the
open space, and the regiment caught a glimpse of
Colonel Holcomb, who had just received Banks's last
order through Weitzel, and had commenced a brief
speech to his men. "There's Colonel Holcomb!"
shouted a score of voices, and a cheer, long and loud,
rose from the Thirteenth Connecticut as they recog
nized their old major. They rushed forward at the
instant on the sloping broken ground, to where Hol
comb was haranguing his men. The fire from the
breastworks perceptibly slackened at the voice of the
regiment, and the writer saw a few rebels turn and
run from the parapet. But the blaze of musketry was
soon re-kindled, fierce as ever. An unsteady mass of
men of different regiments, a mob rather than an
army, the various commands seeming blended, some
enthusiastic and eager, but most of them evidently
disheartened and shrugging their shoulder's, were list
ening to his fiery emphasis His speech was like the
growl and roar of a lion ; upbraiding some, threaten
ing some, encouraging others ; and concluding with,
" All I ask of you is to follow me ! Will you follow
me ? " " Yes ! Yes ! " shouted fifty voices ; but far
more were silent. The majority sat sullen and cowed.
Not satisfied with the response, he turned to the Thir
teenth Connecticut, about half of whom had now ar
rived, and he exclaimed, " There's the glorious . old
Thirteenth Connecticut ! I know they'll follow me !
Thirteenth, I '11 lead you !" Glancing round and see
ing nothing of the senior captain, the writer, being

153
next in rank, answered in a loud voice, " The Thir
teenth Connecticut will follow*Colonel Holcomb any
where." A rousing cheer sanctioned the promise.
The following, from the writer's diary, was written
next day :
"After urging the officers and soldiers of other regi
ments, all of whom were huddled together in the nar
row hollow, or piled behind logs and stumps, he [Hol
comb] called on the Thirteenth to follow him. Our
regiment at this moment was somewhat broken and
scattered, and the companies were partly mixed with
those of other regiments. Some of our best compa
nies on the right were separated from us : the broken
ground and mass of logs in the gullies and on the hill
side, neat the top of which Colonel Holcomb and other
officers stood, prevented anything like a regimental
front. My immediate attention was, of course, given
to my own company, which had kept together admi
rably, one sergeant and three privates only having be
come separated from the rest and left behind in the
melee. Not seeing our regimental commander, who
was supposed to be on the right, and who, we thought,
had perhaps fallen, I asked Colonel Holcomb to delay
the charge a moment, until I could get the left wing
into position to make a united movement. He as
sented. I immediately commenced moving my own
and the other companies obliquely to the left and
front, to give breadth to our advance and secure some
thing like a line of Battle ; meanwhile endeavoring to
encourage the men by exhortation and example. I
tried to bring the men, every man, as far to the front
as possible, before sfarting, without exposing them too
much ; in order that, at the word, each might have
14

154
the least practicable distance to pass while making a
simultaneous spring on the rebels. But before these
arrangements had been completed, and almost before
they had begun, Col. Holcomb, swinging his sword,
gave the command, " Forward /" The Thirteenth
leaped to the front, mixed with the troops of Holcomb's
brigade. The impassable portions of the ground in
stantly destroyed the unity of the advance. The right
of the regiment was upon and beyond the bluff; the
center, near Holcomb, but moving diagonally to the
left with infinite difficulty. The portion of troops
nearest Holcomb, not having so much rough ground
to pass over, got in advance of the others, and became
instantly exposed to the hottest fire. For the most
part they were shot down at once. Colonel Holcomb
dropped dead : Lieutenant Strickland fell near him,
each pierced through the head by a musket ball.
Captain Grosvenor received a bullet through the arm.
Acting Adjutant Gardner, of the Thirteenth, was
wounded in the throat. Colonel Gerard, Twenty-
second Maine, Colonel Morgan, Ninetieth New-York,
each commanding a brigade ; Colonel Hubbard,
Twenty-sixth Maine, Major Burt, One hundred fifty-
ninth New- York, and some other field officers, were
present ; but no one took the place of Colonel Hol
comb, who alone of the field officers seemed to do
anything effective, or have any heart or faith in the
movement. The left wing, still struggling forward,
now got in advance of the right and of the troops
massed about Colonel Holcomb, who were fast falling,
when private Blake of my company came running to
me, and exclaimed, " Captain, Col. Holcomb is kill
ed ! " " Get back to your place, sir," I replied ; It's

155
no such thing ! " " But Captain, he certainly is kill
ed ! See, here are his brains all scattered over my
coat ! " A glance confirmed the terrible fact ; but we
hoped still to reach and scale the parapet, and I in
stantly repeated, " Get back to your place in the
ranks, sir. Forward! men. Forward!" But the
troops on the right had almost vanished. All were
thrown into confusion by the unforeseen obstacles,
trees, gullies, logs ; yet we still pressed obliquely for
ward towards the enemy's works, a goodly number
from other regiments being mixed in with and follow
ing the Thirteenth. We reached a ravine not previ
ously known, almost under the breastwork, and nearly
parallel. Into this ravine we poured pell-mell. It
arrested our progress. Most fortunate for us was the
shelter it afforded ; for we had not men enough with
us to maintain ourselves long, had we reached the
inside of the works. An increasing tempest of
every species of shot and shell now tore the broken
plateau, over which we had charged, and no supports
could reach us. Colonel Holcomb having fallen, and
almost the whole of the advancing column being
thrown into confusion by the well-nigh insuperable
obstacles, and most of the storming party greatly re
tarded by logs, bushes, briers, and gullies, and the
leader of the movement killed, the assault failed. The
right of my company was within a few feet of Colonel
Holcomb when he fell ; privates Blackmail, Johnson,
Blake, and sergeant Adams being almost within touch
ing distance of him."
Whoever came up to this point was obliged to run
the gauntlet of the enemy's fire ; but under the urgent
orders of General Banks, when we had partly silenced

156
the rebel guns, from five hundred to a thousand had
been pushed forward to it before ten o'clock, a. fir.
We lay within thirty yards of the breastwork.
We immediately commenced re-forming our com
panies, and separating the Thirteenth from the frag
ments of other commands. A rebel redoubt, known
as The Priest's Cap, projected from the parapet just
on our right. The fire from a salient angle of it
proving very troublesome, the writer sent Company
E under Lieut. Beaton to take post behind a large log
on a knoll, and silence the enemy's sharp-shooters.
Hardly had they got into position, when Capt. Cpm-
stock, who now arrived on the spot, ordered theif re
call; alleging that they were top much exposed.
About the same time Colonels Gerard, Hubbard, Mor
gan and Putnam, and Major Burt arrived. Captain
De Forest came up, an accomplished officer of the1
Twelfth Connecticut, who richly deserved a brigadier1
general's shoulder-straps, but was both too modest to
urge his claims and too honest to pull the wires and
bribe the politico-military authorities. Captain Fuller
of the Thirteenth now came, bringing the edifying in
telligence that he had just seen and examined the
dead body of the writer of this history !
The sunshine was now burning like fire. We suf
fered greatly from thirst. A peremptory of der came"
from Banks to the senior officer of the troops at this
point to enter the works at all hazards. Again and
again similar orders came.
" Those behind cried Forward,
But those before said Bach 1"
Col. Hubbard expressed a readiness to follow, but
not to lead. He considered it " a perfect slaughter

157
pen." Major Burt offered to follow with a portion of
the One hundred fifty-ninth New York, but did not.
believe we could hold the ground, if we took it. Col.
Gerard said, " If General Banks wants to go in there,
let him go in and be d  ! I wont slaughter my
men in that way." Col. Morgan said, " If General
Banks or any staff officer will examine this ground,
and then say we ought to make the assault, I'll make
it. Tell General Banks I've sent for an engineer to
examine the position." Col. Hubbard asked : " Col.
Gerard, If I'll lead with my brigade, will you follow
and support me ? " He answered in the affirmative.
But Col. Hubbard did not lead. Capt. Comstock
said he was ready to follow with the Thirteenth Con
necticut, but thought it nonsense to undertake it.
Col. Day of the One hundred thirty-first New York,
came, up with his coat off. Said he, " I started out
this morning with the determination to be a h  of
a fellow ! I've been a h  of a fellow long enough.
If anybody else wants to be a h  of a fellow, I've
no objections ! But it's too d  risky ! " Cols.
Gerard and Morgan were soon afterwards dishonor
ably dismissed for disobedience of orders.
So the assault was not renewed. Meanwhile the
lead and iron rained around us, and the accuracy of
the shots was truly astonishing. Some of our men
were hit lying in the very bottom of the gully, as if
the balls dropped from the sky !
Repeated orders to renew the assault on the works
in our front, which General Banks seemed to consider
the key to the town, having been disregarded, he sent
Lieut. Francis, former Adjutant of Wilson's Zouaves,
with a request for the formation of a storming column
14*

158
of two hundred men to lead the attack, promising
promotion to every officer and man who should volun
teer. Col. Hubbard promulgated the order. Lieut.
Beaton, of Co. E, Thirteenth Conn., was the first officer
to volunteer. Private Blackman, of Co. H, Thirteenth
Conn., was the first enlisted man. An officer of the
One hundred fifty-ninth New York came forward, and
said he had twenty men who would follow him in.
Capt. Sprague notified Col. Hubbard and his company
that he would be one of the number. Volunteers
were fast coming forward, and the two hundred would
soon have been obtained. Meanwhile a sort of coun
cil of war was held among the regimental comman
ders, every one of whom opposed the scheme. Capt.
Comstock well expressed the prevailing views by say
ing, " I think, if we're going in at all, we ought to go
in by regiments under the senior officer ; and this
talk of a storming column of two hundred men is all
boys' play." In the midst of this discussion, and
when the requisite number had been nearly made up,
an aid of General Banks came in 'haste, counter
manding the order ; assigning as a reason, " Two
heavy lines of rebel infantry have been discovered,
lying back a little distance inside the works, at this
point." On the summit of a hillock in rear of our right
wing, and near the spot where Col. Holcomb fell, was
a little breast- work of cotton-bags, which some of our
union soldiers had rolled before them as a protection
against rebel bullets. Behind these, some half-a-dozen
brave men kept firing on the enemy. One by one
they were struck by the shot, which constantly knock'
ed up the dust around them. For a long time this

159
continued, until the cotton took fire, either from a
shell or from their own muskets. As it burned we
saw it apparently consume the clothing and the bodies
of the dead and dying. As it reached their cartridge-
boxes, we saw the quick explosions of ammunition.
Here and there in sight lay some of our soldiers be
hind stumps, the perpetual target of the rebel rifle
men. One soldier in particular lay on his back, per
fectly straight and motionless behind a little stump ;
but, about once every half-hour he would cautiously
turn over, aim, fire, and re-load ! We could not go
to their assistance, nor could they stir from their
perilous position.
Of all that fell on this fourteenth of June, no one
was more sincerely lamented than Charlie Merwin,
drummer of Co. A ; a handsome boy of seventeen
years, brave, amiable, patriotic, a favorite with all.
Before light he had voluntarily gone to the bloody
front, to assist in carrying off the wounded. At eleven
in the morning, while carrying a wounded man on a
stretcher, to get him out of the reach of bullets, a
rifle ball shattered his leg. It was amputated on the
field. He was taken to*New Orleans. A second and
a third amputation became necessary, and he sank un
der the terrible suffering.
The day passed slowly — a long, exciting, mournful
day. The fierce sun above us, we were tormented by
thirst. We were faint with hunger. Every heart
was sad at the loss of comrades. But we kept the
enemy on the qui vive. Cos. A and B were stationed
on the brow of the ravine, just below the rebel line of
fire. Here they acted as sharp-shooters. Not the
smallest part of an enemy could be exposed without

160
receiving a volley of bullets. At dusk Cos. C, I, H
and K relieved them, and crawled up to within two or
three rods of the parapet.
At ten o'clock at night a staff officer crept up to
our position, and whispered to us that the enemy were
supposed to be massing on the right, to cut their way
out, and that the Thirteenth was to move back in
silence to the position of the preceding night, and hold
itself in readiness to assist in repelling them. This
change was noiselessly executed. No sortie was made,
Next morning saw us in our old position under the
two batteries.
Such was the action of the Thirteenth Connecticut
in the combined assault on Port Hudson, June 14,
1863. Surely, it was by no fault of ours that it did
not succeed. We had done all that was required of
us, and more. We had been ordered to act as a
reserve ; but by the sheer force of enthusiasm and
without positive orders, the Thirteenth rose equal to
the emergency and worked their way up to the "fore
front of the hottest battle."
And now came the fearfully depressing realization
that all these efforts, all this heroism, and all this ap
palling carnage, had failed. Yonder still floated the
rebel flag. Their batteries still dammed the great
river. From their bands inside, we could hear their
jubilant secession music. We were defeated ! With
bitter anguish we thought of this, and then of, the un
availing slaughter of our near and dear friends-. Two
thousand men, young, gallant, brave, the flower of our
army, had fallen. In the gloomy hospital, or still un
der the rebel fire on the scorched field, they were

161
sleeping their last sleep or writhing in agony ! And
all in vain !
No, not in vain ! For home, country, honor, free
dom, civilization, they had indeed poured out their
blood like water. On our right lay the bleeding form
of Col. Paine. Besprinkling the garments of our sol
diers were the brains of the gifted Holcomb. The
thirsty earth drank the life-blood of our loved Strick
land, and McManus, and Carey, and Cramm, and
Burns, and Merwin ; and how many more ! In the
dense thicket, in the deep gully, in the tangled ra
vine, in the open field, on the hostile ramparts, wher
ever the mimic lightning blazed, or the hissing bolt
flew, or the huge shell thundered in showers of death,
they cheerfully gave their lives. Many a heroic deed
of that eventful day will forever remain untold.
Many a manly form sleeps in an unknown grave be
neath those crimsoned battlements. But, thank God !
each patriot name, each self-sacrificing soul, forgotten
here, yet " liveth evermore !" And, long as the
Mississippi shall roll its mighty volume to the sea, the
memory of Port Hudson shall kindle the loftiest emo
tions of every lover of the human race.
June 15, we rested.
Capt. Blinn, who had been two months separated
from us by sickness, in New-Orleans, now re-joined us.
June 16 was memorable for the publication of the
famous order of General Banks, calling for the forma
tion of a " storming column of one thousand men ;"
and memorable, too, for the ready response which the
Thirteenth Connecticut gave. No -truer, sharper test
of the spirit of the army could have been devised.
In the Union ranks all was gloom. The very sun

162
seemed to shine in mockery. Three weeks previously
Gen. Banks had issued a flaming order, concluding
with the high-sounding promise that in three days
the Union flag should float from the rebel bulwarks !
But the determined onset of May 24, and the great
struggle of May 27, had both met a bloody repulse.
The, incessant sharpshooting by day and shelling by
night had not lessened the energy of the besieged.
The midnight assault, June 10, had been terribly dis
astrous. The furious bombardment of June 13, had
been as furiously defied. And the fourteenth of June !
Its smoke had hardly cleared away. Its hundreds of
corpses were still blackening in the sun. The groans
of its wounded were yet heard on every side. The
heart sickened at the horrors of that day, and its great
catalogue of victims. The long-continued, elaborate
preparations, and the prodigious slaughter, seemed
useless. The belief became almost universal that
only by the slow process of starving out the garrison
could we capture the stronghold. The army had seen
enough of assaults and of storming columns.
But could we spare the time ? Was there not
danger that the bold and skillful Johnson, hovering in
rear of Grant's besieging army at Vicksburgh, would
suddenly strike a blow at us and raise the siege of
Port Hudson ?
The Thirteenth Connecticut believed itself almost
invincible. We felt that a swift onset by a few hund
red men, every one of whom knew how to die but not
how to retreat or surrender, would surely effect a
lodgment inside ; and we believed there were brave
men enough who would spring to their support, if
properly handled, and give us Port Hudson in two
hours.

163
Such were the reasonings of the officers and men of
the Thirteenth when the inspiring call of Gen. Banks,
always more potent in rhetoric than in arms, rang out
like a trumpet. " To the bold men " of the army and
navy, thirty thousand strong who, for weeks had fixed
their eyes on the frowning battlements with a deter
mination to plant there the flag of liberty, he appealed
with singular eloquence and power. He promised
a medal of honor to every soldier and promotion to
every officer, who should volunteer to form a " Storm
ing Column of One Thousand Men " and lead the
final charge. The Thirteenth neither asked nor cared
for these rewards, nor ever murmured because the
promises so lavishly made were never kept. A few of
us were brevetted in the summer of 1866 for gallantry
at Port Hudson in the summer of 1863.
The different companies were called up and the
order (General Order No. 49, Headquarters, Depart
ment of the Gulf,) was read to them. Volunteering
immediately commenced. Three days after its publi
cation one hundred and fifty men of the Thirteenth
Connecticut had volunteered. When it became
known that our old Colonel, Birge, was to lead them,
there were many other accessions. In three weeks,
sixteen officers and two hundred and twenty-five en
listed men of the Thirteenth had joined this forlorn
hope ! This comprised more than half of those who
were present for duty. No other regiment, nor even
any other whole brigade furnished so many men for
the enterprise as the Thirteenth Connecticut alone.
The nearest approach to this was made by the two
colored regiments, which together gave two hundred
men. The Twenty-fifth Connecticut, never lacking in

164
patriotism or courage, sent but one officer and three
enlisted men ; whose names were several times pub
lished, as evincing remarkable patriotism, in the
Annual Report of the Adjutant-General of the State
of Connecticut. Of the .companies in the Thirteenth,,
G did the best, nearly every man present for duty
having volunteered. This was due in part to the
active exertions of first-sergeant Charles B. Hutchins,
afterwards lieutenant in the Corps d'Afrique. Among
the non-combatants who volunteered for this perilous
work was Hospital Steward William Bishop, Thir
teenth Connecticut, as brave a man as ever faced
death in battle.
It is not to be supposed that all were actuated by
patriotism alone. Possibly none were entirely free
from selfish promptings. Some were ambitious of
distinction ; others may have believed they could not
honorably refuse. Some perhaps were quite unaware
of the fearful risk. A few may have been weary of
life. A few too were suspected of designing to recede
at the last moment, on some pretence ; meanwhile,
and perhaps always, enjoying the reputation of being
brave, patriotic men.
But the majority knew the situation, reverenced the
call of their country, and freely offered to sacrifice on
her altar even life itself. It was the fruit of no sud
den impulse, no thoughtless folly, no reckless desper
ation. Calmly and widely they surveyed the field of
danger and of duty, weighed the considerations, cal
culated the contingencies, and prepared for either .
fate, — to share the reward of the victorious brave, or
die like the nameless three hundred at Thermopylae.
The author of this history wrote out the last will

165
and testament of some of these men ; witnessed the
transfer of money, watches, jewelry, and keepsakes to
their comrades who were to remain behind ; and wrote
letters giving what they feared were their last mes
sages to the loved ones at home. From an officer's
diary is extracted the following memorandum, dated
June 16, 1863, just after he had volunteered in the "
storming column : " I have in my possession about
two hundred and twenty dollars in Treasury Notes,
of which, in case of my death, I wish to have two
hundred sent to my wife, *******
****** For her sake I wish my remains to
be sent, sooner or later, * * * * for interment.
Dr. Clary or Chaplain Upson is requested to see to
the execution of the foregoing."
June 19, the Thirteenth moved circuitously to new
ground two miles to the right, and within about a
mile of the negro brigade. Here those who were not
of the storming party remained till the surrender.
Volunteering for this forlorn hope was still going on.
June 25, Lieutenant Kinney and another officer
prepared a petition to General Banks as follows :
" Thirteenth Regiment, Conn., Vols., \
Before Port Hudson, \
June 25, 1863. )
General :
The undersigned, comprising all the officers of the
above-named regiment, present for duty, having volun
teered as members of the Storming Party called for
by General Orders, No. 49, Headquarters, Department
of the Gulf, beg leave respectfully to request that the
intended assault may not be made on a Sunday."
Two captains and one lieutenant refused to sign it.
15

166
June 26, the storming column marched to the
ground designated for its camp. The place was half
a mile from the camp of the Thirteenth. It was sep
arated from the rest of the army and organized in
two battalions, which were carefully drilled, instructed,
and held in readiness to move at five minutes' notice.
Scaling ladders and other requisite implements were
preparing. All the officers present having volunteered as storm-
ers, except the sick, it became necessary to appoint
some officer to the command of those not included
among the stormers. Captain Comstock, senior offi
cer commanding, accordingly detailed Captain Sprague
to perform that duty, who appointed Lieutenant Kin
ney acting adjutant. Both of these officers were
amongst the stormers, and declined the appointment
until assured by Colonel Birge that whenever the
storming column moved, they should join it.
By request of the enlisted men, non-stormers,
Captain Sprague on the twenty-seventh of June ob
tained from Colonel Birge a promise that the remain
der of the regiment should follow immediately in rear
of the stormers, as their first support ; a position
hardly less perilous or less honorable than the storm
ing column itself. This showed that the remnant of
the regiment had no intention of lagging behind in
the momentous struggle. So the whole of the Thir
teenth was virtually in the assaulting column.
There being no company officers present for duty
with the non-stormers, Captain Sprague consolidated
these temporarily into five companies under the com
mand of sergeants. The same day, it being reported; ;
that the stormers were immediately to make the

167
assault, he obtained written permission from Colonel
Birge for himself and Lieutenant Kinney to act as his
staff officers in the expected movement. The band of
the Thirteenth Connecticut played this evening at the
dress parade of the selected storming brigade. It be
ing again rumored that the enemy were intending to
cut their way out this night, the regiment slept on
their arms.
June 29, sharpshooters were called for, under the
name of M crack shots," to report at Grover's Head
quarters. Captain Sprague sent from the Thirteenth
privates Maloy, Mc Williams, Rice, Adams, Richmond,
Austin, Gardner, Haight, Peck and Mathews. At
four o'clock, we " fell in " for review by Gen. Banks.
He not appearing, we broke ranks, and again " fell
in " at six o'clock. Waiting in line till eight o'clock,
word came that he was " indisposed ;" but would re
view us next day at ten o'clock. Accordingly, June
30, he reviewed and addressed the stormers and
Birge's brigade. His speech was remarkably eloquent
and appropriate. In it he promised us we should
celebrate the coming Fourth of July inside Port
Hudson. Lieutenant Beckwith arrived from Hospital and
immediately entered the storming column. Captain
Sprague mustered the Thirteenth for pay.
July 2, the names of the Thirteenth officers in the
forlorn hope were taken as follows :
Field and Staff— Colonel Henry W. Birge, com
manding the column.
Company A — Lieutenants Charles E. Tibbets, John
C. Kinney.
Company B— - Captain A. Comstock, Lieutenant
Louis Beckwith.

168
Company C— Captain C. D. Blinn, Lieutenant N.
W. Perkins.
Company D— Captain C. J. Fuller, Lieutenant
Perry Averill.
Company E — Lieutenant Charles S. Beaton.
Company G — Captain D. H. Finley.
Company H — Captain Homer B. Sprague.
Company I — Lieutenants Frank Wells, Louis Meiss-
ner. Company K — Lieutenants W. F. Norman} Charles
Daniels. This day was signalized by the capture of Spring
field Landing, our principal base of supplies on the
river a few miles below Port Hudson. A guerilla
party held the place an hour, cut off our communica
tions, and took a number of wagons. The wagoner
of Company B, " Dutch John," was taken ; but had
the shrewdness to deceive his captors by pretending to
be lame ! Getting permission to ride a mule, he rode
away at the first corner and soon rejoined us !
Sergeant Brown, Company H, seeing privates
Cashin and " Big Dugan " absent without leave, dis
guised himself as a guerilla, captured them both, and
to their astonishment marched them back into the
camp of the Thirteenth !
July 3, we received orders to be in readiness to
make the grand attack at fifteen minutes' notice.
July 4, we held a meeting of officers, at which re
solutions were drawn up by the writer in honor of the
lamented Strickland.
At noon Farragut fired a national salute with shot
ted guns into the rebel works. Quartermaster Brom
ley was sent to look after our baggage stored at Bayou

169

Boeuf and Brashear City. These places had been
captured by the rebels.
July 5, and no assault by the storming column !
Experienced miners were now called for by General
Grover. We sent privates Warner, Wagner, and
Barnes. July 6, alargeiorce of the enemy was reported in
our rear. The non-stormers of the Thirteenth were
moved back by Captain Sprague a mile and a half
near the Bayou Sara road, to repel any attack from
that quarter. It rained on us at night, but we had
become used to that. No hostile demonstration was
made against us, except by a furious and most bois
terous bull. But a " strong bull of Bashan " is no
despicable foe.
July 7, the regiment returned to camp. The order
to keep on hand two days' cooked rations and be in
readiness to move at fifteen minutes notice, was re
voked by a circular from General Grover. This was
in consequence of the glorious intelligence of the fall
of Vicksburg on the fourth. An unutterable weight
was now lifted from our minds ; for we knew that we
were safe from any attack by Johnson, and that the.
capture of Port Hudson was only a question of time.
In company with Chaplain Upson, Captain Corn-
well, and Lieut. Kinney of the Thirteenth, and Quar
termaster Ives of the Twenty-fifth, the writer rode to
Col. Nelson's head-quarters. He commanded a col
ored regiment. We found him in high glee at receiv
ing a hundred Confederate dollars, which he had just
won in a bet with a rebel major inside the works. He
had laid a wager that Vicksburg had surrendered.
The understanding was that the Confederate paper
15*

170
should be replaced by greenbacks in New Orleans.
His interview with the rebels was amusingly told.
He had been in the habit of conversing during the
siege with the rebel officers in his front, and had de
lighted in telling them the most egregious lies.
Among other things he had gravely informed the
major that the besiegers were so peasantry situated
they had no desire of terminating the siege ! that
nothing would suit us better than to remain before
Port Hudson until winter, and we should regard it as
a positive misfortune to capture the place ! that con
sequently, we had never assaulted the place in earn
est ! that we were abundantly supplied with every
luxury the New Orleans market could afford ! that
most of the officers had little gardens near their
tents, which furnished lettuce, radishes, onions and
all kinds of garden sauce daily ! and, particularly,
that the Sanitary Commission had established beauti
ful pavilions, a quarter of a mile apart, all around our
lines, where the weary soldier could at any time ob
tain ice-creams, iced lemonade, and other liquors and
luxuries, all gratis !
A cessation of hostilities was now proclaimed along
the whole lines.
Three commissioners, of whom Colonel Birge was
one, met three rebel commissioners and agreed upon
terms of surrender.
Towards evening the writer rode with Lieut. Baker
along the rebel works, where many a mouldering
corpse, a clotted mass of corruption, told how dread
ful had been the struggle. Everywhere was wild ex
citement. White flags, white handkerchiefs, strip's of
.canvas, and balls of cotton, were hung on every part

171
of the works. The long, long agony was over. Here
at least the demon of war should be drunk with
human blood nevermore.
As a special mark of honor the storming brigade
entered Port Hudson the morning of July 9, to re
ceive the surrender. A deserved recognition of the
distinguished services of the Thirteenth was seen in
the fact, that our colors and our band were selected
from all others to grace the triumphal pageant. We
marched down near the railroad depot and then turn
ed to the right past the long line of six thousand pris
oners. These looked ragged and rough, but in good
flesh and healthy. They appeared to be rather taller
and larger than the average of our men. We could
hear them mutter repeatedly in low tones, " D —
you ! You couldn't take us by fighting ! You had
to starve us out !'¦' At the command, " Ground
Arms !" they flung them spitefully down.
The ceremony over, our two hundred and forty
stormers rejoined the remainder of the regiment.
Here we found two rebel prisoners, Lieut-col. Lee,
Fifteenth Arkansas, and Captain Hardee, Miles'
Legion, Louisiana. They had been intercepted in at
tempting to escape, having been two days in the
swamps without food, trying to pass our pickets.
Giving them as good a dinner as we were able to
provide, and furnishing Capt. Hardee with a copious
supply of whiskey, the writer sent them to General
Grover under charge of Sergeant Aldrich. Col. Lee
was one of the few rebel officers who never drank a
drop of liquor.
With Lieuts. Tibbets and Beaton, and Lieut-col.
Weld of the Twenty-fifth, the writer visited the in
side of the stronghold.

172
" Juvat ire et Dorica castra
Desertosque videre locos litusque relictum,
* ** * # * * *
Classibus hie locus ; hie acie certare solebant."
Cannon shot had sadly mangled the church and
some other buildings. The ground was everywhere
scooped out in enormous hollows, where the vast
bomb-shells of the fleet had fallen and burst. The
logs which in many places surmounted the parapet,,
were packed full of lead from our muskets. The
rebel artillery bore remarkable testimony to the ac
curacy of ours, a great proportion of their heavy
guns being dismounted. Where our approaches came
nearest, extraordinary precautions had been taken.
Torpedoes had been thickly planted outside and in
side the parapet. Our mines had been met by coun
termines. Where our column had penetrated with
the Thirteenth Connecticut at its head on the fatal
fourteenth of June, the inside had been thick set with
pointed stakes inclining towards the parapet. But a
description of these and a thousand kindred things
belongs more appropriately elsewhere.
Such was the part taken by the Thirteenth Connec
ticut in the eventful siege of Port Hudson. By its
heroic conduct in every emergency, and especially on
the fourteenth of June, and more especially still in
the grand Storming Column of one thousand, the regi
ment placed itself far in advance of all rivalry. No
Spot dims the brightness of that page. The regiment
stood alone. For days and weeks two hundred and
forty-one of its members looked death in the face,
and offered all on their country's altar. Full well they
knew, for hard experience had taught them, the
ground over which they must pass, the wall of fire

173
and steel they must climb, the whirlwind of shot they
must face. When all other regiments shrunk back
and clung to life, the Thirteenth Connecticut pressed
forward, and with the sublimest courage and self-sac
rifice they dared the issue !
How delightful the repose that followed! The
siege had been one long-continued battle ; a battle
that lasted forty-four days after the investment was
complete. Vicksburg was not so bloody. Seven
millions of projectiles had been fired by us since we
started for Port Hudson ! But now the seemingly
endless din had ceased, and we felt how sweet was
rest ! how prophetic, too, of that " nobler rest
above !" " No rude alarms of raging foes ;
No cares to break the long repose ;
No groans to mingle -with the songs
That warble from immortal tongues !"

CHAPTER V.
On the eleventh of July, 1863, the Thirteenth Con
necticut, with the effective men of the brigade, the
Twelfth Maine and Twenty-fourth Connecticut,.
marched through Port Hudson and down the bluff to
the steamer Laurel Hill, on which they embarked for
Donaldsonville. Arriving at this town we bivouacked
near the levee, Colonel Birge being in commandl of
the division.
July 13, Colonel Morgan's division, "lying on both*
sides of the Bayou La Fourche, was attacked by a
heavy force of the enemy and driven back on the
town with a loss of several pieces of artillery, and
many killed, wounded and prisoners. The Thirteenth,
at sound of the cannonade, fell rapidly into line and
marched with the rest of the brigade to their support.
We met them as they were retreating in good order.
On our way we came upon Colonel Dudley falling
back with his brigade. He said to Colonel Birge who
had just halted us, " You'd better fallback. You're
too far to the front. I'm going back to a position I
can hold." Colonel Birge, with a glance at the
Thirteenth, replied, loud enough to be heard by the
regiment, " I can hold this position." We formed
line along the levee. Colonel Morgan was brought
past us to their rear in a wagon, having been " sun-
struck !" From the levee we could seethe enemy at the
bend in the bayou,and received a few parting shots,which
flew harmlessly over us or fell short in the water. The

175
enemy retiring, Colonel Birge formed the division in
line of battle in rear of the town, the right resting on
the bayou and the left on the Mississippi. Here we
slept on our arms. On this line the division remain
ed some days.
The battle of Donaldsonville was substantially over
when we arrived. The engagement was creditable to
our soldiers, who displayed their usual gallantry. But
the feeble condition of Colonel Morgan and perhaps of
some other officers, gave the advantage to the enemy.
It appears that the rebels had come in while we
were concentrated at Port Hudson. On the twenty-
first of the preceding June they had captured Brashear
City and Bayou Boeuf. Fights occurred at Brashear,
Bayou Ramois, Chockahoula Station, La Fourche
Crossing, and Donaldsonville. At the last-named
place a small force of our troops in Fort Butler, most
ly invalids, repulsed twenty times their number. All
our stores at Brashear and Bayou Boeuf, were lost.
The sugar mill and contents were burned. The loss
fell heavily on many of us. The government made
no recompense. In the affair at Bayou Ramois, Ser
geant Blanchard, Co. E, was killed on the bridge by
a volley from the enemy.
The military situation in the La Fourche country
being similar to what it had been on our previous
campaign in that region, it was thought that a suit
able land and naval force might intercept the enemy
at Brashear, as had been vainly attempted the preced
ing autumn. Accordingly, orders were said to have
been received by General Grover to send two of his
best regiments to Brashear by steamer. The Twelfth
and Thirteenth Connecticut were selected.
July 18, they received notice to cook two days'

176
rations and be ready to embark. July 21, at six
o'clock p. M. we went on board the ocean steamer
Crescent, with the Twelfth. We expected to fight the
rebels who held Brashear ; yet we left Donaldsonville
without regret, having suffered much during our ten
days there, for want of tents, baggage, clothing, and
food. Steaming down the river, we arrived in New Or
leans early in the morning of July 22. Lieut-col. F.
H. Peck, Twelfth Connecticut, was senior officer in
command of the troops. At New Orleans, where we
lay at anchor a day and a half, off Canal street, we
were visited by Col. Warner and Capt. Grosvenor.
Adjt. Whittlesey here rejoined the regiment.
During the night of the twenty-second, as we lay
at anchor, a singular panic occurred on the hurricane
deck, which was crowded with sleeping soldiers. One
of them, dreaming we were suddenly attacked by the
. rebels, leaped up with loud shrieks and alarmed his
companions. Half-naked, confused, bewildered in the
darkness, they sprang to their feet, four or five rush
ing overboard. Two were drowned in the swift stream ;
private Alger of A and a soldier of the Twelfth.
The remainder were picked up by a boat from a French
war steamer.
In the afternoon of the twenty-third we steamed
down the river, and out of South-west Pass at night.
Next day we made fine progress till noon, when we
got into shallow water, where the steamer left a long
muddy wake and often grounded, finally we were
obliged to lie quiet all night about two miles from a
light-house. The weather being hot and the troops
crowded, we found the steamer a most uncomfortable

177
place. Next day, July 25, we steamed along, getting
aground occasionally. We arrived at Brashear at
three o'clock p. m. We went ashore. The rebels had
hastily evacuated the town previous to our arrival,
pitching some of their artillery into the river, burn
ing the cars, smashing their locomotives, and setting
fire to some of the large gun-carriages, which were
still burning. They had done a great deal of fortify
ing during the month they had held possession. Fort
after fort, one of them with embrasures for eighteen
guns, had sprung up for miles along the river on both
sides. They were clever in their wit, too. In con
spicuous capitals, on the walls of one room at the
depot, was the significant inscription, " Office of Major-
General N. P. Banks, Chief of Ordnance for the C. S.
A. forces south of Red River, and Ex-commissary
of Stonewall Jackson !"
We lay two days in a muddy, filthy field near the
railway and not far from the depot. The ground had
been a camp. At night musquitoes swarmed in num
bers and vigor unparalleled ; an indescribable torment.
July 27, we moved three-quarters of a mile to a de
lightful green plot on the river bank, close to an ex
tensive sugar mill.
Sunday, August 2, our pickets at the bend, nearly
a mile above our camp, had an exciting skirmish with
a party of twenty or thirty rebel horsemen across the
river. Being field-officer of the day, and riding with
Lieut. Baker on the bank where there was no cover,
the writer was the recipient of close and numerous
attentions from their rifles. Deserters coming in re
ported an intended attack.
August 4, a flag of truce, escorted by a large num-
16

178
ber of cavalry, made its appearance on the other side
of the river. As they came leisurely along, they had
a capital opportunity to reconnoitre our position.
Annoyed beyond measure at their cool audacity, we
had yet no means of stopping their advance. We
were delighted when at last a big gun on the steamer
Clifton thundered the wished-for, "Halt !" Their busi
ness being trivial, Col. Peck thought it prudent to
withdraw the Thirteenth from its exposed position.
Next day we returned in a rain storm to our former
mud camp.
While at Brashear, Lieut. Wells, with company I,
went on a two days reconnoitering expedition. They
embarked on the gunboat Estrella, and passed up the
Teche, and into Grand Lake in pursuit of a steamer,
the presence of which was betrayed by its smoke. On
the Teche they were attacked by guerillas, whose fire
they answered with artillery. In the midst of Grand
Lake they ran aground, an accident for which they
believed themselves indebted to a disloyal pilot. After
twelve hours they were pulled off by the Clifton,
which had come to their assistance.
Through the frailty of Dr. B., Surgeon of the One
Hundred and Thirty-first New York, the two regi
ments were now left without a physician. The swamp
malaria, the rain, mud, lack of shelter from the
scorching heat of mid-day, and the heavy dews, and,
not least, the unutterable nuisance of musquitoes,
began to tell on the health of the regiment. More
than half fell sick. At one time but a single officer
was fit for duty. The consequences were lasting.
Eleven of the Thirteenth are reported to have died in
University Hospital in September. Hospital Steward

179
William Bishop rendered invaluable service. On the
eleventh of August we were rejoiced at the appear
ance of our tried and faithful physician, Dr. Clary,
who had been absent sick for several weeks.
August 12, the long railroad bridge over Bayou
Ramois, four miles from Brashear, was completed by
workmen under charge of Sergeant Maddux.
August 13, General Weitzel and staff came in the
first train from Algiers. A salute was fired by the
fleet in honor of his arrival. A scene of great hila
rity followed in the car, where mirth and conviviality
ruled the hour. AH were in good spirits for some
time. August 16, Lieut. Perkins was sent with Company
C on picket to Bayou Boeuf. Here they lived three
days on nothing, while the musquitoes lived on them !
August 19, the Clifton took them off to Brashear,
whence the remainder of the regiment had just started
for Algiers by rail.
At nine p. m., the regiment arrived at the Algiers
railroad depot, where they remained all night. Next
day at three p. m. we embarked on the steamer Jatan
(not Satan, as often improperly spelled), and went up
the river near to CarroUton. Here, for the first time
in five months, we were allowed tents. The poorest
house is better than a tent, as the poorest tent is bet
ter than no shelter at all.
Next day we went into camp on ground formerly
occupied by the First Louisiana, a part of our old
camp Kearney.
August 23, private Secille, Company F, was
drowned while bathing in the Mississippi.
August 26, Assistant^surgeon L. W. Clarke, oppor-

180
tunely arrived. There was much sickness, and he
was remarkable for his unremitting attention to his
patients, as well as his skill in the treatment of dis
ease. August 28, orders came at dusk for the regiment
to be ready to move with one day's cooked rations at
seven next morning. At nine A. M. the regiment left
by steamer for Algiers ; thence bj rail at five p. m. to
Terrebonne station on the New Orleans, Opelousas
and Great Western Railroad. We arrived at eleven
p. M.
Sunday, August 30, the regiment marched three
miles to Madam Guion's plantation, lying alongside
the Bayou La Fourche, and in the edge of Thibodaux.
Madam Guion, though an ardent secessionist, was a
kind, true-hearted woman, a lady of the highest re
spectability and moral worth.
Much sickness prevailed ; the result of the hard
ships and exposures of the five preceding months.
For illustration : August 30, Company H had twenty-
four nominally present for duty, but all being really
greatly debilitated ; ten present sick ; twenty-five
absent sick and wounded.
September 1, Captain Sprague, Lieuts. Wells and
Beckwith, Sergts. Wheeler and Sterry, 'and Corpls.
Brown, Baldwin, Murphy and Gay, were directed to
proceed to New Haven, " to receive and conduct re
cruits to the regiment." This detachment left Thibo
daux September third for New Orleans ; thence, via
Mississippi river to Cairo, and by rail to New Haven.
For some months the regiment enjoyed much-
needed rest, and gradually recovered health and
strength. Under the judicious care of Captain Com-

181
stock, the camp was beautifully laid out, the com
pany streets were handsomely paved with brick, the
tents were neatly floored, a drum-corps of remarkable
skill was trained by Principal Musician Hadley, who
had returned from desertion, and the regiment was
drilled in the various company and battalion move
ments. Time passed rapidly and pleasantly.
September 19, 1863, Colonel Birge was promoted
to be brigadier.
October 5, Capt. Blinn was promoted lieut-colonel,
and Capt. Sprague, major. November 5, Blinn was
promoted colonel ; Sprague, lieut-colonel ; Comstock,
major. In November, Sprague received a commis
sion as colonel of the Eleventh Regiment, C. D. A.
The detachment sent to New Haven was detained
there at Conscript Rendezvous, on courts-martial and
other duties, till near mid-winter.
December 31, Capt. McCord and the writer rejoined
the regiment at Thibodaux. We found the men as
comfortable as the intensely cold weather, and the
pond of mud and water, in which each tent was an
island, would allow. Col. Blinn was in command. Major
Comstock had left for the North. Captain Cornwell
with Lieut. Meissner had formed a mounted detach
ment of thirty-five picked men of the Thirteenth, for
duty at Gen. Birge's head-quarters. This detach
ment always appeared well and rendered good service
on several important occasions.
The same evening a pleasant scene was enacted at
Thibodaux. It was the presentation of a magnificent
sword, belt, sash and spurs to General Birge, the gift
of the officers and soldiers of the regiment. Captain
McCord had selected them with exquisite taste at
16*

182
Tiffany's, at a cost of about five hundred dollars.
The presentation speech was made by Colonel Blinn,
to which the general briefly and modestly responded.
Other speeches followed and toasts were offered. Cap
tain Darden, a citizen, was present, and in a very
happy frame of mind. He had been drinking of a
peculiar liquor entitled " Perfect Love," which " cast-.
eth out fear " and sorrow ! " Gentlemen," said he,
" I propose a toast — ' The Mayflower ! May she
live ." " Then, after a moment's pause, " Gentle
men, go slow. I am Captain Darden, descended from
an ancient family, known in history as the Dardanelles!
The Mayflower was the first ship that came to this
country. I came soon afterwards, and selected this
beautiful spot for my residence, — the finest country
in the world. Go slow, gentlemen ! I speak from
observation. I have traveled extensively. I have
seen the animals in the geological gardens in Europe.
Go slow ! I have passed through the Duchess of Saxe
Weimar. Therefore, I proposed the health of the
Mayflower !"
January 2, 1864, at dress parade, the regiment was
formed in double column and listened to a neat, brief
and touching speech from General Birge, who thanked
them for their beautiful presents, and bade them fare
well as he was going North on leave of absence.
Colonel E. L. Molineux succeeded the general in
command. January 4, Lieut. Col. Selden, formerly of the
Twenty-sixth Connecticut, arrived, an authorized
agent to secure the re-enlistment of the men as veteran
volunteers. The orders of the War Department not
having been laid before the regiment, and it being
generally supposed that the Thirteenth had not been

183
long enough in the service to entitle them to re-enlist,
little interest had been felt in the subject, and noth
ing had been done. The time limited was January 5.
But one day therefore remained. In that one day,
wet, cold and stormy, each company was called up
separately in the rain, and the matter was urged upon
them. Four hundred men accepted the proposition
to re-enlist for three years or during the war ; and we
only waited for the arrival of proper blanks. This
hearty, spontaneous, almost universal enlistment of
those men who were accessible, there being but four
hundred and six men present for duty, is hardly
paralleled in the history of the war. It was fitting that
the regiment, which had been so conspicuous for hero
ism at Irish Bend and Port Hudson, should surpass
others in the alacrity with which they volunteered for
another three years of hardship and death. The
want of blanks was a very serious hindrance. For
tunately the War Department extended the time to
the twelfth of January, and again till the first of
March. The re-enlistment was effected under three prom
ises : first, that the men should receive a thirty days'
furlough in Connecticut ; secondly, that the Thir
teenth should be turned into cavalry ; thirdly, that
they should be promptly mustered out at the close of
the war, if it happened within three years. None of
these promises was fulfilled.
January 25, Mr. Tobias Gibson called for a guard
over his negroes. He had two sons, graduates of Yale
in 1853 and. 1854 ; one being then a brigadier in the
rebel service. Scores of similar applications were
made, some of which were granted.

184
The wholesome respect felt by the citizens for the
Federal officers is illustrated by the instant compli
ance of a wealthy planter with a demand by a negro
woman for her wearing apparel, of which he had un
justly deprived her. She presented the following
solemn document :
Head-Quarters Co. A, 13th Conn. Vols.,
Thibodaux, Jan. 29, 1864.
General Orders, No. 1.
Lucinda, colored, is hereby appointed Laundress of
Company A, 13th Conn. Vols. She will be obeyed
and respected accordingly. J. C. Kinney,
Lieut. Com'd'g Co. A, 13th C. V.
January 29, a photographic picture of the Thir
teenth at dress parade was taken.
January 30, a General Court Martial, of which the
writer was president and Capt. McCord one of the
members, was convened at Thibodaux. It sat several
weeks. Among the cases tried was that of private
Nugent, who had assaulted " Capt. Perry Averill,
formerly Lieut, of old D," while Field-officer of the
Day. Nugent had seized the captain's horse by the
tail, and attempted to stop him by tugging, thereat;
failing in this, he dragged' the captain from the horse
and tried to choke him.
The One hundred Fifty-ninth New York occupied
ground adjoining ours on the left. The Twenty-sixth
New York Battery was half a mile distant on the
Terrebonne road. The Ninetieth New York was
along the railroad. The One hundred Thirty-first
was at Brashear. The First Louisiana was at Donald- '
sonville. Barret's Cavalry were at Napoleon.

185
Tuesday evening, February 9, there was a grand
SoirSe Dansante, or Mardi Or as ball, at the Court
House in Thibodaux. Many of the officers were sur
prised to find their names in the list of managers on
the cards of invitation. One Lieutenant-colonel, hav
ing a stye on his eyelid, declined to join in the move
ments of the light fantastic toe. These were days
when our officers were fond of " going down to Terre
bonne to shake the foot."
Lasting impressions were made upon the soft hearts
of some. Lieut. Daniels married Miss K  s, daugh
ter of the worthy postmaster at Thibodaux. •
February 12, a Board of Survey, of which the wri
ter-was president, was ordered to investigate the losses
of the regiments at Bayou Boeuf and Brashear in the
preceding June. Their efforts were laborious and
thorough. They strongly urged upon the Government
to reimburse the men ; but in vain.
February 17, there was a large political gathering
at the Court House. Speeches were made by Hon.
Michael Hahn, and Messrs. Lynch, Lombard, and
Shannon. At evening, Bromley, who had been hon
orably discharged the service, gave a " scientific sup
per" at the hotel ! He ordered stuffed birds of para
dise, the tongues of nightingales and the brains of
humming-birds. He avowed himself a representative
of the interests of Mr. Flanders, the rival candidate of
Mr. Hahn for the gubernatorial chair ; Flanders and
Bromley being both in the Treasury Department. An
animated political discussion arose, in which Captain
Darden, one of the savans, challenged Bromley to
point out the difference between the Hahn principles
and the Flanders principles. He instantly replied,

186
"It's the same as between charcoal and charcoal/"
Captain Raymond, another of the philosophers at the
" scientific supper," interfered, and finally grew per
sonal. " I want to know," said he to Bromley, "how
a quartermaster-sergeant can send home eighty dol
lars a month !" " Why, the deuce !" said Bromley;
" I'm surprised ! Don't you know the facilities we
have for sending home money ? Send it by Adams
Express, of course." " But how can he make the
money?" said the captain. "Make it? Why, that's
a reflection upon your sagacity ! Make it out of his
regiment, of course!" Capt. Darden now chimed in:
" Dont you Flanders men mean to put the negro -on
an equality with the white man ?" " Put the negro
on an equality with the white man ?" echoed Bromley
with an air of indignation ; " Why, no ! We consider
the negro to be infinitely above the white man ! We
wouldn't degrade the negro, by bringing him down to
the low level of the white man !" -" Where does the
Tombigbee river empty ?" interrupted Capt. Ray
mond, who prided himself upon his geographical
knowledge. " The Tombigbee river," said Bromley;
" The Tombigbee river empty ? Why, where do yon
empty a bottle of whiskey ? Into your mouth ! Well,
the Bigtomby river empties into its mouth !" So
fared it at the " scientific supper."
March 7, a brigade of cavalry marched through
Thibodaux, commanded by Colonel N. A. M. Dudley,
who had been known by the sobriquet of " The Great
North American Dudley," but who afterwards, from
the splendor of his uniform, was called " Gold-Lace
Dudley." They were the advance guard of the Red

187
River army on their way overland through the Teche
country to Alexandria.
Saturday, March 12, Major Comstock returned
from a two and a half months' absence North. Lieut.
Wells also came, bringing fifty recruits from the State
rendezvous. The next week he was mustered as Cap
tain, and Second-lieutenant Kinney was mustered as
First-lieutenant. <-
March 13, General Grover arrived at Thibodaux,
and assumed command of the Second Division, Nine
teenth Corps. Next day, by General Order No. 1, he
brigaded the division. The Second Brigade, under
General Birge, comprised the Ninetieth New York,
Thirteenth Connecticut, One hundred Thirty-first New
York, One hundred Fifty-ninth New York, and First
Louisiana. March 15, orders came to be ready to march at half
an hour's notice. March 19, we moved to Terrebonne
station ; thence, in the morning by rail to Algiers,
where we arrived at noon. Here we bivouaced near
the railroad. At night a cold rain storm came on,
which soaked the regiment and made the ground a
lake of mud. March 21, the Thirteenth marched into
the old Belleville iron-foundry on the principal street
in Algiers.
Friday, March 25, 1864, we embarked on the steam
er Alice Vivian, a captured blockade-runner. At
dusk we steamed across to New Orleans, where we
lay till nine o'clock, p. m., and then moved up the
river. . Next day, at seven, we passed Donaldsonville ;
at one, Baton Rouge ; at four, Port Hudson. At
night we tied up to the river bank. On the 27th we
entered Red River. At noon we saw Fort DeRussy,

188
which A. J. Smith had captured two days before the
arrival of General Banks. At night we again tied up
to the river bank.
At seven a. m., March 28, we reached Alexandria.
We went into camp half a mile above town on the
right bank, quarter of a mile from the high bridge
spanning the Bayou Rapides. Along this'bayou that
morning the long lines of the Nineteenth Corps, under
General Franklin, were moving out by the flank.
Close to this place of bivouac, some weeks later, was
built the celebrated Red River dam. Hardly had we
reached this position when we saw a fine large Missis
sippi steamboat strike on the rocks at the rapids just
above us, and settle a few feet in the water. It was
a hospital boat, and lay there partially submerged for
some weeks. Lieut. Stanley of the Thirteenth was
sent with a guard of ten men to protect it while pa
tients and stores were removed.
Friday, April 1, we moved with the rest of the bri
gade at noon to the other side of the bayou nearer the
town. The regiment was engaged in picket duty.
April 4, General Birge arrived on the steamer Battle.
April 7, a heavy rain fell, completely flooding our
camp. The eighth and ninth were clear and cold, and
the pondof water vanished.
Monday, April 11, at ten o'clock, p. M., the regiment
left Alexandria on the steamer Ohio Belle, bound for
Grand Ecore. The captain of the boat expressed some
doubt of being able to reach his destination at the
time appointed. General Birge suspecting him of dis
loyalty, notified him in very emphatic language, that
he must bring his boat to Grand Ecore at the desig-

189
nated hour. Private Henry Robinson, of G, was lost
overboard and drowned at night.
About three p. m. next day, as we steamed up the
river, a sharp fire was opened by guerillas upon the
troops who were crowded upon the upper and hurri
cane decks. It was a complete surprise and caused
a great stampede to the lower deck. Our soldiers
vigorously returned the fire. The scramble to get out
of the way of the rebel balls was amusing. One ser-
gent jumped down through the covered top of a tele
graph wagon. The pilot house was riddled, and the
negro pilot expressed great wonder at the small dimen
sions into which a field officer compressed himself.
The frantic ejaculations of one captain to another,
" Don't delay me ! Don't delay me ! Get out of the
way ! Let me skedaddle ! " were an inexhaustible
subject of merriment to his fellow officers. Two men
of Company H were wounded. One of them, Henry
Smith, as neat and faithful a soldier as any in the regi
ment, lost his leg.
Guerilla-firing on boats -was a daily occurrence on
the Red River. Every steamer must run the gauntlet.
The upper works of many were honey-combed by rebel
shot. The stceam was so low between the high banks
that the large guns of the fleet could not effectively
return the fire.
At seven p. m., Tuesday, April 12, we disembarked
on the left bank opposite Grand Ecore. Here we
threw out pickets and slept on our arms in a ploughed
field. Next day at noon, as we were pitching tents,
Colonel Blinn rode up and said, " Get ready for a
fight !" We immediately " fell in," crossed the river
on a pontoon bridge, and went through the village,
17

190
and nearly a mile back from the stream into the
woods. Here the regiment formed part of a continu
ous line of troops, which extended circularly around
Grand Ecore, the right and left resting on the river.
Below the town on the river bank was the Corps
d'Afrique, which General Banks did not allow to do
any fighting. Next came Lee's cavalry division, of
which Lucas's brigade lay next the colored troops.
Then Dudley's brigade ; alas ! no longer " Gold Lace
Dudley !" Then Fox's New York battery ; the Thirty-
eighth Massachusetts ; the One Hundred Twenty-
eighth New York ; the Thirteenth Connecticut ; First
Louisiana ; Twenty-fourth and Twenty-sixth Iowa ;
several New York regiments ; Forty-seventh Penn
sylvania ; batteries from Missouri, Vermont and Dela
ware ; Duryea's Zouaves ; and others, ex tending quite
to the river.
We found the army greatly depressed. The battle
at Sabine Cross Roads, April 7, in which all the beau
tiful uniforms and all the precious champagnes of the
long trains, some miles of wagons, changed owners in
the midst of much noise and confusion, " the mules
resolutely facing the enemy ;" and the drawn battle
of Pleasant Hill, April 8, where both armies sent flags
of truce which met on the battle-field from which
each had retreated ; placed our invading army on the
defensive. Grand Ecore, as its name indicates, is on high
bluffs. The village is composed of forty or fifty
houses, picturesquely situated. The place is easily
fortified. It is four or five miles from the old town of
Nachitoches. Shreveport was the objective point of the expedi-

191
tion. What General Banks would have done, had he
captured it, is matter of conjecture. It was at that
time the rebel capital of Louisiana ; but of little im
portance in a strategic view. It was said he intended
to effect a junction there with General Steele pushing
a column from Little Rock. Much cotton grows in
the Red River country. Grant was appointed Lieute
nant-general, March 9. At that time the expedition
had already commenced, and Dudley, with his miles
of wagons, and " mules resolutely facing the enemy,"
was far on the road to Alexandria. There certainly
appeared to be danger that Banks would capture
Shreveport and penetrate Northern Texas. We con
jured up visions of El Llano Estacado and hordes of
swift Camanches. Let us hope it was true, as com
monly reported, that Gen. Banks was not the origi-
jiator of the Red River campaign, but acted in obedi
ence to orders.
It was essential to the success of this romantic ex
pedition that the Red River should rise. The, old
geographers say it annually overflows its banks in
April. Had such been the fact in 1864 we might
have run a brilliant career of conquest and gained
new views of El Llano Estacado and the Great
American Desert. Our wooden gunboats and iron
clads could easily have penetrated to Shreveport;
nay, reached the great rafts ! General Banks, had he
returned in time from the illimitable plateaus, might
have been President ! But the genius of the stream
lay low with the alligators in the red ooze of the bot
tom ; disloyal, or heedless of almanacs and geogra
phies and distinguished political generals !
" Heu ! nihil invitis fas quenquam fidere divis .'"

192
The night of April 13 we slept on our arms in the
woods. Next day we commenced throwing up strong
breastworks along the whole line. Grand Ecore be
came at once a vast fortified camp similar to Port
Hudson. Thousands of negro soldiers, were employ
ed cutting down trees in front of the fortifications
on every side.
At night the officers of the Thirteenth Connecticut
and First Louisiana used to meet around a large
camp-fire and relate amusing anecdotes.
April 15, the enemy were reported driving in our
pickets. Captain Averill and Lieut. Miner with a
detachment from the Thirteenth embarked with rebel
prisoners for Port Hudson. These two officers- were
taken sick. After some two or three months Averill
rejoined us for duty at Algiers ; Miner, at Morganza.
April 19, we received orders to be ready to move at*
an hour's notice against the enemy. All colored per
sons, except officer's servants, were removed. We
were evidently preparing for active service of some
kind. This day the number of officers present for duty in
the Thirteenth was twelve ; of enlisted men, three
hundred and seventy-nine.
•Wednesday, April 20, A. J. Smith's command
moved out at four p. M., on the Nachitoches road.
Thursday was a quiet, beautiful day. Occasional
cannonading was heard. At five o'clock, p. M., wo
marched out rapidly from Grand Ecore in a south
easterly direction along the banks of Cane River.
Birge's Brigade, preceded by a cavalry force, took the
lead, and the whole army followed. The road was
long and dusty. As darkness came on the way was

193
occasionally lit up by burning houses and barns ; a
disgraceful and needless barbarism, which excited our
disgust but could not be wholly suppressed. The
march was very rapid and severe and continued till
three o'clock next morning without pause, except for
a few minutes where the roads were obstructed by the
enemy felling trees. We made twenty-five miles that
night. A large proportion were left utterly exhausted
on the road. Officers fell asleep on their horses.
Birge's "style" of marching was too rapid. We were
obliged to wait until ten o'clock a. m. for the rest of
the army to come up.
This forced march from Grand Ecore looked like a
precipitate flight. As we resumed our retrograde
movement on Friday morning at ten o'clock, the sold
iers struck up the song, more truthful than poetic,
" In eighteen hundred and sixty-four
We all skedaddled from Grand Ecore !"
This day we marched slowly along Cane River
about ten miles, the roads being much obstructed by
felled trees, and the enemy constantly skirmishing
with our van. Lieutenant Lyman, in command of the
rear-guard of the Thirteenth, performed his duty ad
mirably. No one of our men lagged behind. The
enemy were reported several thousand strong, mostly
mounted. The country was generally level, inter
spersed with woodland, and well adapted to cavalry
evolutions. In the afternoon our advanced guard re
ported the enemy falling back in line of battle. Our
regiments were kept perfectly compact and well in
hand. Here and there for long distances the rebels
had carefully moved round as on a pivot each length
of fence rails, so as to allow unobstructed passage to
17*

194
their horsemen. Their numbers were constantly in
creasing ; they began to press our rear and hover on
our flanks. It became evident that we were to have
a battle. Towards sunset we reached a point about a mile
from Monet's Ford, better known perhaps as " Cane
River Crossing." The stream runs here between
steep banks, some forty feet high, and perhaps a
hundred yards apart. The river itself varies in width
according to the season. At this time it was about a
hundred feet wide. It was shallow but not easily for-
dable, except at the point where the Alexandria road
crosses it. Here, if anywhere, the enemy would make
a stand. At night we lay on our arms while the brigades in
our rear, and the wagon trains, were arriving. The
situation was rather serious. . A heavy force of rebel
cavalry with artillery was posted in our front, prepared
to dispute the passage of the stream. A like force of
unknown numbers was pressing our rear. They were
elated by their splendid victory of Sabine Cross Roads,
and our hasty retreat from the impregnable stronghold
of Grand Ecore. Our troops were sulky but full of
fight, only asking a chance to meet the enemy on
equal terms.
The morning of Saturday, April 23, 1864, opened
with a slight rain. A heavy cannonade commenced
directly in front. The enemy's artillery, advantage
ously posted to sweep the fo?d and all approaches,
opened a vigorous fire of shell on our advancing col
umns. Our own artillery quickly responded, and the
frequent cheers from the gunners told how well it was
served.

195
The Thirteenth moved at six o'clock, advancing a
short distance and then awaiting orders, while the
reconnoitering and the artillery duel went on. The
men were clamorous to be led to the charge ; for,
ugly as the place looked, it was far better than Port
Hudson. If we could once get at them with the bay
onet, we felt that all would be well.
To avoid the needless effusion of blood, and gain
possession of the ford with the least loss of life, it was
decided to send a strong detachment across the stream
a mile or two further up, and by a circuitous route
take the enemy in flank or rear. General Birge was
selected to lead the detachment. He moved the Thir
teenth Connecticut, followed by the First Louisiana,
Thirty-eighth Massachusetts, One Hundred Twenty-
eighth, One Hundred Sixty-fifth, and One Hundred
Seventy-third, New York, Thirteenth Maine, and
other regiments, a mile back. A negro woman point
ed out the best place for crossing. The Thirteenth
first waded the stream, the water being waist deep.
Some non-commissioned officers who tried to cross dry
shod in a canoe, were capsized in the middle of the
stream, to the great amusement of the other soldiers.
Forming line the Thirteenth moved up the precipitous
bank. Throwing out skirmishers and flankers, we
penetrated the woods and advanced slowly in line
with caution and silence, about a mile over the un
known ground. Occasionally, in this forest, to avoid
obstacles, we passed into a flank movement by the
right of companies, but immediately came again into
line. The mounted men of the Thirteenth accom
panied us, as a sort of body guard to General Birge,
under command of Lieut. Meissner; Captain Corn-

196
well having remained at Alexandria, distributing com
missary stores to the destitute and starving citizens.
Emerging from the woods we saw across a wide
field what first appeared to be earthworks. As we
drew nearer, it proved to be the red soil ot ploughed
ground. Penetrating another hilly forest, the regi
ment followed a winding path, until our skirmishers
came upon the enemy's pickets. Sharp fighting en
sued which developed the rebel position. It was the
crest of a well-wooded, rocky, precipitous ridge, quar
ter of a mile from the ridge on which our skirmishers
now took post in front. The Union regiments in the
rear of our skirmishers were out of view of the rebels,
whose bullets, however, were dropping among us, oc
casionally hitting a man. Between us and the enemy
were a few acres of smooth cleared land.
The troops were formed in two lines ; the first con
taining the First Louisiana on the right, and the Thir
teenth Connecticut on the left. Colonel Fiske, out
ranking Colonel Blinn, commanded this line. Behind
us were the New York regiments and the Thirty-
eighth Massachusetts. At some distance on our right
was the brigade of the gallant Fessenden, which was
to advance on the enemy's left, while we charged the
centre. All arrangements having been completed, Colonel
Fisk commanded, " Battalions ! Forward ! March !"
General Birge's instructions were to descend the
wooded slope, cross the open ground, firejiot a shot,
but carry the rebel position with the bayonet. The
line moved forward with great regularity in quick
time. Lieutenant Kinney shouted, " Come on, boys-!
The paymaster is on the other side of the hill !" Up

197
we went over the hill where our skirmishers stood.
Detecting the movement the enemy commenced a
furious discharge of small arms and artillery, more
noisy than destructive. The line, not at all discon
certed, moved steadily forward without returning it,
though anxious to be doing execution with their beau
tiful rifled muskets. A heavy fire on our right told
us that Fessenden was hotly engaged.
Descending into the open field our ranks were dis
arranged by a rail fence and an irregular gully. Has
tily passing these and reforming line without halting,
the Thirteenth pressed forward in beautiful style, with
perfect confidence and steadiness. On our right the
boundary of the open field in front of the First Lou
isiana, was such as to continually force them to the
left, crowding and doubling their ranks upon the
Thirteenth, and compelling us to move obliquely to
the left. " Give way to the left ! Take room to the
left ! Touch lightly to the right !" resounded along
the whole line, and finally, " Left oblique ! March !"
amid the stunning roar of musketry and cannon.
This noise was stimulating rather than intimidating ;
our forty-four days under fire at Port Hudson having
taught us a contempt for the mere thunder of battle.
Reaching the foot of the ridge from which the
enemy were pouring down their bullets, we found
another rail fence and gully ! This would have been
a little discouraging, had not the hostile fire percepti
bly slackened before our determined onset. We
heard a clatter and rattle as of steel in front. Were
they fixing bayonets ? Up the hill we started, our
pace quickening almost to a run, as we clambered up

198
the steeps, laying hold of the bushes, and finally scal
ing the summit. Notwithstanding the advantage of
the rebel position, we captured several prisoners ; one
of whom, a handsome Texan youth of seventeen
summers, protested that he had been conscripted and
that he served most unwillingly. A few dead and
wounded lay here and there, victims of our skirmish
fire, for in our charge and assault we had rigidly en
forced the order not to fire a shot. Neither in this
nor in any other battle did any of the Thirteenth kill
a man with the bayonet, the enemy always giving
way before it became a hand-to-hand fight.
The Thirteenth and the First Louisiana, having
reached this position with ranks broken and disor
dered by the nature of the ground, but hot in the
slightest demoralized, formed line for another advance.
Total strangers to the locality and liable to be am
bushed, we waited till the lines in our rear came in
sight, when the order, " Forward — March !" was
again given. We moved among the trees down the
opposite slope and in the direction the enemy had
fled. General Birge with a few staff officers and
Meissner's cavalry, passed to the front on our right.
We had thus advanced in line thirty or forty rods
down the slope, and were just on the point of reach
ing the edge of the wood. Here was an irregular
ravine ten or a dozen feet deep, with a rivulet in its
bed and a bridge across it on the right of our regi
mental line. A rail fence was on its bank next the
woods, and a little cleared land in front. Suddenly
the thousand-fold rattle of musketry and rapid dis
charges of artillery, the foe being invisible and yet
apparently within touching distance, struck a momen-

199
tary consternation into our ranks. They halted as if
paralyzed. The moment was a trying one. We had
been ambushed, and were completely taken by surprise.
A Braddock's defeat stared us in the face. There
was no time for deliberation. We could not stand
under that withering fire, and we would not retreat,
" The Thirteenth never retreats !" we shouted, and
" Forward ! Forward ! At them with the bayonet !"
We leaped overthefence,intoandoutof the ravine, one
or two companies on the right dashing across the narrow
bridge. Halting an instant, and partially reforming
line without delay, and shouting " Forward ! For
ward !" we rushed rapidly towards the rifle smoke
and flash. Sooner than it can be told a great com
motion occurred on the right of our regiment and the
left of the first Louisiana. Some twenty of Meiss
ner's cavalry came dashing pell-mell back through
the ranks. Many of them were covered with blood ;
horses and riders were falling, Meissner himself shot
through and through, General Birge borne along hat-
less by the tide, Captain Young of Banks' staff with
limbs horribly mangled by a shell, eighteen of the
thirty troopers being killed or wounded, the whole
scene tending to strike a panic into the two regiments.
Many of the men fell flat on their faces to escape the
storm of shot ; some started to retreat. The voice of
Colonel Fiske was heard above the din exclaiming,
" Stand up ! For God's sake, stand up like men !
Stand up and do your duty like men." Most of the
officers joined in tlie same commands and a universal
shout of " Forward ! Forward !" again rose. The
two regiments wavered but a moment, and then
plunged wildly on towards the enemy. A crooked
ravine running diagonally across the field, and filled

200
with interlacing vines, brambles and trees, arrested
our disorderly advance and afforded cover. For ten
or fifteen minutes the tiring continued. The writer
being the only mounted officer present, found it ex
pedient to make frequent " changes of base " by gal
loping from one end of the line to the other, the bul
lets singing in his ears like a swarm of angry bees !
A most unmelodious sound ; and yet the advantages
of ubiquity, of correct observation, of a husbanding
of strength, and of a good example, more than com
pensate for the additional danger arising from being
on horseback. Soon the fiery rain ceased. Our sec
ond line was in sight. The enemy appeared to occupy
another ridge fifteen or twenty rods in front, similar
to the first, and like that covered with trees and a
thick undergrowth of brush, the usual gully and rail
fence being at its base. While preparations were
going on for a third advance, we busied ourselves in
ministering to the wounded and dying.
The plan adopted was for the second line, now com
paratively fresh and a short distance in our rear, to
rush to the fence and tear it down. The Thirteenth
Connecticut and First Louisiana were to follow close
ly, charge over the other line and then carry the place
with the bayonet. As before, not a shot was to be
fired. We could not afford the time. A brief death-
grapple was to decide the conflict. No skirmishers.
The movement commenced. The second line
moved silently forward. The Thirteenth advanced
quickly about five rods in rear of the other line, eager
to make the final spring and finish the struggle. But
not a shot greeted us ! The enemy had vanished !
Thenceforward our progress to Alexandria could

201
hardly be seriously impeded. Flushed with victory
the Thirteenth marched with streaming banners to
Cane River Crossing.
In this battle the Thirteenth lost but one officer and
twenty-four enlisted men killed and wounded. The
whole Union loss was but about two hundred. Our
experience here and in other battles proved that the
bravest policy is the safest ; and the number of killed
and wounded is no criterion whatever of the gallantry
of a regiment. On the contrary, a large list of killed
and wounded oftener indicates the opposite. For
nothing is so fatal as retreating. It is while turning
the back to the enemy, or running away helpless and
defenseless, that the severest losses are suffered, and
not while marching straight into the face of the foe,
giving blows as well as taking them. So true is the
advice of Napoleon : " Boys, you must not fear death !
When soldiers are not afraid of Death, they drive him
into the enemy's ranks ."'
Yet in this sharp conflict we lost some true men.
Meissner, Reynolds, Matthews, Britz, Garcia and
Gunter, were among the bravest of the brave, and
gallantly upheld their country's flag. They died vic
torious, while their comrades' tears mingled with huz-
zahs ; and long as life lasts, will their memories be
cherished and revered.
April 24, at ten a. m., we marched away from Cane
River Crossing. The sun was very hot and the road
dusty. We moved slowly till three or four p.m.,
forming line of battle twice in expectation of an en
gagement. At four o'clock we commenced marching
fast. We entered an extensive forest of large pine
trees, the passage through which occupied us nearly
18

202
four hours. Near eight o'clock we issued from the
forest and marched two hours in the darkness in a
southerly direction. This journey was very fatiguing.
Heavy artillery firing at intervals during the day told
us that the gallant hero of Fort De Russy, was cover
ing our retreat, and hurling defiance at the rebels in
our rear.
With sorrow and shame it must be recorded that
our march was lit up at night with the conflagration
of buildings burnt by our stragglers. Large rewards
were offered by General Banks for the conviction of
the perpetrators of these outrages.
April 25, at nine a. m., we started again. A heavy
rebel force was reported pressing our rear guard, and
the cannon of old A. J. Smith, who seemed the very
incarnation of war, thundered all day. At one time,
the firing waxing hot, General Banks is said to have
sent back a courier to 'inquire if he needed assistance,
to which Smith is said to have responded, " Go to
 ! I've just whipped three thousand and I can
whip thirty thousand !"
Endless rumors, all false, reached us, of the capture
of Alexandria, of the destruction of our fleet, of A.
J. Smith trapping the pursuing enemy by thousands,
of the advance of the rebels on New Orleans, and the
like. The wounded officers and men occupying the am
bulances and wagons, the sick and the exhausted were
obliged to drag along their limbs as best they might.
Some of our men were killed by hard marching. This
was the case with Corporal James Malone, Company
H, one of the most faithful and uncomplaining of

203
all. He sank rapidly, and died a few days after
reaching Alexandria. ^
We marched fifteen or twenty miles that day, the
latter portion along the Bayou Rapides, and reached
Alexandria at nine p. m. Here we groped a long time
in the intense darkness endeavoring to find our old
camp ground. Few of us will ever forget the weary
hour we were led back and forth, around and around,
to our final place of bivouac, after the tiresome work
of the four or five days past. We were too much
worn out to enjoy the grand scene of the shelling -of
the woods opposite Alexandria by the gunboats, the
extreme darkness lending vividness to the meteoric
shower that streaked, flashed and thundered till near
midnight. April 26, we rested and were broiled in the sun
without shade or shelter. Frequent heavy firing an
nounced the activity of General Smith or the gun
boats above us on the river ; we knew not which. The
whole rebel army was reported arriving to give us
battle. Alexandria was fortified with breastworks,
redoubts and abattis, the streets were barricaded, and
everything appeared to indicate an approaching en
gagement. April -27, the cannonade was continued all the
morning, and appeared to be coming nearer. April
28, the arrival of General McClernand was reported.
Dr. Clary received orders from the Medical Director
to take possession of the Ice-House Hotel, and pre
pare it for the reception of a thousand wounded.
This day the greater portion of the army was drawn
up in two vast lines of battle in concentric semi-circles
half a mile apart, with reserves in town. Cavalry and

204
infantry pickets and scouts were on every side. The
Thirteenth was near the center of the second line.
The level plains in rear of the town gave us a fine
view of the lines. We were never in higher spirits
than this day, when we hoped the enemy would attack
us in force. We did not ask for odds ; but wished
that, once for all, they would meet us on the open
field. Hour after hour we awaited their attack ; but
in vain.
They chose rather to blockade the river below Alex
andria and cut off our supplies. At night the great
sugar mill and adjoining buildings on the Bayou
Rapides, nearly a mile from Red River and a mile from
town, were set on fire. The flames lit up Alexandria,
and semed to make what a rebel paper termed Harriet
Beecher Stowe, a " pandemonium."
This day Captain Wells was sent with fifteen men
of Company I to conduct a hundred rebel prisoners
on the steamer Sallie Robinson to New Orleans. Ex
pecting to be attacked as usual by guerillas, Wells
placed the rebels conspicuously on the hurricane deck,
making a sort of breast-work of the " grey-backs !"
He was not fired on ! Returning, he reached Fort
DeRussy. Here authentic reports came of the block
ade above, and fragments of gunboats drifted down to
confirm it. He declined to advance further, but soon
joined us at Simsport.
April 29, we received orders to cross the river on
the pontoons to Pineville, which had been so thorough
ly shelled a few evenings before. We passed over
after dark with the One hundred Fifty-ninth New York,
First Louisiana, Corn well's Cavalry and a section of a
battery. Colonel Molineux, being in command of the

205
whole, sent the writer at ten o'clock P. M. to post a
large picket around the brigade ; a work which requir
ed some hours, the night being exceedingly dark, and
the woods an intricate maze of lanes, thickets, marsh
es and hillocks, the locality utterly unknown and the
enemy near. Next day we threw up strong works.
Every morning we turned out under arms, half an
hour before light, in readiness for an attack.
Within two miles of us was the State Military Acade
my, of which General William T. Sherman was Prin
cipal at the breaking out of the war.
We lay for some time at Pineville, awaiting the
completion of the great dam which floated off the gun
boats. The plan of a dam to raise the water so that
Porter's fleet could pass over the rapids was discussed
weeks before it was attempted. The writer recollects
that before we left Alexandria for Grand Ecore, an
"intelligent contraband" suggested almost the precise
mode that was afterwards adopted. The river was
made to pass through a narrow space between the two
ends of the dam. On the eighth of May two Monitors
floated through. That night, or early the next morn
ing, it broke, and several days were required to re
build it.
May 1, Lieut. Kinney was detailed as Acting Signal
Officer. May 4, heavy firing was heard. Fighting was
vaguely reported on the Bayou Rapides. May 5, rapid
and continuous artillery discharges were heard down
the river. At night ten or a dozen persons arrived at
our camp, who had escaped from the gunboat Coving
ton and the steamer John Warner, which had that
morning been captured and destroyed by the rebels
18*

206
twenty or thirty miles below Alexandria. Some of
them were wounded. Dr. Clark supplied them with
refreshments and surgical treatment. General. Nick-
erson, who had started with his brigade to. march
down the bank of the stream, returned on learning of
the disaster.
The situation began to be interesting if not alarm
ing. The river was completely blockaded by the
rebels, who sunk steamers in such a way as to obstruct
the channel, and erected batteries to throw plunging
shot down through the decks. A large force was
known to be concentrating between us and the Missis
sippi. We had no doubt ,we could cut our way
through, but we did not like to have our enemies stop
our supplies and force us into action prematurely.
Being short of forage, orders were issued that the
horses should be supplied, as far as practicable, by
pasturage. Alexandria was fortified. We were curi
ous to know whether it would be retained or abandon
ed. If not worth keeping, why should|we have cap
tured it ?
May 9, Banks's purpose became evident. All the
gunboats were to be got below [the dam, and the
whole army and navy were to move. Orders came to
hold the Thirteenth ready to march at two hours' no
tice. No baggage in wagon was to be allowed.
May 10, Col. Fisk, Col. Sprague and other field
officers were ordered to remove all cotton from trans
port steamers, and load them with army stores ; an
order that brought many a worshiper of the " south
ern king" to grief! General JMcMillan was in com
mand of this working party. His instructions were
explicit: "Fling overboard every d  pound of

207
cotton, and fling the d  ¦ proprietors over after it !"
Till past midnight we labored, throwing off the regal
fabric and loading with army stores the ilGinnie
Hopkins," " Silver Wave," and other steamboats.
May 11, the regiment marched with the First Lou
isiana and One hundred Fifty-ninth New York, under
Colonel Molineux, seven miles along the right bank.
As we halted, General Grover and staff came riding
up at considerable speed. He ordered us to return
three miles. At three o'clock next morning we were
under arms in line of battle. Lord Byron sat up all
night to see the sun rise ! There were good reasons
why we should not wish to be caught napping. At
seven o'clock this p. m. the " long roll," as potent if
not as sweet as the music of Orpheus, brought the
brigade in a twinkling into line of battle. Our pickets
exchanged shots with the enemy. Orders came to
move at seven next morning.
May 13, we moved at nine, and marched slowly seven
or eight miles along the river. The day was sultry.
Cannonading was heard in the distance. The rear of
the army left Alexandria. That portion of the town
next the river was fired by some such vandals as dis
grace every army, and a terrible conflagration ensued.
At six a. m., May 14, we resumed our march.
Heavy skirmishing went on the first hour in front and
on the right flank, as indicated by the incessant rattle
and smoke of small arms. We made fifteen miles,
holding ourselves in readiness to form line at any mo
ment. Before dark we arrived at the point where the
Confederates had destroyed and sunk several of our
gunboats and transports across the channel. Articles
innumerable had been brought ashore and scattered

208
every where along the banks. Among other things
were the remnants of a large mail we had sent a few
days before. Capt. McCord found his Ordnance Re
turns. Several soldiers recovered letters they had
written home. The writer looked in vain among the
scattered documents for an account of the battle of
Cane River, which he had sent a few days before for
a Connecticut newspaper, and which was probably at
that time edifying a select circle of rebels. Here were
gun-carriages burning; and rifle-pits, lunes and breast
works. Here, too, were fresh camp-fires, where the
" Johnnies" had roasted their meat and baked their
inevitable corn-bread.
At eight o'clock next morning, Sunday, we left Red
River, and marched southeast two or three miles
through the woods to a little bayou, where we halt
ed an hour till a pontoon bridge was thrown
across, when we passed over, and continued our ad
vance. Hot skirmishing soon commenced. We mov
ed slowly and cautiously several miles through a
forest, and reached an extensive open plain skirted
with woodland. Here we formed line of battle, our
brigade immediately supporting the cavalry, who were
skirmishing heavily in full view of us. As the brig
ades successively arrived, they formed on the colors
to right and left. The batteries moved at a gallop
and threw themselves into position, while the squad
rons of cavalry hovered lightly to and fro as if on
wings. The scene was one of extraordinary beauty.
There was ceaseless clatter of musketry like the pop
ping of corn when a thousand kernels burst into
whiteness. The far-stretching cloud of smoke in front
of us, and anon the heavy round-shot falling like the

209
first big drops of a summer shower, gave indication
of an approaching storm.
The euemy largely outnumbered us in cavalry.
Prisoners and deserters reported that they had fifteen
pieces of artillery, twenty-five hundred infantry, and
twenty-two regiments of cavalry ; the last under com
mand of the celebrated Prince Polignac.
When our dispositions were completed, we made a
general advance in line of battle. The sight inspired
us with the feeling of irresistible strength.
" The host moves like the deep sea wave,
Where rise no rocks its pride to brave ;
High-swelling, dark and slow."
The enemy prudently declined a pitched battle, but
retired, obstinately skirmishing, knowing their superi
ority in mounted troops.
We drove them through Marksville. Our cavalry
occupied the town just before sunset, the infantry
halting half an hour before dusk in the suburbs. We
improved the time by attempting to replenish our
canteens. The soldiers began to boil a little coffee.
They had suffered severely, the black muddy water of
the occasional shallow circular pools seeming to aggra
vate rather than allay thirst. General Grover, com
manding our division, had placed a squad of guards
over the large rain-water cistern nearest us in the
edge of the village at a house he had just selected as
his head-quarters. Our men were swearing lustily at
being deprived of the precious beverage, which the
writer and other officers were endeavoring to procure
for them, when up rode Captain Finley, Co. G, then
on Grover's staff as Division Mustering Officer. He

210
communicated orders to Col. Molineux to move his,
the second, brigade instantly with all speed to the
front, for the enemy were driving our cavalry back.
"I asked the General," said Finley, "if I should not
bring the first brigade, as it lay nearer." He answer
ed, "No; the first brigade is too small, too d 
small ! I want the second brigade."
"Fall in! Fall in!" echoed instantly along the
brigade line. Leaving the steaming coffee, we were
off without a moment's delay. By the right flank at a
double-quick we penetrated the town, traversed the
length of the main street, more than two miles through
choking dust. " File right!" and out into the open
plain we rushed, guns on the right shoulder, at the
same rapid pace. Winding along like a huge serpent
with glittering scales and the banners of the Thir
teenth for his crest, we moved parallel to our cavalry
line which was just ahead of us and actively engaged.
The enemy shelled us. " Halt ! Front ! Fix bayo
nets !" rang out the stentorian voice of Col. Molineux.
Grover came up at the instant. " Boys," said he,
" very likely the cavalry will charge you. If they do,
take it cool. Fire by rank. Remember the rear rank
fires first." The Thirteenth answered with a tremen
dous hurrah, which our cavalry caught up and repeat
ed. The enemy replied with one of their peculiar
yells, like the screech of a thousand wildcats.
But they did not charge. It was getting dark.
Our cavalry knowing they were now supported, plied
their Spencer carbines with unwonted vigor. The
batteries on both sides got at work ; the vivid, unin
terrupted sparkle and infinite roll of fire-arms, and

211
the shouting of the combatants, clearly revealing the
hostile position in the deepening darkness.
At ten o'clock the battle ceased. We lay on our
muskets in line, utterly exhausted by the severe or
deal. A long march without dinner or supper had
been followed by three miles at a double-quick, while
the men's feet were raw with blisters, their tongues
parched with thirst, their throats and nostrils filled
with stifling dust. Yet hardly a man of the Thirteenth .
had fallen behind, though the extraordinary haste of
the movement betokened savage work ahead, and the
rebel artillery sent us its howling defiance. We sank
to sleep, and never was rest sweeter.
Morning came, beautifully clear and sunny. The
enemy had retired a mile or two, and were drawn up
to give us battle on Mansura Plains. We moved at
once. As on the day before, the cavalry preceded,
and our brigade led the infantry. Arriving in sight
of the enemy, Grover's division was deployed in two
lines. General A. J. Smith, looking like the very god
of war, was sent to make a detour to the right. The
rest of the infantry was drawn up in successive lines
and massed columns. The plain was immense ; slight
ly rolling and fringed with trees on three sides. Fen
ces obstructing our advance, Grover commanded, " By
the right of regiments to the front ;" and the line im
mediately broke into beautiful moving parallels, which
advanced steadily under an artillery fire from the
front and right. Reaching ground that permitted it,
the regiments again came into a magnificent line of
battle. The artillery duel waxing warm, Grover's
line was halted. Fox's battery on the right of the
Thirteenth, and a section of Rogers's on the left,

212
maintained a steady cannonade. Our regiment' was
mostly in rear of a rail fence, which stood on a bank
of earth a foot high. This afforded protection to those
who preferred to lie down, as most of us did, while
the rifled projectiles were screaming and bursting. A
considerable number, however, mounted the fence,
unable to restrain their curiosity to gaze on the truly
sublime display. Glancing back, almost the whole
army was seen, resplendent in steel and brass ; miles
of lines and 'columns ; the cavalry gliding over the
ground in the distance with a delicate, nimble light
ness of innumerable twinkling feet ; a few batteries
enveloped in smoke and incessantly thundering, others
dashing swiftly to salient positions ; division and Gorps
commanders with their staff officers clustering about
them, watching through their glasses the hostile
army ; couriers riding swiftly from wing to wing ;
everywhere the beautiful silken flags ; and the scene
ever changing with the involutions and evolutions of
the vast host !
" 'Twere worth ten years of peaceful life,
One glance at their array !"
To us the spectacle was thrilling and glorious : to
the enemy it must have given point to the scripture
simile, " terrible as an army with banners."
While we were impatiently awaiting the order to
charge, there were many narrow escapes^from death,
the enemy having a cross fire on us. But no man of
the Thirteenth was seriously injured that day. In
the midst of the battle General Grover rode rapidly
straight out in front of the Thirteenth some fifty rods.
Halting on a little knoll in full view of both armies,

213
he raised his glass to his eyes and looked long and
steadily at the rebel position, heedless of the hissing
of bombs. Making a signal, Fox's battery galloped
to the spot, and immediately opened a fire of spherical
case. At the same instant, far to the right, we recog
nized the familiar sound of A. J. Smith's cannon,
always rapid and tremendous. Grover's division now
rushed to the charge. The enemy wavered, broke,
and we saw them in rapid retreat. We followed them
closely four miles, but their preponderance of cavalry
enabled them to make good their escape without
heavy loss. Prisoners reported the celebrated Polig-
nac among the wounded.
After the battle we marched leisurely to Bayou
Rouge, and thence to Bayou de Glaze, on the bank of
which we encamped, six or eight miles from Simsport.
Next morning, May 17, 1864, we marched at seven
o'clock, reaching Simsport at noon. It was along
this identical bayou that we had marched exactly one
year before, on our way to Port Hudson. A mile
from Simsport, we passed some new and strong fortifi
cations on Yellow Bayou, the principal of which was
called Fort Lafayette. The rebels evacuated them at
our approach.
The wagon train was attacked this day, to the great
discomfort of our new Quartermaster, Bishop ; whose
strenuous exertions, however, preserved the baggage
of the Thirteenth.
A slight rain fell next morning. The weather was
hot at noon, when a very sharp artillery firing was
heard, apparently two or three miles west of us, said
to be on Yellow Bayou. Here an attack of the enemy
in force was handsomely repulsed. Our loss was
19

214
about two hundred killed and wounded ; that of the
enemy, much greater.
At one o'clock we moved across the Atchafalaya on
a magnificent bridge of twenty large steamboats, lying
side by side. Another such bridge this country has
rarely if ever seen. We went into camp on precisely
the same ground as a year ago that day. At eleven
o'clock at.night there was an alarm. We " fell in,"
and were moved two miles up the river bank.
At five o'clock next morning, orders came to march
in'stantly in light order to battle. We proceeded a
mile and a half to support our troops in case the at
tack by the enemy should be renewed. In the after
noon we marched two miles above the Sims house and
bivouaced. At six o'clock p. m., May 20, 1864, we were sudden
ly ordered to fall in to march immediately. We
left at seven and a half, and marched till midnight,
making about twelve miles towards Morganza. At
eight a.m., next day, we marched again through ter
rible heat and dust to a point just above Morganza,
on the Mississippi. Several men, one of whom was
private Klein, Co. B, were sun-struck. The sight of
the great swift-rolling stream was hailed with loud
and long-continued shouts. It was like looking on a
powerful friend, whose protection we needed and in
whom we could perfectly confide, but whose face we
had feared we should see no more.
We ' lay at Morganza several weeks in " a camp
chiefly memorable for its dust and intense heat." The
army extended several miles along the right bank of
. the river. The fine penetrating dust by day, and the
musquitoes by night, were two great and constant

215
plagues. The enemy hovered in small parties about
our camps, sometimes driving in our pickets.
May 29, a hostile force was reported approaching.
The regiment Jell in under arms, with orders to be in
readiness to march at a moment's notice. No attack
was made.
June 1, the regiment received orders to go with the
brigade into camp a mile and a half down the river,
in a thicket of young willows, poplars, and cotton-
woods. Welcome enough was tint1 announcement ;
for we had lain ten days without much shelter on the
scorching sand, constantly powdered by the fine dust,
and amidst the unceasing din and tramp of hundreds f
of men and animals. A fatigue party cleared and
prepared the narrow regimental streets in the dense
growth. The Thirteenth Connecticut, One hundred
Fifty-ninth New York, and First Louisiana moved
next day to the new grounds on the river bank. The
soldiers ingeniously constructed bowers and beds of
the slender trees, and enjoyed the delicious shade.
The principal draw-back was the swarming insects, to
which no language can do justice.
June 3, 4, 5, 6, 8, we had copious showers. A
large detachment of the Thirteenth was daily sent on
picket duty. t 6
June 6, reports came of fighting between the irregu
lar troops of the enemy and one of our gunboats, above
us near Morganza ; an affair of frequent occurrence.
June 8, the Fourteenth New Hampshire arrived,
bringing an immense quantity of baggage and nice
new clothes. They were brigaded with us ; their
Colonel, Wilson, assuming command by right of seni
ority. Their men, who had never "seen active service,

216
looked with evident alarm upon the rough veterans
of the Thirteenth. They could not believe that just
two years before, we were " Butler's dandy regiment,"
and wore finer clothes, and whiter gloves, and brighter
boots than they.
June 10, the Nineteenth Corps was reviewed at
four p. m. by General Emory, two and a half miles
from our camp. A heavy shower thoroughly drench
ed the army during the parade.
The two great questions with the regiment in these
days were : " What will be the success of Grant in
Virginia ?" and " When will the Thirteenth receive
its Veteran Furlough ?"
June 14, General Sickles reviewed all the troops at
Morganza. June 18, Paymaster, Major Mann, made his wished-
for advent. The officers had found it difficult to sub
sist, prices being enormous and money scarce. Pota
toes were sold us by the sutlers at twelve dollars a
bushel. Some of our officers pretended to trace the
pedigree of these sharp traders back to the Garden of
Eden, quoting, " Now the serpent was more subtler
than any beast of the field !"
June 19, the enemy were reported in force at Tu
nica Bend an<| old Fort Adams. We moved up to
give them battle. The Thirteenth embarked at ten
p. m. on the steamer Ohio Belle, with the One hun
dred Fifty-ninth New York, and a detachment of cav
alry. Several transports and gunboats accompanied
us, all being loaded with troops. We steamed up the
Mississippi to Tunica Bend, where, next day,, we sent
a detachment ashore. They encountered a small party
of guerillas, and made a few prisoners. At night we

217
moved up to Fort Adams, where we disembarked at
six A. m., June 21, and sent scouts in different direc
tions. The enemy had fled. No trace of them could
be seen from the summit of the hill, several hundred
feet high, on the slope of which the old fort stands.
The officers who climbed to the top gained an exten
sive and enchanting prospect of the surrounding
country. At five p. m. we re-entered the steamer and quickly
returned to our camp near Morganza. We reached
it at ten p. m., pretty thoroughly baked by the heat;
for a Mississippi steamer, crowded with troops at this
season, is an oven.
June 26, the Second Division was brigaded anew ;
the Second Brigade comprising the Thirteenth Con
necticut, One hundred Thirty-first New York, One
hundred Fifty-ninth New York, First Louisiana, and
Third Massachusetts Cavalry.
July 2, orders came for our brigade to be in readi
ness to go at an hour's notice on board steamer for
New Orleans. At ten p. m. the Thirteenth embarked
on the large new boat, Mollie Able. The sick of the
division were left in care of Dr. Clark at Morganza.
It will be recollected that in the haste of departure
the Dr.'s celebrated mule disappeared ; also Col.
Sprague's famous high-spirited sorrel mare, with sore
back; a loss that nearly broke Noah's heart!
That night and all next day we glided down the
river, reaching New Orleans at ten p. M., July 3.
Next day at ten we went into camp in Algiers.
Great dissatisfaction existing because our veteran
volunteers were not allowed the promised furlough
of thirty days in Connecticut, though six months had
19*

218
elapsed since re-enlistment, and some had been killed
in battle and others had died in hospital, the writer,
upon the solicitation of several officers, drew up an
earnest petition that the furlough might be granted
forthwith. This application, at first opposed by seve
ral officers, was finally signed by all. It was granted.
Accordingly, July 13, orders came for the veteran
volunteers, and a portion of the non-veterans to em
bark on the screw steamer Cumbria, Captain Blanch-
ard, with sealed orders. At noon, July 14, we went
on board ; leaving a hundred and fifty non-veterans
at Algiers under Capt. Wells. The captain was him
self a veteran, but had been in the North much of the
time for a year before.
These non-veterans remained a week in Algiers.
They then went aboard the Karnak for Fortress Mon
roe, and thence to Washington. They proceeded to
Tenallytown where they remained two or three days ;
thence to Washington, where they took the cars for
Monocacy Junction. Here they joined the Twelfth
Connecticut, and remained about a week. Thence
they went by rail to Harpers Ferry, and lay one night
on Maryland Heights. Thence they advanced to
Halltown, where they remained some days ; thence
to Cedar Creek ; thence back to Winchester ; thence
again to Berryville. Much of the time they were in
presence of the enemy, and are said to have behaved
well. Private Reltrath was captured. They finally re
joined the veterans early in September near Berryville.
At two p. m., July 14, we bade a final adieu to
New Orleans. The paymaster paid the men on board,
and accompanied us as far as Quarantine. At dawn,
July 15, we passed the bar at the mouth of the river,

219
and the regiment saw the receding shores of Louisia
na for the last time. The sealed orders, when opened,
were found to command Colonel Blinn to leave the
non-veterans at Fortress Monroe, and proceed with
the veterans to Hartford.
Our progress on the Cumbria was slow. July 23,
we reached Fortress Monroe at eight A. m. Here the
non-veterans, about sixty in number, were left under
command of Lieutenants Miner and Squires. They
soon joined the Twelfth Connecticut for temporary
duty. At ten p. m. we steamed away from Fortress
Monroe. July 25, we came in sight of the heights of
Neversink. Soon the machinery, which had been
several times out of working order, broke down alto
gether, and we were obliged to rely wholly upon sails.
A tug finally towed us in. A refreshing supply of
coffee and soft bread was brought to the soldiers by
the efficient State Agent, Colonel J. H. Almy, while
we lay at anchor. The regiment was transferred to
the Sound steamer Elm City, and arrived at the New
Haven landing before light, July 27.
A cordial reception was tendered by the citizens of
New Haven, and the veterans marched through the
streets to the sound of music, bells and cannon, and
under the escort of the Governor's Horse-Guards and
other local military companies.* At the State House,
where a bountiful collation had been provided us by
the beauty and patriotism of New Haven, eloquent
speeches of welcome were made by Governor Buck
ingham, Mayor Tyler and others. The arms and accou
trements were stored in the State House, and the vete
rans dispersed under orders to re-assemble at the
recruiting rendezvous in Fair Haven, on the twenty-
seventh of August, 1864.

CHAPTER VI.
The happy days of our veteran furlough flew swift
ly by. The regiments that had preceded us, had
each enjoyed several months rin the State. It was
universally expected that the same would be the case
with the Thirteenth. Consequently there was much
delay "in assembling at the rendezvous. But the
pressing necessity for more troops at the front de
feated their hopes of an extension of the holidays.
The Thirteenth was wanted immediately in the She
nandoah Valley.
On the twenty-ninth of August those who had
assembled at the recruiting station in Fair Haven,
only eighteen officers and one hundred and forty men,
were ordered immediately away. At eleven at night
we embarked on the steamer Continental, leaving be
hind Major Comstock and the remainder of the veter
ans. At five a. m. we arrived in New York. From
Jersey City at four p. m. we took the cars for Phila
delphia, where we arrived at ten and a half p. m., and
received a good collation at that model establishment
of its kind, " The Union Volunteer Refreshment
Rooms." At one o'clock at night we took the train
for Baltimore, where we arrived early in the morning'.
August 31. Here we were furnished a lunch at
" The Soldiers' Rest. Again taking the cars we
reached Washington at four p. m.
Next day at noon, we left Washington. The cars
moved slowly to the Relay House and thence to Har
pers Ferry, where we arrived about midnight. We

221
remained in- the cars until day, when Colonel Blinn
crossed the bridge to report for orders. Captain
Averill, " formerly Lieutenant of old D," in leaping
from the cars, sprained his foot, and was left in hos
pital. After waiting till five p. m. we marched across the
bridge into and through the village, and up the long
steep hill past the fortifications. Going through Hall-
town, we moved four or five miles towards Charles-
town and bivouaced. The road was very dusty ; the
soldiers tired. Report reached us that Capt. Wells,
whom we had left in Algiers, lay sick in Hospital at
Sandy Hook below Harpers Ferry, and that the non-
veterans had done good service with the rest of the
Nineteenth Corps in saving Washington during the
dark days of August.
Next morning, September 3, 1864, at eight a.m.
the regiment left its place of bivouac, and marched
rapidly forward. We passed the jail where John
Brown was confined ; the court house where he had
his trial as he lay bleeding and helpless ; the field,
rendered forever historic by the offering of his life for
the liberty of the African race. Five years had not
passed ; but the edict of freedom for that race had
been proclaimed at Washington, and a million bayo
nets were putting it in force ! The martyr's body
indeed lay mouldering in its lowly grave at North
Elba ; but with what gigantic strides his soul was
marching on !
Our army had this day set out to fight the enemy.
We passed the baggage wagons which had been or
dered out of the way of battle. We must hasten, or
be too late, and there were those in our regiment

222
who thought it a disgrace to have a fight and the
Thirteenth not to be in it. Others felt differently.
Corporal Strange, Co. F, at our first halt this day,
shot off the first two fingers of his right hand. Such
an accident had not occurred in the Thirteenth since
Port Hudson, where it was quite common for soldiers
of some regiments to shoot off the right fore-finger.
By a forced march the Thirteenth that afternoon
reached the army, some twenty miles from Harpers:
Ferry and two from Berryville. We halted on the
left of the pike. Within two hours we were ordered
forward into battle as a part of Molineux's brigade.
The enemy had fallen back in good order from Charles-
town as we advanced, and were making a stand on
the road from Berryville to Winchester. About two
divisions of troops on each side were engaged. The
transition from the quiet and cheerful scenes of home
to the smoke-wrapped fields and hellish noise of war
was rather startling ; but the Thirteenth went in with.
its accustomed alacrity. We crossed the pike and
advanced under an artillery fire to the front and
right, where the musketry was raging. Halting in
brigade line, the Thirteenth were sheltered by a slight
rise in the ground, while the enemy's shot and shell
passed over us to the road on our left. Night closed
round us, only illumined by the flashing powder. The
shelling and the musketry firing in the darkness re
called many similar scenes in Louisiana. Rain com
menced falling and stopped the fighting. We lay in
line on the battle-field — a hard night for the Thir
teenth. Next morning the contest was renewed with artil
lery ; the firing being very brisk half a mile in front

223
of us. The enemy soon gave way and withdrew to
wards the Opequan Creek, which crosses the Win
chester pike.
Retiring quarter of a mile our brigade commenced
throwing up breastworks. The same was done along
the entire line of the Nineteenth Corps. While
busied in this work, the writer was detailed at half-
past two as field-officer of the day. Taking out the
relief of seventy-five men, we met our pickets and
sharpshooters in full retreat. A rebel battalion in
line with colors flying had attacked and driven them
in. The enemy were closely following. Deploying,
we succeeded in arresting the retrograde movement.
Several companies arriving as re-enforcements, we
re-established the picket line after two hours of sharp
fighting. The pertinacity with which they pressed
every advantage and clung to every position, sur
prised us. They meant to make a desperate struggle
for the rich valley of the Shenandoah. A few men
were wounded on our side. Several of the enemy
were killed, as we learned from inscriptions at their
graves a few days later.
Picket duty and reconnoissances in force now oc
cupied our time. September 5, the whole of the
Thirteenth, were on picket. The same day a heavy
reconnoitering column found the enemy massed on
our right, and our lines seriously threatened. Cold
rains at night made us particularly uncomfortable.
Every morning, for an hour before daybreak, the army
stood in line.
September 6, rain fell all day.
September 7, Molineux's brigade at ten a. m.
joined a reconnoitering column, and moved towards

224
Winchester. We returned at evening, having found
the enemy in force near the Opequan. Major Com
stock rejoined us.
September 8, it rained all day.
Sunday, September 11, religious services at brigade
head-quarters were broken off by a thunder storm.
September 12, a soldier was drummed through the
army to " The Rogue's March," escorted by seven
men with muskets and bayonets, some of which fol
lowed inconveniently near. He wore a hard-tack
box, through which his head appeared. On one side
was written, " Thief ;" on the other, " Stole prop
erty WHILE GUARDING IT."
September 13, the regiment was ordered to the ex
treme left of the works across the Berryville pike.
On our right was a section of field artillery ; and
next was the Twenty-second Iowa, their right resting
on the road .
Our brigade at this time comprised the Eleventh
Indiana, One Hundred Thirty-first New York, Third
Massachusetts Cavalry, Thirteenth Connecticut,
Twenty-second Iowa, and One Hundred Fifty-ninth
New York ; all under command of Colonel Molineux.
Thursday, September 15, the regiment was ordered
to be under arms at four and a half o'clock a. m.
Notice was given by the brigade commander that an
attack was every moment expected.
Saturday, September 17, General Grant was re
ported to be visiting Sheridan. The battle of the fol
lowing Monday was the result.
Sunday, September 18, after regimental inspection,
religious services were conducted at- the camp of the
Eleventh Indiana by Chaplain Ames of that regi-

225
ment. Orders were received to move at two o'clock
A. M. next day to the Berryville pike and there join
the remainder of the brigade. No wagons were to
accompany the movement, nor any baggage.
At half-past two o'clock a. m., September 19, 1864,
being Monday, the Thirteenth moved out to the road.
Colonel Blinn was in command. In an hour the
whole army was in motion. The enemy was known
to be in strong force six or eight miles distant on the
Winchester side of the Opequan Creek. From Lime
stone Ridge, which is a long line' of high ground
bordering the Opequan on the eastern side and cross
ing the turnpike, the First Connecticut Cavalry had
driven the enemy the night before.
We marched along in the darkness, much- of the
way through woods, making frequent halts. At day
break the pause lasted longer, and we formed line of
battle. Soon we passed into a flank movement,
marching for the most part on the right of the pike,
which was crowded with artillery and ambulances.
Rapid cannonading indicated that the fight had com
menced. It has often been remarked that what passes under
the observation of one man in a great battle is neces
sarily of very limited extent and imperfectly seen. It
is only by comparing the accounts of many eye wit
nesses in different parts of the field, that a view, at
once accurate and comprehensive, of a general en
gagement can be obtained.
As we neared the Opequan, word came to the regi
mental commanders that the Nineteenth Corps was
wanted immediately at the front, and that General
Sheridan expected much of it ; that the men must
20

226
hastily fill canteens at the stream, and pres6 forward, los
ing no time. Before reaching the Opequan, Colonel
Blinn, who had been sick for several days with chills
and fever, was obliged to resort to one of the ambu
lances, leaving the writer in command.
Having waded the shallow creek the Thirteenth
advanced rapidly a mile along the pike which led
through a narrow wooded gorge. Then the regiment
filed to the right in a straight road leading up a long
hill and nearly perpendicular to the general direction
of the pike. Along this branch road, on the side
farthest from Winchester, the Thirteenth first formed
line, the other regiments of the brigade being on the
right and left.
After standing here half an hour, we marched by
the right flank across the road and into a wood lot,
perhaps a quarter of a mile in the direction of the
enemy ; thence obliquely to the left into an open field,
which commanded an extensive view to the left and
front ; but the right was hidden by woods. The regi
ments moved separately some distance to the front,
and there the brigade again formed line, connecting
with other brigades of Grover's Division. We were
moving off to the left down a slope, when Gen. Grover
rode up rapidly and ordered us further to the right.
The regiment was now on high ground. To the left,
we saw a portion of the Sixth Corps, which was posted
on a hill, breaking and running to the rear under a
hot fire of musketry ; and we saw supports rapidly
passing to their assistance. In rear of the Thirteenth
was a little hollow in which Surgeons Clary and Clarke
commenced establishing a hospital for the wounded
but the shells came so thick that they were compelled

227
to remove it to a Quaker's house, half a mile back.
The artillery fire waxing warm, and everything point
ing to an extensive engagement, the writer delivered
letters with money into the hands of Dr. Clary ; a
wise precaution as the event proved.
The regimental commanders had received no infor
mation of the plan of the battle. It appears to have
been as follows : The Sixth Corps to form on the left,
the Nineteenth on the centre and right. These were
to amuse the enemy and cover well the mouth of the
gorge, from which the whole army had to issue. The
Eighth Corps was to come up, pass round the rear of
the Nineteenth, mass upon its right, and then hurl
itself against the rebel left wing.
The danger in this programme was that the enemy
by a determined charge would strike for the mouth
of the gorge, cut Sheridan's army in two, and bold
the only practicable road for the retreat of that por
tion which should have arrived on the field. This
was precisely what Early attempted to do, and he
came fearfully near to its accomplishment.
He allowed the Sixth Corps to debouch from the
long narrow road between the hills, to come out into
the open rolling country and deploy on his right with
little resistance. Grover's Division did the same in
front of the rebel centre, where Early had massed his
troops. Dwight's division, was still coming up. The
Eighth Corps was struggling along the bottom of the
gorge. To gain ground to the front and give room for the
evolutions of the troops in our rear, a general for
ward movement was commenced. Grover's (second)
division was at first crowded, the battalion intervals

228
being obliterated, and the regiments overlapping one
another. The lines of advance from the defile being
divergent, a large gap was soon made between the
two corps, and also breaks occurred in our division
front. The irregularity of the ground aggravated
these unfavorable features.
A heavy fire of musketry was now added to that of
artillery. This only seemed to increase the enthusi
asm of Grover's men. Our advance commenced with
steadiness and in a beautiful line, but gradually
quickened into a rapid charge.
One of our first men struck was that brave and
faithful first-sergeant, Samuel B. Dunn, Company K,
both of whose hands were sadly torn by grape shot.
The writer recollects throwing a cord to form a com
press, as the Sergeant held up his mangled hands. A
small, crooked brook thick set with bushes, broke the
regiment near the centre, it being impossible from the
noise to hear the commands. Major Comstock was
directed to look after the companies thus temporarily
separated on the right, and keep them to the colors
the forward movement still continuing.
The Thirteenth was now advancing up something
like a little valley, raked longitudinally by a hostile
battery about quarter of a mile distant, and by a line
of rebel infantry, whose position was indicated by the
incessant jets of smoke. The rapidity of our advance
allowed no time for observation. A tremendous fire
was tearing every portion of the field.
"The rebel general seemed to have waked up at last.
He must have been puzzled at the impetuous onset of
Grover's division, in front of which he had concen
trated his best troops to pierce our centre. The time
for action seemed to have come.

229
Grover's division in the wild excitement charged
too far, it being impossible to restrain the men, who
had got the idea that this was to be the final and de
cisive assault. The Thirteenth, though broken at
times by the irregularities of ground, discharged its
duty with unwavering fidelity. " Colonel, your horse
is wounded," said orderly-sergeant Maguire to the
writer. The blood spirting from the animal's flank,
the writer leaped down, and continued to press for
ward with the regiment, which was moving at a
double quick.
The enemy's" first line recoiled before our swift ad
vance, but his batteries kept up their tremendous
firing. Orders finally came to halt. We stopped under a
heavy fire. The Thirteenth, farther to the front than
most of the line, was at a dry channel, two feet in
depth and width, worn by a small brook. Here the
men were allowed to load and fire at will, each man
creeping up about a rod from the ditch to deliver the
fire. Quite an interval separated us from the other
regiments. Passing to the left and giving instructions to the
men to husband their ammunition and not fire with
out careful aim, the writer noticed several men on the
right starting up and running to the rear, and at the
same instant Lieut. Handy of Colonel Molineux's
staff, on his horse, his face pale, his hands uplifted,
apparently communicating orders ; the men starting
to their feet. " What are those orders ?" the writer
demanded. " Retreat ! Retreat ! Get to the rear
as fast sis possible !" he. answered, throwing up both
hands Early's masses were coming !
20*

230
" Rise up. Face to the rear. Battalion — About
face. Forward — March! Not too fast. Slower.
Keep dressed on the centre. Guide on the colors.
Slower." Such were the commands given.
Hardly had the retrograde movement commenced,
when one of Sheridan's staff officers came riding up
at a tearing speed, his horse covered with foam. The
regiment had passed two or three rods. The writer
had not yet started but was angrily calling out to some
of the officers to stop their men from running.
" For God's sake !" said the aide ; " What does this
mean ? This retreat must be stopped. This position
must be held. It must be held at all hazards."
" Battalion — Halt !" commanded the writer at the top
of his voice. Those of the Thirteenth who heard the
order hesitated a moment, and some obeyed ; but the
great majority did not hear it, or were swept along in
the ever-increasing speed of retreat. " I'll bring them
back,' said the aide. " Our brigade commander or
dered the retreat," replied the writer. " It's a mis
take. This position must be held to the last extremity.
By — , if we lose this, all's lost. Hold it, I'll bring
support immediately." Plunging his spurs into his
horse he disappeared in the direction of the retreat
ing regiments. A hail storm of metal poured after
him. Quite a number of members of other regiments
clustered to the little group, till we had about seventy
men. Forming these in line, and causing bayonets to
be fixed, the writer waited the return of our brigade.
Minutes seemed hours. We knew that great efforts
would instantly be put forth, to retake the abandoned
ground ; for if Early once got possession of the en-

231
trance to the gorge in our rear, it was all over with
our army. We looked every moment for our brigade.
It came ; but too late for us !
Emory, Grover, Birge, Molineux, and many other
officers made almost incredible exertions to stop the
retreat, which had now become a precipitate flight.
The right of the Sixth Corps like the Second Division
of the Nineteenth had given way before Early's tre
mendous charge. His veteran regiments, however,
were broken as our own had been by their impetuos
ity and the irregular ground ; and when they reached
the First Division, Nineteenth Corps, which had just
formed line and advanced to meet the shock, the tide
of retreat began to be rolled back and the Second
Division rallied.
Captain De Forest, of the Twelfth Connecticut, in
his admirable description of Sheridan's Battle of
Winchester, in Harpers New Monthly Magazine, pre
sents the following picture :
" Grover's and Rickett's (First Division, Sixth
Corps) commands reached the base from which they
had advanced, in a state of confusion which threat
ened wide-spread disaster. Sixth Corps men and
Nineteenth Corps men were crowding together up the
line of the Berryville pike, while to the right and
left of it the fields were dotted with fugitives, great
numbers of them wounded, bursting out of the retir
ing ranks, and rushing towards the cover of the forest.
Some regiments disappeared for the time as organiza
tions. Early's veterans advanced steadily with yells
of triumph and constant volleys of musketry, threat
ening to sweep away our centre, and render our
' struggle a defeat, almost before it became a battle. It

232
was the bloodiest, the darkest, the most picturesque,
the most dramatic, the only desperate moment, of the
day. General Emory, General Grover, with every
brigade commander and every staff officer present
rode hither and thither througli the fire, endeavoring
by threats, commands and entreaties, to halt and re
form the panic-stricken stragglers."
All this came of the unfortunate order to retreat,
while exposed to a heavy and destructive fire. Men
may face such a storm wilh steady and grim defiance.
The Thirteenth had done it many times. But no
soldiers can turn their backs to such a tempest, and
march slowly away. An irrepressible panic seizes
them. They will run !
But we who had remained in position when the red
waves of battle were sweeping towards us and the
grey foam was dashing past, were engulphed before we
knew it, in the surging flood. The first party ap
proached our left. The writer commanded, " Fire !"
but the cry arose, " Don't Fire ! They're deserters
coming in !" A glance convinced to the contrary,
and again the writer commanded, " Fire !" But it
was too late. We were prisoners !
The rallied division of General Grover, and the
fresh division of General Dwight, now made a deter
mined stand. Splendid deeds of heroism were per
formed, by the enemy as well as by our own men ;
and many a gallant officer and hundreds of gallant
soldiers fell to rise no more. The well-nigh fatal
charge was at last arrested. The rebels were forced
back far enough to allow the Eighth Corps to come
from the defile, pass behind the Nineteenth, and form
in dense column on the right. Here, at four p. m., hi

233
conjunction with the cavalry, they made that long-
intended and brilliant charge which turned the
enemy's left. A simultaneous advance of the three
corps now drove the entire Confederate army from the
field. In this engagement the Thirteenth lost six killed,
thirty-nine wounded, and thirty-two prisoners ; among
the latter Lieutenant Gardner. The Nineteenth
Corps lost nineteen hundred and forty-six killed and
wounded. About sunset the Thirteenth moved a mile or more
to the left of Winchester and bivouaced. Next day
they accompanied the rest of the brigade in the pur
suit. They reached a point near Strasburg. To the
left of the highway a mile from town they occupied
the crest of a high hill. Here they threw out pickets
and passed a very cold night.
September 21, the regiment moved with the brigade
several miles to the right and took position about half
a mile from the railroad.
Next day was signalized by the splendid victory of
Fisher's Hill. The Thirteenth was engaged till past
midday in erecting earthworks, under the constant
fire of the rebel pickets and sharpshooters. It was
difficult to get shovels, and our men would much
rather fight than dig, yet waited patiently.
The Richmond papers announcing that Early's po
sition at Fisher's Hill was impregnable to the whole
Yankee army, must have been received by him just
about the time he started in headlong flight down its
slopes !
Cannonading had been going on most of the day,
when the Thirteenth, late in the afternoon, were or-

234
dered forward along the pike. Passing through Stras
burg, they charged at first directly up the road, and
then to the right, where they received orders to halt
and lie down. A severe fire of shrapnel, shell and
solid shot was opened upon them, during the charge,
and their preservation was truly marvelous, only two
being wounded. Dr. Clark, who was present says,
" It was like going through hell !" The Eighth Corps,
which had so nobly turned the enemy's left at Win
chester, now performed a similar and equally gallant
service. Creeping on hands and knees half a mile,
they sprang at oue bound inside the rebel works. At
the same instant the Thirteenth, with the rest of the
division and corps, made a simultaneous rush on the
stronghold, and the stars and stripes were borne to
the summit.
After the battle the regiment pushed on rapidly iii
pursuit. The road was strewn with broken and burn
ing wagons, ambulances and the debris of a defeated
army. Report spread that we had captured every
piece of rebel artillery except one. The men were
just felicitating themselves on the good news, when
they were suddenly opened upon with both musketry
and artillery ! This was some three miles from Fish
er's Hill. The regiment halted, formed line of battle,
and advanced to charge ; but the enemy had fled.
Pursuing through Tom's. Brook, Hawkinstown and
Woodstock, the regiment halted on the left of the road
at four a. m., September 23, just after passing through
the last named town. Rations were issued, and after
four or five hours' rest, they resumed the pursuit,
passing through Edinburgh to Mount Jackson. Here
the enemy attempted to make a stand ; but the Second

235
Division passing around their left forced them to evac
uate the position. The Thirteenth pressed on, occa
sionally coming in view of the flying rebels. The
regiment kept in the fields to the right of the pike.
Wherever a piece of artillery could be brought to bear
on the enemy, it was done ; until the Thirteenth
reached New Market. Here our men rested througli
the night, and then marched to Harrisonburgh. The
view of the multitudes of camp fires at Harrisonburgh
by night was one of great beauty ; the whole amphi
theatre of hills being illuminated for many miles
around. Resuming the march next morning, the
regiment reached Mount Crawford ; the furthest point
reached by the Thirteenth ; some twenty-one miles
distant from Staunton.
Remaining twenty-four hours in Mount Crawford,
the regiment returned, September 27, to Harrison
burgh. Here they remained in camp about two weeks.
The nights began to be severe, only shelter-tents being
allowed to soldiers, and a tent-fly to officers. The
regiment was engaged here in the usual picket duty,
and was occasionally drilled. Several alarms were
had, and the regiment repeatedly " fell in" with all
haste. Every morning, an hour before day-light, they
stood to arms and remained until sunrise, shivering,
but full of fight.
October 7, the regiment* marched back to Stras-
burgh, and went into camp not far from the spot
where they had thrown up works just previous to the
battle of Fisher's Hill. About this time privates
Schweikart and Fuller, while out foraging for the offi
cers' horses, were captured by the enemy's scouts. In

236
two or three days the command moved back several
miles to CedarCreek.
October 15, the regiment moved out rapidly half a
mile to support the picket line then warmly engaged.
The Eighth Corps was attacked in force, and two or
three hundred were killed and wounded. The Thir
teenth remained out through the frosty night beside
a stone wall. Fires being prohibited, they suffered
severely. Here they remained next day, exposed to
the skill of the rebel sharp-shooters. It was at this
time that the commissioners, who had been sent from
Connecticut for the purpose, took the votes of the
soldiers for the approaching presidential election. It
is due to these public functionaries to say, that, being
under the rebel fire, they performed their duties with
great alacrity, appearing to feel that time was pre
cious. In the afternoon the troops moved back to
their position near the creek.
October 18, twenty-seven conscripts arrived from
Connecticut. They were assigned to Company K,
under command of Lieut. Perkins.
The same day orders were received by the regimen
tal commanders of the Second Division, Nineteenth
Corps, to have coffee for the men at three o'clock
next morning, and to be in line before daybreak, ready
to march oh a reconnoissance in force. This order
was fully observed. »
In the morning of October 19, 1864, the following
was the disposition of Sheridan's army before day
light :
The three corps d'arme'e were posted in echelon,
descending from the left, each corps being on a mode-

237
rate elevation of ground and thus forming one of the
three grand steps. First, on the left of the Strasburg
pike was the Eighth Corps. Second, on the right of
the same road was the Nineteenth, half a mile to right
and rear of the Eighth. Third, to the right and rear
of the Nineteenth was the Sixth. Crook commanded
the Eighth, Emory the Nineteenth, and Wright the
Sixth. Wright, by seniority, commanded the whole
army until Sheridan's arrival on the field. The ex
tremities of the # wings were three miles apart. The '
ground on the right of the Sixth Corps was occupied
by Torbert's cavalry. A small division of infantry,
known as Kitching's Provisional Division, lay on the
left of the Eighth Corps looking outward. Our batte
ries were posted along the front, where a strong line
of earthworks and extensive abattis had been con
structed. The Second Division, Nineteenth Corps, was
under arms, ready to go on their expected reconnois-
sance. The enemy, reenforced by twelve thousand fresh
troops, was supposed to be lying entrenched on Fish
er's Hill.
Three days previously a brigade of our cavalry oc
cupied the ground over which Early now led his men
to turn our left. Two days previously General Emory
had reconnoitered the spot, and suggested that it was
possible for the enemy -to flank us there. Bu£ no one
dreamed that the rebel commander had the audacity
to attempt the perilous enterprise. It was a truly
Napoleonic feat.
From the summit of the Massanutten mountain,
with a good glass, the position of the whole union
army could be seen.
J 21

238
Before midnight on the eighteenth of October the
rebel army commenced that flank movemant, to which
history furnishes no parallel. Giving orders to his
cavalry and light batteries to amuse and threaten our
right wing at the proper moment, the remainder of
Early's army, not less than twenty thousand, descends
ed into the ravine that stretches along the base of the
Massanutten peak, crossed the north branch of the
Shenandoah, and crept stealthily two or three miles,
passing around the Eighth Corps in perfect silence,
and sometimes within easy talking distance of Crook's
pickets. Hour after hour the long stream of troops in
grey flowed on. They had left their canteens, in or
der that the tinkling sound might not betray them.
Half an hour before daydreak the division of Gene
ral Gordon, whose genius is said to have devised this
master-piece of strategy, had passed quite around the
Eighth Corps, and was massed in close column facing
obliquely the left and rear of the Nineteenth ! Oppo
site Etching's Provisional Division, and facing square
ly the left flank of the Eighth Corps, were the two
rebel divisions of Generals Ramseur and Pegram.
Facing the front of the Eighth Corps were the two
divisions of the confederate Generals Kershaw and
Wharton. Thus lay this doomed corps just at day
break, all unconscious of danger, with rebels to the
numbei'of twenty thousand on three sides and less
than half a mile distant, crouching and eager to
pounce upon their sleeping prey !
On a sudden a terrific roar of musketry and the
yells of ten thousand infantry ! It was Early's "Good
morning " salutation ! His veteran lines moved steady
and swift, the little resistance they encountered serving

239
only to keep the charging columns compact. The
gallant Eighth Corps, which had won so glorious a
name on many a battle-field ; the corps which Sheri
dan had swung round that great semi-circle at Win
chester, like a rock in a huge sling, smiting Early a
Mow which sent him reeling back t» Strasburg ; the
corps whose lion-spring, swift as a thunderbolt, had
landed it in the monster's fiery lair on Fisher's Hill,
on the twenty-second of September ; was now rolled
lip, trodden under foot, and swept away as easily as
the whirlwind drives the autumn leaves. In twenty
minutes from the firing of the first gun, the Eighth
Corps was a panic-stricken flying mob.
The retreating mass of fugitives first apprised the
officers of the Nineteenth Corps how terrible was the
blow that had fallen. Almost at the same instant the
dense masses of Gordon's division struck McMillan's
brigade of the First Division, Nineteenth Corps, which
had been hastily pushed to the left rear by Emory,
who comprehended the fact that the enemy were out
flanking us. The Twelfth Connecticut was in this
brigade, and most gallantly did that noble sister regi
ment uphold the honor of the state on this, as on
every other occasion. They fired three vollies, but
the far superior weight of the enemy crushed them, as
an elephant would trample down a bull-dog. Two
other brigades successively shared the same fate in a
few minutes. Still onward pressed the rebel columns,
and ever rOse and rung their terrible battle-yell. They'
threw out no skirmishers, for they knew the ground
perfectly. Emory threw1 several brigades of the Nineteenth
Corps on the outer side of their own breastworks, as

240
the bullets now came from the rear. Wright pushed
the Sixth Corps rapidly to the left and rear to gain
full possession of the Winchester and Strasburg
pike. The part taken by the Thirteenth Connecticut was
not peculiar. They moved with the remainder of
Grover's division, the whole of which was under arms
for the expected reconnoissance. Had fifteen minutes'
notice of the real state of things been given, the di
vision could have been faced to meet the shock. But
almost simultaneously with the first roll of musketry,
the fugitives of the Eighth Corps came rushing up and
across the pike, and bullets began to fall from the
front, left, and rear. By Molineux's order, the Thir
teenth, with the rest of the brigade, stepped into the
trenches at the first firing. In a few minutes the in-
rolling tide of fire and steel reached them, and chaos
came with it. By some misunderstanding, the right
wing moved off with Col. Blinn ; the left, with Major
Comstock. Many determined stands were taken by
our veterans, who seized every opportunity to hurl
back death and defiance at the avalanche of rebels.
But every successive position had to be abandoned.
In some disorder all the regiments were retreating.
Towards noon the two wings of the Thirteenth were
re-united. General Wright, not feeling safe till the Winchester
and Strasburg pike was securely held, kept pushing
the Sixth Corps towards this important avenue of
communication. At last it got into position on the
left of the Nineteenth and in connection with it. The
pursuit seemed to have ceased. The enemy were
gathering up the fruits of victory. Only their artille-

241
ry continued firing. It was five hours since the ac
tion had commenced. The army had been driven
about four miles.
The Sixth Corps had gained the pike, and the army
had began to assume a formidable attitude fronting
the enemy, when Sheridan came with flying .speed
from Winchester on his superb black charger. Every
body recognized him as he rode from regiment to
regiment with animating words. The troops were
. resting in line. Sheridan's presence acted like a
charm. They felt that they had been taken at a great
disadvantage. After infinite difficulty they had once
more got into a position to strike back. Even the shat
tered and dispersed fragments of the Eighth Corps
began to crystalize. The cavalry formed a long line
across the field, stopped all stragglers, and compelled
them to fall in with the nearest organization.
The Nineteenth Corps was for the most part posted
in a large piece of woods. They threw out skirmish
ers, the Thirteenth being deployed under command
of Colonel Blinn. The skirmishers were ordered not
to attempt to rally on the battalion, but to join the
final charge, each man falling in with the movement
wherever he might be.
After two or three hours, every moment of which
was most industriously employed in re-forming, re
organizing, and preparing, word was brought to
Emory that a column in mass was advancing against
him. The Nineteenth Corps was all ready for them
this time. They struck it near the centre. A steady
roll of musketry followed, which lasted several
minutes. The enemy retreated in the utmost con-
21*

242
s
fusion. This was the first repulse they had received
this day.
Another pause of an hour, and the army impa
tiently awaited the signal for the grand advance
which was to restore the fortunes of the day. Sheri
dan's order came at last : " The entire line will ad
vance. The Nineteenth Corps will move in connect
ion with the Sixth. The right of the Nineteenth will
swing towards the left so as to drive the enemy upon
the pike."
So the Sixth Corps were to charge squarely up the
pike ; while the Nineteenth, outflanking the confed
erates, were to make a gigantic wheel to the left. The
two corps would form an enormous V, inclosing a
great portion of the enemy within the angle.
When all was ready the movement commenced.
General Birge Is said to have seized a flag, rode out in
front of our skirmish line, and pointing to a hostile
battery, given the signal for charge. With shouts
that seemed to shake the hills, fifteen thousand men
moved forward in quick time against the sheets of
flame that blazed from the long grey ranks and roar
ing batteries. The shocks were quick, repeated, ter
rible. From height to height, from wood to wood,
from wall to wall, the broken ranks of the enemy re
treated, making a stand for a few minutes at succes
sive wooded ridges, which had been hastily fortified
by rude breastworks of rails and earth ; and then re
coiling again before the steady and resistless advance ;
until five thousand cavalry, led by such men as Tor-
bert and Custar and Mcintosh, thundered upon their
heels, and the lately victorious and magnificent army
of Early became a routed rabble !

243 •
Forty-nine pieces of artillery, about half of which
were captured from us in the morning ; sixty-five
ambulances, and a proportionate number of wagons,
small arms, and the thousand implements of war ; fif
teen hundred prisoners, and two thousand rebel killed
and wounded, wej^e among the fruits of this great vic
tory so wonderfully wrested from defeat. But its
chief importance was its crushing effect upon the al
ready reeling confederacy.
The loss of our army was very severe ; not less than
thirty-five hundred killed, wounded and missing. The
Thirteenth lost two killed, eighteen wounded and nine
missing. Among the killed was our brave color-sergeant,
Geo. A. Winslow. He fell pierced through the forehead
by a rifle ball, beneath- the folds of the flag he bore so
gallantly and loved so well. Among the wounded
was Major Comstock, whose hand was badly cut by a
fragment of shell.
Captain Wells deserves especial mention, for going
into battle and sharing the perils of the regiment
through the day, though he had in his pocket a leave
of absence.
That night the regiment slept in the camp it had
vacated in the morning. Next day it moved half
way to Strasburg and bivouaced. On the twenty-first
it returned to Cedar Creek. After a few days there,
it retired six miles towards Winchester, and went into
winter-quarters with the rest of the army. Strong
earthworks were immediately thrown up, and soon
after log-huts were built. The place was christened
Camp Russell.
December 1, 1864, the regiment moved from Camp
Russell to *Martinsburg as guard to a wagon train.
There on a high hill they remained a week in camp,

244
and then returned to Camp Russell. Two weeks
later the non-veterans, one hundred and twenty-five
in number, left for New Haven to be mustered out
of service. Fifteen officers accompanied them, ren
dered supernumerary by the consolidation of the
veterans into a battalion of five companies. They
were Colonel C. D. Blinn ; Quartermaster Willianii
Bishop; Adjutant F. N. Stanley; Captains J. J;
McCord, C. H. Cornwell, D. H. Finley, Perry Averill ;
First Lieutenants, Robert A. Ripley, J. S. A. Baker,
William F. Norman ; Second Lieutenants, J. J.
Squiers, George E. Faucher, Charles H. Beaton, J.
M. Lyman, E. S. Dunbar.
This consolidation was completed on the twenty-
ninth of December, and the Thirteenth Regiment
proper ceased to exist as an organization.
The Veteran -Battalion, Thirteenth Conn. Vols.,
being composed chiefly of those who had re-enlisted in
the preceding winter for three years or during the
war, contained a large proportion of the patriotism
and courage of the old regiment. Its members still
clung with pride to the battle-torn flags they had so
often borne to victory and looked confidently forward
to new fields of danger and glory.
December 30, the day after the regiment was conso
lidated, the battalion moved with the remainder of the
army five miles from Camp Russell to Stevenson's
Depot, the terminus of the Harper's Ferry and Win
chester Railroad, where the battalion was detached to
guard the ammunition train of the Nineteenth Corps.
A snow storm came on at evening, and next day was
terribly bleak and wintry. The intense* cold will
long be remembered, the thin shelter-tents being en-

245
tirely inadequate to keep out the cold, as the men lay
without fires on the frozen ground. Monday, Janu
ary 2, 1865, another snow storm came on. Our men
stood shivering, silent and helpless. January 3d, the
battalion moved to higher ground half a mile distant.
January 4, another snow storm came and with it
much suffering. The battalion at last obtained ma
terials for building houses, and were just getting them
into a habitable condition, when they received orders,
January 5, to move by rail with the rest of the Sec
ond Division. A cold rain storm came on, soaking the
clothing of the men who were kept eight hours in the
storm on platform cars. Some had feet frozen ; oth
ers, ears and fingers. Proceeding by rail from Har
per's Ferry, they arrived at Baltimore, Saturday
morning, January 7. Here they were crowded into
barracks at Camp Carroll, a mile from town. They
were packed in like sheep, with hardly room to stand.
Private Lantry shot private Black, both of A : cause,
rum. Next day was clear and cold.
January 10th, the first and third brigades
marched in a cold rain through the mud, and em
barked under sealed orders. January 11, the bat
talion went on board the steamer Manhattan. At
midnight, January 12, they were transferred to the
steamer Illinois. Friday, January 13, they were
towed to sea by tugs. Touching at Fortress Monroe
and taking oh board rations, they steamed out to sea
the same night. The water was rough, but the
Illinois came to anchor at evening, January 16, off
the Savannah bar. January 17th, they waited all
day for a pilot. Wednesday morning, January 18th,

246
they weighed anchor and stood off in the direction of
Hilton Head; but soon meeting the steamer on
which was General Grover, they returned at his sig
nal to the mouth of the Savannah. January 19th,
they landed at last in the evening, two lighters hav
ing taken them up to the city. January 20;. they
went in a rain storm to the Central Railroad Depot,.
which they occupied a week. January 26, they
moved a mile to the fortifications on the south side of
the city and went into camp there. January 27, at
night the great conflagration occurred in the city,
reaching a magazine of shells, of which the explosions
resembled the noise of a bombardment.
At Savannah, Captain Bradley commenced a series
of inspections, and used extraordinary efforts for
improving the condition and appearance of the men.
He enforced the most rigid discipline and. displayed
many admirable traits of a commander. The bat
talion soon assumed the beauty and good order which
had so distinguished the Thirteenth in its early his
tory, and which their constant hard service in:; the
field had to a great extent rendered impracticable for
nearly three years. The weather being mild the bat-"
talion recovered from the hardships of the preceding-
fall and winter. The principal work was picket duty.
Wednesday, March 8, the battalion received orders.
to be ready to move at a moment's notice with three
days' cooked rations. Sunday, March 12, reveille was1
had at three and a half a. m. At nine p. m. the bat
talion embarked on Steamer Yazoo for Morehead*
City, North Carolina. Monday, March 13, they ar
rived. off the mouth of Cape Fear river. A dispatch:
•boat brought orders to proceed to Beaufort, NorthP

247
Carolina. The Yazoo put out to sea again. Next
morning they landed at Morehead City, marched a
mile up the railroad and took cars for Newbern. Here
they arrived late in the evening, March 14. The
Thirteenth proceeded on board a small boat at mid
night, as a guard of commissary stores. On the fif
teenth they steamed slowly up the Neuse river.
Thursday, March 16, they remained in one spot all
day. Friday, they steamed slowly along, and an
chored at night. Saturday was a repetition of the
preceding day. They tied to the bank at dark. Sun
day they started at daylight and moved through the
interminable cypress swamp. At noon this extraordi
nary journey ended, the battalion reaching Kinston.
Here they met many of the Fifteenth Connecticut.
At nine and a half, next morning, they started on
the return to Newbern, which they reached in five
hours. Hefe they went into camp near the barracks.
The ground was a drifting sand heap. March 24,
eight hundred rebel prisoners arrived from Golds-
borough. March 28, a large number of prisoners and
refugees. March 29, seven hundred rebel prisoners
came, and among them private John J. Lloyd, who
had been captured at Winchester the nineteenth of
September, and after various romantic adventures,
had found himself there.
April 5, Captain Perkins was sent with a detail of
thirty men to conduct four hundred rebel prisoners
to Hart Island. The battalion remained in Newbern
on provost duty giving great satisfaction to all well-
disposed persons, and winning the reputation of being
the handsomest and most orderly troops ever seen in
Newbern. April 6, tidings came of the capture of

248
Richmond and Petersburgh. April 7, General Birge
gave a brilliant soiree at his house in Newbern. April
8, the battalion received orders to go by rail to More-
head City, where they went into camp on the left (fac
ing the harbor) of the railroad, and were brigaded
under command of Colonel Graham, Twenty-second
Iowa." April 11, news came of Lee's surrender, and
the joyful event was celebrated by a great "jollifica
tion." April 12, the writer arrived with Lieut. Gardner
from rebel prisons and assumed command of the bat
talion. Nothing of note occurred till May 2, when orders
came to hold the command in readiness to move next
morning at daylight. We remained all day and night
waiting to embark. Thursday, May 4, at two p. m.,
we finally went on board the steamer Neptune. May
7, at 8 a. m. after a smooth passage from North Caro
lina, we disembarked at Savannah. Here we went
into the buildings formerly occupied by the Fourteenth
New Hampshire. Our brigade comprised the Twenty-
second and Twenty-eighth Iowa, the One Hundred
Thirty-first and One Hundred Fifty-ninth New York
and Thirteenth Connecticut.
Our stay in Savannah was brief, lasting but four
days. Orders came at two a. m., May 11, to be ready
to march at eight a. m. with three days' cooked ra
tions. At nine we marched out on the Augusta road
thirteen miles and then bivouaced. When we were
seven miles out, those of our New Orleans recruits,
thirty or forty in number, whose term was to expire in
May, were sent back to Savannah for muster out by
order of General Birge. May 12, we marched six-

249
teen miles. May 13, we marched eight miles, arriv
ing at Sisters Ferry at nine a. m. Here we got rations
that came by steamer. As evidence of the destitution
of the people in this country, women and children
came barefoot eight or ten miles to beg of us a little
" hardtack." Fifty men of the Thirteenth were here
put aboard steamer for Augusta. We left private
Henry Williams, Company D, sick of small pox. He
soon after died ; the only man we ever lost by that
disease. For several days we continued the march, having
reveille at three a. m. and starting at four. Quite a
rivalry existed among the regiments in the matter of
rapid marching. Two regiments, when the news
came of Jeff. Davis' capture, were permitted to leave
their knapsacks in order that they might sooner reach
Augusta ; whereupon the Thirteenth, determined not
to be outdone, though heavily loaded with knapsacks,
followed close on their heels and twice passed them on
the road ; making twenty-six miles May 16.
The people along the route looked with little favor
upon the Yankee invaders as they termed us. A
number of officers, at one of our halts, visited one of
the fine residences and were entertained by several
ladies with songs and instrumental music. One, more
demonstrative than the rest, sung Maryland, My
Maryland, with extraordinary gusto. Concluding,
she turned to Dr. Clarke and said to that urbane gen
tlemen in a snappish way, " I spose that makes ye
mad ; don't it.?" To which the Dr. retorted with pro
voking coolness, " 0, no. We don't care what ye
sing, as long as we can lick ye!" She rejoined,
"We're not whipped. We're only overpowered."
22

250
" That's what we call licked in the North," said the
Doctor. May 19, at ten a. m. we arrived in Augusta, having
marched twelve miles that morning. We went into
an old Confederate shoe-factory, corner of Campbell
and Ellis streets. May 21, we moved into the Con*
federate buildings known as the Blackie Hospital,
corner of Washington and Watkins streets, on ground
owned by the Orphan Asylum.
Our stay in Augusta continued till August 27. Cap*
tain Bradley was absent on Court Martial in Savan
nah until his resignation in August. Captain Wells
had long been detached as aide of General Birge ;
Captain Perkins was Acting Inspector General on
Molineux's staff. Captain Beckwith was soon detailed
as ordnance officer. Surgeon Clary was Surgeon-in-
chief, and in charge of the Post Hospital. Lieut.
Col. Sprague, in addition to his other duties, was ap*
pointed Superintendent of Schools, and Educational
Matters, and Superintendent of Public Buildings and
all property appertaining to the Ordnance Depart
ment. The battalion was assigned to provost duty which it
performed to the highest satisfaction of the good peo
ple of Augusta. Their quarters became a model of
neatness, and the battalion never looked finer. Hun
dreds of dollars were expended to procure the men
white gloves and blacking. Many were the compli
ments we received, of which the following is a speci
men :

251
" Head- Quarters, Post Augusta, \
June 1, 1865. \
Colonel :
The General is very much pleased with the neat
and soldierly appearance of your guard this morning,
and thinks it a decided criterion for the other regi
ments, Respectfully yours,
Henry Lawrence,
Post Adjutant.
To Col. H. B. Sprague,
Commanding Thirteenth Connecticut Vols.
On the sixth of June, 1865, the following appeared
in the Augusta Chronicle and Sentinel :
" A stranger, who only saw the beautiful parade of
the Thirteenth Battalion, Connecticut Volunteers on
Friday last, or who only witnessed every morning the
white gloves, the glittering arms and burnished scales
of the handsome detachment which this Battalion
daily sends to Head-quarters on guard duty, would
hardly suppose that these men had done some of the
most gallant fighting and encountered many of the
severest hardships of the war for three and a half
years past. Such, however, is the fact. At Irish
Bend, at Winchester, at Cedar Creek, at Fisher's
Hill, and in many another hard fight their colors have
been riddled with shot and shell, and the earth has
copiously drunk their blood. Of two thousand men
who have belonged to the Thirteenth Connecticut, this
little Battalion is all that remains.
" A single incident illustrates its spirit. On the fif
teenth of June, 1863, after several most bloody and dis
astrous assaults on Port Hudson, General Banks pub
lished his famous order calling on the thirty regi-

252
ments of the Union army for volunteers to form a
storming column of one thousand men to lead the
last desperate charge on the rebel works. Colonel
Henry W. Birge, now Brevet Major General com
manding defences of Savannah, immediately volun
teered to lead this Forlorn Hope ; and two hundred
and twenty-five men and fifteen officers of his regi
ment, the gallant Thirteenth Connecticut, volunteered
to follow him ! So that this regiment alone furnished
more men for this storming party than any other
whole brigade. Surely, having won the honors^ they
have a right to wear the laurels !"
These praises were well-deserved. No troops,
white or black, regulars or volunteers, ever kept their
quarters, grounds, clothing, arms or accoutrements in
handsomer condition than the Thirteenth at Blackie
Hospital. Three bathing rooms were fitted up for the
men and one for the officers. The most scrupulous
cleanliness was enforced. For months Dr. Clark was
not obliged to send a man to hospital.
July 18, the writer was appointed President of a
board to examine Commissioned Officers with a view
to their promotion or discharge.
July 21, the Thirteenth moved with the One Hun
dred Fifty-ninth New York to the Augusta Arsenal
where they remained five weeks. July 22, the writer
started for Annapolis as witness in a Court Martial,
and was absent several weeks.
August 25, orders came for the battalion to move
to Gainesville, Ga. August 27, the battalion pro
ceeded to Athens, whence they marched to Gaines
ville, Hall County. The district of Gainesville com
prised ten or a dozen counties of Northeast Georgia.

253
It was a position of difficulty and importance, inas
much as it was infested with guerillas, bushwhackers
and desperadoes from three States. Company A,
Lieut. Gardner, was stationed at Jefferson, Jackson
County ; Company B, Lieut. Taylor, at Clarkesville,
Habersham County ; Company D, Lieut. Maddux, at
Clayton, Rabun County ; Companies C and E, Cap
tains Beckwith and Sterry, at Gainesville, the battal
ion head-quarters. Lieut. Col. Sprague was detained
at Augusta as President of a Military Commission.
About the middle of September, Lieuts. Pratt and
Baldwin were detailed as members of a Court Martial
at Washington, Wilkes County. Much game abounds
here ; and one Lieutenant is said to have displayed
great enthusiasm in bagging an imaginary species of
bird, known as Yelpertrechers ! The process is as
follows : After the New England mode of snaring rab
bits, paths are made through the thicket, all converg
ing to the point where the bag is. They must be
hunted only by night. One person holds the bag—
the post of honor ! The rest of the party go away
ostensibly to beat the bush and drive in the game ;
but really to disperse to their homes or meet at their
rendezvous ! How many our worthy Lieutenant
would have caught had he remained all night is un
certain. But after two hours waiting, he discovered
that the bag had no bottom, and not a solitary Yelper-
trecher !
October 17, the companies received orders to con
centrate at Athens, Clarke County. October 19, pur
suant to new orders, A was sent to Washington, Ga. ;
C, to Carnesville ; E, to Lexington ; B and D were
retained at Athens. The duties of officers at these
22*

254
county seats were to preserve order, approve con
tracts between whites and negroes,, and administer the
amnesty oath.
Athens is the seat of the State University. In the
college buildings the Thirteenth was quartered.
Drills, inspections and dress parades were held in the
camps. Captain Wells, having just returned, was Pro
vost Marshal ; Lieut. Tooker, quartermaster ; Lieutr
Gaylord, adjutant. Sergeant Pfeiffer had charge of
Cook's Armory. Sergent Santer, of the jail ; Hunt
ley, of the wood-choppers ; and Beecher, of the Post
Office. November 8, Lieut. Col. Sprague arrived and as
sumed command of the District of Athens, which
comprised the counties of Rabun, Habersham, Towns,
Franklin, Banks, White, Hall, Hart, Clarke, Wilkes,
Elbert, Jackson, Walton, Oglethorpe ; head-quarters
at Athens.
November 15, Lieut. Maddux had leave of absence.
He never returned.
In the latter part of November rumors extensively
prevailed of an intention among the -blacks to massa
cre all the whites on the first of December. A negro
near Watkinsville had been seen with a shot gun.
Another said, " We's gwine to have our rights."
Another, sixty years old, had been a servant in the
Confederate army, and his master had told him he
knew enough to be Captain ; and so Uncle Reuben
was called Major. A single-barrel pistol had been
found in a black man's trunk. Mr. Phinizy of Athens,
had picked up a mysterious letter containing dark
hints. A secret association for mutual improvement
among the colored people was known to be holding

255
weekly meetings. Two young men came riding at a
furious speed from Mistress King's plantation three
miles from Athens, and reported that they had blacked
their faces and had smuggled themselves into one of
these secret meetings, and had heard, — well, they
hadn't heard anything, but they were satisfied mischief
was brewing, and they demanded a guard. Eleven
negroes were dragged out of bed at Watkinsville at
midnight, taken a mile off to the river bank, made to
kneel on the brink, blindfolded, pistols were fired over
their heads, their hands were tied, a solemn oath ad- .
ministered, and instant death threatened if they did
not say they belonged to an armed association ; and
on such extorted, contradictory, and utterly vague
confessions, the Sheriff of the County, and a magis
trate of the (terribly) Inferior Court, had. them ar
rested and brought before the writer. The whole
country was in a state of consternation, and applica
tions innumerable were made for guards of soldiers.
And all arose out of precisely nothing. The credulity
of these people was stupendous.
November 29, Lieut. Pratt was detailed for duty in
the Freedmen's Bureau. December 1, Captain Wells
was sent with companies A and B to Washington, Ga.
December 4, the writer was appointed Commissioner
of the Freedmen's Bureau for the District of Athens.
The same day the battalion removed from the college
buildings to the Military Academy a mile and a half
distant, to give opportunity for repairs in view of the
coming session.
December 6, Acting Commissary Sergeant W. H.
Tucker, died from injuries received by being dashed
against a tree, while on horseback, three days before.

256
He was a hrave, faithful, intelligent man. We buried
him with military honors, the Episcopal service being
read by Lieut. Col. Sprague.
December 23, a circus was exhibited in Athens, at
which Sergeant Sperry with a guard was sent from
the Thirteenth by request of the Mayor. The civil
authorities soon sent back the military guard as being
unnecessary, and the consequence was that the per
formance broke up in a " free* fight."
The same day orders were received to move the
battalion head-quarters to the Augusta Arsenal with
Companies A and B. Company C, Lieut. Baldwin,
was sent to Washington, Ga. ; Company D, Captain
Beckwith, was sent to Sparta, Hancock County ;
Company E, Captain Sterry, was left at Athens.
Christmas day was celebrated in Southern style. A
great uprising of the negroes was anticipated by the
feeble-minded. For abundant caution a large num
ber of supernumerary policemen were sworn in, each
of whom armed himself with a pistol and a brandy
flask. Towards evening they were all drunk. The
Thirteenth being on the eve of departure for Augusta,
many of the soldiers were insulted and attacked on
the streets. The citizens formed line of battle across
the street and refused to let soldiers pass. Where
upon the latter came rushing to the Military Academy
to get their muskets. Great was the alarm. Guns,
pistols, knives and clubs were freely used. The ven
erable Dr. Hoyt, Presbyterian clergyman, a man of
great worth, hastened to the writer, and begged him
to use all his power to quell the riot. The mayor
sent two messengers on the same errand ; the first of
whom was intercepted by the soldiers, beaten and sent

257
back. The second was more successful. He brought
the following communication :
Col. Sprage, Dr.
The excitement Doun Toun great. I fear there
will great trouble Some of our young Men are ex
cited and Some of yours under influence of Spirit.
They have already met in combat and there wll be
Serious times. I hope col You will in behalf of the
law and Order Citizens protetct The Town.
You Respec.
S. C. Reese, Mayor.
Dec. 25, )
1865. }
Seizing and detaining every soldier, as they came
running back, the writer sent Captain Beckwith with
about twenty picked men, mostly non-commissioned
officers, with orders to arrest all soldiers and disorder
ly persons, shut up every dram shop, and notify every
proprietor of places where liquor was kept, that if
another glass was sold or given away the entire stock
would instantly be smashed and the owner imprison
ed. When the captain arrived in sight, the line of
citizens broke and vanished. Perfect order reigned
through the night in that literary town.
Next morning the troops left by rail.
Wednesday evening, December 27, Companies A
and B arrived in Augusta. Captain Gardner was sent
with A to the powder mills ; Lieut. Taylor, with B,
to the arsenal. Captain Wells was detached as A. A.
A. General on General King's staff.
January 3, 1866, the battalion was relieved from
duty at Augusta, and ordered to garrison the District

258
of Alatoona, Northwest Georgia, comprising about
one fourth of the state, with head-quarters at Atlanta.
Company B, Lieut. Taylor, was left for guard at De
partment Head-quarters. Lieut. Col. Sprague and
Lieut. Gaylord were retained as members of a Militar
ry Commission ; Captain Perkins was Provost Marshal,
the duties of which office he had been discharging for
several months.
Lieut. Taylor, with his company, had charge of
the Augusta jail for a few weeks, and then removed
to the first building occupied by the Thirteenth in
Augusta, corner of Campbell and Ellis streets.
Captains Sterry and Gardner and Lieut. Baldwin
arrived with E, A, and C, in Atlanta, January 10 ;
Beckwith, with D, January 11. The soldiers were
quartered in tents and in the City-Hall, and soon after
wards D and E were put into log houses. These were
without floors, the ground was muddy, and the weath-;
er severe. Beckwith commanded the District ; and
Sterry the battalion. Little of interest occurred here.
The soldiers were most uncomfortable ; and despite
the, judicious efforts of Drs. Clary and Clark, many of
them became sick.
Atlanta had been a vast wreck ; a chaos of ashes^
burnt walls, cinders, and the " abomination of desola
tion ;" but it was now rapidly reviving, and the
sound of the hammer and the saw was heard on
every side.
In February, Lieut .Baldwin seized a rebel flag which
was flying on a locomotive, as it passed through theoity.
The engineer and fireman were sent to Augusta, and
there released under bonds by Captain Perkins, Provost
Marshal. Soon after, Lieut. Baldwin was sent with.

259
Company C to Dahlonega, to guard the U. S. Mint
and other national property and preserve the peace.
In March, Lieut. Taylor with his company was sent
to Atlanta.
Great discontent prevailed among the soldiers at
being kept beyond the term for which they re-enlisted ;
they' always insisting that the government had no
right to detain them beyond the expiration of the war.
Numerous applications by the battalion commander to
secure their muster-dut were unsuccessful, until April
13, 1866, when orders came for the battalion to ren
dezvous at Fort Pulaski for that purpose. They arrived
there Friday, April 20. April 25, we were mustered
out by Major Butler. April 28, we took the govern
ment boat for Savannah ; where we were transferred
to the ocean steamer General Barnes, for New York.
At five o'clock p. m., April 28, we left Savannah. As
we passed Fort Pulaski, we were saluted with six guns.
The One hundred Seventy-sixth New York accompa
nied us.
Tuesday morning, May 1, we reached New York
city. We were taken by government steamer to Hart
Island, twenty-two miles distant. Here the enlisted
men were paid on Saturday, May 5. They took the
Paymaster's boat for New York City, and there dis
persed. The officers were detained till Monday, May
7, when they too met for the last time, and parted.
So dissolved the last military organization from Con
necticut in the service of the United States ; twelve
officers and one hundred and seventy-seven men only
remaining of the thousands who had marched under
the blue folds of our Connecticut flag.

APPENDIX.

ORIGINAL THIRTEENTH REGIMENT INFANTRY.
FIELD AND STAFF.
COLONEL.
Henry W. Birge, Norwich, Nov. 9, 1861*; promoted Brig. Gen. U. S.
Vols. Sept. 19, 1863. LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Alexander Warner, Woodstock, April 9, 1862; resigned, July 29.
1863. MAJOR.
Eichard E. Holcomb, East Granby, Feb. 18, 1862; appointed Colonel
- 1st La. Vols. Aug. 16, 1862. adjotant.
Wm. M. Grosvenor, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted Captain;
disc, to rec. commission Oct. 29, 1863.
quartermaster.
Joseph B. Bromley, Norwich, Feb. 19, 1862; resigned Dec. 29, 1863.
chaplain.
Charles C. Salter, New Haven, Feb. 27, 1862 ; resigned June 15, 1862.
surgeon.
Benjamin N. Comings, New Britain, Feb. 18, 1862; resigned January
26, 1863. 1st assistant surgeon.
George Clary, Hartford, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted Surgeon May 23 ,
1863. 2d assistant surgeon.
Nathan A. Fisher, Norwich, Feb. 4, 1862; resigned June 16, 1863.
sergeant major.
George W. Whittlesey, Norwich, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted Adjutant;
resigned for disability Oct. 9, 1863.
Q. M. SEKGEAKT.
Andrew T.Johnson, Montville, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted 2d Lieuten
ant Company A; killed on railroad Nov. 7, 1862.
 « 
*The first date in each case is the date of muster.
23

262
COMMISSARY SERGEANT.
Charles A. Tracy, Montville, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted Lieutenant 1st
La. Vols. July 16, 1862. HOSPITAL STEWARD.
William Bishop, Southington, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted Quartermaster
May 1, 1864. principal musician.
Joseph Hadley, New London, Feb. 18, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran
February 8, 1864. OFFICERS APPOINTED SINCE FIRST MUSTER.
chaplain.
Henry Upson, Berlin, June 16, 1862 ; resigned July 20, 1863.
2d assistant surgeons.
Samuel McClellan, New Haven, March 14, 1863; promoted 1st As
sistant Surgeon July 9, 1863.
Lucius W. Clark, Winchester, July 9, 1863.

ORIGINAL INFANTRY COMPANY A.
captain.
Henry L. Bidwell, Brooklyn, N. Y., Feb. 18, 1862; dishonorably dis
charged Aug. 25, 1862. 1st lieutenant.
John E. Woodruff, New Britain, Feb. 18, 1862; resigned June 21, 1862.
2d lieutenant.
Charles H. Cornwall, New Britain, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted Captain
Sept. 1, 1862. SERGEANTS.
Richard Cowles, Farmington, Jan. 7, 1862; died Feb. 19, 1862.
Frank E. Stanley, New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861; killed at Irish Bend, La.,
April 14, 1863.
Hiram Griggs, Plymouth, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged April 4, 1863.
Nelson W. Steele, New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861.
Charles R. Gladden, New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861; died July 1, 1863.
corporals.
Frank W. Stanley, New Britain, Dec. 30, 1861; died May, 1863, of wounds
received at Irish Bend, La.
Henry H. Porter, Glastgnbury, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability
Feb. 22, 1863.

263
Norman W. Warren, New Britain, Dec. 30, 1861; discharged for disability
May 24, 1863.
Devereaux Jones, New Britain, Jan. 22, 1862; transferred to 1st Louisiana
Regiment Aug. 17, 1862.
Walter G. Carpenter, New Britain, Dec. 30, 1861; died Nov. 17, 1862.
Newton W. Perkins, New Britain, Dec. 22. 1861; promoted 1st Lieutenant
May 1, 1864.
Mortimer H. Stanley, New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged to receive
commission Aug. 14, 1863.
Bernard Fagan, New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability July
29, 1862. musicians.
Charles N. Merwin, New Haven, Dec. 22,' 1861; died July 5, 1863, of
wounds received at Port Hudson, La.
William H. Moore, Wallingford, Feb. 27, 1862; died June, 1863.
wagoner.
John C. North, New Britain, Jan. 7, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864. privates.
Ackley, John F., New Britain, Jan. 7, 1862.
Alger, Albert, Colchester, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability May
24, 1862.
Alger, Henry, Colchester, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability May 24,
1862.
Alger, William, Colchester, Dec. 22, 1861; drowned at New Orleans July
22, 1863.
Barrows, Wm. H., Farmington, Jan. 8, 1862 ; discharged for disability July
14, 1862.
Bassett, Milton H., New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged to enter tele
graph corps, Aug. 17, 1863.
Bassett, Federick H., New Britain. Dec. 22, 1861; discharged to enter tel
egraph corps Aug. 17, 1863.
Benham, George B., Oxford, Dec. 22, 1851.
Billington, Dexter E., Killingly, Feb. 11, 1862; discharged to accept ap
pointment as Hospital Steward.
Bissell, Frederick I. Glastenbury, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Brady, Joseph P. Goshen, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran, Feb. 8,
1864.
Branson, William C. New Britain, Dec. 30, 1861; discharged for disability
May 30, 1862. '
Brown, Robert, Farmington, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disability Dec.
31, 1863.
Carter, James W., Wethersfield, Feb. 5, 1862; (discharged for disability
May 24, 1863.

264
Clark, Linus M., Bristol, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Connelly, Cornelius, New Britain, Jan. 8, 1862; discharged for disability
Feb. 22, 1863.
Coyle, Barney, New Britain, Jan. 6. 1862.
Cunningham, Michael, Bristol, Feb. 10, 1862.
Curtiss, Joel, New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability May
24, 1863.
DeWolf, Edward, Farmington, Feb. 11, 1862; died Oct. 15, 1863.
Dow, Newel, Wethersfield, IJec. 31, 1861 ; discharged for disability June
1, 1862.
Deming, Francis B., March 15, 1862.
Egan, Walter, New Britain, Jan. 7, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
EUwood, William, Newtown, Feb. 11, 1862; discharged for disability Maj-
24, 1862.
Emmons, Nelson, Colchester, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability July
5, 1863.
Fagan, Christopher C, New Britain, Jan. 6, 1862.
Fagan, John, New Britain, Jan. 6, 1862.
Gaffhey, Francis J., New Britain, Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 29, 1864.
Gilbert, James, Farmington, Jan. 28, 1862; died Oct. 15, 1863.
Gilbert, Orrin C, New Britain, Jan. 6, 1862; discharged for disability May
81, 1862.
Gladden, Azariah, Farmington, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disability July
81, 1862.
Gladden, William H., New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861.
Haffy, James, New Britain, Dec. 81, 1861; discharged for disability May
30, 1862.
Hall, Josiah S , Bristol, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Harlow, Edward, Wethersfield, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability
May 31, 1862.
Hart, Alverda S., New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861.
Hart, Henry C, Farmington, Feb. 10, 1862.
Hassan, James, New Britain, Jan. 8, 1862; died Sept. 5, 1863.
Hotchkiss, Wm. &., Farmington, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Hurley, Thomas, New Britain, Jan. 22, 1862; died March 30, 1864.
James, Henry B., Colchester, Jan. 8, 1862; discharged for disability March
14, 1862.
.Keaney, William, New Britain, Jan. 8, 1862; discharged for disability
Aug. 24, 1863.
Lantry, Edward, New Britain, Dec. 30, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Lewis, James C, New Britain, Dec. 31, 1861 ; died Nov. 9, 1862.

. 265
Lloyd, John J., Farmington, Jan. 7, 1862.
Long, Julius F., East Hartford, Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Mack, Joseph S., New Britain, Dec. 30, 1861.
Maguire, John, New Britain, Deo. 81, 1861.
Martin, John, New Britain, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Mason, David A., Killingly, Jan. 6, 1862; discharged for promotion in
Corps D'Afrique Oct. 5, 1863.
Molloy, James, Berlin, Dec. 22, 1861. »
Morton, Henry, New Britain, Jan. 6, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Northend, John, New Britain,'Deo. 22, 1861; discharged for disability May
21, 1862.
Northrup, Wm. A., Milford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability July
31, 1862,
O'Brien, John, New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861; killed at Irish Bend, La., April
14, 1863.
O'Keefe, John, New Britain, Dec. 30, 1861.
Olmsted, Edgar, C. East Hartford, Dec. 30, 1861.
Oviatt, John M., Roxbury, Dec. 22, 1861.
Penfield, Loren D., New Britain, Jan. 8, 1862.
Presbrey, Edward M., Hartland, Jan. 6, 1862; discharged for disability
March 27, 1863.
Pyatt, Samuel S., Farmington, Jan. 6, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Quigley, John, New Haven, -ran. 8, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Reilly, Thomas, New Britain, Dec. SO, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Reynolds, Patrick, Wethersfield, Jan. 22, 1862.
Eiggs, Frederick J., Oxford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; deserted Jan ,24, 1863.
Robinson, Robert, New Britain, Deo. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Eyan, John C, Plymouth, Deo. 22, 1861; discharged for disability May 24,
1862.
Rowell, Charles E., Feb. 27, 1862.
Ralph, Curtis B., March 15, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps
May 1, 1864.
Simmons, John F., Hartland, Dec. 22, 1861.
Simmons, Lewis E., Killingly, Jan. 7, 1862; died Oct. 15, 1863.
Smith, John, New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.
Stanley, Frederick N., New Britain, Dec. 31, 1861; promoted 2d Lieuten
ant Co. I Dec. 9, 1863.
Stoddard, Horace W., New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability
June 1, 1862. 23*

266
Stone, Edward, Hamden, Dec. 22, 1861.
Sutliff, Friend, Plymouth, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran; died
April 11, 1864.
Tubbs, John E., New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861.
Walker, William H. Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Walker, William, Farmington, Dec. 22, 1861.
Warner, Charles E., New Britain, Feb. 10, 1862.
Weed, Edward E., Plymouth, Dec. 22, 1861; died May 27, 1863.
Willard, Edward, New Haven, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability
May 21, 1862.
Wolff, Francis J., New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861; re- enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Woodford, Clayton, Avon, Jan. 7, 1862.
Wright, George, Plymouth, Dec. 30, 1861 ; discharged for disability Jan.
27, 1863.

ORIGINAL INFANTRY COMPANY B.
CAPTAIN.
Apollos Comstock, New Canaan, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted Major Nov. 6,
1863. 1ST LIEUTENANT.
William E. Bradley, New Canaan, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted Captain Sept.
1, 1863. 2d lieutenant.
William C. Beecher, Southbury, Feb. 18, 1862; resigned Jan. 29, 1863.
sergeants.
William G. Hawley, Newtown, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability
June 27, 1862.
Harvey E. Hendryx, Oxford, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability Feb
28, 1863.
John J. Haight, Stamford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability June
30, 1862.
Eliakim Lockwood, Greenwich, Feb. 10, 1862 ; discharged for disability
June 30, 1862.
George E. Fancher, Norwalk, Jan. 22, 1862 ; promoted 2d Lieutenant Co.
D. Aug. 25, 1863. CORPORALS.
George H. Pratt, Stamford, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran; pro
moted 2d Lieutenant May 1, 1864.
Henry Hitchcock, Southbury, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability
June 30, 1862.

267
Jonathan Austin, New Canaan, Feb. 18, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
David E. Holdridge, Sherman, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Franklin S. Twichell, Newtown, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Edwin B. Sanford, Litchfield, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability May
25, 1863.
Henry S. Conrad, Woodbury, Dec. 22, 1861; died Jan. 9, 1863,
Hurlburt C. Hayes, Torrington, Jan. 11, 1862.
MUSICIANS.
George W. Taylor, Stamford, Dec. 31, 1861.
Hiram Ruscoe, Wilton, Feb. 18, 1862; died June 26, 1863.
WAGONER.
Aaron Finnell, Greenwich, Feb. 10, 1862 ; discharged for disability July 5,
1862. m PRIVATES.
Ackley, Abram E., Stamford, Jan. 6, 1862 ; died August 9, 1863.
Avery, Aaron S., Stamford, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged Jan. 14, 1863.
Bell, Martin, Stamford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Benedict, Aaron, New Canaan, Dec. 22, 1861; died Nov. 28, 1862.
Bishop, Isaac W., New Haven, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Blackman, Alfred, Norwalk, Feb. 5, 1862; discharged for disability July
5, 1862.
Blackman, Eli B., Middlebury, Feb. 1, 1862 ; killed at Irish Bend, La.,
April 14, 1863.
Blackman, Elisha S., Waterbury, Feb. 1, 1862;re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Briscoe, Charles L., Newtown, Feb. 5, 1862 ; dropped from roll May 30, 1862.
Brown, John J., New Haven, Feb. 20, 1862.
Brown, John W., New Canaan, Feb. 5, 1662.
Byington, Francis G, Bridgeport, Dec. 22, 1861; deserted Jan. 25, 1863.
Casey, William E., Bridgeport, Feb. 5, 1862.
Cleaveland, Charles F., Torrington, Dec. 22, 1861 ; died April 8, 1862.
Conger, William E., Sherman, Dec. 22, 1861.
Dann, Eli, New Canaan, Feb. 1, 1862; discharged for disability March 5,
1862.
Davis, Charles, Southbury, Dec, 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability Sept.
18, 1862.
Deming, Lewins, Avon, Feb. 18, 1862; discharged for disability May 21,
1S62.
Dixon, Clark, Stamford, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Dunbar, Edward M., Torrington, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability
June 30, 1862.

268
Fairchild, Reuben A., Newtown, Feb. 18, 1862 ; discharged for disability
July 5, 1862.
Fancher, Charles I , Norwalk, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged to join Telegraph
Corps, Aug. 17, 1863.
Fancher, John F., Bridgeport, Feb. 18, 1862 ; discharged for disability June
27, 1862.
Farrell, John W., Newtown, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb 8,
1864.
Ferris, Wm. I., Stamford, Feb. 10, 1862; died May 29, 1863.
Fleharty, William, Hamden, Feb. 10, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.. 29,
1864.
Foote, Edward A., Torrington, Jan. 11, 1862.
Gardner, Franklin, Sherman, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability June
27, 1862.
Gardner, James, Wilton, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64.
Gilder, Wilbur F., New Canaan, Feb. 18,1862; discharged September 17,
1863.
Griffin, Timothy, New Haven, Feb. 10, 1862 ; discharged for disability Sept.
23, 1862.
Handy, Benjamin A., Canterbury, Jan. 8, 1862; " " July 7,
1862.
Hanford, William H., Wilton, Dec. 22,U861; transferred to 2d La. Vols.
Aug. 28, 1862.
Hamblin, John N., March 5, 1862; deserted.
Harting, Charles H., New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862; discharged for disability,
May 21, 1862.
Hawley, Frederick E., Torrington, Dec. 22, 1861 ; " " Feb. 28,
1863.
Hegany, Dennis, Torrington, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Hotchkiss, Norman, Hamden, Feb. 10, 1862.
Hotchkiss, Wooster, Derby, Feb. 10, 1862.
Hewlett, George E., Torrington, Dec. 22, 1861; transferred to 1st La.
Regt. Aug. 8, 1862.
Hungerford, Martin B., Sherman, Dec. 22, 1861 ; died December 6, 1862.
Harris, Thomas S., Stamford, Feb. 27, 1862; discharged for" disability June
80, 1862.
Hull, Edwin C, River, N. Y., March 12, 1862; discharged for disability
fune 30, 1862.
Jones, Banister H., Stamford, March 6, 1862 ; discharged for disability, May
21,1862.
Jones, William H., New Canaan, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Kane, John, Newtown, Jan. 6, 1862.
Keeney, Mortimer R., Bristol, Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran, Feb.
8, 1864.

269
Keeney, Russel, Bristol, Jan. 22, 1862 ; discharged for disability, Sept. 23, '62.
Knapp, James R., Stamford, Feb. 10,1862; discharged for disability March
5, 1862.
Lapman, Edward A., New Canaan, Jan. 22,1862; discharged for disability
July 29, 1862.
Lockwood, Edward C, Stamford, Dec. 22, 1861.
Lyons, George L., Waterbury, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disability June
27, 1862.
Mead, Benjamin L., Ridgefield, Feb. 5, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran, Feb.
8, 1864.
Munroe, Edwin, N.rw Canaan, Dec. 22, 1861.
Munroe, William H., New Canaan, Feb. 5, 1862; discharged for disability,
July 5, 1862.
Murphey, Edward, Torrington, Feb. 20, 1862 ; died April 7, 1862.
Moore, Charles E., March 5, 1862; discharged for disability, May 13, 1863.
Nichols, Charles, New Canaan, Feb. 18, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Peck, Chester D., Newtown, Feb. 1, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran, Feb. 8,
1864.
Prindle, George, Greenwich, Dec. 22, 1861 ; " " Feb. 8, 1864.
Buggies, Elbert, Ridgefield, Feb. 18, 1862;  ' 29,1864.
Buggies, Sidney B., Ridgefield, Feb. 5, 1862, " " " 8, 1864.
Searles, George H., Stamford, Jan 6, 1862 ; discharged for disability June
30, 1862.
Searles, Henry C, Stamford, Feb. 18,1862; discharged for disabiUty, July
30, 1862.
Sarles, John E., Stamford, Jan. 6, 1862.
Seeley, William H., New Canaan, Jan. 6, 1862 ; discharged January 14, 1863.
Selleck, George B., Stamford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; died September 29, 1862.
Shephard, Harvey G., Branford, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disability
June 15, 1862.
Sherman, George, Monroe, Feb. 1, 1862; discharged for disability July 5,
1862.
Sherman, Reuben A., Wilton, Dec. 30, 1861; discharged for disability
Aug. 26, 1862.
Sherwood, Charles E., Norwalk, Feb. 5, 1862; discharged for disability
Sturges! Frederick L., Ridgefield, Feb. 5, 1862; died December 12, 1863.
Sarles, Benjamin O., Stamford, Feb. 26, 1862; killed at Irish Bend, La.,
April 14, 1863.
Schreyer, Felix, Southbury, March 13, 1862.
Taylor, John J., Stamford, Dec. 22, 1861; died February 17, 1864.
Taylor, Roswell, Newtown, fan. 22, 1862.
Thorne John W., Stamford, Feb. 20, 1862; died September 6, 1863.
Thorne' Joseph, Stamford, Feb. 10, 1862; re-enlisted as veteran Feb. 29,
1864.

270
Tomlinson, Chas. H., New Haven, Jan. 22, 1862; killed at Irish. Bend, La.,
April 14, 1863.
VanScoy, John A., Eidgefield, Feb. 20, 1862. '
Warner, Newton J., Woodbury, Dec. 22, 1861; transferred to the Veteran
reserve corps, April 30, 1864.
Weed, Francis E , New Canaan, Dec. 81, '61 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Weed, John P., Stamford, Dec. 31, 1861.
Wheeler, Alonzo, Bethel, Feb. 20, 1862.
Wood, Israel, New Canaan, Feb. 28, 1862; discharged for disability July
29, 1862.
Wood, Linus, New Canaan, Feb. 1, 1862; discharged for disability,
July 7, 1862.
Waterbury, Henry, Darien, Feb. 27, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.

ORIGINAL INFANTRY COMPANY C.
CAPTAIN.
Charles D. Blinn, Cornwall, Feb. 18, 1862, promoted Colonel Nov. 5, 1863.
1st lieutenant.
Isaac F. Nettleton, Kent, Feb. 18, 1862 ; died September 26, 1862.
2d lieutenant.
Charles E. Tibbetts, New Milford, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted 1st Lt. Co. A.;
resign'd on disability, May 11, 1864.
SERGEANTS.
Everett S. Dunbar, Sharon, Nov. 27, 1861 ; promoted 2d Lt. Co. G. Sept.
1,1863.
Charles H. Gaylord, New Milford, Dec. 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
John N. Duncan, Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability May 13,
1863.
James T. Smith, New Hartford, Jan. 7, 1862; transferred to 1st La. Eeg't.
Aug. 8, 1862, as Lieutenant.
John N. Lyman, Warren, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as Vet; promoted 2d
Lt. Jan. 29, 1864. CORPORALS.
George W. Sperry, Goshen, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Lewis Hart, Canaan, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Simon Potter, Kent, Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged September 7, 1862.
Homer M. Welch, Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran, Feb. 8, 1864.

271
Henry E. Merwin, Goshen, Dec 17, 1861; discharged for disability May 12,
1863.
Albert G. Williams, Canaan, Nov. 27, 1861; died November 11, 1862.
James D. Mosher, New Milford, Dec. 17, 1861 ; died August 6, 1863.
William H. Odell, Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged February 14, 1863.
MUSICIANS.
George C. Skiff, Sharon, Nov. 27, 1861 ; died October 9, 1862.
Benjamin Walker, Kent, Feb. 10, 1862; discharged for disability May 31,
1862. WAGONER.
James H. Evans, New Milford, Nov. 27, 1861, re-enlisted as Veteran, Feb.
8, 1864. PRIVATES.
Austin, Andrew J., Kent, Dec. 17, 1861, re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64.
Barnes, Willis, Kent, Jan. 22, 1862, " " 8, "
Beeman, William, Warren, Dec. 30, 1861, " " 8, "
Billings, Peter, Canaan, Dec. 30, 1861; " " 8, "
Brazee, Edwin, Sharon; Jan. 22, 1862; deserted August 3, 1862.
Brown, Hobby, Kent, Dec. 30, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Buckley, Seymour, Sharon, Nov. 27, 1861 ; " " 8, 1864.
Burns, Thomas, Meriden, Jan. 7, 1862; killed at Port Hudson, La., June
14, 1863.
Butler, George W., Goshen, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability Men.
11, 1863.
Brazee, George, March 11, 1862; deserted August 3,1862.
Brockett, George, W. March 5, 1861.
Camp, Edwin T., New Milford, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability
Feb. 17, 1863.
Carpenter, John, Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability May 31,
1862.
Chaffee, Joshua B., Sharon, Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged for disability Mch 4,
1862.
Clark, John, Kent, Dec. 30, 1861; died August 6, 1862.
Clemens, Lewis S., Salisbury, Nov. 27, 1864; discharged for disability
Aug. 5, 1862.
Cole, Charles E., Sharon, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability Feb. 25,
1862.
Cook, Alexander, Cornwall, Dec. 30, 1861.
Dauchy, Charles F, Salisbury, Nov. 27,1861; discharged December 9
1862
Dean, Moses, Canaan, Dec. 30, 1861 discharged for disability, Aug. 5,1862.
Dellarchy, James M., Canaan, Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
nihhle George, Cornwall, Dec. 22, 1861.
mngaa, James H., Kent, Jan. 22, 1862 ; resisted as Veteran Feb 8,1864,
Douglass, Reuben H., Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; died September 4, 1862.

272
Downs, George C, Goshen, Nov. 27, 1861 ; died September 13, 1863.
Dunbar, Everett E., Kent, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Erwin, George W., Canaan, Nov. 27, 1861.
Evetts, Edwin, Kent, Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29, 1864.
Ferriss,.John, New Milford, Dec. 22, 1861.
Fuller, Ethan A., Canaan, Dec. 30, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64 .
Griffin, Chauncey, Sharon, Nov. 27, 1861 ; " - " " 8, '64.
Green, Edmund L., Morris, Feb. 20, 1862 ; discharged for disability Oct.
28, 1862.
Hall, George W., Sharon, Jan. 22, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Hall, Homer, Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability March 9, 1864.
Hall, Leonidas R.,New Britain,' Jan. 28, 1862; transferred to 1st La. Reg't.
Aug. 8, 1862, as lieutenant.
Hammond, Seneca, Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64.
Hicks, James, Goshen, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability March 12,
1862.
Hotchkiss, Charles, Cornwall, Nov. 27, 1861 ; died March 19, 1864.
Hoxie, Joshua B., Sharon, Feb. o, 1862.
Hutchins, John B., Kent, Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged for disability May 29,
1863.
Judd, John S., Canaan, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged February 14, 1863.
Lineburg, Egbert, Amenia, N. Y., Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran,
Feb. 8, 1864.
Losser, Job S., Sharon, Nov. 27, 1361.
Mansfield, Norman, Salisbury, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged October 12, lfc62.
Marshall, Ezra S., Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability Aug. 5,
1862.
Marshall, Ira, Kent, Nov. 27, 1861.
McGowan, John, Cornwall, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran; died
April 26, 1864.
Mitchell, Charles, Kent, Dec. 30, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Morris, Michael, Goshen, Dec, 30, 1861 ; " " " 8, 1864.
Murphy, William H., Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; " " " 8,1864.
Nickerson, Edwin L., Cornwall, Feb. 27, 1862; killed at Irish Bend, La.,
April 14, 1863.
Odell, John, New Milford, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64.
Packard, Shepard, Sharon, Nov. 27, 1S61 ; " " " 8, '64.
Pindar, Frederick W., Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; " " " 8, '64.
Potter, Oliver, Kent, " 27,1861; " " « 8 '64.
Pratt, Joseph H., Kent, " 27,1861; '" " " 8, '64.
Prindle, Benjamin H., Goshen, " 27, 1861; discharged October 17, 1862.
Quain, Francis, Kent. " 27, 1861; discharged for disability May
31, 1862.
Raymond, Joseph W., DanburyT Feb. 10, 1862; discharged for disability
June 6, 1862.

273
Reynolds, William H., Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; died May 14, 1862.
Eichmond, Charles, Cornwall, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Eoach, John, Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; died August 18, 1862.
Eoraback, James H., Cornwall, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Eoraback, George, " " 27, 1861 ; " " " 8,'64.
Rogers, John, Sharon, Dec. 17, 1861 ; discharged for disability, March 10, '62.
Savage, James, Sharon, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Scott, Elias P., Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged September 7, 1862.
Scott, Mortimer H., Kent, Nov: 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted,as'veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Slover, Chester, Sharon, " 27, 1861 ; died February 7, 1862.
Smith, Orange, Kent, " 27,1861.
Stowe, Vivant, " Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disability Aug. 5, 1862.
Stuart, Frederick, Kent, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged for disability April 16,
1864.
Stuart, Herman, " Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran Feb. 8, '64.
Taylor, Joseph, New Milford, Dec. 17, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Teneyck, William H., Kent, Dec. 30, 1861; discharged for disability May
13, 1863.
Thompson, Daniel, Kent, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Titus, Sylvester, Cornwall, Nov. 27, 1861; " " " 8,1864.
Wadhams, Frank E., Goshen, Dec. 17, 1861 ; " " " 8, 1864.
Waldron, Frederick E., Kent, Nov. 27, 1861 ; died June 19, 1863, of
wounds received at Port Hudson, La.
Waldron, Lockwood, Sharon, Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged for disability May
31, 1862.
Wilson, Beach T., Danbury, Dec. 30, 1861; discharged for disability May
31, 1862.
Wilson, Thomas, Sharon, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disabiUty Feb. 25,
1862.
Wright, Henry S., CornwaU, Dec. 30, 1861 ; re-enlisted as veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Warner, Horace C, Sharon, Feb. 20, 1862; discharged for disability May
31, 1862.
Wickwire, Franklin L., March 5, 1862; died June 26, 1862.
officer appointed since first muster.
1st Lieut.
Robert A. Eipley, Norwich, Dec. SI, 1862.

24

274

ORIGINAL INFANTRY COMPANY D.
CAPTAIN.
Cyrus E. Prindle, Eoxbury, Feb. 20, 1862; resigned Aug. 14, 1862.
1ST LIEUTENANT.
Perry Averill, Southbury, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted Captain Co. C. Dec
9, 1863. 2d lieutenant.
Joseph H. Meredith, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862; resigned August 13, 1862
SERGEANTS.
George A. Mayne, Bridgeport, Dec. 17, 1861 ; transferred to 1st La. Reg't.
August 8, 1862.
Lester E. Owen, New Hartford, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disability
June 30, 1862.
Seth H. Addis, Roxbury, Jan. 7, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
WiUiam H. Strong, New Hartford, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disability
Sept. 23, 1862.
Ezra M. Hull, Newtown, Dec. 17, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64.
CORPORALS.
John D. Hull', Eoxbury, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged for disabUity June 30,
1862.
Timothy Whittlesey, Washington, Dec. 17; discharged to receive promo
tion May 21, 1863.
Eugene Ward, New York, Dec. 22, '81 ; discharged to receive promotion
May 21,1863.
Elias H. Dewey, New Haven, Dec. 31, 1861; transferred to Veteran Re
serve Corps April 30, 1864. <#
Henry W. Richards, Southbury, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability
Sept. 23, 1862.
William Finnimore, Bridgeport, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Lewis F. Marshall, Bridgeport, Dec. 30, 1861 ; discharged for disability
June 30, 1862.
Charles Chapman, New Haven, Dec. 17, 1861; deserted March 17, 1862.
MUSICIANS.
Benjamin G. Loomis, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; transferred to 1st La.
Reg't. Aug. 8, 1862.
Andrew Holford, New Haven, Dec. 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864. WAGONER.
Joel Congden, Montville, Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8 '64.
PRIVATES.
Allen, Chauncey F., Woodbury, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged for disability
July 29, 1862.

275
Andrews, James, Norwalk, Jan 11, 1862; deserted July 10, 1862.
Andrus, Thames B., Simsbury, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Alton, Edward, March 14, 1862.
Bishop, Henry F., Feb. 18, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29, 1864.
Barbour, Henry M., New Hartford, Feb. 1,1862; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Barbour, Theron, Barkhamsted, Dee. 30, 1861 ; discharged for disability
May 24, 1862.
Bishop, Dean, Washington, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64.
Bliss, Charles, Springfield, Mass., Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability,
July 29, 1862.
Bottsford, John N., Bridgeport, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Bragg, William B.,New Hartford, Dec. 30, 1861 ; discharged Aug. 26, 1863.
Briggs, Daniel, New Milford, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability May
24, 1862.
Butler, Charles, Brookfield, Jan. 22, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb 8, '64.
Butler, James, Brookfield, Jan. 22, 1862 ; reclaimed as deserter from 4th N.
Y. Art. Feb. 21, '62.
Dillon, John, Waterbury, Jan. 28, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64.
Dimelow, George, Newtown, Dec. 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Doane, Edward, New Milford, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disability
June 10, 1863.
Dolbeare, Thos. W., MontviUe, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disabiUty
Aug. 27, 1862.
Donnivan, James, New Hartfora,%ec. 22, 1861; transferred to Veteran Re
serve Corps April 30, 1864.
Dorain, Hugh, Enfield, Feb. 6, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Fiscuss, Henry, Waterbury, Dec. 22, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Fox, Henry F., Woodbury, Dec. 22, 1861; died November 27, 1863.
French, Ephraim L., New Hartford, Dec. 30, 1861.
Gardner, Joseph A., MontviUe, Dec. 30, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Gilmore, William, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861; died July 6, 1863.
Gorman, John, Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; died August 2, 1862.
Greer, James, New Hartford, Dec. 17, 1861 ; discharged for disability Dec.
26, 1863.
Hayes,- Alonzo, Bridgeport, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Hayes, David, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Hill, Austin H., Southbury, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability May 2,
1863.

276
Hopkins, Roswell E., New Hartford, Jan. 7, 1862 ; killed in assault on Port
Hudson, La., June 14, 1863.
Jennings, George F., Bridgeport, Dec. 30, 1861.
Jerome, Henry G., MontviUe, Dec. 30, 1861; dropped from roll, having
never reported.
Johnson, John B., Feb. 18, 1862, re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29, 1864.
Kibbee, Seth M., New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability
Aug. 27, 1862. ^
Kimberly, Albert A., Oxford, Dec. 30, 1861 ; died Dec. 6, 1863.
King, William W., MontviUe, Dec. 30, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Knapp, Charles E., Feb. 20, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Lombard, Albert, Hadley, Mass., Jan. 22, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Long,^Henry, New Haven, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Losaw, George, Winchester, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Martin, Frank, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged May 19, 1862.
McCabe, Luke, New Hartford, Jan. 22, 1862.
McManus, Edward, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; killed in assault on Port
Hudson, La., June 14, 1863.
Mitchell, Joseph F., MontviUe, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Munson, Charles, Newton, Dec. 22, 1861 ; died Aug. 29, 1863.
Northeridge, Geo. W., April 30, 1862; discharged for disability March 11,
1863.
Palmer, Frederick C, MontviUe, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb
8, 1864. "* '
PeUam, Wallace, Norwalk, Feb. 5, 1862; discharged for disability May 24,
1862.
Polley, Henry E., Woodbury, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Prentice, William P., March 5, 1862.
Quinn, Matthew, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861.
Read, Samuel, Brookfield, Jan. 22, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Reynolds, James E., MontviUe, Dec. 30, 1861; discharged for disability
Aug. 27, 1862.
Root, Orville A., Barkhamsted, Dec. 30, 1861 ; discharged for disability
Ang. 27, 1862.
Root, Watson R., New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability
Sept. 23, 1862.
Ruby, Eli, -New Milford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disabiUty March
17, 1862.
Ruby, George M., New Milford, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Skiff, Walter, Oxford, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.

277
Stevens, Heni-y M., Norwich, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
"SKJlSr B" BridgeP°rt' De°- W' 1861' *«-"— Veteran
Sqstpt.ri86Js: E°XbUry' De°- 3°' 1861i Pr°m0ted M Li-t— t Co. F
Tooker, William B., MontviUe, Dec. 30, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
Tt;::Zit New Hartford' Dec- so' i86i! disohar^ ta ****
^Fets^or H" BarkhamSted' Jan- ?' ^ --enlisted as Veteran
TFeb. ^1864.W" NSW HartfOTd' 'Ja" 28' 1862; re-6alisted as Vete™
Tyrrell, Stephen, Newtown, Dec. 17, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
Taylor Miner J, March 5, 1862; discharged for disability Aug. 27, 1862
W Rosamond, Bridgeport, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.' 8
lo64. *
Welch, Patrick, New Hartford, Dec. 30, 1861; died March 7, 1862.
Welden, Edward J., New Hartford, Feb. 5, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Wilcox, George T., New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability
June 30, 1862.
Welch, John, Feb. 10, 1862; discharged for disabUity May 24, 1862.

ORIGINAL INFANTRY COMPANY E.
CAPTAIN.
Eugene Tisdale, New Britain, Feb. 18, 1862; resigned April 30, 1864.
1st lieutenant.
Eugene E. Graves, Thompson, Feb. 18, 1862.
2d lieutenant.
William P. Miner, Norwich, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted 1st Lieutenant Co.
H Feb. 20, 1863. SERGEANTS.
Chas. Henry Beaton, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; promoted 2d Lieuten
ant Feb. 20, 1863.
George B. Deming, West Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; promoted 2d Lieutenant;
resigned June 26, 1863.'
Stephen R. Peavy, Plainfield, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864. 24*

278
Albert M. CadweU, West Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran,
Feb. 29, 1864.
William Blanchard, Putnam, Jan. 7, 1862; killed at Brashear City, La.
June 21, 1863. CORPORALS.
Richard Croley, New Britain, Jan. 8, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
CIAs. H. Colegrove, Norwich, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disabiUty
May 13, 1863.
William A. Osborn, East Windsor, Dec. 22, 1861; deserted Nov. 25, 1863.
Frank J. Underwood, Thompson, Dec. 31, 1 861.
George Dennerlein, Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861; deserted March 17, 1882.
James J. Davis, Putnam, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disability July 29,
1862.
Charles H. Belden, New Britain, Jan. 28, 1862.
Nicholas Schue, Hartford, Feb. 27, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864. MUSICIANS.
Jas.-V. Underwood, Thompson, Jan 7, 1862; died AprU 15, 1862.
Norman W. Beaton, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enUsted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Michael Hart, Dec. 30, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
WAGONER.
Calvin B. Beebe, MontviUe, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864. PRIVATES.
Adams, WiUiam A., Killingly, Dec. 31, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Albee, Henry, Thompson, Feb. 27, 1862.
Amidon, James S., Thompson, Dec. 31, 1861; dropped from roll May 23,
1862.
Amidon, Melvin A., Thompson, Dec. 31, 1861 ; dropped from roU May 23,
1862.
Avery, Charles C, Thompson, Feb. 11, 1862.
Bennett, Thomas B., Thompson, Jan. 22, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Birge, George F., Hartford, Dec. 30, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Blackmar, Edm. A., Thompson, Jan. 28, 1862.
Blackmore, Francis, Putnam, Dec. 31, 1861.
Bow"en, Francis C, Thompson, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Bradley, Benjamin, Colebrook, Dec. 22, 1861; deserted Sept. 30, 1862;
since died.
Barry, Robert C, Maroh 12, 1862.
Bracken, James, jr., March 12, 1862; discharged for disability May 26
1862. '

279
Capen, Elbridge S., New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861; died Oc. 17, 1862.
Carey, Michael, Colebrook, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
CarroU, Thomas, Hartford, Feb. 6, 1862; died Sept. 80, 1863.
Case, Ellsworth, Barkhamsted, Feb. 27, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran Re
serve Corps April 10, 1864.
Chase, George W., KiUingly, Dec. 31, 1861.
Church, Lyman, Granby, Feb. 20, 1862; discharged for disability July 29,
1862.
Cole, James, Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861.
Connant, John, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862.
Cruff, Sterry, Thompson, Feb. 11, 1862; discharged for disability May 20,
1862.
DaUy, James W., Thompson, Feb. 26, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Davis, Charles A., Sufiield, Feb. 20, 1862.
Davis, Horatio L., Thompson, Jan. 22, 1862 ; discharged for disability May
20, 1862.
Dirreen, Daniel F., Thompson, Dec. 31, 1861; discharged for disabiUty
May 20, 1862.
Doig, David, East Windsor, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability May
20, 1862.
Drinkell, Urban, Hartford, Jan. 22, 1862.
Dugal, Leonard L., Naugatuck, Feb. 18, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Dunn, Edward P., Putnam, Feb. 1, 1862; discharged for disability May
23, 1862.
Fallon, Michael, Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability May 20,
1862.
Fuller, Manchester, Plainfield, Jan. 28, 1862; discharged for disabiUty May
26, 1862.
Gaffney, Patrick, New Britain, Jan. 28, 1862.
Gill, Henry, Killingly, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Hall, Edwin, Killingly, Jan. 22, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Harrington, James R., Thompson, Feb. 26, 1862.
Harvey, George M., Putnam, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
Hawkins, Luther C, Thompson, Feb. 26, 1862; discharged for disabiUty
Feb. 28, 1863.
Hayes, Patrick, Portland, Feb. 18, 1862.
Hoey, John, Thompson, Feb. 11, 1862.
Hogan, Martin, Wethersfield, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability May
25, 1862.
Jennings, Tolman A., Thompson, Dec. 31, 1861.
Joslin, Newton, Killingly, Dec. 22, 1861; dropped from roU May 23, 1862.

280
Larnard, Simeon, Putnam, Jan 22, 1862; discharged for disability August
22, 1863.
Lang, Stephen, Hartford, Dec. 30, 1861.
Lauderback, Frederick, Hartford, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disability
March 6, 1862.
McMann, Mark, New Hartford Dec. 22, 1861.
McWilliam, Henry, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861.
Messenger, Joel, Granby, Feb. 20, 1862; discharged for disability May 20,
1862.
Miller, Charles A., Hartford, Jan. 28, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.
Miller, Xavier, New Haven, Jan. 28, 1862; discharged for disability Feb.
28, 1863.
Mohone, John, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability
March 19, 1862.
MoUay, James, Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861; deserted August 18, 1862.
Moore, Henry, Suffield, Feb. 20, 1862; dropped from roll May 23, 1862.
Newton, Francis G., Granby, Feb. 20, 1862; discharged for disability May
12, 1863.
Oedekoven, Charles F., New Haven, Feb. 27, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 29, 1864.
Oedekoven, Fritz, New Haven, Dec. 30, 1861.
Parker, George, New Haven, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Peck, Daniel R., Barrington, E. I., Jan. 28, 1862; died April 6, 1863.
Pfeiffer, Frank F. F., Thompson, Dec. 31, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Place, Henry, March 12, 1862.
Regan, Hugh, Putnam, Feb. 27, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29, 1864.
Rice, Levi, Granby, Jan. 22, 1882.
Rice, Santa Anna, Killingly, Jan. 28, 1862 ; discharged for disabiUty May
25, 1862.
Rice, WilUam, KiUingly, Jan. 28, 1862; discharged for disability May 20,
1862.
Roberts, William F., Plainfield, Dec. 22, 1861; died Dec. 28, 1863.
Rowe, James, Woodstock, Dec. 31, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Eyan, Edward, Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; deserted March 17, 1862.
Schuh, Frederick, Hartford, Feb. 5, 1882; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864. •
Smith, James, Portland, Dec. 22, 1861; died July. 1863.
St. Clair, John, March 5, 1862; deserted Nov. 1, 1862.
Sloan, Michael, March 17, 1862.
Thornton, Thomas, Hartford, Dec. 80, 1861; deserted March 17, 1862.
Trask, John E., Putnam, Dec. 31, 1861 ; discharged for disability May 25,
1862.

281
Trask, WiUiam, Thompson, Jan. 7, 1862 ; discharged for disability May 26,
1862.
Twogood, Orrin, Killingly, Feb. 1, 1862.
Tyler, Fernandes H., Plainfield, Jan. 22, 1862; died Sept. 15, 1863.
Welch, John, March 5, 1862. v
Welsh, Patrick, Southington, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability May
25, 1862.
West, Thomas J., Thompson, Dec. 31, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Whitman, Elijah N., Thompson, Dec. 31, 1861 ; died August 8, 1863.
WUde, Thomas, Plainfield, Jan. 7, 1862; deserted;March 17, 1862.
Williams, Chas. E., New Britain, Jan. 28, 1862; deserted May 6, 1862.
Williams, Henry, Colebrook, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Wilson, William L., Killingly, Feb. 1, 1862.
Woodruff, Lyman, Norwalk, Feb. 5, 1862.
Woodworth, John, Suffield, Feb., 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.

OEIGINAL INFANTRY COMPANY F.
CAPTAIN.
James J. McCord, Norwich, Feb. 18, 1862.
1ST LIEUTENANT.
Charles J. Fuller, Hartford, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted Captain Co. D; re
signed August 29, 1863. 2D LIEUTENANT.
John C. Abbot, Norwich, Feb. 20, 1862; promoted 1st Lieutenant Co. F.
Sept. 1, 1863. SERGEANTS.
Charles W. Williams, Eocky HiU, Feb. 1, 1862; discharged for disabUity
August 26, 1862.
Chester W. Converse, Norwich, Feb. 1, 1862; discharged April 4, 1863.
WiUiam L. Webb, Rocky HiU, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Charles A. Loomis, Norwich, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
James Torrance, Norwich, Jan. 28, 1862; killed at Port Hudson, La., May
24, 1863. CORPORALS.
Eugene Nash, Norwich, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.

282
George R. Case, Norwich, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged to receive commission
Sept. 10, 1862.
Amos R. Ladd, Norwich, Jan. 28, 1862; discharged to receive commis
sion.
WiUiam D. Kempton, Hartford, Jan. 7, 1862; died August 2, 1863.
John T. Reynolds, Norwich, Feb. 1, 1862; re -enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
George Brown, Norwich, Jan. 28, 1862.
William H. Manley, Hartford, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disability Nov.
27, 1862. MUSICIANS.
Edmund Tryon, Glastenbury, Jan. 7, 1862 ; re-enlisted as' Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Edwin Hazlehurst, Norwich, Jan. 28, 1862; discharged for disability May
20, 1862. WAGONER.
Elizur B. Elmer, East Hartford, Feb. 18, 1862.
PRIVATES.
Bailey, Marvin, New Hartford, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disabUity July
29, 1862.
Barry, James, Norwich, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Bird, Charles Maine, Jan. 7, 1862 ; deserted October 29, 1862.
Black, David, Norwich, -Dec. 30, 1861 ; killed at Georgia Landing, La., Oct.
27, 1862.
Blake, George W., Norwich, Jan. 7, 1862 ; discharged for disability June
30, 1862.
Bogue, George F., MontviUe, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Brown, David H., Norwich, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran; died
May 15, 1864.
Brown, John E. Hartford, Jan. 7, 1862.
Carey, Patrick, New Haven, Feb. 1, 1862; kiUed at Port Hudson, La.
June 14, 1863.
Carney, John, Norwich, Jan. 11, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
^Carroll, Patrick, Hartford, Jan. 8, 1862; discharged for disability May 20,
1862.
Case, James, Norwich, Dec. 30, 1861;'re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Coleman, Emilous, Hartford, Feb. 11, 1862; discharged for disability Nov.
27, 1862.
Collins, Andrew, Norwich, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disability May 20,
1862.
Comstock, John L., MontviUe, Jan. 7, 1862.
Corbet, Michael, Norwich, Dec. 22, 1861; died of wounds May 25, 1863.
Corney, Patrick, Norwich, Jan. 22, 1862.

283
Cosgrove, James, Hartford, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Crocker, Byron, Norwich, Feb. 5, 1862.
Cummings, WiUiam, Norwich, Jan. 11, 1862 ; deserted March 17, 1862.
Douglass, Albert H., MontviUe, Jan. 22,1862; discharged for disability
Sept. 4, 1862.
Fowler, Hosmer, Durham, Feb. 10, 1862 ; dropped from roll May 22, 1862.
Fowler, Nelson, Durham, Jan 22, 1862; discharged for disability Oct. 14,
1862.
Fowler, Samuel F., Norwich, Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Gay, Jonathan P. jr., MontvUIe, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disabUity
May 14, 1863.
Gladding, Ira jr., Berlin; Feb. 5, 1862; deserted August 20, 1862.
Gorton, Nathan S., Hartford, Jan. 7, 1862.
Greene, John, Middletown, Jan. 8, 1862 ; died November 30, 1862.
Greenman, Eufus, Norwich, Feb. 1, 1862 ; discharged for disability May
13, 1863.
Hale, Edwin, Portland, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Hickey, Patrick, Norwich, Jan. 28, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Hall, George, Norwich, Dec. 22,1861; discharged for disability May 20,
1862.
Hunt, Herschel, Glastenbury, Jan. 22, 1862 ; discharged for disability Nov.
27, 1862.
Hayward, John, West Springfield, Mass., Feb. 26, 1862 ; died March 28,
1862.
Ingharn, George W., Cheshire, Nov. 27, 1861.
Jaques, David D., Norwich, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Johnson, Abel, Norwich, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Johnson, Marquis L., Norwich, Jan. 28, 1862; discharged for disability
July 29, 1862.
Kehr, Jacob, Norwich, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Kelley, James A., Norwich, Feb. 1, 1862.
Kellogg, Norman, Eocky Hill, Jan. 22, 1862.
Kerr, Francis, Norwich, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disability Nov. 23,
1863.
Laird, Daniel, Norwich, Feb. 11, 1862.
Leach, Patrick, Hartford, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Martin, Patrick, Norwich, Jan. 22, 1862.
McLachlan, Wells, Hartford, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran; died
April 20, 1864.
McKay,. Daniel, New Haven, Feb. 5, 1862.

284
Newton, Frank L., Hartford, Feb. 5, 1862; hung June 16, 1862.
Nichol, Robert, Norwich, Dec. 30, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.
O'Niel, James, New Haven, Feb. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.
Patten, Charles, Norwich, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Phinney, Henry E., Norwich, Jan. 7, 1862.
Pierson, James, Hartford, Jan. 23, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.
Powers, Thomas, Hartford, Jan. 7, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Price, Orrin M., Norwich, Jan. 11, 1862; re-«nlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Parker, John E., Hartford, Feb. 18, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.
Reynolds, James, Hartford, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Reynolds, William, Norwich, Dec. 30, 1861.
Richmond, William L., Simsbury, Jan. 11, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Ryan, John, New Haven, Feb. 26, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.
Sanders, George R., MontviUe, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged to receive com
mission Sept. 24, 1863.
Sanford, Erbin K., Rocky HiU, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disability Feb.
22, 1863.
Shea, John, Norwich, Jan. 22, 1862 ; died July 18, 1863.
Shipman, John, Glastenbury, Jan. 22, 1862 ; discharged for disability May
14, 1863.
Shipman, William, Glastenbury, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Smith, Augustus F.,Norwich, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disability May
20, 1862.
Southmayd, Joseph G., Middletown, Jan. 8, 1862; dropped from roll May
22, 1862.
Strange, WiUiam, Norwich, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enUstedas Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Swan, Henry, Norwich, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disability June 6,
1863.
Taylor, Azariah, Glastenbury, Feb. 1, 1862; discharged for disability June
7, 1863.
Tinkham, Alvis H., New Haven, Jan. 7, 1862.
Trumbull, George W., New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability
July 5, 1862.
Tryon, Charles E., Portland, Jan. 7,. 1862; died June 28, 1863.

285
Vail, Patrick, Hartford, Feb. 11, 1862.
Webb, Edgar W., Rocky Hill, Feb. 1, 1862.
Whaland, WiUiam D., Hartford, Jan. 7, 1862 ; deserted March 17, 1862.
Witter, Charles S., Hartford, Jan. 28, 1862 ; discharged for disability Aug.
26,1862. ,
Wood, Henry Norwich, Jan. 7, 1862; discharge? for disability July 29, *-
1862.
Wood, John, Norwioh, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disabiUty June 17,
1863.
Yale, Russell, Norwich, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.

ORIGINAL INFANTRY COMPANY G.
CAPTAIN.
Sylvester G. Gilbert, Hebron, Feb. 18, 1862; resigned July 16, 1862.
1ST LIEUTENANT.
Denison H. Finley, Marlborough, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted Captain July
17, 1862. 2D LIEUTENANT.
Joseph S. A. Baker, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted 1st Lieutenant
Company C. December 16, 1862. SERGEANTS.
Samuel J. Coleman, Marlborough, Feb. 10, 1862 ; discharged for disabiUty
June 1, 1862.
Charles G. Burnham, Hebron, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disabiUty
June 1, 1862.
John A. Bartholemew, Branford, Jan. 8, 1862; discharged for disability
Nov. 8, 1862.
James R. Moore, Middletown, Dee. 17, 1861; discharged for disabUity
June 30, 1862. •
Samuel L. Cook, Middletown, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged for disability
July 27, 1863. CORPORALS.
John W. Bradley, East Haddam, Jan. 22, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Theodore Palmer, North Branford, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
John Lincoln, Columbia, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Frederick S. Francis, WaUingford Dec. 22, 1861 ;# re-enlisted as -Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Alonzo Lombard, Lebanon, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disabiUty July
5, 1862.
25

286
Edwin L. Bennett, Marlborough, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged for disability
June 14, 1862.
William M. Maynard, Hebron, Dec. 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Timothy Allen, Marlbo^iugh, Dec. 17, 1861 ; re-erJisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864. MUSICIANS.
Patrick Begley, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861.
John Fitzgerald, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864. WAGONER.
Jeremy T. Jordan, Lebanon, Dec. 17, 1861.
PRIVATES.
AUen, Charles, Columbia, Jan. 7, 1862 ; discharged Jan. 10, 1863.
Allen, Ralph, Colchester, Dec. 30, 1861 ; discharged for disability July 29,
1862.
Ames, Benjamin G., Hebron, Dec. 17, 1861 ; died January 6, 1863.
Austin, Frank, Windsor, Dec. 22, 1861.
Austin, George J., Haddam, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864/
Babcock, Leroy H., Old Lyme, Jan. 7, 1862 ; discharged for disability May
31, 1862.
Ball, James B., Marlborough, Dec. 22, 1861; transferred to 15th Regiment
C. V.
Bartman, Cassius M., Lyme, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disability Feb.
22, 1862.
Bogue, Edmund, East Haddam, Jan. 7, 1862; died October 9, 1863.
Bogue, George, East Haddam, Jan. 7, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Brand, John, Bozrah, Dec. 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Burnham, David A., East Haddam, Feb. 5, 1862; discharged for disability
June 1, 1862.
Brooks, Robert F., Feb. 18, 1862; discharged for disability June 14, 1862.
Bartholomew, Willis, Feb. 18, 1862; discharged for disability May 13, 1863.
Bottsford, Henry C, Feb. 10,1862.
Chapman, Charles H., Salem, Jan. 22, 1862; transferred to Veteran Re
serve Corps May 1, 1864.
Chapman, Lafayette, Marlborough, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Clark, Charles L., East Haddam, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disability
June SO, 1862.
Clark, John B., Middletown, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disabiUty June
30, 1862.
Coleman, Josiah S., Colchester, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged for disability
June 30, 1862.

287
Cook, Christopher, Columbia, Deo. 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864. v
Culver, Charles, Marlborough, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Dailey, Timothy, East Haddam, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disability
July 5, 1862.
Daniels, John F., Hebron, Dec. 17, 1861 ; died April 17, 1863.
Deming, Henry 0., East Hartford, Dec. 17, 1861.
Dickinson, Wolcott A., Marlborough, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for dis
ability Oct. 16, 1862.
Donnell, George, Hamden, Feb. 1, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve
Corps April 10, 1864.
Dorsey, John, Bristol, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Dowd, Emery O, East Haddam, Dec. 22, 1861;. discharged for disability
March 10, 1862.
Dutton, Harvey, Marlborough, Jan. 28, 1862; discharged for disability May
12, 1863.
" Daniels, Charles, Winchester, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted 2d Lieutenant Co.
B; resigned Jan. 8, 1864.
Eldridge, Stephen, Old Lyme, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enUsted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Eldridge, John, Old Lyme, Jan. 7, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Gay, James, Bozrah, Dec. 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Gay, Royal L., East Haddam, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disabiUty June
30, 1862.
Gay, Moses, Bozrah, Feb. 26, 1862: died September 21, 1863.
Henderson, John, March 5, 1862.
Herman, Robert, Middletown, Feb. 10, 1862; discharged for disabiUty May
31, 1862.
Hutchins, Charles B., Bozrah, Feb. 10, 1862; discharged to receive com
mission Jan. 26, 1864.
Hackette, Andrew, Hartford, Jan. 6, 1862; died April 15, 1863, of wounds
received at Irish Bend, La.
Hall, Charles C, Cheshire, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disabffity July 5,
1862.
Hills, Archibald, Middletown, Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Hopkins, Albert, Branford, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Horan, Matthew, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
Hudson, Charles B., Middletown, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disabUity
Jan. 8,1863.
Hurlburt, Henry A., Hermon, N. Y., Dec. 17, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.

288
Huxford, Francis, Marlborough, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Hyde, James P., Colchester, Dec. 30, 1861; discharged for disability July
29, 1862.
Ingraham, Asahel, East Haddam, Feb. 5, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Joab, Jacob, Wallingford, Dec. 30, 1861; transferred to Veteran Reserve
Corps, April 30, 1864.
Karnes, Robert, Marlborough, Jan. 22, 1862; transferred to Veteran He-
serve Corps April 10, 1864.
Kerney, John, Hartford, Jan. 28, 1862; transferred.to 1st Louisiana Regi- t
ment August 8, 1862.
Leonard, James, East Haddam, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Latham, Joel E., Marlborough, Feb. 10, 1862; discharged for disability
July 5, 1862.
McKnight, James, Simsbury, Feb. 18, 1862.
Martin, Datus W., March 13, 1862; discharged for disability July 5, 1862;
McGrath Walter, New Hartford, Dec. 22, .1861; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
McKeon, John, Hartford, Dec. 30, 1861; re-.enlisted as Veteran; deserted
March 20, 1864.
Minor, Joseph H., Hebron, Jan. 28, 1862 ; discharged for disability July 6,
1862.
Moore, Daniel, New Hartford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Moran, Thomas, Middletown, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,,
1864.
Munson, Henry B., Cheshire, Dec. 22, 1861 ; died Dec. 27, 1862.
Nelson, Andrew, March 13, 1862.
O'ConneU, Timothy, Colchester, Jan. 22, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864. " '
Phelps, John H., East Haddam, March 5, 1862; discharged for disabiUty
May 31, 1862.
Penharlow, David D., Marlborough", Dec. 17, 1861; discharged fordisabU-
ityJuly 29, 1862.
Reynolds, Andrew J., East Haddam, Jan. 22, 1862; died Aug. 17, 1863.
Reynolds, Joseph N., East Haddam, Dec. 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Reynolds, WiUiam H., East Hadd»m, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran;
died of wounds May 11, 1864.
Robinson, Ellis B., New Hartford, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8,1864.
Robinson, Henry, Bridgeport, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enUsted as Veteran;
drowned April 11, 1864.

289
Rodman, WiUiam C, East Haddam, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disabil
ity July 5, 1862.
Ryan, John, Bloomfield, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enU8ted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Root, Dwight C, March 5, 1862 ; transfen-ed to 2d Louisiana Volunteers
Nov. 4, 1862.
Skinner, Edward, Winchester, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Suber, Anson F.,' Glastenbury, Dec. 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Sidders, Charles, East Haddam, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Sanford, Vinus M., Bethany, Feb. 18, 1862.
Tinker, Siber W., New London, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Turner, Charles W., Hebron, Jan. 28, 1862 ; discharged for disability July
5, 1862.
Warner, Aaron G, Middletown, Feb. 1, 1862; died Feburuary 28, 1862.
•Watrous, Frederick, Marlborough, Jan. 22, 1862.
Watrous, Hezekiah, East Haddam, Feb. 5, 1862; discharged for disability
July 29, 1862.
Wheaton, John H., Lebanon, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disability July
¦5,1862.
WUson, David R., Marlborough, Jan. 8, 1862; discharged for disability
June 14, 1862.
Wilson, Diodate G., Marlborough, Jan. 8, 1862 ; discharged for disability
August 5, 1862.
Wilson, George H., Marlborough, Jan. 8, 1862; discharged for disability
June 14, 1862.

ORIGINAL INFANTRY COMPANY H.
CAPTAIN.
Homer B. Sprague, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862 ; promoted Lieutenant-
Colonel November 5, 1863. 1ST LIEUTENANT.
Jonah F. Clarke, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862; died January 27, 1863.
2D LIEUTENANT.
Julius Tobias, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862; resigned September 6, 1862.
SERGEANTS.
Oscar F. MerriU, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability
Feb. 14, 1863. ^

290
James M. Gardner, New Haven, Dec. 30, 1861 ; transferred to 1st Louisiana
Regiment Aug. 18, 1862.
Everett C. Andrews, New Haven, Feb. 1, 1862 ; discharged for disabUity
Feb. 28, 1863. *
Frederick Thesing, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged for disability
May 23, 1862.
Charles H. Grosvenor, New Haven, Feb. 5, 1862; transferred to 1st Louis
iana Regiment August 18, 1862. CORPORALS.
George H. Twichell, New Haven, Jan 28, 1862.
WiUiam H. Huntley, New Haven, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 29, 1864.
Moses Page, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861.
Hiram Blackman, Bridgeport, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.
John Meyer, New Haven, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.
William Malkin, Norwalk, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Edward Johnson, Middletown, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
William A. Patterson, New Haven, Jan. 8, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864. MUSICIANS.
George W. Evarts, New Haven, Dec. 17, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Calvin G. Shepherd, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re enUsted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864. WAGONER.
Joseph W. Munson, New Haven, Feb. 10, 1862.
PRIVATES.
Adams, Charles A, Waterbury, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Aldrich, John W., Bristol, Jan. 8, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Ailing, George M., Hamden, Jan. 8, 1862.
Andrews, Martin L., Plyfnouth, Jan. 8, 1862 ; discharged for disability May
30, 1862.
Andrews, Philo, Plymouth, Jan. 8, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Aschback, Paul, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged for disability May
23, 1862.
-Aiken, Henry Norwalk, Feb^27, 1862; discharged for disability March 17,
1862.
Bailey, Heman W., Durham, Jan. 28, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb." 8
1864.

291
Bailey„William, Dec. 17, 1861 ; discharged for disabUity Feb. 10, 1862.
Blakeslee, Asahel C, Bristol,- Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Blakeslee, Albert R., Bristol, Jan. 8, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Blakesley, James W., Bristol, Jan 8, 1862; discharged for disability Sept.
18, 1862.
Booth, Nelson H., Bethel, Feb. 1, 1862: discharged for disability July 30,
1863.
Bowen, Thomas L., New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861 ; died March 9, 1863.
Brennan, Thomas, Norwalk, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged for disability Aug.
26, 1862.
Brown, John, Feb. 10, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29, 1864.
Black, William, Waterbury, Feb. 18, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29,
1864.
Clancey, Charles, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Clark, Sidney A., New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged for disability
Jan. 26, 1863.
Cassin, Peter, Waterbury, Feb. 20, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran Reserve
Corps April 30, 1864.
Coleman, John, Derby, March 5, 1862; discharged for disability May 23,
1862.
Congo, Ethal, Sherman, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Cromwell, David, South Dover, Jan. 8, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864. *
Dorman, Julius H., Hamden, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for disability Oct.
10, 1862.
Drew, Albert, New Haven, Jan. 22, 1862, deserted March 17, 1862.
Dutton, Theodore, New Haven, Jan. 8, 1862; transferred to 15th Regt. C.
V.
Dobson, Michael, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862; died March 27, 1862.
Eisley, John, March 5, 1862.
Edwards, William, Eai-t Hartford, Jan. 6, 1862; discharged for disability,
July 15, 1862.
Harrison, Thomas, New Haven, Jan. 6, 1862; deserted September 19,
„ 1863.
Hart, Patrick, New Haven, Feb. 1, 1862.
Hart, Eichard, New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran, Feb.
29, 1864.
Hazen, Edmund, Derby, Jan. 22, 1862 ; discharged for disability, May 23,
1862.
Hazen, George B., Derby, Jan. 28, 1862.
Hidehogg, John, Waterbury, Jan. 22, 1862; transferred to Invalid Corp
March, 16, 1864.

292
Hodge, Augustus, Norwalk, Jan. 28, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Hopkins, James, New Haven, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged for disabiUty
Sept. 22, 1862.
Houghkirk, Wm. H., New Haven, Feb. 10, 1862.
Higany, Michael, Torrington, Feb. 20, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Jones, Benjamin, Stamford, Jan. 8, 1862 ; died April 8, 1862.
Jahn, Emil, Stamford, March 13, 1862.
Keefe, Jeremiah, Stamford, March 5, 1862.
Kulverinsky, Charles, New Haven, Feb. 10 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Lanahann, Michael, Waterbury, Jan. 22, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Leary, Patrick, Waterbury, Jan. 22, 1862; died August 21, 1863.
Lane, Henry L., Plymouth, Feb. 20, 1862; died May 5, 1863.
Latus, Albert, Bridgeport, Feb. 18, 1862; discharged for disability, Sept.
22, 1862.
Lockwood, Edward A., Stamford, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disabUity
Sept. 22, 1862.
Malone, James A., Hamden, Jan. 8, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
McDonough, Thomas, New Haven, Dec. 17, 1861; re-enlisted as- Veteran
Feb. 29, 1864.
McGrath, Michael, Waterbury, January 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Miesbach, William, Bridgeport, Jan. 22,1862; discharged for disabUity,
Aug. 26, 1862.
Mitchell, Peter, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64
Meissner, Louis, New Haven, Feb. 27, 1862 ; promoted 1st Lieutenant Co.
D. ; died of wounds AprU 29, 1864. /
Moran, Philip, March 5, 1862; discharged for disability May 23, 1862.
Nettleton, Edgar A., Durham, Feb. 10, 1862; transferred to Invalid Corps
March 15, 1864.
Nolan, James, Milford, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29, 1864.
Nugeon, Charles E., Colebrook, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
O'Neil, Dennis, New Haven, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Aug. 3,
1863.
O'Connor, Martin, New Haven, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enUsted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Otto, John, New Haven, March 13, 1862.
Page, Edward A., Guilford, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disability May
23, 1862.
Patterson, Francis, New Haven, Jan. 8, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
'8, 1864.
Prior, Alfred W., Norwalk, Dec. 17, 1861 ; discharged for disability May
30, 1862.
Quinn, John, Waterbury, Jan. 28, 1862 ; discharged for disability June 8, '64

293
Ranney, John, Waterbury, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Riggs, Charles S., Derby, Nov. 27, 1861.
Russell, Alfred, North, Branford, Jan. 22, 1862.
Roswell, Emery J., Middlebury, Feb. 18, 1862; discharged for disability
September 20, 1862.
Scribner, George, Norwalk, Jan. 28, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Scribner, WiUiam F., Wilton, Feb. 1, 1862; died February 23, 1862.
Shannon, James, Milford, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran, Feb. 8, '64.
Simpson, John, Clinton, Jan. 28, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Slade, Thomas, Feb, 10, 1S62.
Smith, WiUiam H., New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861.
Strong, David S., New Haven, Jan. 22, 1862; deserted May 22, 1863.
Telford, George, Madison, Jan. 22,1862; discharged May 23, 1862.
Vanderwater, Wm. G., New Milford, March 5, 1862.
WiUey, John A., New York, Jan. 22, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.

ORIGINAL INFANTRY COMPANY I.
CAPTAIN.
Henry L. Schleiter, New London, Feb. 18,"1862; resigned January 11, '63.
1st lieutenant.
Frank WeUs, Litchfield, Feb. 19, 1862 ; promoted Captain, January 29, '64.
2d lieutenant.
Joseph Strickland, New London, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted 1st lieutenant;
kUled at Port Hudson, La., June 14, 1863. t
SERGEANTS.
James E. Metcalf, New London, Feb. 1, 1862; discharged for disabUity
June 28, 1862.
Louis Beckwith, New London, Jan. 7, 1862; promoted 2d lieutenant Co.
K., Jan. 27, 1863.
WaUace W. Smith, Plymouth, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8 1864.
Charles C. Fisher, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disability May
20, 1862.
Samuel S. Taylor, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enUsted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864. CORPORALS.
Abner N. Sterry, -New London, Jan. 8, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran; pro
moted 2d lieutenant May 1, 1864.
Engleburt Sauter, New London, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran F.b.
29, 1864.

294
Charles R. Wright, ^Salisbury, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged, time out Dec.
1864.
Danforth K. Beebe, New London, Jan. 7, 1862 ; discharged, time out Dec.
1864.
Charles Bay, Woodbury, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged* time out Dec. 1864.
Charles Thomas, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862;"discharged for disabiUty May
20, 1862.
Albert Martins, Bridgeport, Jan. 11, 1862 ; deserted March 17, 1862.
James Duff, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64.
musician.
James McAUister, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862 ; deserted August 29, 1862.
WAGONER.
Albert Bunnell, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 62 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
PRIVATES.
Adams, Henry, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Albretch, William, Vernon, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Baker, WiUiam, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; died September 2, 1862.
Banker, Hubert, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862 ; discharged for disabUity May
19, 1862.
Banker, PhUo, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran February
8, 1864.
Barnes, Anson E., New Haven, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb
29, 1864.
Beckwith, Ira M., Waterford, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged January 31, 1863
Beebe, Elvin, New London, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged Dec. 1864.
Beizer, Frederick, New London, Jan. 7, 1862 ; discharged Dec. 1864.
Benedict, William, Litchfield, Jan. 11; discharged for disability May 20,
1862.
Betz, Edward, New London, Jan. 7, 1862; died November 7, 1862.
Birge, Cornelius, Litchfield, Jan 11, 1862; discharged for disability Sept.
29, 1862.
Bronson, Andrew, Litchfield, Jan. 22, 1862 ; deserted March 17, 1862.
Brower, George W., New Haven, Feb. 10, 1862; discharged for disability
Feb. 28 1862.
Burgart, Ulrich, New Haven, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Burke, Michael, Litchfield, Jan., 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran, Feb.
1864.
Catlin, Charles, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; died September 2, 1863.
Chapel, Alonzo, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; died February 23, 1863.
Chappell, Charles E., New London, Jan. 28, 1862; discharged Dec. 1864.
Cogswell, Edward, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862.
Crandall, Anderson L., New London, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged Dec. 1864.
Curtiss, Evits H., Litchfield, Jan. 28, 1862; discharged Dec. 1864.
Daniels, John L., New London, Jan. 7, 1862 ;¦ discharged for disabUity
Oct. 2, 1863.

295
Daniels, Robert, New London, Jan. 7, 1862 ; droped from roll May 31, 1863,
never reported.
Davidson, Ira A. Litchfield, Jan 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Darley, WiUiam, New Britain, Jan. 11, 1862;-re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Fisher, Edward E., Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran, Feb.
8, 1864.
Ferris, Smith W., Feb. 20, 1862; died March 12, 1862.
Franz, Joseph, New London, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Frink,Seth, Litchfield, Jan. 22, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Geer, David H., New London, Feb. 10, 1862; discharged, Dec. 1864.
Gilbert, George G, New London, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged, Dec. 1864.
Hallcck, Loren, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862 ; discharged for disability July 16,
1862.
Harris, WiUiam H., Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862.
Harris, James, New London Jan. 28, 1862; discharged for disability Feb.
28, 186S.
Havens, George R., New London, Jan. 7, 1862.
Herbert, Patrick, Litchfield, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Herbert, Garrett, Litchfield, Jan. 32, 1862; re-enUsted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Hines, Patrick, New London, Jan. 7, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Holloway, Ezra M., New London, Jan. 22, 1862; discharged for .disability
June 28, 1862.
Immich, Peter, New London, Feb. 1, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Johnson, Lewis, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disability May
30, 1862.
Kelleher, Jeremiah, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; died.
Keeney, John L., New London, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran, Feb.
8, 1864.
Kinley, John M., Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; taken prisoner at Winchester.
Kettenbach, Max, March 14, 1862; mustered out Dec. 1864.
Lester, Ambrose E., New London, Feb. 10, 1862; mustered out Dec. 1864.
Mayo, Henry, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disability May 20,
1862.
McGee, Thomas, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Monroe, Cornelius M., New London, Jan. 7, 1862.
Munger, Trueworthy, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disability
May 26, 1863.

296
Nowbury, Clifford C, Harwinton, Jan. 11, 1862.
Niles, Calvin N., New London, Jan. 7, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Norris, WiUiam H., Litchfield, Jan. 11,1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Ostrander, Charles, Litchfield, March 5, 1862 ; deserted March 17, 1862.
Ostrander, George, Litchfield, Jan 11, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Parker, William E., Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Parmalee, Cornelius, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862 ; .mustered out Dec. 1864.
Peacock, Patrick, Litchfield, March 5, 1862; mustered out Deo. 1864.
Phillips, Amos S., New London, Jan. 7, 1862; dropped from roU May 31,
1862, having never reported.
Plaum, Adam, New London, Jan. 22, 1862; prisoner at Cedar Creek and
died in prison.
Pond,. George L., Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Preston, Francis W., New London, Jan. 11, 1862; mustered out Dec. 1864.
Provost, Eufus, Litchfield, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Parsons, William S., March 10, 1862; dropped May 31, 1862; having never
reported.
Read, Micah, New London, Jan. 22, 1862 ; discharged for disabUity Feb.
6, 1864.
Richmond, Edward S., Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; killed by explosion at
Opelousas railroad, La., Nov. 7, 1862.
Eoath, Leonard G., New London, Jan. 22, 1862 ; kiUed at Irish Bend, La.,
April 14, 1863.
Robinson, James, Goshen, Jan. 11, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.
Rogers, Gardner B., New London, Feb. 10, 1862 ; died February 21, 1862.
Rogers, Julius B., New Haven, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disability
May 30, 1862.
Eoot, George, Litchfield, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64.
Shelley, Frederick J., New London, Jan. 22, 1862; mustered out Dec. '64.
Starks, George, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disability May
30, 1864.
Steine, Adam, New London, Jan. 7, 1862 ; died May 23, 1863.
Stillman, George B.,.New London, Feb. 10, 1862; mustered out Dec. 1864.
Tatem, Samuel, Jr., New London, Ja.n. 22, 1862; mustered out Dec. 1864.
Thomas, Edward O., Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Tyrell, Payne S., New Haven, Feb. 1, 1862; died Feb. 23, 1862.
Wadhams, Fred'k L., Goshen, Jan. 11, 1862; mustered out Dec. 1864.
Watrous, Samuel N., New London, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Wakefield, William G, Litchfield, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disability
Sept. 29, 1862.

297
Whiteman, Henry, New Haven, Feb. 1, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Winters, Cornelius, New Haven, Jan. 28, 1862; deserted March 17, 1862.

ORIGINAL INFANTRY COMPANY K.
captain.
Alfred MitcheU, Norwich, Feb. 18, 1862; resigned March 11, 1864.
1st lieutenant.
Jared D. Thompson, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862; resigned Feb. 20, 1863.
2d lieutenant.
William F. Norman, New Haven, March 10, 1862; promoted 1st lieutenant
Co. H., Jan. 27, 1863. SERGEANTS.
WilUam C. Gardner, Hartford, Feb. 10, 1862; promoted 1st lieutenant Co.
B., Sept 1, 1863.
John C. Kinney, Darien, Jan. 11, 1862; promoted 1st lieutenant Jan.
29, 1864.
Charles W. Merwin, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged for disabUity
June 27, 1863.
George G. Smith, Putnam, March 1, 1862; discharged for disabiUty July 6,
1862.
John T. Wheeler, New Haven, Feb. 18, 1862; promoted 2d lieutenant C».
D. ; killed by explosion on Opelousas railroad Nov. 7, 1862.
CORPORALS.
Samuel B. Dunn, New Haven, Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Frank C. Bristol, Cheshire, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Charles Morris, New Haven, Dec. 22, 1861; died June 30, 1863.
Bennett W. Pierce, Southbury, Nov. 27, 1§61 ; re-enUsted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Charles E. Humphrey, Orange, January 11, 1862; discharged for disabiUty
March 16, 1864.
George A. Winslow, KiUingly, Dec. 22, 1861 ; re-erdisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Jared T. Buel, New Haven, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disabiUty July
7, 1862.
Hpbert E. Mansfield, Waterbury, Nov. 27, 1861.
- musicians.
Thomas A. Francis, East Haddam, Feb. 10, 1862; died August, 1862.
26

298
William Riley, Monroe, Deo. 22, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
WAGONER.
Charles E. Hitchcock, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861.
PRIVATES.
Allen, Abner, New Haven, Nov. 27, '61 ; discharged for disabilityjuly 5, 1862.
Allen, Thomas, New Haven, Dec. 17, 1861 ; discharged for disabiUty March
11,1863.
Aldrich, Welcome W., Thompson, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability
July 5, 1862.
Andrews, John A., New Haven, Feb. 27, 1862; discharged for disability,
July 5,1862. .. - "i
Baldwin, Herbert G, Oxford, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,!|
1864.
Bassett, Henry, Monroe, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability March 13,
1862.
Beecher, Louis, New Haven, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged for disability May
20, 1862.
Beecher, Miles J., New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Benedict, Chauncey, New Haven, Feb. 5, 1862; discharged for disability
May 20, 1862.
Benedict, John, Litchfield, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disability Match
2, 1863.
Benson, Benjamin E., Putnam, Dec. 22, 1861.
Benway, Thomas, Southbridge, Massachusetts, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged
for disabUity July 5, 1862.
Brainard, Ezra, Haddam, Nov. 27,: '61; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
CaldweU, Smith, P., New Milford, Nov. 27, 1861 ; disability Jan. 19, 1863.
Chase, Daniel, Putnam, Dec. 22, 1861; discharged for disability October, ¦
1862.
Clancy, George, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861.
Cojer, William J., Monroe, Nov. 27 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64.
Comstock, John G, Nov. 27, 1861; died February 9, 1862.
Cramm,-John, Shelby, Massachusetts, Feb. 18, 1862; killed at Port Hud
son, La., June 14, 1863. • ;
Cunningham, James, Hartford, Dec. 17, 1861 ; reclaimed as deserter from
9th G V [27, 1863.
Dainger, Thomas, New Haven, Jan. 7, 1862 ; discharged for disabiUty, June
Dale, Robert, New Haven, Dec. 30, 1861; deserted March 17, 1862.
Daley, Charles W., Monroe, Nov. 27, 1861.
Daley, -fames S., Monroe, Nov. 27, 1861.
Dalton, Patrick, New Britain, Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Downes, George, Oxford, Nov. 27, 1861; died October, 1862. '
Doolittle, Frank H., Nov. 27, 1861'; died Dec. 25, 1861.
Eaves, Samuel, Southbury, Nov. 27, 1861.

299
GaU, John, Milford, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, 1864.
Garvey, Thomas, New Haven, Dec. 17, 1861; discharged for disability
May 20, 1862.
Gazette, Marshall, Putnam, Dec. 30, 1861 ; deserted March 17, 1862.
Gilbert, Charles B., New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861; transferred to Veteran
Eeserve Corps May 1, 1864.
Goldsmith, George, Milford, Nov. 27, 1861, died March 13, 1862.
Gordon, George, Southbury, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability July
5, 1862.
Hall, Herbert K., Orange, Jan. 11, 1862; discharged for disability July 7,
1862.
Hitchcock, Frank B., New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
HoUinger, Robert, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8,1864.
Hornby, Richard, Putnam, Dec. 21, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Hughes, Henry M., New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged for disabUity
July 6, 1862.
Kain, Charles F., New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disabiUty
July 7, 1862.
Kies, Horace A., Killingly, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disabUity July 7,
,. 186.2.
Kennady, George, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disabiUty
July 5, 1862.
Larned, Edward A., Putnam, Feb. 18, 1862; died June 6, 1862.
Lee, Newell J., Putnam, Feb. 18, 1862 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 29, '64.
McCabe, John, New Haven, Jan. 8, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8, '64.
McDermott, John, New Haven, Dec. 30, 1861, re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
McGreevy, Michael, New Haven, Feb. 1, 1862; transferred to Veteran Re
serve Corps April 10, 1864.
Morris, Thomas, New Haven, Dec. 22, 1861; re-enlisted vas Veteran Feb.
¦8, 1864.
Mahoney, Patrick, Portland, March 14, 1862.
Nisbett, Richmond, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861 ; dismissed by Court-Mar-
, tial July 18, 1862.
Nugent, John, New Haven, Jan. 11, 1862.
O'DonneU, Richard, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Pardee, Alfred B., Orange, Jan. 12, 1862 ; discharged for disability May 20,
1862.
PhUe, Benjamin, New Haven, Dec. 17, 1861 ; died December, 1862.
-Pushee, Gilman W., Oxford, Deo 30, 1861 ; discharged for disability May
20,1862.
Baftile, Charles, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disabUity July
5, 1862.

300
Riggs, Charles S., Naugatuck, Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged for disability Jan.
29, 1863.
Russell, George G, Haddam, Jan. 22, 1862; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Ryan, WiUiam, Dec. 22, 1861 ; died February 17, 1862.
ScovUle, Bennett, Oxford, Nov. 27, 1861 ; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb. 8,
1864.
Sooville, Charles, Oxford, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disability May 20,
1862.
SeUwood, George H.,New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861; discharged for disabUity
July 6, 1862.
Smith, John 1st., Smithtown, Jan. 7, 1862; discharged for disability July
5, 1862.
Smith, John 2d, Marlborough, Feb. 20, 1862; discharged for disabUity
July 5, 1862.
Stanford, Bernard, New Haven, Dec. 30, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran
Feb. 8, 1864.
Stanley, Edward, New Haven, Dec. 17, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
29, 1864.
Stone, Horatio, North Branford, Nov. 27, 1861 ; discharged for disability
Feb. 28, 1863.
Storer, John, New Britain, Dec. 22, 1861.
Tiernan, Bartley, New Haven, Nov. 27, 1861; re-enlisted as Veteran Feb.
8, 1864.
Tracy, John, Plymouth, Dec. 22, 1861.
Young, Ashley, Ashford, Dec. 22, 1861 ; discharged for disabUity, July 7,
1862.

RECRUITS FOR THIRTEENTH REGIMENT.
Abrams, EmUe, B,* June 24, 1862; discharged November 16, 1863.
Astenhoffer, Joseph, D, May 22, 1862.
Astenhoffer, Antonio, D, May 22, 1862.
Assant, Christian, F, May 19, 1862; kiUed by railroad accident Nov. 7,
1862.
Arnold, John, K, June 24, 1862; discharged November 16, 1863.
Addis, Walter, K, Nov. 11, 1863; assigned deserter from 24th Reg't C. V.
Anderson, George, H, Naugatuck, Feb. 27, 1864.
Antonie, Sam. Joseph, H, May 1, 1863; colored cook.
Blakesley, Sandy. A, May 20, 1862; deserted May 10, 1864.
Bunger, Michael, A, May 24, 1862.
Bahle, Frederick, A, May 24, 1862.
?The letter after the name, indicates the Company to which the recruit
was assigned.

301
Baer, Frederick, A, May 24, 1862; transferred to 1st Regt. La. Vols., Aug.
. 24, 1862.
Black, Andrew, A, May SO, 1862.
Booth, Thomas, B, May 28, 1862; deserted March 20, 1864.
Balling, George M., B, June 26, 1862.
Bergline, Theodore, B, June 26, 1862.
Buhler, Otto, B, June 30, 1862, discharged for disability Sept. 28, 1863.
Brown, James, D, May 22, 1862.
Bertz, Charles, D, May 24, 1862; killed at Cane River Ferry, La., April
23, 1864.
Bowman, Otto, E, May 20, 1862; discharged for disability May 20, 1864.
Babcock, John, E, May 21, 1862.
Baer, Abraham, E, May 21, 1862.
Brown, Jacob, E, July 24, 1862.
Black, William, F, May 19, 1862.
Bayerdoufer, Jacob, F, June 24, 1862; discharged November 16, 1863.
Burns, Edward, F, Aug. 2, 1862.
Blake, John, H, May 18, 1862.
Brown, Nathaniel, H, May 19, 1862.
Bach, Adam, H, May 21, 1862.
Berger, Dionis, I, May 21, 1862.
Brokley, Anton, I, May 21, 1862, deserted July, 1864.
Bowman, Fritz, I, May 21, 1862.
Beier, George, I, Sept. 1, 1862.
Bennett, John, K, May 19, 1862 ; deserted August 24, 1863.
Bieber, Peter, K, May 19, 1862.
Brady, John, K, May 19, 1862; died February 7, 1863.
Breene, Michael, K, May 19, 1862 ; discharged.
Busecks, Rudolph, K, May 19, 1862.
Bothe. Charles, A, June 23, 1862; discharged November 16, 1863.
Blakeslee, Norman, H, Oxford, Deo. 8, 1863; died April 26, 1864.
Brannock, Kay, A, Westport, Dec. 26, 1863.
Beckwith, Frank, Colchester, Jan. 4, 1864; Not taken up on rolls June 30,
1864. .
Brown, George, B, Colchester, Jan. 4, 1864; deserted March 16, 1864.
Buckley, Daniel G, A, Norwich, Jan. 19, 1864.
Blosopolos, Kannoris, Norwich, February 1, 1864. Not taken up on roUs
June 30, 1864.
Barry, Richard, K, Lebanon, Feb. 9, 1864.
Black, John, B, Lisbon, Feb. 9, 1864.
Brown, William A., B, Bethel, Feb. 20, 1864.
Bremer David, B, Salem, Feb. 18, 1864.
Barber, WiUiam, B, Salem, Feb. 18, 1864; deserted March 20, 1864.
Brady ,'Thomas, B, Hampton, Feb. 18,'1864. ,
Brower, George, B, Windham, Feb. 18, 1864.
Brown James, K, Groton, Feb. 25, 1864; deserted March 20, 1864.

302
Black, Thomas, K, Lebanon, Feb. 25, 1864; deserted March 20, 1864.
Brophy, WiUiam, K, Middletown, Feb. 26, 1864; deserted March 20, 1864.
Brennan, Edward, A, Middletown, Feb. 29, 1864; deserted March 25, '64.
Brown, William, Madison, March 2, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 80,
1864.
Brown, George, Portland, March 18, 1864, not taken up on roUs June 80,
1864.
Buel, George, East Haven, March 28, 1864, not taken up on rolls June 80,
1864.
Burns, Barney, C, Woodstock, April 1, 1864.
Coyne, Thomas, A, May 23, 1862; deserted March 26, 1864.
CampbeU, John, A, July 31, 1862.
Cook, Charles, B, May 26, 1862.
Coleman, Dennis, C, May 24, 1862.
Covers, Philip, C, Sept. 12, 1862; discharged November 16, 1863.
Cravey, John, D, May 21, 1862; died December 30, 1863.
Clousink, Henry, F, May 19, 1862.
ConneUy, John, F, May 19, 1862.
Cain, Patrick, H,May 19, 1862.
Crawford, WiUiam B., G, May 27, 1862.
Conner, John, G, Aug. 2, 1862; deserted October, 1862.
Cooper, Edward, G, Aug. 12, 1862.
Corbin, Edward, G, Aug. 12, 1862.
Cressolle, Octave, G, Oct. 1, 1862.
Cashin, James, H, May 18, 1862.
ConneUy, John, H, May 19, 1862.
Conzelman, Jacob, H, May 19, 1862 ; discharged for wounds, Sept. 12, '63.
Cearck, WiUiam, I, May 18, 1862; transferred to Veteran Battalion.
Coffee, Jeremiah, I, May 21, 1862 ; died of wounds received at Irish Bend,
Louisiana.
Clinton, Thomas, K, May 19, 1862; in confinement; drop'dfrom rolls.
Croul, Charles G, H, Lebanon, Feb. 25, 1864.
Carroll, Richard, Middletown, Feb. 25, 1864; not taken up on rolls June
30, 1864. . ' %
Chandler, Richard, Middletown, Feb. 29, 1864; not taken up on roUs June
80, 1864.
Collins, James, Westbrook, March 10, 1864 ; not taken up on roUs June 30,
1864.
ConneUy, Daniel, CromweU, March 14, 1864 ; not taken up on roUs June
30, 1864.
Curbey, Abram, K, ^Sterling, April 12, 1864.
Carroll, James, Sterling, AprU 19, 1864; deserted April 24, 1864.
Dias, Juan, B, June 24, 1862; discharged November 16, 1863.
Duggan, Martin, C, May 22, 1862. •
Deutsch, John, D, June 24, 1862; discharged November 16, 1863.
Douglas, George, E, May 21, 1862.

303
Doran, Thomas, F, May 19, 1862; deserted May 20, 1863.
Daniels, John, G, June 8, 1862; dismissed August 18, 1862.
Doyle, Dennis, H, May 19, 1862.
DUlon, James, I, May 20, 1862; killed in action Sept. 19, 1864.
Duress, John, I, May 20, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran BattaUon.
Dessens, Francis, K, May 19, 1862.
Didion, Joseph, K, May 19, 1862 ; deserted June 4, 1863.
Ducros, Clement, K, May 19, 1862; deserted June 4, 1863.
Duffy, Thomas, K, May 19, 1862.
Dutton, Joseph, K, Nov. 11, 1863; assigned deserter from 28th C. V.
Douglass, Robert K., Middletown, Feb. 26, 1864 ; not taken up on rolls
June 30, 1864.
Donahue, Henry, B, Middletown, Feb. 27, 1864.
Donly, Peter H., Naugatuck, Feb. 29, 1864; not taken up on roUs June 30,
1864.
Deal, Thomas, Middletown, March 8, 1864 ; not taken up on roUs June 80,
1864.
Downy, Joseph, Portland, March 18, 1864; deserted April 7, 1864.
Dowser, Harry, K, Sterling, April 9, 1864.
Davis, James, Bridgeport, April 2, 1864 ; not taken up on rolls June 30,
1864.
Emmerick, Balthazar, B, Bridgeport, July 17, 1862.
English, Edmund, E, May 19, 1862; deserted.
Eckerle, Frederick, F, May 19, 1862.
Enland, Alexander, I, Aug, 4, 1862; died July 10, 1863.
Eisler, Joseph, K, Bridgeport, May 19, 1862.
Ellison, Edward, K, May 19, 1862.
Enright, James, H, Hartford, Feb. 19, 1864.
Edwards, Samuel, A, Portland, March 16, 1864.
Enright, James, A, Portland, March 21, 1864.
Emerson, Charles, Sterling, April 19, 1864; deserted April 24, 1864.
Fesk, Albert, B, May 26, 1862.
Fay, Michael, B, May 28, 1862.
Flannery, Thomas, B, June 26, 1862.
Fielder, Thomas, C, May 20, 1862.
Fitzpatrick, Thomas, D, May 20, 1862; died October 28, 1863.
Fitzpatrick, PhiUip, D, May, 20, 1862; discharged for disability Feb. 1,
1864.
Falkling, GotUeb, D, May 21, 1862.
Fee, John, D, May 21, 1862.
Fruin, Richard, D, May 26, 1862.
Foetish, Louis, G, June 1, 1862.
Fifer, Charles H., G, June 1, 1862, discharged for disability, July 3, 1863.
Fogerty John, H, May 19, 1862; kUled at Washington, La., April 27, 1868.
Finley Daniel B., G, Marlborough, Aug. 19, 1862; died May 23, 1863.

304
Fingin, Byron, G, June 1, 1862.
Freed, John, A, July 26, 1862; died April 14, 1863.
Foster, George, Groton, Jan. 13, 1864; not taken up on roUs June 30, 1864.
Fauls, John, K, Windham, Feb. 18, 1864.
Fillow, Jesse B., H, Morris, Feb. 22, 1864.
Fisher, Charles, C, Portland, March 19, 1864.
Frazier, John, A, Branford, March 28, 1864.
Grouse, Benjamin, B, May 28, 1862 ; discharged for disability Oct. 10, 1868,
Gentien, Peter, B, May '21, 1862.
Gaylor, Newton, D, May 21, 1862.
Golden, James, D, May 21, 1862.
Geize, Adam, E," May 21, 1862.
Geibel, George, E, May 21, 1862.
Greer, James, E, May 21, 1862.
Gates, John, E, May 21, 1862, transferred to Perkins Cavalry July 17, 1862.
Graff, Henry, F, Aug. 1, 1862; discharged Nov. 16, 1863-
Garcia, Joseph, F, Sept. 17, 1862; killed at Cane River Ferry, La.,- April
23, 1864.
Gunter, Thomas L., G, June 1, 1862; killed at Cane River Ferry, La.,
April 23, 1864. " ¦-, . .,
Graves, John, I, May 18, 1862; transferred to Veteran Battalion.
Griffin, Thomas, K, May 19, 1862; deserted August 24, 1863.
Grafton,, Edward G, H, North Stonington, Feb. 10, 1864.
Gardner, Daniel, C, Salem, Feb. 18, 1864.
Green, Robert, Lebanon, Feb. 25, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30, '64.
Gorman, William, I, Westbrook, Feb. 24, 1864; transferred to Veteran
Battalion.
Gerbrick, Thomas, A, Middletown, Feb. 26, 1864; deserted March 25, '64.
Gardner, William H., C, Winchester, Feb. 22, 1864; deserted April 17, '64.
Griffing, James, Naugatuck, May 28, 1864.
Hughs, Benjamin, B, May 28, 1862.
Head, James H., B, Sept. 1, 1862; deserted March 20, 1864.
Heidrick, Casper, D, May 21, 1862.
Hettinger, Louis, D, May 21, 1862.
Heiness, Peter, D, May 21, 1862.
Hultz, John, D, Sept. 21, 1862.
Hanns, Frederick, E, May 21, 1862. ,
Howland, George W., E, May 26, 1862.
Hanson, Peter, F, Jlay 19, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corpi
April 30, 1864. j
Hawthorn, George, G, June 23, 1862.
Hamilton, Francis L., G, July 15, 1862; transferred to Veteran Reserve
Corps April 30, 1864.
Hanlon, Patrick, H, May 22, 1862.
Haley, James, 1, May 21, 1862; transferred to Veteran Battalion.

305
"Heoker, Charles, I, May 20, 1862 ; transferred to Veteran Battalion.
Hewitt, Joseph, I, May 21, 1862; discharged for disabiUty Aug. 6, 1863.
Holtzerland, Ferdinand, I, May 21, 1862 ; discharged for disability May 13,
1863.
Hosley, Peter, I, May 19, 1862; deserted July, 1864.
Howard, Daniel, K, Mayl9, 1862.
Hunt, John, G, June 1, 1862.
Hart, Francis J., C, Meriden, Dec. 4, 1863.
Hempstead, Charles Y., B. Hartford, Dec. 21, 1863.
Hagadon, Francis T., K, North Stonington, Feb. 13, I864.
Hex, William, Franklin, Feb. 17, 1864; not taken up on roUs June 30, '64.
Hanson, Frederick, A, Middletown, Feb. 27; 1864.
Heime, George, Middletown, Feb. 29, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 80,
1864.
Huntley, WUliam, Middletown, Feb. 29, 1862; not taken up on roUs June
30, 1864.
HiU, Frank, C, Middletown, March 1, 1864; deserted AprU 12, 1864.
Herrick, Edward, Woodstock, April 1, 1864; not taken up on roUs June 30,
1864.
Die, Jacob, D, Woodstock, June 24, 1862 ; discharged Nov. 16, 1863.
Iohelberger, John, Portland, March 22, 1864.
Johnson, Robert, D, May 22, 1862.
Jordan, John, H, May 19, 1862.
Joice, John, I, May 30, 1862; discharged June 20, 1862.
Jackson, WiUiam, Naugatuck, Dec. 7, 1863; deserted December 15, 1868.
Johnson, William R., C, Groton, Feb. 12, 1864.
Jones, Charles, Windham, Feb. 17, 1864; not taken up on roUs June 30,
1864.
Johnson, Edward, Weston, March 11, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30,
1864.
Kallahan, Francis, A, May 24, 1862.
Kinney, John, A, May 24, 1862.
Knerzer, Leonard, B, June 27, 1862; discharged November 16, 1863.
Klein, John, B, June 17, 1862; drowned June 2, 1864.
Krieg, William, K, May 18, 1862.
KUay, Timothy, C, May 20, 1862; deserted October 24, 1862.
Kelly, James, C, May 20, 1862; deserted September 30, 1862.
Kuhlman, Jacob, D, May 20, 1862.
Kamp, Julius, D, May 21, 1862.
Koeing, Christopher, E, June 24, 1862; discharged Nov. 16, 1863.
Kostenbader, John M., F., May 22, 1862.
KaUahan, Patrick, F, June 6, 1862.
Kemple, Joseph, G, June 1, 1862; deserted August 25, 1863.
Kearney, Michael, G, August 4, 1862.
Kendrick, Samuel, G, Sept. 16, 1862; deserted August 25, 1863.

306
Kennedy, Patrick, H, May 19, 1862.
Keating, WiUiam, H, May 19, 1862.
Kramer, William, K, Aug. 26, 1862 ; deserted March 20, 1864.
KeUy, Michael, C, Lebanon, Feb. 9, 1864.
Kosehik, Gottlieb, C, Fairfield, Feb. 16, 1864.
KimbaU, Alvah, C, Middletown, March 3, 1864.
Kimball, William, C, Middletown, March 8, 1864.
Kelley, John, Madison, March 10, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30, '64.
King, Peter, Middletown, March 10, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30,
1864.
Kelley, John, Guilford, April 28, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30, '64.
Lynchr William, C, May 20, 1862; deserted August 3, 1862.
Leab, John, C, June 24, 1862 ; deserted September 10, 1862.
Leitner, Valentine, H, May 19, 1862.
Lannan, John, H, May 22, 1862.
Langley, Jacob, K, May 19, 1862; deserted March 20, 1864.
Leleitner, Albert, G, July 15, 1862.
Lewie, Isaac B., K, Canton, Nov. 20, 1863.
Lawton, James, Hamden, Feb. 4, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30, '64.
Luddy, James, D, Lebanon, Feb. 10, 1864.
Leibelsperger, Samuel, A, Middletown, Feb. 29, 1864.
Lee, Frederick, C, Middletown, March 10, 1864.
Leonard, Thomas, A, Sterling, April 8, 1864.
Matthews, Stephen A., A, July 31, 1862; died of wounds AprU 29, 1864.
Mohren, John, B, May 28, 1862.
McGarigal, Terry, B, June 26, 1862.
Muilheizer,' Andreas, B, June 24, 1862 ; discharged November 16, 1863.
McGuire, James, C, May 21, 1862; died September 6, 1863.
Maddux, John, C, May 24, 1862 ; promoted 2d Lieut. May 1, 1864.
Miller, William, E, May 26, 1862; died January 22,1863.
Murphy, Michael, E, July 1, 1862.
Midsch, Conrad, F, May 19, 1862 ; transferred to Invalid Corps March 16,
1864.
McCormick, Thos. R., F, May 19, 1862.
MUler, Jacob, F, Sept. 15, 1862.
Mint, William, F, Aug. 3, 1862.
Mark, Frank, G, July 15, 1862.
Mason, John V., G, Sept. 16, 1862.
McDonald, Edward, I, May 19, 1862; discharged for disabiUty Oct. 19, '68.
McCann, William, K, May 18, 1862; discharged for disability Dec. 30, '62.
Murphy, Patrick, D, Hampton, Feb. 18, 1864.
McSweeney, Edward, D, KiUingworth, Feb. 24, 1864; deserted June 12,
1864.
McBride, William, B, Middletown, Feb. 27, 1864; deserted March 20, 1864.
McLellan, John, B, Naugatuck, Feb. 27, 1864.

307
Marion, Francis, A, March 15, 1863; colored cook.
Morgan, Richard, C, Portland, March 18, 1864; deserted June 23, 1864.
Marsh, Howard, G, Ellington, March 9, 1864.
May, Frank, I, Litchfield, June 16, 1864; colored cook, transferred to Vet
eran Battalion. •
Nelson, Henry, A, May 23, 1862.
Newhouse, Moses, G, Aug. 12, 1862.
Nerherin, Joseph, I, Aug. 5, 1862; discharged for disabUity Feb. 7, 1863.
Nops, Benedict, I; died February 23, 1863.
Nelson, Philip, K, Middletown, Feb. 25, 1864.
Opl, Francis A., B; June 24, 1862; discharged November 16, 1863.
O'Brien, Cornelius, D, Danbury, Feb. 20, 1864..
Peterson, Solon, B, May 26, 1862.
Pinsard, Victor, B, Aug. 2, 1862; deserted September 1, 1863.
Poush, Frederick, D, May 21, 1862.
Pope, Andrew I., E, May 21, 1862; transferred to "Perkins Cavalry, July
17, 1862.
Pfeiffer, George, F, May 20, 1862.
Perrett, Andrew, F, May 20, 1862.
Perault, Joseph A, F, Sept. 9, 1862.
Pendergrast, John, G, Sept. 8, 1862.
_ Pflaummer, Edward, K, May 18, 1862; deserted November 10, 1863.
Payne, Clarence D, K, Stoningfcon, Jan. 9, 1864; deserted April 22, 1864.
Parker, Henry, E, Bethany, March 22, 1864.
Pierce, Charles, K, Sterling, April 12, 1864.
Quinn, Hugh, G, July 15, 1862; discharged for disability Feb. 28, 1863.
Eausch, Nicholas, A, July 31, 1862.
Robertson, Morant, J., B ; Sept. 6, 1862.
Roderiggs, Bernard, D, May 21, 1862.
Eoby, George N., E, May 20, 1862; deserted February 17, 1863.
Reihle, John, E, May 20, 1862.
Rutledge, Calvin W., E, May 21, 1862.
Reagan, Andrew, E, July 24, 1862.
Rowen, Charles, G, June 1, 1862.
Reamey, Charles, G, June 1, 1862; deserted January 1, 1864.
Remy, Philip A., I, June 30, 1862; transferred to Veteran Battalion.
Rehm, Michael, I, June 24, 1862; discharged Nov. 16, 1863.
Reltrath, Henry, I, May 20, 1862; taken prisoner August, 1864.
Rivers, Charles, K, May 19, 1862 ; deserted August 20, 1862.
Ryan, WiUiam, A, Middletown, March 5, 1864; deserted March 20, 1864.
Ryan.' Philip, Westbrook, March 10, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30,
1864. ' „ T
Bead, William, Westbrook, March 10, 1864; not taken up on rolls June
30, 1864.
Remington, James, C, Middletown, March 10, 1864.

308
Rice, James, Middletown, March 10, 1864; not taken up on roUs June 30,
1864.
Smith, Patrick, A, May 30, 1862 ; deserted January 17, 1864.
Schmitt, Louis, B, June 26, 1862.
Schweikert, PhUip, B, June 26, 1862.
Shaffer, John, B, July 23, 1862.
Smith, James, B, Sept. 1, 1862.
Shandua, John, D, May 21, 1862.
Schliemann, Andrew, D, June 24, 1862; discharged November 16, 1863.
SchneU, John, E, May 20, 1862; deserted December 1, 1863.
Sheer, Martin, G, June 1, 1862.
Suarman, John, G, June 1, 1862.
Smith, Patrick, G, Aug. 5, 1862.
Sharden, Martin, J., G, Aug. 20, 1862; died July 24, 1863.
Schlosser, Antoine, G, July 21, 1862.
Smith, Henry, H, May 19, 1862.
Sanders, Bernhart, H, May 19, 1862.
Smith, Daniel, H, May 19, 1862. .
Secelle, Theodore, F, May 19, 1862; drowned August 23, 1863.
Schultz, Frederick, H, May 20, 1862.
Senvas, Eernhart, I, May 21, 1862; deserted July, 1864.
Smith, Edward, I, May 18, 1862; transferred to Veteran Battalion.
Smith, John, I, May 21, 1862; deserted October 1, 1862.
Sprower, Hyronimus, I, May 20, 1862; discharged to receive commission.
Sanders, Hermann, K, May 19, 1862.
Shambley, William G, K, May 19, 1862; deserted March 23, 1864.
Soukerp, Wensel, K, May 19, 1862.
Steifen, John, K, May 18, 1862.
Smith, WilUam, K, Ledyard, Jan. 9, 1864.
Stannard, Asa B., C, Nov. 11, 1863; assigned deserter from 24th C. V.
Stocking, Samuel, C, Nov. 11, 1863 ; assigned deserter from 25th C. V.
Smith, Frank, K, MontviUe, Feb. 6, 1864; deserted March 20, 1864.
StiU, George W., Franklin, Feb. 17, 1864; not taken up on roUs June 30,
1864.
Steward, Thomas, A, Salem, Feb. 26, 1864; deserted March 25, 1864.
Stafford, Thomas, Naugatuck, Feb. 29, 1864; not taken up on roUs June
30, 1864.
Sullivan, Henry, B, Middletown, Feb. 29, 1864; deserted March 20, 1864.
Stealer, Charles, Middletown, March 10, 1864 ; not taken up on roUs June
30, 1864.
Silvey, John, Bethany, March 22, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30, '64.
Smith, James, Woodstock, April 1, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30,
1864.
Thompson, James, K, Groton, Jan. 13, 1864; deserted March 20, 1864.
Thompson, George, I, Middletown, Feb. 24, 1864; deserted December, '64.

309
Thompson,George J. Middletown, Feb. 29, 1864 ; not taken up on rolls June
30, 1864.
Trodon, Adam, Middletown, March 10, 1864; deserted May 25, 1864.
Thomson, John, Portland, March 17, 1864; deserted June 9, 1864.
Ulrich, Peter, D, June 24, 1862; discharged November 16, 1863.
Urbaine, Charles, E, May 21, 1862.
Ufford, Daniel, K, Nov. 11, 1863; assigned deserter from 23d G V.
Underhill, William, K, East Lyme, Feb. 2, 1864.
Verdella, Leopold, C, Oct. 23, 1862 ; deserted September 15, 1863.
Vogel, Joseph, E, May 20, 1862.
Vogel, August, F, May 19, 1862.
Vogt, John, I, May 26, 1862; discharged for disability March 11, 1863.
VonderDann, Henry, K, Hamden, Feb. 3, 1864.
Vrooman, Byron, Woodstock, April 1, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30,
1864.
Wright, William, A, Aug. 24, 1862.
Williams, George, C, May 22, 1862; deserted September 30, 1862.
Williams, John, C, May SO, 1862.
Walters, Louis, D, May 21, 1862.
Welch, Thomas, D, May 21, 1862; discharged for disability March 27, '63.
Wilson, August, E, May 20, 1862.
White, Edward, E, May 21, 1862.
Warner, John, E, May 23, 1862.
Wagner, Albert L., E, May 21, 1862.
Walter, John, H, May 19, 1862.
Welch, Henry, H, May 19, 1862; died November 25, 1863.
Westenburger, John, H, May 18, 1862.
Wolff, Louis, H, May 19, 1862.
Wagner, Charles, I, May 21, 1862; deserted July, 1864.
Wagner, Charles F., I, Aug. 4, 1862; transferred to Veteran Battalion.
Wirt, Michael, A, Aug. 26, 1862.
Westhus, Bernhardt, K, May 21, 1862; died October 3, 1863.
Wilson, Charles F., K, Marlborough, Dec. 26, 1863.
Weed, William A., Ridgefield, Jan. 6, '64 ; not taken up on rolls, June 30, '64.
Wheelock, John E., Stonington, Jan. 9, 1864; discharged to receive com
mission, Feb. 24, 1864.
Wood, John, Colchester. Jan. 4, 1864; deserted March 25, 1864.
Wanzel, James M. C, Nov. 11, 1863 ; assigned deserter from 23d G V.
Williams, John, New Haven, Feb. 11, 1864; deserted.
Watson, John, A, Middletown, Feb. 24, 1864; deserted March 25, 1864.
White, Thomas, Naugatuck, Feb. 25, 1S64; not taken up on rolls June 30,
1864.
Williamson, James, D, Middletown, Feb. 27, 1864; died May 14, 1864.
Wood, George, Winchester, Feb. 22, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30,
1864.
27

310

Wright, Isaac, A, Portland, March 16, 1864.
Willson, John, Portland, March 16, 1864; not taken up on rolls June 30
1864.
Wray, William, A., Wolcott, March 22, 1864.
Willand, Nathaniel H., K, East Haven, March 24, 1864.
Whaland, Thomas, Chester, April 5, 1864; not.taken up on rolls June 30
1864.
Wheeler, Henry, Sterling, April 19, 1864; deserted April 24, 1864.
WeUs, Ephraim, B, New Haven, June 28, 1864; colored cook.
Young, Marcus, G, July 15, 1862; deserted October 30, 1862.
Zahn, Bernhart, H, May 19, 1862.
Zamphh-opolos, Michael, K, Norwich, Feb. 1, 1864.

RECRUITS FOR THIRTEENTH REGT. CONNECTICUT VOLS.
FROM JULY 1st to Dec. 29th 1864.

John Buckley,
Charles A. Bowen,
Edmund G Bingham,
Michael G Burke,
Rowland G Brown,
Elam Barber,
Daniel G. Carpenter,
Thomas 0. Callaghan,
Edward Casey,
Emil Chawoin,
Eugene Davidson,
Ernst Dallye,
James Donelly,
Peter Dechamp,
George Elmer,
John Fisher,
Bernard Fagan,
George Francis,
Henry P. Gangloff,
Thomas S. Gaynor,
Joseph Goodblood,
Joseph Hackney,
Henry Harper,
William R. Hayes,
Michael Hefferman,
Thomas Holmes,
Thomas Hart,

Peter McGregor,
John McNeil,
WiUiam Montgomery,
James McLaughlin,
James L Mason,
Thomas Mead,
Joseph Monahan,
John H. Norman,
Hnrace Newton,
Andrew Pawlik,
Michael Penrgrast,
Charles Rhodes,
John Ryan,
Alexander Robert,
August Rossel,
James Sirley,
John Smith,
Frank T. Spencer,
James Snyder,
William Slino,
Patrick Sullivan,
Thomas Stritch,
William Schmidt,
August Simon,
Thomas Smith,
Louis Tanfer,
James W. Turner,

311
Andrew Hutton, Alexander Theobald,
Daniel Hoctor, wmiam H Woodworthi
Pe tor Kelly, James H. Woodworth
Wilham Kinsilla, Andrew WaIt
John Kellcher.
Merritt Lyman, Josepn D. Whitney,
JohnLaffey, George Weaver,
Arthur Launay, Jonn WiIson,
Louis Louis, Thomas Wiseman,
Francis Meney, James A. Wi]li8i
John Mooney, john Sullivan.

LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED AT GEORGIA LANDING,
October 27, 1862.
John Vogt, Co. I, private, badly wounded.
Diones Berger, I, private, slightly.
J. Coffee, I, private, slightly.
E. McDonald, I, private, slightly.
J. Duff, I, private, slightly.
John Farrell, B, private, flesh wound.
Byron Crocker, F, private, slightly.
Charles Patten, F, slightly.
Jacob MiUer, F, private, slightly.
David Black, F, private, killed.
Ellis B. Robinson, G, private, slightly.
Walter Skiff, D, private, slightly.
WiUiam Prentiss, D, private, in the neck.
Co. K., none.
Co. H., none. „
Edward Blackmore, E, corporal, slightly in leg.

BATTLE OF IRISH BEND.

LIST OF CASUALTIES IN THIRTEENTH CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEERS ON THE
I4TH^OF APRIL, 1863.
Officers. -
Captain H. B. Sprague, Co. H., wounded slightly in the hand and arm.
Captain Charles J. Fuller, Co. D., wounded slightly in leg by spent
ball. Lieut. Joseph Strickland, wounded slightly in arm.
Lieut. John G Kinney, wounded slightly in leg.

312
Enlisted Men.
First Sergeant Frank E. Stanley, A, killed.
Private John O'Brien, A, killed.
Sergeant Frank W. Stanley, A, wounded in leg by minnie ball near the
knee joint, afterward died of the wound.
Private Thomas Hurley, A, wounded in the arm.
Private Thomas Coyne, A, wounded in the thigh.
Private John Smith, A, wounded in the forehead.
Private John Freed, A, wounded in lung, afterward died.
Private Charles Tomlinson, B, killed.
Private Eli B. Blackman, B, killed.
Private Benjamin 0. Sarles, B, killed.
Private Benjamin Grouse, B, wounded in leg by piece of shell, thigh
amputated. Corporal Edwin Nickerson, C, killed.
Private Ira Marshal, C, wounded seriously in shoulder.
Private George Ewin, C, wounded through the lung.
Private Leopold Verdella, C, "wounded in the leg slightly
Corporal George Sperry, C, wqunded in the hip.
Corporal Walter Skiff, D, wounded in leg slightly.
Private H. J. Tucker, D, wounded in the hip.
Private John Shaudaa, D, wounded in the mouth, fracturing lower jaw
badly. Private Hugh Doran, D, wounded in leg.
Private John B. Johnson, D, wounded in shoulder.
Private James Greer, E, wounded in leg.
Corporal George Brown, F, wounded in leg.
Corporal George W. Ingham, F, wounded in abdomen severely.
Private Conrad Midsch, Co. F, wounded in leg severely.
Private William Black, F, wounded in foot slightly.
Private Orrin M. Price, F, wounded in foot.
Private John Karney, F, wounded in hip.
Private Andrew Hackett, G, wounded in scrotum, afterward died.
Private John Suarman, G, wounded in arm.
Private Maurice Newhouse, G, wounded in cheek.
Corporal Jacob Joale, G, wounded in hand.
Pri»ate Anthony Schlosser, G, wounded in hand.
1st Sergeant Alfred Russell, H, wounded in the neck severely.
Sergeant Nathaniel Brown, H, wounded slightly.
Corporal Nelson Booth, H, wounded in leg severely.
Private David Cromwell, H, wounded in arm.
Private Michael Higaney, H, wounded in shoulder.
Private J. Couzelman, H, wounded in leg severely.
Private V. Leitner, H, wounded in shoulder.
Private Michael McGrath, H, wounded in head.

313

Private Thomas Slade, H, wounded in leg.
Private W. G. Vanderwater, H, wounded in hand.
Private L. Wolf, H, wounded in head, slightly.
Corporal Leonard G. Roth, I, killed.
Private Jeremiah Coffee, I, wounded in side, afterward died of wound.
Private Charles Hecker, I, wounded in leg.
Private William Serk, I, wounded in hand.
Private John McDermot, K, wounded in leg.
Private Venzel Soukup, K, wounded in arm severely.
Number of officers wounded, 4.
Number of enlisted men wounded, 43.
Number of enlisted men. killed, 7.

The following is a list of officers engaged in action at Irish Bend, La.,
April 14, 1863. FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
George W. Whittlesey, Adjutant.
George Clary, Assistant Surgeon.
Henry Upson, Chaplain.
COMMANDING OFFICERS OF .COMPANIES.
Charles D. Blinn, Captain Company C.
Eugene Tisdale,
James J. McCord,
Homer B. Sprague,
WilUam M. Grosvenor,
William E. Bradley,
Perry Averill,
Charles E. Tibbetts,
Joseph S. A. Baker,
William F. Norman,

Frank WeUs,
Joseph Strickland,
Robert A. Ripley,
John G Kinney,
Louis Beckwith,
Newton W. Perkins,
Charles H. Beaton,
George B. Deming,
Louis Meisner,
Charles Daniels,

E.
" " F.
« « H.
I.
1st Lieutenant Company B.
D.
A.
" G.
K.
OTHER LINE OFFICERS.
1st Lieutenant Company I.
u " F. G
2d Lieutenant Company A.
B.
" G
u . " E.
ii " H.
I.
" K.

27*

314

ASSAULT ON PORT HUDSON, JUNE 14, 1863.
Head-Quarters, 13th Conn. Vols.
Before Port Hudson, June 14th, 1863.
General :
I have the honor to report the action taken by the 13th Connecticut
Volunteers, in the engagement of the 14th inst., before Port Hudson, as
foUows :
As per order, we moved from our position in rear of Duryea's Battery,
at half-past two A. M., to the Jackson Road, and rested near the bridge on
the right of said road, (going toward Port Hudson,) in rear of the rifle
pits, where the remaining regiments of the brigade joined us. At daylight
we weri ordered forward and moved to the plateau beyond the rifle pitSi
and rested on left of the road in rear of 1st Brigade. At seven A. M. we
were ordered to support the 1st Brigade, as they moved on the
enemy's works. The 13th held the right of our brigade, and following by
the flank along tne ravine close in rear of the 1st, the regiment filed into
Une, the right forming under cover of a ridge of ground about one hun
dred yards from the enemy's works. As there was not room enough to
form the whole regiment in line there, I ordered Lieutenant Gardner,
Acting Adjutant, to take the five left companies, pass through a ravine,
and form in line under cover of another ridge on the left of the ravine, and
nearly parallel with the right. Soon after, Lieutenant Gardner wa»
wounded, as also Captain Grosvenor, Company I, still the left moved stead
ily to the position referred "to. At this point, Colonel Holcomb, com
manding 1st Brigade, fell while leading his command to the charge, and
his right gave way. I ordered my right to advance to their support,
which they did under a heavy fire from the enemy's works. Lieutenant
Strickland, commanding Company F, fell here, killed instantly, still they
maintained the position nobly. At this time, I ordered the regiment to
file around the left of this position, and move forward through a ravine to
a height which overlooked the enemy's works and not more than twenty
or thirty yards from them. As this was the nearest point I could reach
without a direct assault of the enemy's works which we had no instruc
tions to do, I concluded to maintain that position and await orders. A
regular detail of sharpshooters were kept at work on the brow of the
height till sunset, when a strong picket was ordered to occupy it, which
we did till about ten P. M., when we were relieved and|ordered to our old
position which we left on the morning of the action. We lost twenty-two
killed and wounded, which I have reported with name, rank and company
in full. Very respectfully, Your obedient servant,
Captain A. COMSTOCK,
Commanding 13th G V.
To Horace J. Morse,
Adjutant-General State of Connecticut.

315

A List of Casualties in 13th G V. before Port Hudson, June 14, 1863.
Killed — Company C— Private Thomas Burns.
Company D — Corporal Edward McManus.
Company F— 1st Lieutenant, Joseph Strickland.
Private Patrick Carey.
Wounded — Company A — Drummer, Charles Merwin — afterwards died.
Company B— Private, John P. Weed.
Company C— Privates, Frederick Waldron, — since died.
James H. Dingae.
Company D — Privates, Roswell E. Hopkins.
Peter Hiness.
Dean Bishop.
James Golden.
Joseph Astenhoffer.
Company E — Private, August Wilson.
Company F— 2d Lieutenant, William C. Gardner.
Company G — Private, George Donell.
Company E— Private, Edgar A. Nettleton.
Company 7— Captain, WiUiam M. Grosvenor.
Corporal, Frederick J. SheUey.
Company K— Privates, Bennett Scovill.
Richard Hornby.
John P. Cramm.
recapitulation.
Killed, Commissioned Officer, 1
Enlisted Men, 3
Wounded, Commissioned Officers,, 2
Enlisted Men, 16

Sir:

Total,

GEO. W. WHITTLESEY,
Adjutant 13th Conn. Vols.

Head-Quarters, 13th Conn. Vols., I
Morganzia, La., May 23rd, 1864. )

' I have the honor to transmit herewith a List of Killed and Wounded in
the 13th Regiment Conn. Vols, at Cane River Ferry, April 23rd, 1864.
I am, Sir, very respectfuUy,
Your obd't servant, C. D. BLINN, Col. Comd'g.
Horace J. Morse,
Adiutant-General State of Connecticut.
LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED IN THE 13TH CONN. VOLS. AT CAM
River Ferry, April 23rd, 1864.
Killed- Company D-Private, Charles Britz.

316
Killed. — Company F— Private, Joseph Garcia.
, Company G — Private, Thomas L. Gunter.
Wounded— Company A— Privates, Stephen A. Matthews, mortally.
Julius F. Long, sUghtly.
Company B— Sergeant, Francis G Weed, slightly.
Company D — 1st Lieutenant Louis Meissner, mortally.
Privates, Dean Bishop, slightly.
Henry M. Stevens, slightly.
Company E— Privates, Nicholas Schue, slightly.
Mark McMann, "
William A. Adams,"
Company F— Privates, Frederick Eckle, slightly.
Patrick Martin "
Company G — Sergeant, William Reynolds, mortally.
Corporal, Frederick Francis, severely.
Company H— Private John Meyers, slightly.
Company I — Sergeant, Francis Preston, severely.
Corporals, Fritz Bowman, slightly.
Cornelius Monroe, "
Privates, James Dillon, "
George Pond, "
Edward Fisher, "
Company K— Private, Richard O'DonneU/severely.

Killed, Wounded,

recapitulation.
Enlisted Men,
Commissioned Officers,
Enlisted Men, • -

3 1
20

Total,

G

D.

BLINN, Col.

24
Commanding Regt.

Head-Quarters 13th Regiment Conn. Vols., )
In the Field, near Harrisonburg, Va, Sept. 28th, 1864. J
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a list of killed, wounded and mis-
Bing of my regiment in the battles of Winchester and Fisher's Hill.
I am, Sir, very respectfuUy,
Your ob'd't servant,
C. D. BLINN,Col. Commanding.
To Horace J. Morse,
Adjutant-General, State of Connecticut,
Hartford, Conn.

317
List of KiUed, Wounded, Prisoners, and Missing, 13th Conn. Vols, at the?
Battle of Winchester, Sept. 19th, and Battle of Fisher's HiU, Sept.22d,
1864. Winchester, Va, September 19th, 1F64,
Killed — Company A — Private, Michael West,
Company C— Private, Oliver Potter.
Company E — Private, James Coles.
Company F — Private, Daniel Laird.
Company E — Private, William Malkin.
Company I— Private, James Dillon.
Wounded — Company A — Private, F. Deming.
William Walker.
F. Meney.
Company B — Sergeant, E. Ruggles.
Privates, E. S. Blackman.
T. McGarrigal.
Company C— Corporal, J. H. Pratt.
Company D — Private, J. DUlon.
Company E — Privates, H. Parker.
G. M. Harvey.
J. Warner.
P. Hayes.
Company F— Sergeant J. T. Reynolds-
Private, James Case.
Company G — Corporals, J. Suarman.
A. Leleitner.
Private, A. Ingraham.
Company E— Sergeant, N. Brown.
Corporals, H. Bailey.
A. Blakeslee.
Privates, E. Congo.
William Keating..
Company I— Sergeant E. Sauter.
Corporals, D. H. Geer.
F. Shelley.
Privates, J. A. Davidson.
E. Cogswell.
W. W. Smith.
Company A— 1st Sergeant, S. B. Dunn.
Sergeant, M. J. Beecher
Corporals, R. Hollinger.
N. J. Lee.
Privates, B. Benson.
M. Campbell-

318
Privates William Cojer.
J. Fauls.
H. Vander Dahn.
Prisoners— Field and Staft— Lieut. Col. H. B. Sprague.
Company A — Privates, J. J. Lloyd.
William H. Walker.
Company B — 1st Lieutenant, William C. Gardner.
1st Sergeant, F. E. Weed.
Sergeant, F. S. TwitcheU.
Corporal, W. W. Jones.
Privates, J. Kane.
J. E. Sarles.
Company C — 1st Sergeant, H. M. Welch.
Corporal, W. H. Murphy.
Private, W. Barnes.
Company 7J— Sergeant, A. Holford.
Corporal, L. Walters.
Privates, D. Bishop.
E. J. Weldon.
J. B. Andrus.
Company A^-Sergeant, R. Croley.
Privates, G MiUer.
A. Geize.
Company F — Privates, P. Corney.
A. Vogel.
Company G — Privates, M. Kearney.
G Rowen.
D. Moore.
G. Austin.
J. Brand.
Company E— Corporal, H!" W. Bailey.
Company 7— Privates, W. W. Smith.
F. L. Wadhams.
J. M. Kienly.
Missing— Company B — Privates, T. Bradley.
J. Black — prisoner two months.
J. Thorn — absent without leave.
Company E— Private, J. Greir— wounded and in 6th Corps
[Hospital.
Company G — Private, A. Schlosser — wounded.
RECA PITULATION.
Killed, Enlisted men, - -6
Wounded, Enlisted men, 37
Prisoners, Commissioned officers, 2
" Enlisted men, - - oq

319
Missing, Enlisted men, - 5
Total, 79
Fisher's Hill, Va, September 22d, 1864.
Wounded — Company A — Private, K. Brennock.
Company iT— Private, P. Nelson.

Head-Quarters, 13th Conn. Vols., )
In the Field, October 26th, 1864. J
Sir: I have the honor to transmit herewith a list of the killed, wounded and
missing, of my regiment in the action of October 19th, 1864.
I am, sir, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
G D. BLINN, Col. Commanding.
To Horace J. Morse,
Adjutant-General State of Connecticut, Hartford, Conn.
List of killed, wounded and missing of the 13th Reg't. Conn. Vols, at the
battle of Cedar Creek, Oct. 19th, 1864.
Killed— Company G— Private, Louis Foetish.
Company A— Sergeant, George A. Winslow, Color-Sergeant.
Wounded— Field and Staff— Major, Apollos Comstock.
Company A— Private, Frederick Hanson.
Company B— Corporal, Peter Gentier.
Private, Charles Nichols.
Company C— Private, Alexander Cook.
Company E— Private, Charles A. Davis.
Company G— Corporal, George Bogue.
Private, Albert Hopkins.
Company B— Corporal, William Black.
Private, Albert Blakeslee.
Company 7— Corporal, Fritz Bowman.
Private, Patrick Hines.
Company ^-Sergeant, Herbert C. Baldwin.
Corporals, Rudolph Busick.
George G Russell.
Privates, William J. Cojer.
Michael Zamphiropholos.
MissiSG-Pr.soner,-« ^-Privates, *"£££»

320
¦Company D — Bernhard Rodriggs.
Company E — Private, John Hoey.
Company F— Private, James Eeynolds.
Company G— Private, Vinus M. Sanford.
Company 7— Private, Adam Plaum.
Company .ST— Privates, Charles F. Wilson.
James Donnelly.
recapitulation.
Killed, 2
Wounded, - - 17
Missing, - 9
Total casualties, 28

LIST OF FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
thirteenth regiment conn. vols.
Colonel Henry W. Birge, Norwich, Nov. 2, 1861, promoted to be Briga
dier General, Sept. 19, 1863.
Colonel Charles D. Blinn, West Cornwall, Nov. 5, 1863 ; mustered out
Jan. 6, '65; term expired.
Lieutenant-Colonel Alexander Warner, Woodstock, Nov. 6, 1861; re
signed July 29, 1863.
Lieut. Col. Charles D. Blinn, West Cornwall, Oct. 5, 1863; promoted to
be Colonel, Nov. 6, 1863.
Lieut. Col. Homer B. Sprague, New Haven, Nov. 5, 1863; transferred
to Veteran Battalion.
Major Eichard E. Holcomb, Granby, Nov. 5, 1861; appointed Colonel 1st
La. Eegt, August, 1862.
Major Alfred Mitchell, Norwich, May 12, 1863; declined appointment
Sept. 22, 1863.
Major Homer B. Sprague, New Haven, Oct: 5, 1863; Com'd. Lieut. Col.
Nov. 5, 1863; Col. 11th C. D. A, Nov. 11, 1863.
Major Apollos Comstock, New Canaan, Nov. 5, 1863; mustered out Jan.
6, 1865, term expired.
Adjutant, WiUiam M. Grosvenor, New Haven, Dec. 25, 1861; promoted
to be Captain, Dec. 81, 1862.-
Major George W. Whittlesey, Norwich, Dec. 31, 1862; honorably dis
charged Oct. 8, 1863, for disability.
Adjutant Frederick N. Stanley, New Britain, Oct. 19, 1864; mustered
out (as 2d Lieut.) Jan. 6, 1865 ; term expired.

321
Chaplain, Charles G Salter, New Haven, Feb. 5, 1862; resigned June
15, 1862.
' Chaplain, Henry Upson, Berlin, June 16, 1862; resigned July 20, 1863.
Quartermaster, Joseph B. Bromley, Norwich, Nov. 12, 1861; honorably
discharged Dec. 29, 1863.
Quartermaster WiUiam Bishop, Southington, May 1, 1864; mustered out
Jan. 6, 1865; term expired.
Surgeon, Benjamin N. Comings, New Britain, Nov. 6, 1861; resigned
Jan. 26, 1863.,
Surgeon George Clary, Hartford, May 23, 1863 ; transferred to Veteran
Battalion. Sur. Nathan A. Fisher, Norwich, March 7, 1863; declined commission.
1st Assistant Surgeon, George Clary, Hartford, Nov. 9, 1861; promoted
to be Surgeon May 23, 1863.
1st Assistant Surgeon Samuel McClellan, New Haven, July 9, 1863 ; mus
tered out Jan. 6, '65; term expired.
2d Assistant Surgeon, Nathan A. Fisher, Norwich, Feb. 4, 1862; pro
moted to be Surgeon, March 7, 186S.
Samuel McClellan, New Haven, March 14, 1863 ; promoted to be 1st
Assistant Surgeon, July 9, 1863.
Lucius W. Clark, Winsted, July 9, 1863; transferred to Veteran Battal
ion.FIELD AND STAFF VETERAN BATTALION THIRTEENTH CON
NECTICUT VOLUNTEER INFANTRY.
Homer B. Sprague, Lieut. Col. ; transferred from 13th Regt. Connec
ticut Vols.
George Clary, Surgeon; transferred from 13th Regt. Connecticut Vol
unteers. Lucius W. Clarke, Assistant Surgeon; transferred from 13th Regt. Con
necticut Volunteers. NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF.
JohnL. Keeney, Sergeant-major; promoted from private Company B.
William W. King, Quartermaster Sergeant; promoted from private Co.
Frederick C. Palmer, Hospital Steward; promoted from Corporal Co.
Calvin B. Beebee, Commissary Sergeant; transferred from 13th Regt.
Connecticut Vols. DISCHARGED.
Charles H. Gaylord, Sergeant-major; promoted to 2d Lieut. January 11,
1865. DESERTED.
Joseph Hadley, Drum-major; deserted Aug. 27,1864, at New Haven, Ct.
28

322

COMPANY "A" VETERAN BATTALION, THIRTEENTH CONNECTI
CUT VOLUNTEERS.
William C. Gardner, Captain ; promoted from 1st Lieut, to Captain,
Dec. 22, 1865.
Isaac W. Bishop, 1st Sergeant ; promoted from Sergeant to 1st Sergeant
July 1, 1865.
Orrin M. Price, Sergeant; transferred from Company F, as Sergeant,
Dec. 29, 1864.
George F. Bogue " " " " " « ,
Dec. 29, 1864.
James O'Neil, " " " " " »
Clark Dickson, Sergeant ;promoted from private to Sergeant, Jan. 1,'66.
George Brown, Corporal ; transferred as Corporal from Company F,
Dec. 29, 1864.
John Ryan, " " " "
John R. Parker, " " " "
Wm. L. Richmond, " " " "
Mortimer R. Keeney, Corporal; promoted to Corporal, July 1, 1865.
Henry Waterbury, " " " July 1, 1865.
Edmond Tryan, Musician; transferred as musician from Company F,
Dec. 29, 1864.
Austin, Jonathan, Private.
Bissell, Frederick I. "
Black, WiUiam, "
Brown, WiUiam A. "
Carney, John, "
Donohue, Henry, "
Fleharty, WiUiam "
Fowler, Samuel F.
Fraser, John, "
Gaffney, Francis J. "
Gardner, James, "
Hanson, Frederick, "
Hale, Edwin, "
Heganny, Derwin, "
Hall, Isaiah, "
Johnson, Abel, "
Jaquays, David D. "
Kelly, Peter, "
Kinney, John, "
Kehr, Jacob, "
Lennard, Thomas, "
Leibensperger, Samuel, "
Minney, Francis, "

Vol. recruit, joined Feb. 20, 1864.
" " Feb. 20, 1864.
" " March 28, 1864.
" " Feb. 27, 1864.

Aug. 30, 1864.

April 8, 1864.
Feb. 29, 1864.
April 16, 1864.

323
Maguire, John, Private, Volunteer recruit, joined Jan. 30, 1865.
Nichols, Charles, "
Patten, Charles, "
Peck, Chester D. "
Perritt, Andrew, "
Powers, Thomas, "
Prindle, George, "
Quigley, John, "
Robinson, Robert, "
Ruggles, Sidney, B. "
Rigley, Thomas, "
Shipman, WiUiam, "
Smith, John, "
SuUivan, Henry, " » " Feb. 27, 1864.
Marion, Francis, colored under cook.
DISCHARGED.
William E. Bradley, Captain; discharged by resignation Aug. 14, 1865.
Dunbar, Everett E, Sergeant; discharged to accept commission as 2nd
Lieutenant, April 25, 1865.
Reynolds, John F, Sergeant; discharged May 1st, 1865, by Special Or
der, No. 1, Head-Quarters, Department of the East.
Ruggles, Elbert L, Sergeant; discharged May 6, 1865, for disabiUty.
Weed, Francis E., Sergeant; discharged August 12, 1865, by order of
War Department.
Mohran, John, Corporal ; discharged June 26, 1865, expiration of term of
service. Gentier, Peter, Corporal; discharged Aug. 12, 1865.
North, John C, Wagoner; discharged October 27, 1865, by order of War
Department. Balling, George W, Private; discharged Aug. 12, 1865; expiration of
term of service.
Blackman, Elisha S, Private; discharged July 20, 1865, for disability
at Knights Hospital, New Haven, Conn.
Campbell, John, Private; discharged Aug. 16, 1865; expiration of term
of service.
Cafe, James, Private ; discharged July 3, 1865, for disability.
Connelly, John, " discharged Aug. 26, 1864, for disabiUty.
Emmerick, Balthazar, Private; discharged Aug. 12, 1865, expiration
• of term of service.
Fay, Michael, Private; discharged Aug. 12, 1865; expiration of term
of service.
Fest,' Albert, Private; discharged Aug. 12, 1865; expiration of term of
service.
Gangloff, Henry, Private; discharged June 31, 1865, for disability.

324
Hempstead, Charles Y, Private; discharged Sept. 13, 1866, by order
of War Department.
Jones, William W, Private ; disch'd May 12, 1865 ; by order of War Dept.
KaUahan, Patrick, Private; discharged June 26, 1866; expiration q£
term of service.
KaUahan, Francis, Private; discharged June 26, 1865; expiration of
term of service.
McGarrigal, Terry, Private; discharged Aug. 2, 1865; expiration of
term of service.
Miller, Jacob, Private; discharged July 18, 1865; expiration of term of
service.
Nelson, Henry, " discharged May 1, 1865; expiration of term of
service.
Peterson, John, " discharged June 26, 1865; expiration of term of
service. [vice.
Robertson, Morunt J., Private; discharged June 26, 1865. ex. term of ser-
Rouche, Nicholas, Private; discharged for disabUity, August 16, 1866, by
order of War Department.
Ryan, William, Private; discharged June 23, 1865, by Special order
Headquarters Dept. of the East.
Schmidt, Louis, Private; 'discharged May 12, 1865; expiration of term
of service.
Smith, James, Private ; discharged July 18, 1865, by Special Order, Head-
Quarters Department of the South.
Sailes, John E., discharged July 18, 1865; expiration of term of ser
vice.
Webb, WiUiam L, Private; discharged Aug. 12, 1865 ; by order of War
Department.
Wolff, Francis J, Private ; discharged for disability Aug. 12, 1866 ; by
order of War Department. TRANSFERRED.
George H. Pratt, 2d Lieutenant ; transferred to Company C, January 8,
1865. v
William B. Tooker, 2d Lieutenant ; transferred to Company D, Aug. 2,
1865. Benjamin L. Mead, Corporal; transferred to Company D, Dec. 31, 1864.
Bergline, Theodore, Private; transferred to Company D, Dec. 31, 186^4.
Clark, Louis M, Private; " " Feb. 13, 1865.
Fisher, John, " " " Dec. 31, 1864.
Flannery, Thomas, Private; " " Dec. 31, 1864.
Pyatt, Samuel S, " " " Dec. 31, 1864.'
Reynolds, James, " " B, Dec. 31,1864.
Schwikart, Philip, " " B, Dec. 31, 1864.
Schaffer, John, " " D, Dec. 31, 1864.
Stranger, Irwin A, Private; transferred to Company D, Dec. 31, 1864.
Ephraim, Wells, colored cook; transferred to Company D, Dec. 81, '64.

325

DIED.
TwitcheU, Franklin S , Sergeant; died Dec. 19, 1864, whUe prisoner of
war at Salisbury, N. C.
Cosgrove, James, Private; died Sept. 1, 1865, at Jefferson, Jackson Co,
Georgia. Vogel, August, Private; died while prisoner of war, Salisbury, N. C.
DESERTED.
Brennick, Kennedy, Private; deserted July 28, 1866, at Augusta, Ga.
Black, John, " deserted July 28, 1865, "
Lantry, Edwin, " " July 5, 1866, •'
McLaughlin, James, " " Dec. 6, 1864; Relay House, Md.
Thorne, Joseph, " Aug. 26, 1865, Augusta, Ga.
Walker, William H, " " Aug. 28, 1865, Athens, Ga.
Wright, Isaac, " " July 27, 1865, Augusta, Ga.
Wright, William, " " Feb. 9, 1864,Thibodeaux, La.
Yale, Russell, " " Oct. 6, 1866,.Jefferson, Ga.

COMPANY "B" VETERAN BATTALION THIRTEENTH CONNEC
TICUT VOLS.
Frank Wells, Captain; promoted from 1st Lieutenant to Captain, March
17, 1864.
Samuel S. Taylor, 2d Lieutenant; promoted from Sergeant Company B,
to 2d Lieutenant Co. B, Jan. 11, 1865.
Garrett Herbert, 1st Sergeant ; promoted from Sergeant to 1st Sergeant
Jan. 1, 1865.
Englebert Sauter, Sergeant; Sergeant at Original Organization of Bat
talion. Edward Thomas, Sergeant; promoted from Corporal Aug. 1, 1865.
Henry F. Bishop " " to Sergeant Nov. 24, 1866.
Hugh Dorain, " " from Corporal Nov. 1, 1865, to Ser
geant, Dec. 13, 1865. •
Michael Burke, Corporal; promoted to Corporal Nov. 24, 1865.
Ulrich Burghart " " " Nov. 25, 1865.
Henry M. Whiteman, Corporal; promoted to Corporal Nov. 24, 1865.
Edward E. Fisher, " " " Dec. 13, 1866.
Albrich,' William, Private.
Barbour, Henry M, "
Barnes, Anson E, "
Botsford, John N. "
Davidson, Eugene, " Vol. recruit, joined Sept. 7,1864.
28*

326

DiUon, John,
Fisher, John,
Gardner, Joseph A,
Gorman, William,
Hayes, Alonzo,
Herbert', Patrick,
Immich, Peter,
Johnson, John B,
Long, Henry,
Losaw, George,
McGee, Thomas,
O'Brien, Cornelius,
Polley, Henry E,
Eemy, Philip A,
Reltrath, Henry,
Reynolds, James,
Root, George,
Smith, William,
Skiff, Walter,
Stevens, Henry M,
Stoddard, Horace B,
Tyler, Martin W,
Underhill, William,

Private.

Vol. recruit, joined Aug. 16, 1864.
Vol. recruit, joined Feb. 26, 1864.

Vol. recruit, joined Feb. 20, 1864.

Vol. recruit, joined Jan. 9, 1864.

Vol. recruit, joined Feb. 2, 1864.

Frank May, colored under cook.
Abner M. Sterry, 2d Lieutenant; promoted to 1st Lieutenant and trans
ferred to Company D, Jan. 7, 1865.
John G Kinney, 1st Lieutenant; resignation accepted by General Order
War Department, Jan. 7, 1865.
WUliam B. Tooker, 1st Sergeant ; promoted from 1st Sergeant Co. B to
2d Lieutenant Co. A, Jan. 11, 1865.
John Duress, Sergeant; discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of term
of service.
Fritz Bowman, Corporal; discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of
term of service.
Louis Walters, Corporal ; discharged May 26, 1865, by expiration of term
of service.
George W. Everts, Musician : discharged Aug. 2, 1865, for disabUity.
Albert Bunnell, Wagoner; discharged Dec. 19, 1865, byjGeneral Order,
War Department. DISCHARGED.
Atzenhoffer, Antonio, Private; discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration
of term of service.
Birger, Dennis, Private; discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of
term of service.

327

Brown, James, Private; discharged June 26, 1665, by expiration of
term of service.
Cearck, William,
term of service.
Davidson, Ira A,
War Department.
Duffy, Thomas,
term of service.
Ellison, Edward.
term of service.
Falklink, Gotlieb, '
term of service.
Fruin, Richard, '
term of service.
Finnemore, WiUiam, Private; discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by" General
Order, War Department.
Gaylor, Mortimer, " discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration
of term of service.
Greaves, John,
of term of service.
Hines, Patrick,
der, War Department.
Holford, Andrew,
der, War Department.
Heiness, Peter, '
term of service.
Heeker, Charles, '
of term of service.
Heedricks, Casper, '
term of service.
Hettinger, Louis, '
term of service.
Kuhlman, Henry,
term of service.
Monahan, Joseph,
term of service,
Mitchell, Joseph T,
Provost, Rufus,
War Department.
Pond, George J,
Pouch, Frederick,
term of service.
Rodrigues, Bernard,
War Department.
Schwikart, Philip,
term of service.

discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of
discharged Aug. 12, 1S65, by General Order,
discharged Aug. 24, 1865, by expiration of
discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of
discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of
discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of

discharged June 17, 1865, by expiration
discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by General Or-
discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by General Or-
discharged June 26, 1965, by expiration of
discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration
discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of
discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of
discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of
discharged Oct. 9, 1865, by expiration of
discharged Aug. 11, 1865, for disability.
discharged Oct. 11, 1865, by General Order
discharged July 19, 1865, for disability.
discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of
discharged Aug, 12, 1865, by General Order
discharged May 25, 1865, by expiration of

328
Simon, Auguste, Private, discharged Aug. 21, 1865, by General Or
der War Department.
Smith, Edward, " discharged June 26, 1865, by expiration of
term of service.
Smith, Wallace W, " discharged September 7, 1865, by General
Order, War Department.
Snyder, James, " discharged Nov. 3, 1865, by General Order
War Department.
Tyrrell, Stephen, " discharged Sept. 15, 1865, by General Or
der No. 1, Head-Quarters, Department of the East.
Wagnor, Charles, " discharged May 18, 1865, by expiration of
term of service. TRANSFERRED.
Frederick Palmer, Corporal ; transferred by promotion to Hospital Stew
ard, Jan. 7, 1865.
WiUiam H. Norris, Corporal ; transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps,
June 30, 1865.
Joel Congdon, Private, transferred to Co. "C," S. 0., No. 3, Headquart
ers 13th G V, Jan. 3, 1866.
Robert Johnson, Private; Vol. recruit, transferred to Department N.W.
Dec. 27, 1864.
John L. Keeney , Private ; transferred by promotion to Sergeant-major,
Jan. 1, 1865.

WiUiam H. Tucker, Sergeant; died at Athens, Ga, Dec. 6,1865.
Andrews, Thomas B., Private ; died Nov. 7, 1864, while .prisoner of war in
Salisbury, N. G
Banker, Philo, Private; died May 6, 1865, at New MUford, Connecticut.
Bishop, Dean, Private; died December 21, 1864; while prisoner of war
Salisbury, N. G
Plaum, Adam, Private; died December 5, 1864, while prisoner of war,
Salisbury, N. G
Riley, William, Private; died June 8, 1865, at New Haven, Connecticut.
Vogel, August, Private; died Feb. 14, 1865, while prisoner of war, Salis
bury, N. C.
Weldon, Edward J, Private; died Nov. 24, 1864, while prisoner of war,
Salisbury, N. C. DESERTED.
Butler, Charles, Private; deserted Sept. 27, 1865, at Clarksville, Ga.
Fiscus, Henry, Private ; deserted March 1, 1866, at Augusta, Ga.
Hoctor, Daniel, Private; deserted March 27, 1865, at Newbern, N. G
Harper, Henry, Private; deserted Jan. 11, 1865, Camp RusseU, Va.

329

Meade, Thomas, Private; deserted Aug. 22, 1866, Augusta, Ga.
Thompson, George, Private; deserted Dec. 14, 1864, Camp Russell, Va.
Wiseman, Thomas, Private ; deserted Aug. 22, 1865, Augusta, Ga.

COMPANY " C " VETERAN BATTALION, THIRTEENTH CONN
VOLUNTEERS.
Newton W. Perkins, Captain ; transferred from Co. D, 13th G V. to Co. C
13th Batt.
George H. Pratt, 1st Lieutenant ; promoted from 2d Lieutenant to 1st Lieut.
Jan. 8, 1865, transferred from A to G
Miles J. Beecher, 1st Sergeant; Vet. Vol, promoted to 1st Sergeant, Jan.
11, 1866.
Bennett, W. Pierce, Sergeant; " " Sergeant, Oct. 19, 1864.
Frank G Bristol, Sergeant; " " to Sergeant from Cor
poral, July 11, 1865.
Frank F. Phiffer, Sergeant; " " to Sergeant from Cor
pora], Aug. 23, 1865, transferred from E to C.
Frank B. Hitchcock, Sergeant ; Vet. Vol. promoted to Corporal Aug. 28,
1865, to Sergeant March 1, 1866.
George G RusseU, Corporal ; Vet. Vol. Corporal at organization of Battal
ion, absent since March 3, 1866.
John GaU, Corporal ; Vet. Vol. Corporal at organization of Battalion.
PhUip Neilson, Corporal ; " " " "
Bernard Fagan, Corporal; Vol. recruit promoted to Corporal, Feb. 1, 1864,
absent without leave since March 24, 1866.
Isaac B. Lewie, Corporal ; Vol. recruit promoted to Corporal March 1, '66.
Richard Hornby, Corporal; Vet. Vol. promoted to Corporal March 1, '66.
Joseph Congden, Wagoner; Vet. Vol. transferred from D to C.
Barry, Eichard, Private; Vol. recruit.
Brainard Ezra, " Vet. Vol.
Sutton, Patrick, " "
Hagadon, Thomas P. " Vol. recruit.
Laddy, James, " " transferred from H to G
McCabe, John, " Vet. Vol.
McGrath, Michael, " " transferred from H to G
Montgomery Wm. " Substitute recruit.
Norman, John H, " Vol. recruit.
O'Callahan, Thos., " Sub. recruit.
Pierce, Charles, " Vol. recruit.
Ryan, John, " Sub. recruit.
Stanly, Edward, " Vet. Vol.
Sullivan, John, " Sub. recruit.
Vandertam, Henry, " Vol. recruit.

330
Walter, John, Private ; Vet. Vol. ; transferred from H to C, absent sick in
Hospital.
Wells, Ephraim, under-cook; transferred from A to G
DISCHARGED.
John W. Maddux, 2d Lieutenant; dishonorably dismissed for absence
without leave since Dec. 1865.
Everett E. Dunbar, 2d Lieutenant; resigned Aug. 16, 1865.
Herbert Baldwin, 1st Sergeant; Vet. Vol. discharged Jan. 11, 1865, mus
tered as 2d Lieutenant, Jan 11, 1865, assigned to E.
NeweU J. Lee, Sergeant; Vet. Vol. discharged May 22, 1865, for disabiUty.
Nathaniel Brown, Sergeant; Vet. Vol.; discharged Feb. 10, 1865, for dis
ability caused by wounds.
Herman Sanders, Sergeant; Vol. recruit discharged June 26, 1865, by ex
piration of term of service.
Robert Hollinger, Corporal; Vet. Vol. discharged June 27, 1865; for dis
ability caused by wounds.
Samuel G. Carpenter, Corporal; Sub. recruit discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by
telegraph order War Department, A. G. 0.
Barber, Elam, Private ; drafted, received discharge Aug. 12, 1865, tele
graph order War Department, A. G. 0.
Bowen, Charles A, Private; Sub. recruit, received discharge Aug. 12, '65.
Brown, Roland C, " drafted, received discharge Aug. 12, 1865.
Burke, Michael, " Sub. recruit, received discharge Aug. 12, 1865.
Campbell, Michael, " discharged June 20, 1865, by expiration of
term of service.
Coper, William J, " Vet. Vol. discharged June 27, 1865.
Grarel, Charles C, " Vol. recruit, discharged Aug. 20, 1866, trans
ferred from H to G
Dallege, Earnest, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by tele
graph order, War Department, A. G. O.
Doyle, Dennis, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, Hartford,
Conn, by expiration of term of service.
Donnelly, James, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by
telegraph order, War Department, A. G. 0.
Elemer, George, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, tele
graph order, War Department, A. G. 0.
Finlis, John, Private: Vol. recruit, discharged Jan. 6, 1865, for disability.
Gorman, Thomas L, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by
telegraph order, War Department, A. G. 0.
Hays, William B, Private ; drafted recruit, discharged Jan. 6, 1866, by
order Major General Grover, in the field.
Hafferman, Michael, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged May 80, 1865, for
disability.
Holmes, Thomas, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug, 12, 18>i5, by tele
graph order, War Department, A. G. 0.

331
KanseUer, William, Private ; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by
telegraph order, War Department, A. G. 0.
King, WiUiam, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by expira
tion of term of service.
Newton, Horace, Private; Sub " discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by tele
graph order, War Department, A-. G. 0.
O'DonneU, Richard, Private, Vet. Vol. discharged June 6, 1866, for dis
ability.
O'DonnelL/Michael, Private; Vol.recruit, discharged March 6, 1865.
Paulick, Andrew, Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by telegraph
order, War Department, A. G. 0.
Payne, Clarence D, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged Sept. 21, 1865; by
telegraph order, War Department, concerning prisoners.
Pendergrast, Michael, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by
telegraph order, War Department.
Rhodes, Philip, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865.
Russell, Auguste, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by ex
piration of term of service.
Ryan, WiUiam, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Jan. 26, 1865, by ex
piration of term of service.
Strett, Thomas, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by tele
graph order, War Department, A. G. 0.
Sullivan, Patrick, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by tele
graph order, War Department, A. G. 0.
Stephen, John, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by expi
ration of term of service.
Sine, William, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged May 27, 1865, for disabil
ity-
Sinkup, Neuzel, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged March 9, 1865f for dis
ability.
Woatler, Andrew, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Nov. 25, 1865, by ex
piration of term of service.
Wirternberger, John, Private ; Vol.recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by
expiration of term of service.
Whitney, Joseph, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by tele
graph order, War Department, A. G. 0.
Wilson, Charles F, Private; Vol.recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by
telegraph order, War Department, A. G. 0.
TRANSFERRED.
Dinzer, Harris, Private ; Vol. recruit, transferred to V. R. G June 26, 1864.
Zanphuropolis, Michael, Private; Vol. recruit, transferred to V. R. G April
23, 1865.

332

DIED.
DeChamps, Peter, Private; Sub. recruit, died March 14, 1865, Savannah,
Ga.

DESERTED.
Rudolph, Burick, Corporal; Vol. recruit; deserted Jan. 11, 1865, Baltimore,
Maryland.
Anderson, George, Private ; Sub. recruit, deserted Jan. 28, 1865, Baltimore,
Maryland, transferred from H to G
Buck, Adam, Private; Vol. recruit, deserted Nov. 24, New Orleans, La,
transferred from H to G
Behi, Charles, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 20, 1865, recruiting
depot.
Campbell, Alexander, Private; Sub. recruit, deserted Aug. 26, 1865, re
cruiting depot.
Coisery, Edward, Private; Sub. recruit, deserted Jan 11, 1865, Baltimore,
Maryland.
Hildt, Charles, Private; Sub. recruit, Aug. 6, 1865, recruiting depot.
Hutton, Andrew, Private; Sub. recruit, deserted Jan. 11, 1865, Baltimore,
Maryland.
Johnson, William B, Private; Vol. recruit, deserted from confinement at
Fort Jefferson, transferred from H. to C.
Kallahen, John, Private; Sub. recruit, deserted Jan. 11, 1866, Baltimore,
Maryland.
Louis, Louis, Private; Sub. recruit, deserted Aug. 8, 1865, Baltimore, Md.
Murdy, Henry, Private ; Vol. recruit, deserted April 16, 1866, Dahlonega,
Georgia.
Murphy, Patrick, Private; Sub. recruit, deserted from confinement at
Port Jefferson, transferred from H. to G
Miller, Fritz, Private ; Sub. recruit, deserted from recruiting depot, Aug.
6, 1865.
Nolan, fames, Private; Vet. Vol., deserted Jan. 8, 1865, at Baltimore,
transferred from H to G
Roberts, Alexander, Private; Sub. recruit, April 16, 1866.
Seville, Bennett, Private; Vet. Vol., deserted July 30, 1865, at Augusta,
Georgia
Turner, James W, Private; Sub. recruit, deserted Jan. 11, 1865, at Balti
more, Md.
Theobold, Alexander, Private; Sub. recruit, deserted April 16, 1866, at
Dahlonega.
Willard, Nathaniel, Private ; Vol. recruit, deserted July 30, 1865, at Au
gusta, Ga.
Taufer Willis, Private; Sub. recruit, deserted July 30, 1865, at Augusta,
Georgia.
Willis, James A, Private; Sub. recruit, deserted July 30, 1865, at Augus
ta, Ga.

333

COMPANY "D" VETERAN BATTALION THIRTEENTH CONN.
VOLUNTEERS.
Louis Beckwith, Captain ; assigned to command Company.
William B. Tooker, 1st. Lieutenant ; promoted from 2d Lieutenant Co. A.
to 1st Lieutenant Co. D, June 20, 1865.
Charles H. Gaylord, 2d Lieutenant; promoted from Sergeant-major to 2d
Lieutenant, Jan. 2, 1865.
Francis Huxford, 1st Sergeant.
Theodore Palmer, Sergeant. m
Leonard L. Dougal, "
John Lincoln, Jr., "
Thomas J. West, "
John Suarman, Corporal.
Anson Sulzer, "
Edward Skinner, "
Charles Culver, " promoted to Corporal Sept. 29, 1865.

Howard T. Marsh, "
cruit, March 9, 1864.
Walter McGrath, Corporal,
Frederick Schul, "
John Fitzgerald, musician.
Norman W. Beaton, "
Francis G Bowen, wagoner.
Austin, George J, Private.
Brand, John, "
Birge, George F, "
CadweU, Albert M, "
Carey, Michael, "
Dunton, Charles, "
Dorsey, John, "
Eiohelberger, John, "
Francis, Fredericks "
GiU, Henry, "
Hart, Thomas, "
Hackney, Joseph N, "
Harvey, George M, "
Hurlburt, Henry A, "
Ingraham, Asahel,
Jennings, George, "
Moore, Daniel, "
Moran, Thomas,
Parker, Henry,
Pyatt, Samuel,
Regan, Hugh,
29

Sept. 29, 1865, vol. re-

Jan. 23, 1866.

Vol. recruit, Jan. 23, 1865.
Vol. recruit, March 22, 1864.
Reduced from Sergeant Jan 23, 1865.
Vol. recruit, Dec. 16, 1864.
Vol. recruit, Aug. 17, 1864.

Vol. recruit, June 30, 1865.

Vol. recruit, March 22, 1864.

334

Rowe, James, Private.
Reynolds, Joseph N. "
Ryan, John, "
Sloan, Michael, "
Weaver, George, "
Woodworth, John, "
Woodworth, James H, "
Woodworth, William H, "

Vol. recruit, Jan. 30, 1865.
" Dec. 7, 1864.
Vol. recruit, Aug. 10, 1864.

DISCHARGED.

Adams, William A,
Bergline, Theodore,
tion term of service.
Baer, Abraham, " '
term of service.
Brown, Jacob, " "
term of service.
Bogue, George, " "
Bradley, John W, " "
of the South.
Cooper, Edward, " "
Certificate.
Croley, Richard, " "
Department.
Crawford, WiUiam B, " "
term of service.
Cerasolle, Octave, " "
term of service.
Clark, Linus M, " "
quarters, Department of the South.
Douglass, George, " "
Eldridge, Stephen, " "
Fingan, Byron, " "
Flauney, Thomas, " "
Department,
Geibel, George, " "
Greer, James, " "
Hanns, Frederick, " "
Howland, George W, " "
Hopkins, Albert, " "
Department.
Reamey, Michael, • " "
Department.
Lelitener, Albert, " "
tificate.

Private; discharged by order of W. D, May 4, '65.
" Vol. recruit, June 26, 1865, by expira-
" " " May 21, 1865, by expiration
" " " May 16, 1865, by expiration
" " " May 4, 1865, by order W.D.
" " " June, 1865, by order Dept.
" " Aug. 12, 1865, on Surgeon's
" " " May 4, 1865, by order War
" " " May 28, 1865, by expiration
" " Nov. 9, 1865, by expiration
" June 17, 1865, by order Head-
" Expiration term of service.
u ii it u
ii u ii u
" May 15, 1865, by or.der War
" Expiration term of service.
u u u u
u u u u
ii ii u u
" Dec. 20, 1865, by order War
" May 16, 1865, by order War
" June 20, 1865, Surgeon's cer-

Mark, Frank,
partment.
Maynard, WiUiam M
ficate.
Mason, John N,
Department.
Murphy, Michael,
partment.
Newhouse, Morris,
Department.
Parker, George,
Peavey, Stephen R,
ment of the South.
Pendergrast, John,
ment.
Regan, Andrew,
Phule, John,
Rowen, Charles,
Schaffer, John,
Schue, Nicholas,
Sheer, Martin,
Schlosser, Antoine,
Smith, Patrick,
1866.
Urbaine, Charles,
Wagner, Albert L,
White, Edward,
Wilson, August,

335
Private ; discharged June 15, 1866, by order War De-
" Feb. 13, 1865, by Surgeon's certi-
"• May 15, 1865, by order of War
" May 15, 1865, by order of War De-
" May 15, 1865, by order of War
" on Surgeon's certificate, Nov. 5, 1864.
" June 17, 1865, by order of Depart-
" May 15, 1865, by order of War Depart-
" Expiration term of service.

July 31, 1865, by Surgeon's certificate.
Aug. 15, 1865, " "
Expiration term of service.
Order War Department, May 15, 1866.
Order of War Department— May 15,
Expiration term of service.

TRANSFERRED.
Abner N. Sterry, 1st Lieutenant ; promoted to Captain and transferred to
Co. E, April 23, 1865.
Mead, Benjamin L, Private ; transferred to V. R. C.
Strange, William, " transferred to V. R. G by order of Provost'
Marshal General, Jan. 9, 1865.

Cook, Christopher, Private ; died, date unknown.
Geize, Adam, " died in prison, Salisbury, N. G, Jan 1, 1865.
Miller, Charles A. " died at Annapolis, Md, March 22, 1865.
O'Connell, Timothy, " died at Augusta, Ga, July 23, 1865.
William Henry, " died at Sister's Ferry, Ga, May 23, 1865!

336

DESERTED.

Chapman, Lafayette, Private ; deserted Jan. 10, 1865, at Baltimore, Md.
Francis, George, " " " "
Smith, Thomas, " " June, 1865, Augusta, Ga.
Tinker, Sebra W, " " Aug. 27, 1865. "

COMPANY "E" VETERAN BATTALION THIRTEENTH CONN.
VOLUNTEERS.
Abner N. Sterry, Captain ; promoted to Captain April 23, 1865.
Herbert C. Baldwin, 2d Lieutenant ; promoted from 1st Sergeant Co. C to
2d Lieutenant Co. E, Jan. 11, 1865.
WiUiam H. Huntly, 1st Sergeant, Veteran Volunteer.
Charles A. Adams, " " "
George Sperry, " " "
Joseph Taylor, " " "
WiUiam H. Murphy, Corporal.
Francis Patterson, "
Daniel Goodwin, " Vol. recruit, Feb. 18, 1864.
Hobby, Brown, "
Michael Hunt, musician.
James H. Evans, wagoner.

Bailey, Heman W,
Blakeslee, Asahel C,
Brune, John,
Clancey, Charles,
Ango, Ethel,
DeMarche, James,
Fellow, Jessie B.
Fuller, Ethan A.
Hammond, Seneca,
Hunt, Richard,
Higgany, Michael,
Kimball, Alvah,
Kulverinski, Charles,
McDonough, Thomas,
Meyer, John,
Mitchell, Peter,
O'Connor, Martin,
O'Dell, John,

Private.

Vol. recruit, March 3, 1864.

Never reported to the company.

337
Patterson, William A,- Private.
Ranney, John, "
Richmond, Charles, "
Rorabach, George, "
Savage, James, "
Schmidt, William, " Sub. recruit, Aug. 5, 1864.
Simpson, John, "
Shurler, Frank T. " Sub. recruit, Sept. 8, 1864.
Stuart, Harman, "
Smith, John, " Sub. recruit, Sept. 14, 1864, in confinement at
MUledgeville, Ga, by sentence of G. C. M.
Thompson, Daniel, "
Titus, Sylvester, "
Wadham, Frank E, " DISCHARGED.
William Brenn an, Corporal; discharged Nov. 20, 1865, for disability at
Athens, Ga.
John Blake, " " June 26, 1865, by expiration term
of service.
John Lannan, musician, " June 26, 1865, by expiration term
of service.
John W. Aldrich, Private ; discharged Aug. 12, 1865, Savannah, Ga.
Edward Bingham, " Vet. Vol. discharged May 4, 1865, by tele
graph order War Department, A. G. 0.
Niram, Blackman, Private; discharged Aug. 11, 1866, for disability.
Albert R. Blakeslee, " " July 18, 1865, for disability.
Patrick, Cain, " Vol. recruit, discharged June 26, -1865, by
expiration term of service.
James Cashen, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by expira
tion of term of service.
Martin Duggan, Private ; Vol.recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by ex
piration term of service.
Thomas Fielder, Private; Vol.recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by ex
piration term of service.
Patrick Hanlon, Private ; Vol.recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by ex
piration term of service.
Edward Johnson, Private; discharged May 4, 1865, by telegraph order, W.
Department A. G. 0.
John Jordon, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by expira
tion term of service.
William Keating, Private ; Vol. recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by ex
piration term of service.
James L. Mason, Private ; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by ex
piration term of service.
29*

338
Peter G. McGregor, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by
expiration term of service.
John McNeil, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged Aug. 12, 1865, by expira
tion term of service.
John Mooney, Private; Sub. recruit, discharged May 4, 1865, by telegraph
order.
Sheppard, Jackson, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged May 9, 1865, for dis
ability.
Bernard Sanders, Private ; Vol. recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by ex
piration term of service.
Frederick Schultz, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by ex
piration term of service.
Henry Smith, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged Jan. 30, 1865, for disabil
ity.
James Surly, Private; Sub. recruit, August 12, 1865, by expiration of term
of service.
David VanBusrick, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged Aug. 12,1865, by ex
piration term of service.
John Williams, Private ; Vol. recruit, discharged June 26, 1865, by expira
tion term of service.
Henry L. Wright, Private; Vol. recruit, discharged Aug. 2, 1865, for dis
ability. TRANSFERRED.
Everett E. Dawson, 1st Sergeant; transferred to Co. A.
George W. Everett, musician ; transferred to Co. B.
DIED.
Philo Andrews, Private; died Dec. 23, 1864, Winchester,'Va.
Willis Barnes, " died Dec. 31,1864, Salisbury, N.C, in enemy's
hands.
Francis J. Hunt, " died Jan. 13, 1865, DeCamp GeneralJHospital,
New York.
Merritt Lyman, " died July 20, 1865, Post Hospital! Savannah.
Joseph H. Pratt, " died April 13, 18£6, Atlanta, Ga.
Homer M. Welch, " died Dec. 27, 1864, prisoner, Salisbury,.N. C,
PROMOTED.
John W. Maddux, 1st Lieutenant; promoted from 2d Lieutenant]} Co. C.
Dismissed the service by Special Order No. 170, War Department, A.G.
0, April 13, 1866, for absence without leave.
DESERTERS.
Peter Billings, Private; deserted Feb. 19, 1866, Atlanta,5Ga.
William Black, " July 27, 1865, Augusta.JGa.
Symond Buckley, " " Aug. 26, 1864, New Haven, Conn.

339

Emile Chauvin, Private ; deserted Oct. 10, 1865, GainsviUe, Ga.

Edwin Everett, "
Chancey Griffin, "
Joseph Goodblood, "
WiUiam Kimball, "
Gotlieb, Kenich, "
Arthur Lannun, "
Egbert Sweburgh, "
Charles E. Margum, "
Frederick W. Pinder, Private ;
James Remmington, "
James H. Rorabach, "
Calvin G. Sheppard, "
John Wilson, "

" Aug. 26, 1864, New Haven, Conn.
" Aug. 26, 1864, New Haven, Conn.
" Oct. 10, 1865, GainsviUe, Ga.
" Oct. 29, 1864, New Haven, Conn.
" Feb. 19, 1866, Atlanta, Ga.
" Oct. 10, 1865, GainsviUe, Ga.
" Aug. 26, 1864, New Haven, Conn.
" Oct. 10, 1865, GainsviUe, Ga.
deserted Aug. 26, 1864, New Haven Ct.
" July 10, 1864, New Orleans, La.
" Feb. 19, 1866, Atlanta, Ga.
" Feb. 19, 1866, Atlanta, Ga.
" Jan. 5, 1865, Harper's Ferry, Va.

THE SLAVE GIRL CAROLINE.*
In the last part of May, 1862, Chaplain Salter, 13th C.V.,
came to the writer and earnestly besought him to save the
slave girl Caroline from being restored to her master. His
sympathies were much enlisted in behalf of the girl, who ap
peared to have been cruelly treated, and who had fled to us
for freedom. Caroline was accordingly appointed a laun
dress of Co. H, and being thus in government employ, was
considered tolerably safe from the slave hunters.
It was not long before several men in pursuit of the run
away came to the writer, and at the same time an order was
presented to him through intermediate commanders, of which
the following is a copy :
New Custom House,
New Orleans, May 30, 1863.
Colonel: The General directs that you send for Captain Sprague,
Co. H, 13th Regt. Connecticut Volunteers, and inform him
that the negress " Caroline," that he now has in his service
is the property of a poor man whose wife is sick in bed, and
needs this negress for a nurse. He directs further that an
appeal be made to Capt. Sprague's humanity that he may
drive her out, so that she may return to her master, Mr.
Benedict. Yours, &c,
G. Weitzel, Lt. U. S. Eng.
Col. N. A. M. Dudley, 30th Mass.
* See page 59.

342
The writer replied to these gentlemen, one of whom was
Mr. Benedict, the master of the girl, that he was not willing
to deliver her up; and that he would give his reasons in
writing. He accordingly wrote out and sent to Mr. Benedict
the original of the following letter :
New Custom House,
New Orleans, May 31, 1862.
Mr. Benedict — Claimant of the slave girl " Caroline :"
Sm:
I have the honor to inform you that, agreeably to my
promise, I have investigated the case of the slave girl
" Caroline." The order of the General was, " that Capt. Sprague be
sent for and informed that the negress Caroline is the prop
erty of a poor man, whose wife is sick in bed, and needs this
negress for a nurse." The General " further directs that an
appeal be made to Capt. Sprague's humanity that he may
drive her (Caroline) out, so that she may return to her mas
ter, Mr. Benedict."
Now, Mr. Benedict, if I understand the recent enactment
of my government, which has been made one of the Articles
of War, forbidding military officers to deliver fugitive slaves;
to their masters, on penalty of being cashiered, I have no
right to return, or aid in returning, Caroline to you, either
directly or indirectly.
" Property " is out of the question. It is immaterial, in
the eye of the law, whether a white man pretends to own a
black, or a black pretends to own a white. I must not deliver
Caroline to you : neither should I deliver you to Caroline.
This United States law makes no exception in the case of
" poor " masters. No ; not even if the " poor man's wife is
sick in bed, and needs the negress as a nurse."
Nor does this United States law, which we have sworn to
obey, make any exception on grounds of " humanity ;" pbssi

343
bly because it might be difficult to decide between counter
appeals to the officer's humanity in such cases. For instance
this girl appeals to my humanity to save her from you, and
you appeal to my humanity to " drive her out ;"— she a
young and helpless girl, innocent of any crime, pleading
with me to save her from hopeless and perpetual slavery ;
and you " a poor man, with a sick wife," and in need of this
girl's unpaid toil, and the money which you might coin out
of her body and soul, if you could only keep her degraded
and enslaved, or sell her for labor or breeding or lust!
You see the law decides the case for me ; making it a
serious offense to aid or abet in delivering Caroline to you,
and coinciding with that earlier and higher law recorded in
Holy Writ, Deuteronomy xxiii, 15 : " Thou shalt not deliver
unto his master the servant which is escaped from his master
unto thee." Both statutes I recommend for your perusal.
Homer B. Spkague,
Capt. Co. H, 13th Regt.
Conn. Vols.
Mr. Benedict, upon receipt of the above document, of
course started off to lay it before General Butler. Accord
ingly, the writer had the honor of being summoned into that
officer's presence on the second of June ; when the following
conversation occurred :
Gen. — " Are you Captain Sprague ?"
S.— " I am."
Gen. — " How many servants have you ?"
S._ « One."
Gen. — " What is her name ?"
S. — " His name is Wendell Phillips, alias Alexander.
Gen. — " Have you not a female servant?"
S.— " Not here."
G-en. — " Have you not a colored girl in your employ
named Caroline ?"
S.  « I have a company laundress of that name. I un-

344
derstand, General, what you are driving at. She is regu
larly employed as laundress and is very much needed by us.
Besides, she is an intelligent, smart girl, anxious for her free
dom, and she has been cruelly treated by her mistress."
Gen. — " I don't look at this matter in a humanitarian light
at all. I look at it simply as a military question. Now, sir,
you say in this note to Mr. Benedict that the law of Con
gress, one of the Articles of War, forbids you to deliver
fugitive slaves to their masters. There are the Army Regu
lations [pointing to a blue-covered book]. I require you,
sir, at your peril, to point out that law."
S. — General, this book was published last August [1861] ;
but this law was passed this spring. Of course it's not
there." Then followed a long discussion, in which the general did
most of the talking, adducing a great many considerations to
show that it would be best to give up the slave to her master.
The captain vehemently insisted that it would be a violation
of his conscience and of the law of Congress to comply ; and
finally the general requested him to procure a statement of
the facts from Chaplain Salter, and a copy of the law of
Congress. The captain consented, and the interview termi
nated pleasantly.
Next day the writer sent to the General the following com
munication :
New Custom House,
New Orleans, June 3, 1862.
General :
Agreeably to your request, I send inclosed the statement of
the chaplain of our Regiment in reference to the slave
" Caroline." I also take the liberty of inclosing a copy,
clipped from the New York Evening Post, of the proceed
ings of Congress, April 1, 1862, in which the fact of the
passage and approval of the anti-slave-delivery enactment,

345
as one of the Articles of War, is distinctly recognized. In
one of the New York papers, published during the latter
part of last March, I saw the enactment in full ; and I doubt
not it was given in all the leading journals of the North.
Many of my fellow officers rejoiced with me at the time in
the belief that slave-hunting by military men was forever
ended. Soon after leaving you yesterday, I received a visit from
the girl's mistress, whose "sickness in bell " appears to
have been of very brief duration ! She told me Caroline
was twenty years old at the time she bought her, some
months ago, and was so described in the bill of sale. She
also said Caroline was a very excellent washer and ironer.
Said they paid twelve hundred dollars for her,, which was
almost half of their property.
Now, General, we very much need the services of these
laundresses. Many of our soldiers are debilitated by this
climate, and it is a most welcome relief to have this work
transferred to more skillful hands ; besides contributing
greatly to increased cleanliness, comfort and health. If one
is to be taken from us, why not another, and another, and
all? The objection which you made to their (or Caroline's) re
tention, on the ground of the difficulty of preventing im
proper intercourse between our soldiers and these women, is
entirely obviated by the working of the wise plan you your
self suggested and directed us to adopt, in our interview,
May 27 th ; by which these women are almost completely iso
lated from the world. Their seclusion is unbroken by any
male person, except momentarily for the transmission of
laundry articles or rations. Whatever may have been their
habits at home — obliged to submit of course to their masters'
lusts, as you told us in that interview — they are necessarily
virtuous in their conduct here, and are likely to continue so
while in this service. 30

346
I regret exceedingly that this vexatious question has been
added to your innumerable cares ; but I have the satisfac
tion of believing that when I was regimental officer of the
day last week, no slave-hunter disturbed you ; unless he
smuggled himself within our lines by false pretenses, or ex
hibited a written order of admission fromsome proper autho
rity. My answer to their importunities (and they came by
scores) was, that if they had all along been loyal, the United
States government would, in my opinion, by and by make
compensation for the loss ; otherwise, not ; and they must
wait in patience.
Pardon me, General, for occupying so much of your pre
cious time. No man entertains a higher respect for you .
than I, or more cordially approves of your general military
policy ; and I have always been accustomed to exprass my
admiration in regard to you and it in terms little short of .en
thusiasm, and to consider myself truly fortunate in having
the privilege to serve under you. But that would be the
saddest day of my life, when my strongest convictions of
right and duty should be violated by a superior officer com
manding me to deliver virtually a fugitive slave to his or her
pretended owner. I beg you, General, to save yourself from
further annoyance in such matters, and to spare my own
feelings by dismissing this application of the master and mis
tress of " Caroline ;" and allow me to subscribe myself ever
as now, with the highest respect,
Your obedient servant,
Homer B. Sprague,
Capt. Co. H, 13th Regt. Conn. Vols.
This was accompanied with the following statement of
facts by Chaplain Salter :
" On Monday, May 26th, a lady came into the Custom
House with her son, to look for a fugitive from her Sfervice.
I overheard the following conversation between the lady and
the girl that had fled from her.

347
Lady. — General Butler has permitted me to come and see
if you are here. I want you, Carrie, to come home with
me. I have always been kind to you — have given you a
nice bed — have let you visit on Sundays. It is ungrateful
in you to leave me. You will be separated from your moth
er if you stay.
Girl. — You have treated me badly. You have beaten my
mother over her head with a pan. I would rather stay and
be free than see my mother again. I will not trust going
back. You know you will be cruel to me. You can't take
me from here.
The lady- then told the girl that she promised to be kind,
and added, with tears, ' you know I cannot afford to lose
you.' The girl replied. — I know you cannot, but I'll not go back.
There was nothing insolent in the girl's language. Her
words and manner indicated that she resolutely preferred her
present condition, and supposed that once within our lines
she was in no danger of being returned.
After the lady went, the girl stated that since the entrance
of the Yankees into the city she had suffered much bad
treatment. That having failed to raise a batch of bread,
she was threatened with twenty-five lashes by her master.
These lashes she escaped, she said, by running away.
I heard the lady testify that Caroline was twenty years of
age ; was a good washer and ironer.
C. C. Salter, Chaplain 13th Conn. Vols."
On the back of the foregoing statement Gen. Butler wrote :
" Upon this statement let Caroline be retained as a Laun
dress. B. F. Butler."

GENERAL INDEX.

PAGE.

Abbot, Lieut.

23, 24

Abolition Regiment,

60

Aldrich, Sergeant

139

Alexandria, La.

127, 188, 203

Arsenal, Augusta, Ga.,

252, 256

Atchafalayaj

129, 131

Athens, Ga.,

253

Atlanta,

258

Averill, Capt.

22, 184, 192, 221

Avery, Dr.

69

Augusta, Ga.,

250, &c.

Banks, Gen.

97, &o.

Baldwin, Lieut.

253, 258

Baton Rouge,

97, 106

Bayous,

80, 107, 188, 132 &c.

Beaton, Lieut.

23, 117, 156

Beecher, Lieut.

21

Berryville, Battle

222, 223

Beckwith, Capt.

27, 28, 257, 143

Bissell, Col.

101, 111

Birge, H. W.
Bishop, Lieut.

11, &c.
17, 119 88

Black, Private, killed,

Blinn, Col.

- 21, 69,125, &c. 146
21, 107, 112, &c.
108 176

Bomb- Proof,
Bradley, Capt.

Brashear City,

94
53, 57, 221

Bragg, Rebel General,

Brown, John,

13, 60, 93, 100, 105, 130, 185, &c.

Bromley, Q. M.,

29

Buckingham, Gov.

67

Burglars,

68, 34, 51, 52, 64, 67, &c.

Butler, Gen. .

193, &c.

Cane River, Battle

69, and Appendix.

Caroline,

30*

350 PAGE.
Cattle seized, - - - 70, 71 .
Cedar Creek, Battle - - - 237, &c.
Cemeteries, - - 98
Charge of 13th C.V. - - - 90,116,196,228
Clarke, J. P., ... 25, 90, 100
Clarke, L. W. - . - - 18, 19, 179, 217, &c.
Clary, Surgeon 15, 16, 84, 128, 136, &c.
Comings, Surgeon .... 15
Comstock, Major  20, 21, 69, &c.
Cornwall, Captain - 20, 68, 80, 91, 100, &c.
Dandy Regiment - - 32, 216
Dardan, Captain - 182, 185, 186
Daniels, Lieut. - 186
Day, Colonel - - - 157
DeForest, Captain - - - 156, 93
Deming, Lieut. -. - - 23,106
Dreaming of Rebels, 98, 176
Dunn, Sergeant, - - 228
Dutch John, - - " 168
Election, Connecticut 101,'236
Explosion, - - 96, 104, 118
Farragut, Admiral, - 101, 132
Finley, Capt. 24, 25, 125, 129, 209
Fisher, Surgeon - 16
Fisher's Hill, Battle 233, 234, 237
Flag Presentation, - - 72, 73
Foraging, - 18, 70, 94
Fort Jackson, - 47, 49
Free Fight, 131, 256
Fuller, Capt. 23, 70, 119, -132, 137
Funeral at Sea, 39
Gardner, William C. - 27, 233, 248
Georgia Landing, Battle - 80, &c.
Gilbert, Capt. 24, 25
Gold Lace Dudley, 186, 190, 191
Grand Ecore, 189, &c.
Graves, Lieut. - 22, 23
Grosvenor, Adjutant - 13, 94, 123, 125
Guerillas, - - 18, 178, 189, &c.
Hall, Leonidas, 72, 115
Hand- Grenades, 15Uj &c.
Holcomb, Major - 12,' 13, 15^ &c.
Hoyle, The rule in - 71
Hull, Ezra 97

351

¦ Huntley, William H.
Irish Bend, Battle
Johnson, Lieut.
Kinney, Lieut.
Labadieville, Battle
Let me skedaddle !
Lucinda, obeyed and respected,
Mail, captured by Rebels,
Mansura Plains, Battle
Maryland 1 My Maryland !
^tarksville, Battle -
Mayne, George -
McClellan, Dr.
McCord, Capt.
McDonough, Tom
Meredith, Lieut.
Meissner, Lieut.
Merwin, Charlie
Middletown, Victory,
Midnight Bombardment,
Mississippi, Sloop-of-war Blown up,
Miscegenation, Mitchell, Capt.
Molineux, Col.
Monets Ford, Battle
Morganza,Mumford, Rebel " Martyr,"
Negroes, Nettleton, Lieut.
New Orleans,
Night Attacks,
Noise of Shot, &c.
Nugent, Private,
Opequan Creek, Battle,
Parton, James,
Pass Manchac, Battle
Perfect Love, A drink,
Perkins, Capt.
Phelps, General,
Pineville,Polignac, Prince,
Polk, Rebel General
Port Hudson, Battles,
Pratt, Lieut.

PAGE. 139
- 110, 111, 112, &c.
16,95
27, 29, 107, 119, 184, 196, 206
80, 81, &c. 189 184
208
211, 212, &c. 249
208, 209, &c.
22, 72 18
23, 63, 125, 181125 22
- 26,125,199,201 159, 162
- 238, &c.
103, 104, &c 103 73
27, 70, 125, 134
182, &c.
- 195, &c.
214, &c. 57
67, 92, 107, 140, &c.
21, 22
48, &c.
144, &c. 142 184
225, &c.
31,72 69
182
129, 134, 247, 268
27, 46, 47
204, &c.
209, 213 94
101, 131, &c. 253

352

PAGE.

Presentations,

72, 73, 182

Prince of Darkness,

65

Prindle, Capt.

22

Prisoners, Rebel *

171

Railroad Superintendant and Bromley,

75, 76

Rats, Head-of-the- wharf,

33, 34

Recruits in New Orleans,

55

Red River Campaign,

189, 191, &c.

Reynolds, Sergeant, killed,

201

Riot in Athens, Ga.,

256

Salter, Chaplain

14, 29, 30, 58

Sand Beach, Battle,

109

Schleiter, Capt.

26

Scientific Supper by Bromley,

185

Secession Beauty,

130, 131

Shenandoah,

220, &c.

Sheridan, General

224, &c.

Sherman, T. W., General

140

Sherman, W. T., Gen., schoolmaster,

205

Sidder, McGrath, and Robinson,

139

Ship Island,

43, &c.

Shooting, Reprieve,

58

Simsport,

- - 129, 213, &c.

Slavery,

46, 49, 59, 63, 65, &c.

Small Pox,

* 29, 249

Smith, A. J., General

202, 203, &c.

Snakes, &c,

127, &c.

Sprague, H. B.

25, &c.

Sterry, Capt.

27, 253, 258

Stanley, Lieut. Fred.

188, &c.

Stanley, Frank,

20, 119

Sterry, Capt.

27, 253, 258

St. Mary's Cannoniers,

113, 118

Strickland, Lieut.

26, 119, 138, 147

Storming Columns,

157, 161, 167, 171, 251

Sunday Assaults,

165

Sutlers' Pedigree,

216

Thanksgiving, celebrated,

96, 97

Thibodaux,

92, 93, &c.

Thompson, Jeff., drunk, &c,

69

Thompson, Lieut.

27, 33, 34

Tibbits, Lieut.

- 21, 100, 107

Tisdale, Capt.

22, 23, 31, 68, &c.

Tobias, Lieut.

25, 62 '

353

Torrance, Sergeant, killed, -
Tucker, Sergeant, killed,
Twelfth Connecticut,
Twenty-fifth Connecticut,
Twenty-fourth Connecticut,
Undress Parade of Co. K.
Upson, Chaplain,
Vermillion Bayou, battle,
Veteran Battalion,
Veteran Volunteers,
Voting Under Fire,
Ward, Eugene,
Warner, Colonel
Washington, La.
Weitzel, Gen.
Wells, Capt.
Wheeler, Lieut.
Whicher, Rebel,
Whittlesey, Adjutant,
Whittlesey, Sergeant,
Wills made,
Winchester, Victory,
Winslow, Color-Sergeant, killed,
Woodruff, Lieut.
Woman in White,
Yazoo, steamer,-
Yellow Bayou, battle,
Yelpertrechers, mode of catching,
Young, Captain, mortally wounded,
Zouaves and Gen. Phelps,

PAGE.
24, 138
255
27, 82, 140, &c-
105, 111148
33, 34
17, 18, 94, 106, &c.
123, 127
244, &c.
183, 218, &c. 236
22, 139, 143
11, &c.
124, 125, &c.
74, 83, &c.
26, 27, 117, 126, 132, 243, &c.
27, 95
134, 136, 136
16, 130, 136 22
165
225, &c. 243
20, .39
133246
213
253 199 47

YAtT UNIVERSITY

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