LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 040 985 6 Hollinger pH8.5 Mill Run F3-1955 E 499 .5 22d Copy 1 A JOURNAL INCIDENTS CONNECTED WITH THE T !R, J± V e L S TWENTY-SECOND REGIMENT CONN, VOLUNTEERS, FOR NINE MONTHS. IN VERSE. BY AN ORDERLY SERGEANT Price, 35 Coiris. HARTFORD: Press op Williams, "Wiley and Waterman, 152 Asylum St. 1863. s~ i / 7 3 6 (' these United States. For quite a time we remain here; we were entrenched strong; Some magazines we built besides, — we mean to stay here long; Our acting Brigadier is crank, his orders are obeyed ; lie sends us on the gunboats, and we make a Yankee raid, And get some feed for Samuel, of these United States. A compliment we all did get from General Gordon's hand, Signed A. A. G. and A. A. C, or any other man, For doing all the work so well : there's no more now to do But work all day and guard all night, salute us in the blue, — The officers of Samuel, of these United States. The wharf was loaded with the stores that Union soldiers need ; For now the soldiers, twice a week, can have his share of bread And beans, and some potatoes too, and also musty rice, With other things in o-eneral to make it go so nice DO O For the troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United States. We streets and avenues laid out in length a mile or more : The like, on that Virginia soil, they never saw before. We fenced our Colonel's cabin in, — our General's, too, the same ; And also round the hospital for lazy folks and lame, Of the troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United Stales. Oar suttlers took advantage, then, — they thought they had us tight ; They brought the extra fixings there, and charged with all their might : Two cents apiece for ginger cakes, (of course it was not high,) And cheese at forty cents a pound, as much as you could buy ; But we're troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United States. On twenty-ninth, in month of May, we marching orders had To move to parts to us unknown : 'twas certainly too bad ; But we must ask no questions now, — it's not for us to know ; For when the General says the word, 'tis then have got to go, — The troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United States. 3 18 The farmers in that country round were slinking in their boots ; For e're all this they'd planted corn, and now they see the shoots: They'd sold it all to rebel Jeff; but now they did discover That 'twas one thing to sell the goods, — another, to deliver ! For they feared the troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United States. It's hard sometimes to tell what's best, — some heads are very small ; And what is growing in this land we may reap in the fall ; Or if old Jeff, should think it best soon to give up the strife, They'll want the corn to eat themselves, for 'tis their staff of life. We all belong to Samuel, of these United States. On thirty-first, at eleven o'clock, we started on our way ; The transports were all ready, for they came that very day : The gunboats stood as sentinels till all had cleared the dock, Then started all, machinery as steady as a clock, With the troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United States. Some signs of life that river showed that night, you may be sure: No batteries attacked us ; we made our way secure. Our base we had commenced too high, — unguarded was the rear: Some scouts are seen at Williamsburg ; and who the way can clear Like the troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United States ? We made our way to Yorktown in just six hours ride, And landed on that sandy shore, but did not there abide. We marched to the old battle-ground, some two miles to the rear, On fields where brave Connecticut boys had strove about a year Ago as troops of Samuel, of these United States. A day we wandered through the woods and fields to get a view Of works 'twere built with shovels by our McClellan crew. We found 'twas but an empty show ; all we had seen before,— Turnpikes for military trains, and rifle-pits a score, Were dug by troops of Samuel of these United States. We nigh forgot our hardships while looking o'er the grave Of many who, two years ago, left friends and home to save 19 A legacy bestowed on us by those who've gone before, Whose bones commingle with the dust on this York riveT shore, Who were troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United States. We saw the works of rebel hands, Magruder and his host ; And of their magnitude and strength they certainly can boast: But, though they rear their forts so high, and get themselves inside, They can't expect to prosper when the country they'd divide ; For it all belongs to Samuel, of these United States. We saw the works of ancient days, when England stalwart stood, And told us we must bow to her whether we'd not or would, — The spot where her Cornwallis gave our Washington his sword : She'd bind us all by helping Jeff, if it she could afford ; But she fears the troops of Samuel, of these United States. Well, days went on of drilling and dress parades a few ; Our business here is seeking the rebels to subdue ; We measured fields, in exercise, of miles a half a score; But what is that to veterans who've done the same before, And fought for Uncle Samuel, of these United States. But war's a curious thing, indeed, — we never settled an', Though e'er so nicely fixed we be, and streets laid out with care, Our tents arrayed with evergreens, our Colonel's in the shade: The rebs are up at Williamsburg; so marching order's had, — The troops of Uncle Samuel of these United States. 'Twas Tuesday morning, June the ninth, we started for that place : At ten in morning, all the troops were harnessed for the race. The sun was beating on the sand, we l^eavy loaded were, And dust enough to smother one ; but this does not deter The troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United States. • We tramped and rested by the way, for twelve long weary miles, O'er ground that troops had marched before, the men in double files. We laid ourselves upon the ground, and took a soldier's meal, With weary limbs and blistered feet : we'd murmur, but we feel We're troops of Uncle Samuel of these United States. 20 We rest a day at Williamsburg, then march away to fight ; And, after going twenty miles, we bivouack for the night, — Skirmished the woods for miles around on each side of the way. Of prisoners we took a few : we did enough that day For troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United States. We found them few and far between, — the rebel hosts, I mean ; We n eared the Chickahominy, the York, and James between ; On thirteenth made Diascon Bridge : the rebel legion ran ; And Wise, who led them double quick, himself the river swam, Followed by troops of Samuel, of these United States. But Sunday came, — the day of rest proclaimed by Lincoln's law, That it might coincide with "His" who ancient Moses saw. We read and talked, we sang and prayed ; the birds in music chime ; The glorious sun was moving on, and summing up the time Of troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United States. » 'Tis Monday, and the time has come we ought to start for home ; But letters we must send to friends, as yet we cannot come : We have some foraging to do, some bushwhackers to fight, — To skirmish round the farms by day, and picket in the night, As troops of Uncle Samuel, of these United States. The men who 're prisoners taken here are Union to the bone ; The women they are strong secesh, and dare that thing to own : The pigs and geese are contraband, with every other fowl ; Yet, when we go to take a few, it makes the secesh scowl. But they all belong to Samuel of these United States. Yet, while we're in this vale of tears, some incidents occur; Some bushwhackers a servant kill, — at this we do demur : Our Major has with someLa brush, escapes with loss of hat ; And picket posts are fired upon, yet we do not mind that : We'll show them soon that Samuel can father all their States. Tune — Belle of the Mohawk Vale. How sweet to reflect, while we set and watch the rebs, As the sun winds its way to the West, And in intrigue to catch them, we weave our many webs, While reserves they do fix for their rest*. 21 But sweeter by far if at home away from here, With our loved ones, our pillow to smooth, With our mothers, sisters, wives and children dear, And other kind friends that we love. 'Tis sweet to reflect, that when darkness comes at night, That there's one who our actions can see, Who will come to our help, for he truly is the light Of those who do try good to be. Then ever we'll pray, while our cause it is so just, That our foes may not prosper in the strife ; Let us rally, rally, rally to the cause, While our service shall last, or our life. While night spreads its mantle of darkness o'er the sky, And the owl looks away from his nest ; And the whip-poor-will sings, and the pale mourning dove, As she sits in the bush by the crest. 'Tis then that thoughts of home, come to harrow up the mind Of those who as sentinels stand, While they're watching, watching, watching toward the foe, For the safety of those of his land. Thus on the sixteenth of June we were watching in our lair, While the stars shone so bright from the sky, When ordered we were to our camp ground to repair; Inquisitive we asked the for why. Your time is soon to end, and home they would you send, Was the answer received from our relief; You've been watching, digging, watching all your time, And your stay in this land will be brief. Then in silence we rolled up our blankets from the leaves' And slung them, our shoulders around, And slowly we walked to our quarters in the cam]), For no drummers could there give the sound. We'd have liked well to cheer those that came to our relief, Though they sorrowed the joy was not their own ; They'll stay watching, watching, watching night and day, While for a few weeks we go home. With them had we travelled for many weary miles, And shared with them trials ami cares, 22 And thus soon to part leaving them to share the toils, Might seen us asunder to tear ; But our hearts they are knit by a cord that will hold, Though we furlough at home for a while, While they're watching, watching, watching there so bold For the foe on the old sacred soil. Tune — Homeward Bound. Bright were the fires when we got to our camp, We're homeward bound, homeward bound. Light were the hearts, though a long way to tramp, We're homeward bound, &c. Nine months we've toiled hard, the rebs to subdue, Nine months we've been to our old flag so true, Now we'll go home other duties to do, We're homeward bound, &c. Hark ! hear the tread of the braves coming in, We're homeward bound, &c. Out to the front as bold pickets they've been, We're homeward bound, &c. Long have we read from the letters received, At home we're needed and this we've believed, Now when by ending of service relieved, We're homeward bound, &c. Now in divisions we stand in a line, We're homeward bound, &c. Weary for sleep, we'll not murmur nor pine, We're homeward bound, &c. Surely to this have our graces been tried, Now sets our Colonel his stallion astride, CTh ! 'twould be nice, if we all now could ride, We're homeward bound, &c. Now in the midnight his clear voice his heard, We're homeward bound, &c. Men mind you orders, and hark for the word, We're homeward bound, &c. An enemy's land you are travelling through, Strict you'll \\q holden your duty to do, All that I tell you, remember is true, We're homeward bound, &c. Through dark ravines in the midnight we tread, We're homeward bound, &c. Much better spirits than if in our bed, We're homeward bound, &c. Brooks half foot deep, we've to ford on our way, Mud the same depth but we've nothing to say ; Better 'twill be when the sun brings the joy, We're homeward bound, &c. Miles do we pass e're we stop for to rest, We're homeward bound, &c. Sweat pouring now off from head, neck and breast, We're homeward bound, &c. Boldly to conquer did each of us strive. Big strapping darkies the mule teams did drive ; Home thoughts are all that can keep us alive, We're homeward bound, &c. Morn brings the spires of old Williamsburgh nigh, We're homeward bound, &c. Blistered our feet, yet you scarce hear a sigh, We're homeward bound, &c. Then we're refreshed by a bathe in the brook, Then we regaled with some beans from our cook ; Niffbt comes along, towards old Yorktown we look, We're homeward bound, &c. Who'll take our luggage, we've more'n forty pounds, We're homeward bound, &c. We've got our rations besides forty rounds, We're homeward bound, &c. Long have we backed them, through field, marsh, or road, Though for some backs it was more than a load ; Now we'll have mules as we seek our abode, We're homeward bound, &c. Thus loaded lightly, we marched with much ease, We're homeward bound, &c. With every order the soldier is pleased, We're homeward bound, &c. Dusty the road over which we've to puss, Dusty it was when we come o'er it last ; Soon we'll be where we can lounge on the grass, We're homeward bound, mo. Tune — Way down in the Carolina State. Where, oh, where is the government transport ; Where, oh, where is the government transport ; Where, oh, where is the government transport, That will take the Twenty-Second home ? Forty miles we've come for to meet it ; Repeat twice. For to take the Twenty-Second home. Gone to a raid in Pennsylvania ; Repeat. So the government havn't got any For to take the Twenty-Second home. Mayor Allyn's gone to find them ; Repeat. In about one week he'll send them For to take the Twenty-Second home. Colonel says 'twill come to-morrow, Repeat twice. For to take the Twqftfry-Second home. By and bye we hope to see them, Repeat. Rolling up the old York River, For to take the Twenty-Second home. Tune — Fairy Belle. On Friday, June the twenty-sixth, the transport was at hand To take us on the homeward stretch towards Freedom's glorious land. We had embarked at two P. M., were steaming down the York ; Of how we'd be received at home we now began to talk. Home again, we're going home again, Away from the war where so many have been slain ; Friends to see, — oh, what a joy 'twill be, When we are sheltered in the land of the free ! The beautiful Chesapeake is seen, we're rolling on its tide ; Our craft is fast at sailing, as up the bay we glide ; We view the green or grassy banks on either side or shore. At three on morn of twenty-seventh, we came to Baltimore. 25 Home again, were going home again, Away from the war where so many have been slain ; Friends to see, — oh, what a joy 'twill be, When we are sheltered in the land of the free ! 'Twas here we found good things to eat, purchased from loyal hands : Hard tack is at a discount now, away from Dixie's sands. We got aboard a train of cars, proceeded on our way, 'Mid hearty cheers from citizens : it was a gala day. Home again, &c. At two P. M. we came to where the car-track finds an end, Connected by a ferry boat, o'er which the cars they send ; Made Wilmington at six at night, and Holly Oak at seven : The change from Dixie is so great, 'tis like a little heaven. Home again, we're going home again, &c. Then Philadelphia city we did. reach at early eve ; And such a welcome we did get-j^u hardly would believe. They bade us to refresh ourselves as thousands had before ; Within their fitted "Cooper shop" we could not ask for more. Home again, we're going home again, &c. Of those pure loyal hearts we found we cannot say enough ; Their love for Union soldiers is of the purest stuff: They wished us all a safe return to friends left long ago. We left them with nine hearty cheers ; our thanks we could not show. Home again, we're going home again, &c. Then crossed we on the ferry boat, and took the cars again, And o'er New Jersey Central road it was a joyous train. At Jersey City landed we on twenty-eighth A. M. : All safely housed by iron gates were these bold Union men. Home again, we're going home again, &c. 'Tis Sunday here, the bells do say: some time it is, at least, Since we were called by such as these to rally to the feast. Then well known Colonel Almy soon did bring refreshments round, 4 28 A word to those who'll lend an ear to what I have to say: — Whether you've friends away to war, or if they're home to-day r Do all you can to comfort them, in hospital or field ; And you will see, in harvest time, abundant it will yield. Home again, we are home again, &c. Now to the State which we belong a word we have to say : — The Twenty-Second Volunteers have had no days to play : We've done our duty faithfully ; and as we're not all slain, A right she's got to thank the Lord she's us to send again. Home again, we are home again, &c. But what a set of men are we to grumble in this way ! A week it takes to muster out ; but nought at this we say. The day goes by for want of time to charge to every man The value paid nine months ago for clothes now second-hancL Home again, we are home again, &c. 'Tis July eighth, and mustering and payman, both arrive, And with them almost every man that still remains alive ; And soon they lowered hill-tops and valleys rose to view : We citizens of State became. And now to all adieu. Home again, we are home again, &c. END, OFFICERS OF THE R] 014 040 985 6 Col. GEO. S. BURNHAM. Lieu't. Col. E. N. PHELPS. Maj. HERMAN GLAFCKE. Adj. CHAS. A. JEWELL. Q. M., J. S. GILMAK Surgeon, AMBROSE PRATT. Ass't. Sure., C. PEASE. Right Wing. Co. B. Capt. J. G. ROOT. 1st Lieu't. DeWITT C. SKILTON 2d Lieu't. E. G. WOODHOUSE. Ord. Serg't. W. C. CHURCH. Co. A. Capt. A. D. FRENCH. 1st. Lieu't. T. H. THIRLKEL. 2d Lieu't. E. P. ELLSWORTH Ord. Serg't. WM. NOBLE. 2d Ass't Surg., WAIT R. GRISWOLD. Line Officers. Left Wing. • Co. K. Capt. B. F. LOOMIS. 1st. Lieu't. E. C. SHELDON.- 2d Lieu't. L. JOHNSON. Ord. Serg't, H. D. MINOR. Co. I. Capt. CHAS. WHITTLESEY. 1st Lieu't. L. H. BOARDMAN. 2d Lieu't. J. H. WHITE. Ord. Serg't. V. R. BRISTOL. Co. C. Cap't. L. G. RIGGS. 1st. Lieu't. I. G. BAGGS. 2d. Lieu't. H. H. POLLARD. Ord. Serg't. H. F. CHANDLER. Co. E. Capt. E. B. PRESTON. 1st Lieu't. CHAS. G. FOSTER. 2d Lieu't. H. C. SPENCER. Ord. Serg't. E. W. WATERS. Co. F. Capt. GEO. CLARK. 1st Lieu't. J. W. ANDERSON. 2d Lieu't. A. E. BINGHAM. Ord. Serg't. E. BRIDGE. Co. G. Capt, D. P. CORBIN. 1st Lieu't, W. LUCE. 2d. Lieu't. T. F. McMAINE. Ord. Serg't. E. FULLER. Co. II. Capt. J. K. WILLIAMS. 1st Lieu't. FRANK McAULIFFE. 2d Lieu't. BENJ. LaVALLEY. Ord. Serg't, L. W. REED. Co. D. Capt, E. B. ROOT. 1st Lieu't. L. WHITON. 2d Lieu't. GEO. W. BARNES. Ord. Serg't. E. G. HUMPHREY. Non-Commissioned Staff. Serg't. Maj. F. M. SEYMOUR. Q. M. Serg't. IT. P. MORLEY. Drum Maj. L. C. MINOR. Hosp. Stew'd. E. S. SIKES. Com. Serg't. C. L. LITTLE. Color Sergeants. Stale Colors, JOSEPH WILSON. Union Colors, A. J. CARRIER. Ordnance Sergeant. D. P. CHAMBERLIN. LIBRARY OF CONGRE: 014 040 985 6 Hollinger pH8.5 Mill Run F3-l< LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 040 985 6 Hollinger P H8.5 Mill Run F3-1955