6<^ I LIBRARY of C0N9RESS Two C«(>ies Ricetved MAY 2 '90^ CepyriKM Entry CLASS ^ A XXC.NO. / 7r'f7f. COPY B. COPVRICHTED 1906. Published under the auspices of Chakler Lyman, Albert F. Hall and John McCarthy. A Committee of the Society of the Fourteenth Connecticut Regiment. HISTORY FOURTEENTH REGIMENT, CONNECTICUT VOL. INFANTRY. BY CHARLES D. PAGE. ILLUSTRATED. MERIDEN, CONN.: The horton Printing Co. 1906 COL. DWIGHT MORRIS. .\ Vi» To the members of the Fourteenth Regiment, CoNNECTicu 1 Volunteer Infantry, who still remain to do service in the battle of life, and to the memory of the brave ones mustered out, these pages are dedicated. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. — THE HIRTH OK THE REGIMENT. Designed for a " Camp of Instructions." — The President's Call for Troops. — Governor Buckingham's Appeal. — Revival of Enlistments. — Camp Foote. — Lack of Discipline.- -Mustered into U. S. Service. — Leave Hartford for the Front. — Towns Represented in the Regiment. — Dr. Jeu'ett's Opinions and Memories. CHAPTER II — IROM NEW YORK TO AN PIETAM. Arrival in New York. —Reception. — Major Hinck's Description of the Jouraej' to Washington. — An Accident at Easton, Penn. Arrival at Harrisburg. — At Baltimore. — At Washington. — Reviewed by the Pres- ident. — General Wool's Opinion. — At Camp Chase. — At Fort Ethan Allen. — Become a part of the Second Corps. — The March to Antietam. South Mountain. — Camp on the Boonsboro Pike. CHAPTER III. — THE BATTLE OF ANTIETAM. Description of the Field. — The Confederate Forces. — The Union Forces.— The 14th Regiment Fords the Antietam — The Roulette Farm. — The Cornfield. — Bloody Lane. — Ordered to Support Brooke, — Death of General Richardson. — On the Plowed Field. — Captain Blinn- — Captain Willard. — List of Killed, Wounded and Missing. — Report of Lieut. - Colonel Sanford H. Perkins. CHAPTER IV. — AFTER ANTIETAM AND BEFORE FREDERICKSBURG. The Regiment Leaves Antietam. — March to Boliver Heights. — Fording the River. — Sickly Conditions of the Camp — The Routine of Camp Life. — Leave for Belle Plain. — The March Down the Loudon Valley. — The Story of the Bee Hives. — Reach Belle Plain. — The Condition of the Camp. — The Camp at Falmouth. CHAPTER V. — THE BATTLE OF EREDERICKSIiURG. Description of the Field. — The Hopelessness of the Attack. — The Delay in Laying the Pontoons, — The Regiment Crosses. — Experiences of the Night.— The Attack.— The Part that the Regiment Played.— Lt. -Colonel Perkins Wounded. — Captain Gibbons. — Charles Lyman's experience. — List of Killed, Wounded and Missing. — Captain Davis' Report. CHAPTER VI. — THE WINTER AT FALMOUTH. Return of the Regiment to Camp. — The Demoralization of the Ranks. — Captain Samuel A. Moore Overcome. — Better Rations. — Men Refuse to Enthuse over the Toast "Across the Rappahanock," — Burial of Captain Gibbons. — Condition of the Hospital. — Promotions. — Fred Doten's Punches. — Surgeon Rockwell, Leaves the Regiment. — Sketch. — The Regiment Leaves for Chancellorsville. CHAPTER VII. THE AFFAIR AT CH ANCELLORSVILLE. Lieut. -Colonel Theodore G. Ellis in Command. — The Regiment Crosses the Rappahannock. — Description of the Battlefield. — Little for the Regiment to do. — The Break of the nth Corps.— Heroism of the Fourteenth Band. — Return to Camp near Falmouth. — List of Killed, Wounded and Missing. — Lieut. -Col. Ellis' Report. CHAPTER VII. — THE MARCH FROM FALMOUTH TO GETTYSBURG. Practical Joke on Chaplain Stevens. — Take up the March to Gettysburg. Company A Meets Old Friends.— Character of the March. — Cleaning Out a Sutler. — Meet a "Dandy" Regiment. — The Men Hear of a Change of Commanding General. — Reach Gettysburg. CHAPTER IX.— GETTYSBURG. Description of the Field. — Accident to Major Coit. — The Position of the Regiment During the Engagement. — Capture and Occupation of the Bliss Buildings. — Captured and Burned by the Fourteenth Regiment. A terrific Cannonading. Pickett's Magnificent Charge, — Its Repulse. — Major Hicks Captures a Flag. — A Day of Gallantry and Heroism. — Caring for Wounded Rebels. — Flags Captured. — (Dunn Brown) Capt. Samuel F. Fisk's Opinion of the Regiment in Action. — A Night of Terror. — Honors Conferred upon the Regiment by Col. Bacheldor. — List of Killed, Wounded and Missing. — Official Reports. CHAPTER X.— THE SUMMER OF 1S63. The Regiment Leaves Gettysburg. — The Enemy had Flown. — A Colossal Blackberry Party. — Dunn Brown's Description. — Substitutes and Drafted Men. — Their Evanescent Nature. — Odd Characters. — The Chaplain Has Another Joke. — Death of Line Officers. — Band Con- certs. CHAPTER XI. — BRisTOw station and mine run. Experience at Culpepper.— Deserters Shot. — A Set of Guidons Presented to the Regiment. — General Owen's Compliment. — Promotions. — Major Moore. — Quartermaster Dibble. — Auburn. — The Engagement at Bris- tow Station. — Killed, Wounded and Missing. — Mine Run. — An Anxious Hour. — Lieut.-Colonel Moore's Decision. — General Warren. — Colonel Ellis' Report. CHAPTER XII. — STONY mountain and morton's ford. The Regiment Reach Stevensburg. — Disorder in Camp. —Prompt Action. — Camp at Stony Mountain. — Presence of Ladies. — Pierce Barron. — Neat Appearance of Camp.— Morton's Ford. — The Regiment move toward the Rapidan. — The Position of the Regiment.— A Cruel Order.— Conditino of the Commanding Generals. — Capture of Captain Doten. — The Killed, Wounded and Missing.— Lieut.-Colonel Moore's Report.— A New Commander. — Ladies Sent Out of Camp. CHAPTER XIII. — THE WILDERNESS, A TANGLE OF BATTLES AND SKIRMISHES. The Regiment Cross the Rapidan. — The Grandeur of the View. — The Old Battlefield of Chancellorsville. — Laurel Hill. — Battle of Spottsvlvania. — A Voiceless Charge. — J. H. Stannard's Account. — Sergeant Wade's Record. — Milford Station.— Joseph Schlitcher's Experience.— Toto- potomy Creek. — A Southern Mule. — General Hay Killed, Captain Fisk (Dunn Brown) Mortally Wounded.— How the Regiment Missed its Rations. — The Flag. — Killed, Wounded and Missing. — Report of Captain Broatch. — Report of Colonel Ellis. CHAPTER XIV — PETERSBURG AND REAM'S STATION. The Regiment Shares Rations with the Colored Troops. — The Regiment Support General Barlow. — Battle of the "Fleeing Hen." — A Dress Par- ade. — A Midnight Call. — A Hard March.— Killed, Wounded and Miss- ing. — Captain John C. Broatch's Report Completed. — Colonel Ellis' Report. — Deep Bottom. — Lieut. -Colonel Moore's Report on Skirmish at Deep Bottom. — A Terrible Thunder Storm. — Assistant Sergeant Jew- ett's Recollections. — Killed, Wounded and Missing. — Lieut. -Colonel Moore's Report. CHAPTER XV — FROM hatcher's run to the end. The Men have a Glimpse of the End. — Sorrow in the Regiment. — A De- tail Ordered to New Haven, Conn. — Lieut. -Colonel Moore's Report on Number of the Regiment. — Boydton Plank Road. — A New Chaplain. — Inactivity, — T he Men Live Underground. — Lieut. -Colonel Moore Ordered to Make a Demonstration. — Sergeant Blatchley's Account. — Virginia Mud. — High Bridge. — Funeral Services in Honor of President Lincoln. — Richmond Has Fallen. — Joy of the Men. — Homeward Bound- -The Review at Washington. — Return to Hartford.— Glad Re- ception. — Impatient to Reach Home. — Scarcity of Money no Hinder- ance. — Return to Hartford. — Discharged. Adjutant-General Summary. APPENDIX. Organization of the Society of the Fourteenth Regiment. — By-Laws. — Memorable Meetings. — The Society Incorporated. — Monuments at Gettysburg. — Dedication. — Chaplain Stevens' Address. — The Annual Reunion at Antietam. — Monument. — Description. — Dedication. — J. W. Knowlton's Address. Breveted Officers, Fox's Statistics and Record. Adjutant-General's Summary. Official Roster. LIST OF PORTRAITS. Colonel Dwight Morris (Frontispiece). Lieut. -Colonel Sanford H. Perkins, full page, 20 Colonel Theodore G. Ellis, " 117 Lieut. -Colonel Samuel A. Moore, " 183 Chaplain Emmons P. Bond, . . 297 Major John C. Broatch, . . 271 Major Cyrus C. Clark, . . 75 Major James B. Coit, . . 109 Quartermaster Charles F. Dibble, . 188 Captain Fred S. Doten, . . 223 Assistant Surgeon Frederick A. Dudley, 245 Albert F. Hall, . . . 372 Major William B. Hincks, . . 157 Sergeant Benjamin Hirst, . . 193 Assistant Surgeon Levi Jewett, . 313 Q. M. S., J. W. Knowlton, . . 362 Charles Lyman, . . . 372 John McCarthy, . . . 60, 372 Siirgeon Philo G. Rockwell, . " . 113 Corporal Joseph Pierce, . . 131 Assistant Surgeon Charles Tomlinson, 275 Rebel Girl, . . . . 161 ILLUSTRATIONS. Page. The Famous Cornfield at Antietam 20 Capitol at Washington 21 Bivouac of the Regiment on the Boonsboro Pike .... 28 A Glimpse from Cemetery Hill at Sharpsburg 29 Dunkard Chureh ........... 30 Bloody Lane Since the War 32 Cornfield and Mumma Buildings ....... 33 Antietam Creek Where the Regiment Forded 35 West View of Roulette House, 1S91 36 The Spring House 37 Corner of Mum ma's Orchard 38 Fence Corner Extreme Left of Regiment's Position ... 39 Roulette House, 1862 .......... 40 Another View of " Bloody Lane " 41 Roulette Lane 42 Where the Regiment Supported Brooke 43 Where General Richardson Fell 45 The Plowed Field 46 A Section of " Bloody Lane" 48 Burnside's Bridge, Antietam 57 Kimball's Hill, Antietam 58 Where the Regiment Forded the River 59 Harper's Ferrv 63 A Street in Harper's Ferry . 64 Jefferson Rock 66 Armory, Harpers's Ferry 72 Burnside's Bridge. 18 a 74 Where the Pontoons Touched Fredericksburg ..... 74 Major Lacy's Mansion . . ■ 78 Where the Regiment Crossed the Rapahannock .... 80 Caroline Street, Fredericksburg . . . . ... . 81 Church and Signal Tower, Fredericksburg 82 The Old Depot, Fredericksburg .83 The Causeway, Fredericksburg 87 Division Hospital • , . . 94 Fair Grounds Where the Regiment Charged 103 The Shore of the Rapahanock ........ 104 On Picket Making Coffee 106 Chancellor House, 1S91 . . . . . . . . .120 Society of Fourteenth Regiment at Antietam Barn at General Mead's Headquarters The Round Tops Position of Second Corps at (lettysburg Mead's Headquarters, Taneytown Road Portion of Field, Gettysburg General Hay's Headquarters Marker at Bliss Barn Site .... Knowlton Marker at Bliss House Site Monument at Gettysburg ... Ground on which Pickett charged Headquarters after the Battle Spangler's Spring ..... Mouth of Devil's Den The Two Round Tops from the West The Hagerstown Pike National Cemetery, Antietam Morton's Ford ...... Stony Mountain from Stevensburg Brigade Camp, Stony Mountain Stony Mountain in Recent Years Morton's Ford from the South Buckner House from a Distance A Nearer View of Buckner House Headquarters of Picket, Morton's Ford Morton House and Surroundings A Scene of Much Coffee Making Brock Road Wilderness, Va. Society of Fourteenth Regiment at Gettysburg, Gettysburg Monument .... Society of Fourteenth Regiment at Cemetery H Roulette House ...... Monument at Antietam . . . • Orange Plank Road, Wilderness The White House Mt. Vernon ....... 1 891 11 Page. 125 120 135 138 139 140 141 143 145 147 14S 153 259 164 167 173 1S9 209 211 213 215 216 21S 219 221 222 232 236 239 25S 252 258. 265 281 359 360 PREFACE. The history of the Fourteenth Regiment, Connecticut Volunteers, Infan- try, should have been written a generation ago. This would have been but justice to the brave men who have since passed away who earnestly and rightfully desired to see the record of their gallantry, sacrifice and heroism have a permanent form in print. It was also a patriotic duty to the State, the service of the Fourteenth Regiment being one of the illus- trious chapters in the military history of the Commonwealth. A history written at that time would have been more complete in detail and richer in personal experience. As time has gone on, memory has become weaker, memoranda, diaries, and letters have become scattered and irrecoverably lost. It has been my aim to allow the men of the regiment to tell the story of its service, and have used my own language to serve only as a thread upon which to hang these jewels of memory. The responsibility of writ- ing the history was increased when I found the earnestness and willing- ness to assist so intense among the surviving members. To write a his- tory that would satisfy the intelligence and enthusiasm of such men and to do justice to the character of the regiment was, indeed, no small task. The limited space of a preface will not allow me to enumerate and ac- knowledge all those from whom I have drawn to make up this record. The presence of their names in the following pages must be taken as an acknowledgement of my gratitude and obligation. A few of these sources of information must, however, be mentioned. I have been under great obligations to the Committee of the Society of the Fourteenth Regiment for their advice, assistance and interest in the progress and completion of the work. Mr. Charles Lyman, of Washington, D. C, chairman of the committee, has found time amid the multitudinous cares of a busy life, to read the chapters from time to time as they have been prepared, making such suggestions as his wide experience and good taste has deemed desirable. Mr. Albert F. Hall, of Meriden, the most active man of the committee, has been untiring in placing in my hands all the available material for the history that he could command. His prompt- ness in all the details has been an incentive and an inspiration to faithful work, and to him more than to any man of the regiment is due the com- pletion of the history at the present time. Mr. John McCarthy, of New Haven, the third member of the committee, has given valuable aid and suggestions as the work has progressed. To Mr. William T. Hincks, of Bridgeport, son of Major William B. Hincks, I am particularly indebted for the privilege of consulting and copying from his father's diary. This rec- ord of Major Hincks was characteristic of his intelligence, and his reputa- tion for accuracy and discernment which made it especially valuable. I am also under obligations to Sergeant Benj. Hirst and his brother John Hirst for the use of forty-four letters contributed to the Rockrnlle (Conn.,) Journal for many details of experience on battlefield and march. Ex-Mayor A. R. Crittenden, of Middletown, Conn , has given many valuable narra- tives and we have quoted liberally from Sergeant E. B. Tyler's bright and fascinating record. To Mrs. C. H. Wade, of Northampton, Mass., I am indebted for the loan of her husband's. Sergeant Wade's, history of the legiment as published in the Soldier's Record. I desire also to acknowl- edge my obligations and deep indebtedness to Miss Fayetta Warren of Watertown, N. Y. , for her assistance and aid in preparing and perfecting the history. Her painstaking care and reliable accuracy as stenographer and typewriter has done much toward bringing the history to completeness. And so this record goes forth to take its place among others that have been made of the valient deeds of those who went out to uphold the principles of union and liberty, in the war between the states. If the following pages succeed in portraying, even feebly, the many acts of valor and heroism, bravery and sacrifice performed by the men of the Fourteenth Regiment, then it may be said that the work has been faithfully done. CHARLES D. PAGE. New Haven Connecticut, July, 1906. HISTORY OF THE FOURTEENTH REGIMENT, CONNECTICUT VOL. INFANTRY. CHAPTER I. The Birth of the Regiment. To intelligently understand the beginnings of the Fourteenth Regiment, Connecticut \'olunteers, Infantry, it may be well to glance at the condition of the Union cause at the front and the spirit and temper of the loyal people of the North, just previous to its formation. During the early spring months of 1862, the Union forces were successful upon all the lines of their advance. From the West to the Atlantic and from the Potomac to the Gulf, the tide of Confederate progress had been checked and turned back. General Thomas and Colonel Garfield had won victories in Kentuckv, at Prestonburg and Mill Spring, General Grant and Commodore Foote had captured Fort Henry on the Tennessee River and with Bull had reduced Fort Donelson on the Cumber- land. General Rurnside had forced New Berne to surrender, Farragut had passed the forts at the mouth of the Mississippi, had victoriously entered New Orleans where the Union Hag had again been planted and was triumphantly floating froivi many a staff and public building. The L^nion loving people were not oblivious to the onward pro- gress of the army, and there was a wide-spread feeling that the end of the conflict was at hand. This feeling was further strengthened by an order from the War Department April 3d.. 1862. discontinuing enlistments in all the states. Aj^ril Toth. President Lincoln, from his great heart, looking through the dark cloud then enveloping his own home by the death of his boy,. ('3) 14 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. •called upon the people to observe a season of thanksgiving ''for the glorious successes of our armies at the front." The action of the government and the wide-spread belief that the armies then in the field were sufficient to meet any emergency quickened business and revived industry. Those who had Hocked to the recruiting offices to offer themselves to the service of the country, returned to their homes and found employment in their various occupations, and took their places in the peaceful on- goings of society. The call of the President in 1861 for five hundred thousand men had been filled, and the last of Connecticut's quota (13,037), the Thirteenth Regiment had left New Haven March 17th., and Avere doing duty at Ship Island. These were the conditions when Alay 21st the War Depart- ment signified its willingness to accept from Connecticut one regiment as its part to form a contingent of fifty thousand men ior a "Camp of Instruction" at Annapolis, J\ld. The next day. May 22, the governor directed that "volun- teers be received sufficient to form one regiment to be known as the Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry, to serve three years or during the war unless sooner discharged. The plan of the regi- ment to be the same as those already in the field." The regiment was ordered to rendezvous at Hartford. The camp -was located on the New Haven turnpike about two miles from Hartford and was called Camp Foote in honor of Commo- dore Foote, who had won merited popularity and esteem in his native state for his gallant conduct at F'orts Henry and Donelson. May 22d Dwight Morris was appointed as Colonel. Colonel Morris of Bridgeport was well known throughout the state. He was born in Litchfield in 181 7. and was therefore forty-five years of age. Colonel Morris had graduated from Union College in 1832, and was a member of the General Assembly of Connecticut for six years from 1845, ^"d again in 1880. He had l)een a practicing lawyer in Bridgeport for several years, being Judge of Probate for the District of Bridgeport in 185 1. After the war, Colonel Morris was appointed United States Consul to France irom 1866 to 1869, and was Secretary of the State of Con.iecticut The Birth of the Regiment. 1 5 in 1876. He died suddenly at his home in Bridgeport September 26th. 1895. Tt was to be a regiment from the state at large. Mainly for reasons we have mentioned, enlistments were slow and unsatisfactory. The feeling that the army was large enough to meet any emergency had permeated the minds of the people. Then again it may be supposed that the prospect of spending an indefinite period in a "Camp of Instruction" was not alluring to a true soldier, certainly not to that class of men that finally made up the Fourteenth Regiment. Xo one at that time w^ould have ventured the prophecy that this very regiment, conceived for the dull duties of a "Camp of Instruction," was destined to play an important part in some of the most sanguinary battles of modern times, and do valiant ser- vice in some of the pivotal actions of the great conflict. Assistant Surgeon Dr. Levi Jewett in his diary estimates there were about two hundred and fifty men enlisted when he joined the regiment, July 14th. This was nearly two months after the call had been made for volunteers. Suddenly all these conditions changed. Reverse followed re- verse with the Union army, and the tide of rebellion swept west- ward and northward until the loyal people of the Xorth were de- pressed and alarmed. Governor Buckingham joined with the governors of all of the loval states requesting the President to "call out a sufficient number of men to garrison the cities and military posts that have been captured by our armies and to speedily put down the re- bellion that now exists in several Southern states." President Lincoln therefore issued an order for the enlisting of three hundred thousand more men. Connecticut's quota in this call was 7.145. July 1st Governor Buckingham issued a call for this number of men to form six more regiments. Immediately followmg the call the Governor issued an impassioned address and appeal for volunteers ; a single sentence of this address will serve to show its character and earnestness. He savs : — "Close your manufactories and workshops, turn 1 6 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. aside from your farms and yonr business, leave for awhile your families and your homes, meet face to face the enemies of your liberties !" Meetings to promote enlistments were held in nearl}- all of the cities and larger towns of the state. These meetings were ad- dressed by some of the best known men, and were characterized by the most intense patriotic enthusiasm and fervor. The effect of the (lovernor's appeal and the influence of these meetings were electrical. From one end of the state to the other, the stirring scenes of April, iSOi, were reenacted. Young men flocked to the recruiting offices eager and earnest to enlist in the service of their country. The "lonely squads" of the Fourteenth Regiment, that had passed up and down the dusty field of "Camp Foote" for weeks, felt the impulse of the new enthusiasm and every day brought new^ members to its ranks. Dr. Jewett records the first tangible addition toward the last of July when Captain Burpee brought in "a fine company" (Company D) from Vernon. Soon followed Company B, Cap- tain Gibbons, from Middletown, "who entered camp with band playing and flags flying and escorted by the firemen of Aliddle- town." "There w^as great rejoicing," says Dr. Jewett, "when this company came into camp and we formed a line and gave them three hearty cheers." Company followed company in quick succession until the re- quisite number necessary to make up the maximum strength of the regiment was reached. By August 22d the last man had en- listed and the last commission had been signed. Then came the busy preparation, and the impatience to move to the front. The regiment numbered 1,015 men and were to be armed with Springfield rifles, with the exception of Companies A and B, which were to be equipped with Sharp's rifles. That rigid military discipline was not yet introduced into camp we may judge from a statement of Private, afterwards Corporal, Albert R. Crittenden, of Company B, who says : — "The first I recall after going into 'Camp Foote' at Hartford was the dearth of fire arms. The camp guard at our (the left) end of camp had onlv four old smooth-bore muskets, which had once been flint The Birth of the Regiment. 1 7 locks, but were then without locks or bayonets. This serves to show how closely available arms had been hustled to the front. Of course guard duty under such conditions was a trifle lax, as with such equipment we could not stop men from passing over the lines if we tried, so, as perhaps it will be remembered bv the bovs, we let them go. I fear this was bad discipline, for when we reached the enemy's country and the boys suspected there was something good to eat outside the lines, we were quite willing to have our backs to them when they went and came. Some times we shared an extra bit of fresh pork, lamb or hoe cake, as a re- sult of our blindness." Touching the same point Xelson S. Bailey of Companv B says : — 'Tn camp at Hartford the minor details that have to do with the art of war were of interest. We noticed particularly that 'running the guard' was made a business as well as a diver- sion, — by others of course.'' No Connecticut regiment ever took to the front a more noble representation of the best elements of the state than did the Fourteenth. ]\lany of the men had already become moving forces in the social, religious, commercial and industrial activities of the state. Dr. Jewett says of them : — "Thev are young men of good character." It was indeed a regiment from the state at large, a regiment of the people. Xo less than eiglity-six towns were represented upon the roster. August 23d the regiment was mustered into the service of the United States by Colonel Webb of the regular army. The following was the representation of the towns in the make-up of the regiment. Company A, Captain James D. Merritt, Bridgeport. 49 men ; Putnam, 8 ; Stratford, Norwalk, 6 each ; Aliddletown, Trumbull, 4 each ; Killingly, 3 ; Hartford, Brooklyn, Monroe, Berlin, 2 each ; Waterbury, Madison, Huntington, Newtown, Litchfield, Plain- field, Wilton, Harrisville, R. I., Thompson, Easton, Sprague, Woodstock, Fairfield, East Haddam, Cornwall, i each. Company B, Captain Elijah W. Gibbons, Middletown, 93 men ; Durham, 6 : Waterbury 2 ; Bridgeport, New Haven, Norwich, A'ernon, Haddam, i each. 1 8 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. Company C, Captain Samuel W. Carpenter, \\'aterbury, 88 men ; Bridgeport, Naugatuck. 3 each : Middletown, 2 ; New Ha- ven, Durham, Thompson, Milford, EUington, Torrington, Wood- bury, \>rnon. East Windsor, East Haddam, i each. Company D, Captain Thomas F. Burpee, Vernon, 75 men ; Elhngton, 10; Waterbury, 5; Coventry, Wihington, 4 each; Mid- dletown, 2 ; Bridgeport, New London, Tolland, South Wmdsor, Bolton, Rockville, Mansfield. Windsor, Hartford, Westport, i each. Company E. Captain William H. Tubbs, Norwich, 21 men; Middletown, 18; Hartford, 15; New Haven, 6; Waterbury, Killingly, 4 each ; Griswold, Sprague, 3 each ; Windham, East Windsor. Franklin, Putnam, Preston, Coventry. \>rnon, 2 each ; Bridgeport, New Britain, Lisbon, Aiarll)orough, Hampton, Glas- tonbnr\-. Chaplin, North Stonington, IMadison, Wethersfield, Plainfield, Thompson, ]\Ieriden, New London, i each. Company F, Captain Jarvis E, Blinn, New Britain, 65 men ; Bloomfield, 15; Berlin 13; Wolcott, 3; Wethersfield, 2; Bridge- port, Hartford, Norwich, New Haven, New London, Barkham- sted, A'ernon, i each. Company G, Captain Samuel F. Willard, jMadison, 58 men • CHnton, 12: Old Saybrook, 10; Westbrook, 9; Guilford, 5; Kill- ingworth, 3 ; New Haven. 2 ; Bridgeport. Hartford, Norwich, New London, Franklin, East Lyme. Stratford, \'ernon, Haddam. T. each. Company H, Caj^tain Samuel H. Davis, New London, 56 men : Waterford, 21; East Lyme, 5; New Haven, 3; A>rnon. Water- burv, 2 each; Hartford, Aliddletown, Durham, ^^'illimantic. Ston- ington, Ellington, i each. Company L Captain Isaac R. Bronson, Guilford. 24 men ; New Haven. 22: Hartford, 13; Waterbury, 7; Aliddlebury, 3; Coventrv, 3 ; New London, New Britain, Wethersfield, Farming- ton, Bloomfield, 2 each ; ^liddlctown. Norwich, New Milford, \\'indham, Avon, Madison, Norwalk, Willington, A^ernon, Elling- ton, Woodbury, Naugatuck, New Fairfield, i each. Comjianv K, Captain Robert H. Gillette, Norwich, 21 men; FTartford, 18: Chatham, 14; Somers, 6: Middletown, 5; Bridge- The Birth of the Regiment. 19 port. Ledyard. Griswold. 4 each ; W'aterbury. Coventry, 3 each ; Madison, Stonington, Preston, Sprague, Farmington, 2 each ; Suffield, Durham. Winchester, Woodbridge, Andover, Man- chester. Stafford. Wallingford, ChapHn, Frankhn, Bolton, Wind- sor. Thompson. East Haddam. Haddam. i each. Xo member of the regiment will forget those closing days al ''Camp Foote." the hurried bustle of preparation for departure, the throngs of people who came to say farewell to father, brother, husband, son and friend. August 25th. the day for the regiment to break camp and start for Washington arrived. We will let Dr. Jewett, a partici- pant, tell the story of the departure. He says: — "August 25Lh. we left camp with bands playing and tlags flying, marching to the dock in a column of fours. As we moved the crowd increased and when we reached the corner of Main and State Streets, it became so dense that we could hardly make progress. Reaching the dock six companies boarded the steamer 'City of Hartford' and four companies upon the transport "Dudley Buck.' When we reached Middletown, it seemed as if the whole city had turned out to meet us. The dock and all the space about was black with people. Many came to the boats with baskets of fruit and food, which were greatly appreciated by the 'boys'. At Cobalt a great gun on the hill gave us a roaring 'God-speed' and there were hearty greetings from a crowd of friends at Middle Haddam." Here Dr. Jewett leaves us in his memory of the trip to Xew York. Slowlv the steamer and transport steamed out of the Connecti- cut River into the broader waters of the Sound. At the right la\- the old state dear to the hearts of those on board, their birth- place, the scenes of their ambitions and hopes, and the homes of those they loved who were left behind. Slowly they passed the familiar hilltops, the rugged cliff's, the undulating shore and the broad fields that floated back to the western sky. So the twilight drifted into the shadow and the shadow into darkness, and the fair scene was hidden from view. Alas, how many were never permitted to look upon it again ! The famous Cornfield at Antietam. CHAPTER II. From New York to Antietam. We left the regiment at the close of the last chapter with the soft curtain of night gathering about it as the heavily laden boats moved sluggishly down the Sound. Thev arrived in New York early the next morning, where thev were refreshed with a bounti- ful supply of food by the Soldiers' Relief Committee, but did not land, being transferred to a large transport, the "Kill von Kull." and steamed down the harbor past Staten Island to the Elizabeth River, and up the river to Elizabethport, where the troops were again transferred to cars, and after some delay a long train in two sections steamed away toward Baltimore, by way of Har- risburg and York, Penna. The night had been long and tedious and, although not to be compared with the later experience ^^ of the regiment, it must have been to many a slight foretaste of ;:he rigors of a soldier's life. The decks of the steamer were several degrees harder, even, than the ground of Camp Foote and were withal crowded, dirty and hot, so that there was very littie sleep or rest. On the way to Baltimore the entire journey during the daylight hours was characterized by the same outbursts of patriotic enthusiasm as that sent out from the shores of their own dear Connecticut. Private William B. Hincks of Company A, afterwards Major, (20) LT.-COL. SANFORD H. PERKINS. From New York to Antietam. 2 1 "Our progress was a sort of triumphal journey. Steamers sounded a salute with their whistles, flags were unfurled and bells were rung. Farmers waved their hands and hats as a hurrah to us as we shot by. The day wore slowly away. We passed through the borders of New Jersey and along the mountains of Pennsylvania. The road wound around these mountains and we often crossed deep ravines spanned by lofty bridges, down whose sides one would tremble to look." At Easton, Penna., occurred the first casualty to the regiment. When the train stopped, which was upon a trestle above the street, 2d Lieutenant Frederick E. Shalk of Company E left the train for a moment and in attempting to again step upon the car, lost his footing and fell some thirty feet to the street, striking upon his head. He was taken up insensible and was left behind for medical treatment, but recovered soon after and rejoined his regi- ment, doing valiant service. An occasional "hot box" varied the monotony of the journey to Harrisburg. In regard to the arrival there Corporal Crittenden says: — "We were side-tracked an hour or two at Harrisburg, Penna., by reason of an order to hold us as we might be ordered to Chambersburg. Lee's cavalry were in the Shenandoah \alley and the Pennsylvania border was threatened. Well that we were ordered on to Washington or we might have been gobbled up at Chambersburg and our history been entirely different." During the tarry at Baltimore the regiment passed under view of General Wool, who said to Colonel Morris : — " A splendid regi- ment, not one drunken man in the ranks : too good a regiment to be sent anywhere but to the front!" We cannot do better than to allow Major Hincks to further tell the story of the journey. He says : — "We passed through Harrisburg, a fine old Quaker town, and in time reached Balti- more. We marched across the city to the Washington depot. Call Baltimore a secession place if you will, but we were treated better here than in any other place on our route. When we halted before entering the city, ladies ran out with pails of water, bread and butter and melons for the soldiers. We marched into a Soldiers' Relief Building, provided not by the government, 22 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. but by the citizens of Baltimore, where long tables were spread for the regiment and all sat down to as much good bread and cheese, ham and coffee or ice water as we could take care of. At about nine o'clock Thursday evening we started for Wash- ington in an old cattle train, about forty men in a car. We arrived in Washington about four o'clock in the morning and marched directly to the barracks. These barracks were very large and capable of accommodating one or more regiments. About eleven o'clock the next day we were formed into columns and with our ponderous knapsacks vipon our backs passed up Penn- sylvania Avenue to the Long Bridge over the Potomac. Here a long halt was made to allow a train of mules to pass. We crossed over the bridge and found ourselves upon the 'sacred soil' of Virginia, and very nasty soil it is ; thick yellow dust lay three inches deep and we were surrounded by a dense cloud of it. Roads rvm through deep defiles overhimg by forts. We' came I The Capitol, which was in process of rebuilding when the Fourteenth Regiment passed through Washington. From New York to Antietam. 23 upon a little spring and at least five hundred of our men attempted to reach it all at once and there was general confusion." Dr. Jewett, in his memories, says : — "Daylight soon appeared and the great dome of the capitol became visible. I walked out to the foot of Capitol Hill and found everything in confusion, the building was not completed and the ground was covered with huge blocks of stone and marble, stone cutters' sheds and tools, derricks, mortar beds, etc." Touching the passage through Washington, Corporal Crittenden recalls the following: — "x\s we passed through Washington, I recall the reviewing stand where President Lincoln, General Scott, Secretary Stanton and other dignitaries stood while we passed in review. Our staff-ofificers and captains entered the re- viewing stand and were in turn introduced to the President and his staff of officials. When the head of B Company, the left of the regiment, reached the stand, President Lincoln was so busv we felt we were not to be noticed, so with one accord, we struck up loudly singing 'We are coming. Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more.' At once he faced us, straightened up his tall form, doffed his high silk hat and bowed and bowed until we were by. President Lincoln said of our regiment that we were the finest looking bod\- of men that had passed through Washington. As we had the honor of being the first regiment of the second call for three hundred thousand men to pass through Washington, it is easy to conclude this was his mental reservation which made his statement a fact." That night the regiment rested near Arlington Heights, calling it Camp Chase, and there was fond hope that a few days rest would be had. The journey from Connecticut had been hard and fatiguing. It was already three days since the regiment left Camp Foote and owing to wretched transportation arrangements, delays had been long and tedious, with little or no opportunity for sleep. Samuel Fisk ( "Dunn Browne" ) sums up the journey in the following words to the Springfield Repul)lican : — "Our boys on their way to the field slept on the dirty decks of a steamer, lying together as thick as rows of pins on a paper; were packed in dirty, close cars like sheep in a pen : and marched 24 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. through dust so thick and fine that, mixed in proper proportions with perspiration caused by the intense heat, it formed a good plaster cast of every man's face and form. Water is often too precious to use for abhitions ; Hnen gets dirty ; washerwomeii are scarce ; clothing of every kind grows ragged and on the whole dirt steadily and surely prevails till a regiment of veterans ap- pears to the uninitiated like a regiment of ragamuffins. Even our short experience also shows that a soldier's is a pretty thirsty and hungry life. For three day together, during this our first week, we had nothing to eat but a few hard crackers, and once a morsel of cheese, and once a slice of ham, apiece, served around ; and for one night and part of a day we had no water." The fond hope that a few days if not weeks would be allowed the regiment for rest and recuperation ; that much needed sleep would be obtained and rations be more plenty and steady ; and that even if lying upon the ground there would be room to stretch the legs without being entangled with those of a comrade, were not realized. Withal we may imagine the men felt the necessity of instruction and discipline in the use of arms. The boxes of rifles that had come into Camp Foote were yet unopened. Before the morning light of August 29th had dawned upon Camp Chase, the long roll was sounded and the men sprung from their sleep to meet an impending danger which the call indicated. The boxes were hastily opened and the arms distributed, with the exception of A and B Companies, which had received their Sharp's rifles as they came oft" Long Bridge. After making coft'ee the regiment moved oft' in light marching order, leaving baggage behind and taking only their rubber blankets, toward Fort Ethan Allen near Chain Bridge, about ten miles above Washington. The threatened danger proved a false alarm. Nearer and nearer the regiment was approaching the great army and the real activities of war. Nelson S. Bailey of Company B writes : — "No impressions of moment came to me during our journey to Washington, but when we had crossed the Potomac by way of Long Bridge and landed with both feet on Mrginia soil, I remember clearly my impres- sions We were in the enemv's front vard and he was there From New York to Antietam. 25 Avith liis lawn-mowers. I recollect the bivouac at Sovtth Mount- ain. The lifeless bodies there told us the tale that we were marching- shoulder to shoulder with death as they had marched. The enemy was not far ahead, for two days afterward we caught up with them and they 'caught on' to us by passing our way shells for which we had no present or prospective use." Sunday, September 7th, the regiment, with the One Hundred and Thirtieth Pennsylvania and One Hundred and Eighth Xew York \^olunteers, two new regiments, were as- signed to form the Second Brigade of the Third Division, Second Army Corps of the Army of the Potomac. Colonel Dwight Alorris was placed in command of the brigade and Lieu- tenant-Colonel S. H. Perkins assumed command of the regiment. The destinies and fortimes of the Fourteenth Regiment were now linked with those of the Army of the Potomac. Lieutenant-Colonel Perkins had perhaps by instinct and some training a larger share of military spirit than the average of the commissioned officers who left the state in 1862. Originally entering the service as a captain in the Fotirth Connecticut Volun- teers, he became one of the most efficient officers in that organi- zation when connected with the First Connecticut Artillery. ''Upon the organization of the Fourteenth, Governor Bucking- ham promoted him to the majority thereof and speedily there- after to be Lietitenant-Colonel. In this capacity he left the state and (Colonel Morris having been assigned to a brigade) it was mainlv due to his persistent zeal in drilling the men and instruct- ing the offices, that when the green regiment was hurled into the battle of Antietam, within three weeks of muster in, that it there won for itself such honorable record. All the fall and early winter the Lieutenant-Colonel continued his earnest labors, until the second great battle, at Fredericksburg ; where he fell very badly wounded in the neck and shoulder. Borne off the field under a heavy fire, the regret was deep and general when his wounds forced his resignation. Later in the war he served as one of the State Allotment Commissioners, and from 1865 had been in mercantile pursuits until early in 1873, when insanity followed a series of epileptic fits and he was removed to the state 26 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. insane asylum where he died. His remains were buried in Xew Britain with miHtary honors. December I2th, 1874, the bearers being officers of his old regiment. By a singular coincidence two of those who bore his dead body to the grave, were two of five who just twelve years before bore his living body from out the smoke and flame of Fredericksburg."* With the usual incidents of camp life, the regiment remained near Fort Ethan Allen until Sunday. September 7th, when it was ordered to be in readiness to move with the Army of the Potomac in pursuit of Lee. An exception to this routine was the acci- dental shooting of Private Thomas P. Allen of Company B in the wrist, which disabled him for furtlier service. The picket line of the regiment had overrun the picket line of the old regi- ments near them and through some error a few shots were fired., with this result. Under date of September 8th, ]\Iajor Hinks writes: — "Woods near Rockville. Md. A\'e are in a magnificent oak grove and a better spot for a camp could hardly be imagined. In these same woods two or three other regiments which compose our brigade are bivouacked. AMthin l)ugle call there may perhaps be 50 or 100,000 men." Just as the regiment turned into company streets at the Rock- ville camp, James ^IcA'ay of Company K, an old man, died of exhaustion incident of the days march. He had two sons in the same company, who wailed bitterly, touching the hearts of all who beheld their grief. Both of the sons, however, went through the service and were mustered out with the regiment in 1865. Dav after day the regiment marched side by side with the Irish Brigade and well do the men of the Fourteenth remember Ik^v thev were jeered and guyed by the Irish Brigade, who '"called them blue-legged devils and assured them they could not be seen for the dust they would kick up getting away from Bobbie Lee when he once got after them."' It may be recalled, however, that after the Fourteenth had been for nearly two hours in the thick of the l)attle of Antietam and had watched the Irish Brigade- make their charge on the Sunken Road, saw them slaughtered and repulsed ; and the Fourteenth went over to support that part From New York to Antietam. 27 of the line, then their tune changed and ever after that they recognized the Fourteenth as fighting men and were never hap- pier than when they were alongside of them in battle, confident that the Fourteenth woidd hold its part of the line secure. Four days marching brought the regiment to Clarksburg, Md. The following day, September 12th, they arrived at Hyattstown and encamped at White Oak Spring upon ground occupied by the Confederates two days previous. Step by step they .'-aw the desolation and waste of war-ruined homes, dismantled gun-car- riages, piles of nniskets and the putrefying bodies of horses and mules. Saturday, the 13th, the march was continued toward Frederick City. The boys were in the best of spirits and sang with a will "John Brown's Body" etc. The men were well re- ceived and as they passed up the main street were greeted with loyal cheers. As they passed an old engine-house in which were a number of Confederate prisoners, one called out "What regi- ment is that?" "The 14th Wooden Nutmeg" was the reply, to which the audacious prisoner answered "You will soon get your heads grated." The regiment then marched about two miles beyond the town and bivouacked in a field near the reservoir. The next morning, Sunday, the regiment was called at two o'clock and drew three days rations of hardtack, pork, sugar and coffee, and lav down again. At eight o'clock the regiment was again called and be- gan the march toward Antietam, crossing a stream and march- ing until two o'clock, with two short halts, and crossing a range of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Here a halt was made in a field and coffee cooked and about five o'clock it moved oft' again, it is presumed, to take part in the battle of South ]\lountain. They were prevented from doing this by difficulty in crossing a canal which delayed the regiment several hours. At twelve o'clock thev were able to pass the canal and marched to the battle-field of South Mountain, which that day had been the scene of a bloody contest between ]\lcClellan and Lee. Here the men saw for the first time the dire eft'ects of war. Sergeant Benjamin Hirst, under date of September 15th, says: — "I awoke about five o'clock on the battle-field of vesterdav and went out to see what war 28 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. was without romance. I cannot describe my feeling-s. but I hope to God never to see the Hke again." About ten o'clock the march was resumed, crossing the moun- tain at "Turners Gap", proceeding to Boonsboro, which place was reached about three o'clock. The column turned east, fac- ing Sharpsburg. The enemy was close at hand. The march was continued through Keedysville, which was passed about nine o'clock. On the line of march acres of soldiers were camped upon each side of the road. The scene was at once weird and impressive. Hundreds of camp-fires were blaz- ing as far as the eye could reach. Some of the men were cook- ing, some stretched upon the ground chatting cheerfullw while others were eni'oying a few hours sleep that the rest afforded. About a mile be_\ond Keedysville the colunni of which our regi- ment was a part bivouacked in a field on the Boonsboro pike, a short distance in the rear of McClellan's headquarters. The next dav was passed upon these grounds, an occasional shell from the enemy breaking the monotony of the hours. There we must leave them to await the experience and horrors of the comino- dav. ^ Bivouac of the Fourteenth Regiment l3y tlie Boonsboro pike, September 15-17, 1S62. McClellan's headquarters in center. CHAPTER III. The Battle of Antietam. Wednesday, September 17th, 1862, the day of the battle of Antietam, called by the Confederates the battle of Sharpsburg.. was in many respects the most memorable in the history of the regiment. Plunged within three weeks after leaving the peaceful scenes and avocations of their home state into one of the most fiercely fought and bloody battles of the war, with scant military drill and instruction in the use of arms ; linked in a brigade with two other regiments equally deficient in discipline ; with a frightful loss of men in killed and wounded, leaves in the minds of those who participated in it memories that cannot be effaced. A glimpse from "Cemetery Hill" near Sliarpsbur>^ and the Anlielani. If there was ever an ideal place on this fair earth where men should meet each other in battle that place may be said to be the environs of Antietam Creek. Standing for a moment on this eminence just east and outside the quaint village of Sharpsburg, (29) 30 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. we niav gain an intelligent idea of the surrounding teiritory. The view from this point is at once enchanting and grand. On the north and east we see the South Mountain range of the Alleghanies, their rugged contour broken by several circuitous passes or gaps. On the west a hill rises gracefully to a crest and slopes back by easy stages to the Potomac, which is not in sight. Looking then toward the north, we see this great amphitheater of nature with plateau several miles wide and somewhat longer. This mav be called a plateau by forbearance as there is scarcelv a level acre in Ils whole extent, it being covered by low billowv ridses. Xearlv through the center of this semi level The Dunkard Church. plain runs Antietam Creek, the course of which can be noted bv a rank growth of sedge, waterweeds and small trees whicii mark its banks. It is a slow, sluggish stream with an utter disregard for straight lines, although its general course may be said to be from northeast to sot^thwest. It is crossed by three bridges and three fords. Rmming from Sharpslnirg in an easterly direction, slightly turning to the north, is the Boonsboro pike and iimning The Battle of Antietam. 31 north, slightly bearing' to the east, is the Hagerstown pike. To the northwest on the Hagerstown pike stands the Dnnkerd Church, a quaint brick building resembling an old fashioned Xew England school-house, which, as Whittier says : — " Still sits the school-house by the road, A ragged beggar sunning." Singularly enough this worshipping place of a non-combative sect was in the very forefront of this fierce battle and shows many marks of the conflict. The valley is dotted here and there by prosperous farm houses, sttrroimded by extensive orchards, and the barns and outbuildings show the thrifty character of the people. Xearly all of the ground is under cultivation \\hich is divided into irregular golden patches of ripening corn a;id the dull hued fields of clover, with here and there the more somber brown of plowed fields. About midway, looking from the north, we see the ]\Iumma buildings (later burned) and the neat and tidy premises of the Roulette farm. Around these latter buildings was the center of the operations of the Fourteenth Regiment. x\bout a mile to the north and east were the Smith buildings which were the Division Hospital. Looking from the northeast about two miles on the distant hill, we see the brick buildings on Fr\ "s farm, the headquarters of General AlcClellan. From this high vantage ground ]\lcClellan could ride to and fro and watch the rise and fall of the tide of battle. Skirting along the Hagerstown pike on the left hand side about a mile north of Sharpsburg is a woods which has a depth of about a quarter of a mile and several htindred yards long. Then there is a field which runs at right angles to the road for about two himdred vards, thus making an elbow in the woods. The field then turns to the right, and runs along the woods parallel to the Hagerstown road for a quarter of a mile, when the wood again turns square to the left and extends back about half a mile, mak- ing at this point again an elbow with the strip of woods running along the road from the church. These woods are interspersed with outcropping ledges of limestone, making an excellent shield for the men. These were called the "East \\'oods" in distinction 32 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. from those on the west side. Another feature of this battle-field which must be noted is the Sunken Road, since known as "Bloody Lane." an outlet of the Mumma and Roulette farms, there being lanes from each of these farms intersecting it. This road was several feet below the surrounding land and extended a short distance west of the church in a southerly direction from the Hagerstown turnpike, about three-fourths of a mile. Along the eastern edee of this Sunken Road was a low wall which assisted Bloodv Lane " since the war. in making it a natural and formidable rific-pit from which the Confederates could not be seen by the Federal force'^, their presence only being detected by the ]nifts of smoke from their nnirderous rifle fire or the tops of their butternut hats. So fiercely did the battle rage in one section of this Sunken Road that for about a quarter of a mile it was called "Bloody Lane." On the right, bordering the crest of this western hill, was the Confederate Arm\ under Lee. Its ri^ht on the i6th. being: on a The Battle of Antietam. 33 sharp bend of the Creek to the west below Burnside Bridge, and running- northwest about one-half mile east of Sharpsburg, terminating a few miles south of ]\Iercersburg on the Potomac, like a gigantic bow, with its convex side toward the Union forces on the east and northeast. On the 17th we find this line has been drawn back, its right several hundred yards south, passing through the town of Sharpsburg, then swinging to the northwest, its left about a mile from its point of the i6th, with its concave side toward the Union forces. Lee's headquarters were in the vicinity of Sharpsburg. All of the divisions of the Armv of Xorthern \'irginia were now in position confronting the Federal forces, excepting the Divisions of ^IcLaws and Anderson which arrived very early on the morning of the 17th, and A. P. Hill's which arrived after uodu of that dav. Cornfield and Jfumma Ruildins?. Lee claimed that he had less than 40,000 men. Colonel Taylor in his "Four Years with General Lee" fixes the number at 35,255. ]\IcClellan set the Confederate Army at much more than this, but he always had oriental ideas of his enemy's numbers, reminding one of the somewhat extravagant remark of Secretary Stanton who said that "If IMcClellan had a million men, he would declare his enemv had two million, and sit down in the mud and yell till he had three million." The Federal force at Antietam was the First Corps under 34 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. General Burnside, Second under General E. V. Sumner, Fifth under General Fitzjohn Porter, Sixth under General William B. Franklin and Twelfth under General Mansfield. The Federal troops which really fought at the battle of Antietam were the First, Second, Ninth and Twelfth Corps. This was proven by the report of losses, the corps mentioned lost over twenty per cent, of their number, as given by jMcClellan, while the Fifth and Sixth Corps and the Cavalry division lost only two per cent., showing that they were practically unused. One who has participated in a battle knows how much and how little can be seen, the smoke, the trees and the varying formation of the ground limit the vision ; the deafening noise making orders hard to be understood ; the ghastly work of shot and shell, the shrieking of some of the wounded and the calm fortitude of others ; the shrill whistle of shells and projectiles, all tend to limit the knowledge of the ongoings of the battle outside of a few yards on either side. Orderly advances of bodies of troops can be easily described and easily imagined, but the larger the force, the more difficult such a description becomes. We left the regiment Monday night, September 15th, camped in a suburb of Keedvsville on the Boonsboro turnpike, after the long and tedious march from Fort Ethan Allen, which they left September 7th. The next day the men rested, if rest is possible under such circumstances. Occasional shot and shell and the sound of cannonading kept the men in mind of an approaching battle. General Sumner had ordered General French to have his division in readiness to move at daybreak. Arnn- life knows no hours. At two o'clock Wednesday morning the regiment was aroused to prepare for the march, each man receiving ninety-six rounds of cartridges and forty-five caps. Before the mellowing dawn of that September morning had touched the surrounding hilltops, the regiment was marching toward the scene of the days conllict. 'idiey crossed the Boonsboro turn])ike, turned to the right and around the hill and after marching about two miles over fields and thnmgh woods, and in some instances fences were pulled down that obstructed the column, the regiment forded Antietam Cri'ck about eiu'ht o'clock at the third ford which was The Battle of Antietam. 35 deep and slippery. Some of the men filled their canteens for prospective want while prudence suggested to others to take off their shoes and stockings. They were on the right of French's division with the 130th Pennsylvania next and the io8th New York on the left, marching that day with the Third Brigade (Max Weber's) in front, their own Brigade, the Second, under Colonel Morris next and the First Brigade, General Kimball, in the rear. Antit'tain deck wlu-ri,' tlie Fourteenth forded. After marching about two miles by flank they entered the East Woods. The order was given to form line of battle, shells were bursting about them, tearing off huge branches of trees while shot were cutting the air with their sharp shriek. This order to form line of battle was perhaps the supreme moment of their experience, as there shot through the minds of the men the 36 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. thongiit of the loved ones at home ; the terrible possibilities of the engagement made vivid by the ghastly scenes through which thev had already passed at South ^Mountain ; some indeed would be wounded, some slain outright ; there must inevitably be suffer- ing- and death ; and as they looked at the familiar faces of their comrades, they wondered who it would be. Coming to a fence. Max Weber's Brigade in front passed over first. As they came in sight the Confederate batteries onened a ficce fire and there was a storm of shot and shell. The column then passed di)wn a slight hill terminating in low marshv ground between the houses of i\Ir. ?\lumma and William Roulette. Compan}- A passed through a corner of J\lr. Alumma's orchard and serious as was the occasion. Major Hincks confesses that he and some of his companions i)icked a])ples and ate them. The same (^ompany also felt the scorching breath of Mumma's burn- ing l)uildings. The line was turned a trifle to the right mto a cornfield. The s])ring-h()use of William Roulette was occupied by some belligerent sharp-shooters who were captured by Com- pany 1'.. after which the company joined the regiment. At this time the right extended to a meadow and the left covered the The Battle of Antietam. 37 Roulette house and extended to about the left hand side of the garden, passing by the Roulette buildings to a fence dividing the meadow from the cornfield. Climbing this fence they entered the cornfield which was about thirty acres in extent and belonged jointly to Alumma and Roulette. The field had a vigorous growth of nearly ripe corn and for a time the men were partiallv The Spring House where prisoners were captured by Company B. hidden from view and suffered little from the shots of the enemy. Max Weber's Brigade, the front rank, reached the opposite fence several vards ahead of the Second Brigade and their emergence from the field drew at once a terrific fire from the encmv, from \\hich the men of the Fourteenth suflfered from over shooting. When the Fourteenth had passed through the cornfield and stood on a little ridge on the side next the enemy, there burst upon them a perfect tempest of musketry. The line of troops in front had passed well into the open field. It seemed to melt under the enemv's fire and breaking many of the men ran through the ranks of the Fourteenth toward the rear. Xo enemy could be seen, onlv a thin cloud of smoke rose from what was afterwards 38 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. Corner of Mumma's Orchard. Cornfield position second fence beyond. found to be their rifle-pits. As bv one impulse the Une halted on the edge of the cornfield and opened fire. Probably they did then but little damage as the enemv were well protected, but ujxMi oiu- side the bullets whistled past, cutting ofif the cornstalks, and every moment some one of the men would fall. 'idiis rifle-pit was the Sunken Road which at this time was plentifully filled with a quota of Confederate men while the line of troo])s skirted the crest of the hill above them, thus able to fire over their heads. The conduct of the 5th Maryland afifected the regiment seriously by breaking and rushing back through the line. Colonel Perkins says in his report that they threw his right wing into confusion, but although the right and center were broken twice, the men rallied on the colors and formed in good order. Walker in his "History of the Second .A.rmy Corps" savs on this point: — "'rhe 5th Mar\lan(l, whose commanding officer, Major lllumenberg. was wounded, was thrown into disorder, carrying away temporarily a portion of the T4th Connecticut, but the line was han(lsomel\- rallied by Colonel IV^rkins. The brigade was tlien ordered to rejiort to (ieneral Kimball; and first the 14th Connecticut and afterward the T30th Pennsylvania were ail\ancc-d to tlu' t'ront line. sifl)se(|uentl\ joined bv the Io8th .\ew ^ ork. All these rt-giments came uncU'r a sa\age fire, which The Battle of Antietam. 39 they bore with remarkable composure, considering that it was their first action." About a dozen of the men mistaking an order from the cap- tain of Company 1 to charge rushed forward into the open field. Not being followed by the rest of the regiment, they fell back with the exceptions of William B. Hincks and William H. Hawley of Company A and Benjamin Hirst of Company D, the latter of these seeing the enemy was about to charge went back to his regiment ; the other two became so interested in pouring shot into the enemy that they did not notice the withdrawal of their regiment, and only came to their senses when they saw a regiment of Confederates moving down upon them. They beat Fence corner extreme left of Fourteenth in cornfield. Fence in front and trees at right indicate course of sunken road. a hastv retreat while showers of bullets followed them. They were not able to locate their regiment immediately and had a thrilling experience in finding it, Hawley not returning until late at night. This fence at the farthest side of the cornfield was the farthest advance in that direction and a monument has been erected to mark the line by the State of Connecticut. They remained in this field about three hours according to Colonel Perkin's report. The regiment fell back to and over the fence separating the cornfield from the meadow where it was reformed, an ordet 40 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. being given to support General Kimball of Richardson's division. The men were then marched back by the left flank to the Roulette house, passed between the house and the spring-house on the side of the garden, between the barn and the garden, round the barn to the lane known as the Roulette lane, coming ^rom Bloody Lane to the Roulette buildings, extending in the same general direction through the Roulette fields ; to a position by a wall of the Roulette lane, which Colonel Morris was ordered to take and hold which he did "with the Fourteenth Connecticut alone." ■j F';. 5s" - "^^^H^H^^^^^^^^^^^^^^BM^^^^^^^^^^^^^H IHHHMK^/V ' m^^^^Hp Roulette House, lE Even in the horrors of battle, there may be some anrnsing incidents. Corporal Crittenden of Company B relates the foUow- ing: — "Of course we w^ere green and excited and one of our sergeants who was in his place in the rear of his section could not fire. He edged his way through the line and advanced a pace to the front and fired at an angle of about forty-five degrees in the air, dr()])ped his piece to his hip, threw down the slide and shoved in a cartridge, capped and fired without lifting the rifle from his hip, and again he did the same. This was too ludicrous The Battle of Antietam. 41 to escape notice even in battle and one of the boys sang out 'John ? are you bombarding them ?' This called him to himself and he returned to his place in the line." Corporal Crittenden con- tinues :— "After we had been in the thick of the battle at An- tietam for about one and one-half hours, the Confederate fire in front of the left wing of the regiment slackened, and the left being on higher ground could look beyond the center and right of the regiment to Ricket's Battery, which was on high ground a little to the right of us. A line of Confederate skirmishers were seen creeping up toward the battery and meeting no opposition. Captain E. W. Gibbons saw the move and asked his men if they could see any of our troops supporting that battery. Several replied 'no.'- He said 'they are going to capture that battery.'^ He stepped to the rear and called the attention of Lieutenant- Colonel Perkins, T think, to the situation, and returned with in- structions to take some men over to the support of the batterw v.'hich he did. Some troops came from the right of the battery Another view of ''Bloody Lane". 42 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. and they and the Fourteenth boys met at the rear of the guns, and the Confederate skirmish hue fell back precipitately. The left wing- then moved back and joined the regiment at rear of Roulette barn." We quote from Chaplain H. S. Stevens' Souvenir. "The tide of battle was moving beyond Kimball. Richardson's division coming in for a heavy pull. This division had crossed the An- tietam an hour later than the Fourteenth and by the same ford, and had at once moved down the stream, its course for a distance restrained on the left by the stream and the rough ground along it. When the bend at Xeikirk's was passed it could extend to the left and all the brigades advanced up the slope at rear and Roulette Lane, leading to the Sunken Road left of Kimball, the Trish Brigade' (Meagher's) on the right. Soon the latter brigade was heavily engaged (partly in support of Kimball), then Caldwell, then Brooke. The regiments on the extreme left, Brooke's men, advanced towards the Piper house, fighting hard and successfully, and others that had ad- vanced beyond the line of the crooked lane faced to the right and charged u])on the enemy in the cornfield and orchard be- tween Piper's and our line, completing thus the cajnure or de- The Battle of Antietam. 43 struction of all its remaining- occupants. This advance move- ment of Brooke on the far left made it necessary that his brigade should have support, so Kimball was directed to send him aid. As he, naturally preferred to keep his own men, now flush with ammunition, he detached his temporary reinforcements, the 14th Connecticut and io8th Xew York, and sent them, under com- mand of Colonel Morris, to Brooke." While taking this new position, the regiment moving from the wall but yet in the Roulette lane, it was subjected to a terrible ordeal by the bursting of a shell in Company D, killing three men and wounding four. Those killed were Henry Tiley, \\\ P. Ramsdell and R. Griswold. Joseph Stafford and L. Griswold each lost an arm and George Colburn and Henry Talcott were seriouslv wounded. Where the Regiment supported Brooke. Sergeant Benjamin Hirst mentions the following incident: — "While we were lying in the rear of the stone wall, Sergeants Brigham. Stoughten and myself were talking over the events we had passed through in the morning, and W. P. Ramsdell quietly remarked that if he was going to be hit, he would prefer to have the top of his head blown off. W^hen midway between the wall and the position assigned to us, I was about the center of the 44 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. company, urging the boys to close up, when a rebel shell came whizzing by and struck about two files in my rear. As soon as I could turn I saw about a dozen men lying in a heap and the first man I recognized was W. P. Ramsdell with the top of his head blown off." A member of the regiment visiting the battle groimd at Antie- tam a few years since found the heel of a shell on what he thought was the exact spot wdiere the shell burst which made such havoc in Company D. It does not require much imagina- tion to conclude that it was the same deadly missile. Although the bursting of the shell was a great shock to the regiment, it closed up and moved on. The movement was con- tinued to the left beyond Richardson's regular line to a point from ten to twenty rods beyond the fence. Here although not within musket range they were within shelling range and some were struck. One of these shells passed through the ground under Hiram H. Fox of Company B. It produced a great shock, rendering him unconscious for several hours. Another shell struck and killed William H. Norton of Company A. Here a serious accident occurred, Robert Hubbard of Company B was shot by the careless handling of a rifle by a member of his own company. And also Thaddeus Lewis of Company A came to his death in the same way. The regiment was then ordered to support a battery at the top of the hill. It was while superin- tending the workings of this battery that General Richardson was mortally wounded, a detail of the Fourteenth Regiment carrying him from the field. The regiment was then moved to the top of the hill bv orders of General Hancock, who had taken Richardson's place in command of the division. (General Hancock savs : — "Finding a considerable interval at a dangerous point between Meagher's Brigade and Caldwell's Brigade, the Fourteenth Connecticut was placed here, and a detachment from the io8th New York on the extreme left." As soon as the regiment reached the summit of the hill they attracted the fire of some Confederates who had corr^.e out from B>loody Lane on to this plowed field of the Roulette farm. To escape this fire, the regiment was ordered to lie down which it did, but the enemy The Battle of Antietam. 45 Where tleneral Richardson fell. havino- tlie ran.i^e harassed them until dark, principalh- with shells. The ground had recently been plowed and was covered with a la}er of powdery earth. They longed for night to come and were well-nioh exhausted, having- had no water through the day and only a few hard crackers. They heard the distant firing far to the left, and expected any time to be called into further action. Soon night came and the firing ceased. During the night there was a severe rain which while refreshing did not add much to the personal beauty of the men. Here they lav all that night and the next day and night and until ten o'clock Fridav morning. Chaplain Stevens says : — "/Jl that night through and the following day and night they heard the dreadful groans and cries of the wounded and dying wretches in Bloody Lane just over the hill calling for water or help, or to have taken off others who, dead, were lying across or upon their tortured and helpless bodies, or for death to release them from their anguish ; but they were powerless to render the assistance their hearts longed to give." Major Hincks gives some details of the trying experience of the regiment on the plowed field. In a letter to friends at home he savs: — "We had just moved to the top of the hill to the right of the batterv and had commenced to form a line by throw- ing out our guides as on parade, when one of General French's 46 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. aids ordered the Lieutenant-Colonel to make his men lie down at once. The action was needful for the eneniv had seen us and at once conmienced shelling- us. It was very trying to have to lie inactive under fire and listen to the hideous howling of the shell varied only by their crash in exploding and occasionally the shriek of some one who was struck. I lay closer to the ground than ever before in my life, although it was a plowed field and an exceedingly dirty place, and I never prayed more ferventlv for darkness than then. This was by far the most trving, though by no means the most dangerous part of the day. The plowed field. " Bloody Lane " in rear. Darkness at length came down and the enemy's fire slackened and then ceased altogether and the thunder of battle died away. We could once more raise our heads and the few of us who were fortunate enough to have any rations found an opportunity to eat something. I myself had a few crackers and a bit of pork w'hich T had taken from a dead man's haversack before I had found the regiment. Ordinaril\- I should have had some scruples about j^artaking of such fare, but this was no time for squcamishness. \A^e threw out a few vedettes in front of us The Battle of Antietam. 47 and slept such sleep as we could get on the plowed ground, with neither overcoats, blankets or tents. A shower during the night wet our clothing throi gh. Every one anticipated that at dawn we should renew the con- test, but no such order came. The rebel sharp-shooters opened upon us as soon as it was daylight and our skirmishers replied. One could not raise his head from the ground without being ob- served and having a shot come whistling over. In some cases the rebels, who seemed to be posted in an apple orchard, climbed trees to get a better view of us, but from there our skirmishers, who were posted liehind dead horses, rails, rocks, trunks of trees or any other available shelter, soon dislodged them. William Hawley joined us in the night to our great jov, for we had mourned for him as dead. Fred Doten in trying to clean his gun accidentally discharged it, to the great indignation of those who lay in front of him and did not care to be considered as rebels. The bullet went into the ground near my head. Upon our right we connected with a remnant of the Irish Brigade and a little farther on was a batterv of brass guns. Upon the left I do not know wdiat troops were near us, if any. I am bound to say that tired, hungry, cold and dirty as we were, we did not personally have much of the 'On to Richmond' feel- ing and personall}- were not anxious to renew the contest, but all day we expected the order and had it come no doubt would have done our duty. The next night was about as uncomfortable as that which preceded it. Friday morning dawned and no enemy appeared in our front. Our skirmishers were advanced for over half a mile without meeting opposition. Now we could stand upright and look around us. Just in front of us and but a very few rods distant was a rebel rifle-pit. Their dead bodies lay thick in it and just in front of it lay the dead body of one of our men apparently killed in the very moment that he was captured. About ten o'clock we were relieved and sent back to the rear where we joined the other regiments of the brigade and had ammunition, bread and pork issued to us. Thus ended our actual share in the battle." 48 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. Samuel Fisk ("Dunn Browne") of Company G writes to the Springfield Republican under date of September i8th as follows : — "The battle itself was a scene of indescribable con- fusion. Troops did not know what they were expected to do, and sometimes, in the excitement, fired at their own men. But ill the main for green troops I think we behaved well ; the men firing with precision and deliberation, though some shut their eyes and fired into the air. Old officers said the musketry fire ^vas ^.■^^.^(L^^fw- A section of "Bloodv Lane" the hottest they ever heard. The excitement of battle comes in the day of it. but the horrors of it two or three days after. I have just passed over a part of the field, I suppose only a small part of it. and yet I have counted nearly a thousand dead bodies of rebels lying still imburied in groves and cornfields, on hillsides and in trenches. Three hundred and fifty I was told by one who helped bury them, were taken this morning from one long rifle- pit which lay just in front of where the Fourteenth (among The Battle of Antietam. 49 other regiments ) made their fight, and were buried in one trench." (This must have l)een the section of the Sunken Road known as Bloody Lane.) "The air grows terribly offensive from the un- buried bodies ; and a pestilence will speedily be bred if they are not put under ground. The most of the Union soldiers are now buried, though some of them only slightly. Think, now, of the horrors of such a scene as lies all around us ; for there are hundreds of horses too, all mangled and putrefying, scattered everywhere! Then there are the broken gun-carriages and wagons, and thousands of muskets, and all sorts of equipments, the clothing all torn and blood\-, and cartridges and cannon shot, and pieces of shell, the trees torn with shot and scarred with bullets, the farm houses and barns knocked to pieces and burned down, the crops trampled and wasted, the whole country forlorn and desolate." Thursday night Commissary-Sergeant J. W. Knowlton crossed the creek with a light wagon load of provisions and refreshed the men as far as the limited supply would admit. The regiment was relieved from its tedious and uncomfortable position on the plowed ground i)\- General Hancock, to whose division they were temporarily attached, at ten o'clock Friday morning, going to the rear and joining their own brigade, and receiving rations, and bivouacked in the East Woods. Thus ends the regiment's share in the battle of Antietam. It had indeed been a trying ordeal and its loss of men in killed and wounded was very great. The staff' of the United States color was shot in two by a bullet, and the eagle's head knocked off by a piece of shell. The color bearer. Sergeant Thomas J. Mills of New London, who had been a lieutenant in the 1st C. H. A., was mortally wounded, when Sergeant George Augustus Foote, of Guilford, volunteered to take his place, and carried the flag the remainder of the day. The report of the Adjutant-General of Connecticut states the loss in killed, 2 commissioned officers, 19 enlisted men : wounded, 2 commissioned officers, 86 enlisted men ; missing, 28 enlisted men ; total 137. Acting Colonel Perkins submitted no report of the battle to 50 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. the Adjutant-General of Connecticut. l)ut reported the killed, wounded and missing as follows : — Company A. Killed, Privates, Thaddeus W. Lewis, Michael Maddegan, William H. Norton ; wounded. Corporals, Edward L. Humiston, \\'illiam E. Craig, Privates, Joseph Alix, Henry E. Bachelor, Alfred Prown, Joel X. Bradley, Francis Curtis, Edward Hill, Duncan McCaim, Charles H. P^latt, Stephen D. Skidmore, Frederick Tates, Edward A. Wilcox, h>ederick Tay- lor ; missing, F'rivates, George P. Beck, Abner S. Whitcomb, IMusicians, George H. Allen, Lucien W. Hubbard. Company B. Killed, Private, Robert Hubbard : wounded. Cor- porals, Frederick R. Beebe, David jMaitland, Privates, Samuel G. Camp, Charles C. Galpin, Joseph AlcClusky, Hugh AIc- Brayne, Benjamin C. Wilcox; missing. Private, George lirown. Company C. Killed, Cor]3orals, David Mix. Henry Keeler, Privates, John H. Smith, Michael Keegan : missing. I'rivate, Manfred M. Gibbud. Company D. Killed. Privates. Henry Tiley, Russell Gris- wokl, William P. Ramsdell. John Abby : wounded. Privates, George Colburn. George \\'. Corbit, William H. Corbit, Loren S. Griswold, August Gross, Henry Flospodsky. James Henderson. Henry W. Orcutt, George F. Sloan, Joseph Stafford. Henr\- Tal- cott, Samuel L. Talcott, Thomas Wilkie, Christopher Waldo, Alfred A. Taft. Abner S. liowers, Ansel D. Newell ; missing, Privates. Frank D. Main. David B. Crombie. Company E. Wounded, Sergeant, Henry C. Miller, Corporal, George Smith, Private, Richard West ; missing, Privates, Lucien B. Holmes, ^^'illiam F. Lovejoy. Company V. Killed, Captain, jarvis E. I'.linn, Sergeant, F^rederick R. Enn; wounded. Privates. Henr\- Alcott. Henry Beach. John L. Partholomew. Martin 1). Cowles, Peter Frazier, Victor Holcomb. — George H. Lewis, Eliphalet S. Packard, Hiland H. Parker, J. Frank Smith : missing. Private, Francis Kavanagh. Company G. Killed. Captain, Samuel F. Willard. Private. John W. Parks ; wounded. Sergeant. Henry A. Pendleton, Privates, George H. Done, Alfred H. Dibble. John A. Hurd ; missing, Private, Horace Stevens. The Battle of Antietam. 5] Company H. Wounded. Sergeants, John A. Tibbits. Thomas J. Mills, Privates. — S. S. Fox. John Miner. — F. M. Ames; miss- ing. Privates. John Lunger. John Goddard. Lewis L. Latour, Christopher F.rown. Edward Mitchell. Compan\- L Killed. Corporal, Richard L. Hull. Privates, Edmund L Field, Raphael W. Benton ; wounded, TVivates. Henry ]\L Rossiter. John Ryan. X'alentine Arendholtz ; missing. Corporal, Elbert Sperry. IVivates. Sylvester J. Taylor. Augustus Flowers, Hiram Couch. Comi)any K. Killed. Privates. P)enjamin R. Iniller, Henry P. Yerrington ; wounded. Lieutenants, James B. Coit, George H. Crosby, Corporals. John R. Webster. Edward Dorcey. Privates, George \\\ Babcock, H. H. Brainard. Peter Divine, Jacob Dyetch, Nelson Bement, John T5ayhan, ^^'illiam Carroll, Selden Fuller, John Harren, S. D. Allyn, — A. T. Simonds ; missing. Corporal, N. P. Rockwood. Privates. Frederick Chadwick, T. Farrell, E. W^eeks, C. Rislcy. E. Maynard. O. Kibbe. Captain Jarvis E. Blinn. of Company F. the first officer to head the list of those who were killed in the service of the Fourteenth Regiment, was born at Rocky Hill, Conn.. July 28th, 1836. He resided there until 1853, when he removed to New iiritain. August 8th. 1862, he enlisted in the company then organizing in X^ew Britain for the Fourteenth Regiment. He was unani- mously chosen captain and commissioned as such August 1 5th ; left the state at the head of his company August 25th ; and was constanly at his post until the 17th of September, when, earlv in the dav, just as his company was ordered to fall back from their somewhat advanced position on the battlefield, a bullet struck him, passing through the heart. He made the single exclamation "T am a dead man!" and died instantly. A friend savs of him: — "I know of no important incidentL^ in his life. I onlv know that he was faithful and true in all the rela- tions of life, winning his way by his own merit to the affection and confidence of all who knew him. With an earnest devotion Note. The names marked with this sign — are not found in State Roster of the Fourteenth Regiment published in 1889. 52 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. to his country, he gave himself 'wilHng to die if need be, for the good cause.' "' His remains were taken to New Britain for inter- ment. Captain Samuel F. W'illard, (jf Company G, was i gives a vivid statement of the ex])eriences of the regiment at this point. He savs : — "The march through the Louden X'alley and from thenre to Falmouth ; the sickly, disagreeable, nonsoldier-like experiences of Belle Plain where our men, wholly unused to such work, were detailed to do duty as stevedores and longshoremen, some slight of frame and weakened in muscle by soldier fare, staggering from the barges under loads they could scarcely carr_\-, while a big, fat, lazv negro stood by, sleepily mouthing out something that was supposed to be tally, although almost unintelligible to our men. This and the apparent inability of our surgeons to cope with the various diseases and ailments that were reducing our muster roll day by day ; the full import of the dififerences in condition, as well as apparent importance in the esteem of the government betw^een officers and men, especially those officers of high rank : these were things that tried the metal and patience of our soldiers, so recently citizens, with all the rights and privi- leges of American citizenship, more than facing Confederate musket and cannon." Bv the first of December the conditions of the camp had some- 72 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. what improved. The band, which had so greatly helped to in- spire and encourage the men during these hard days, serenaded Lieutenant-Colonel Perkins, playing "Auld Lang Syne" and na- tional airs. December 6th the regiment was ordered to break camp at Belle Plain and join the army on the Rappahannock. The march was a wearisome and trying one. Dr. Levi Jewett records his impressions. He says: — "I well remember that march. It was a cold day, the mud deep and sticky and a cold rain fell nearly all day. toward night becoming mixed with snow and hail, and we had as unpleasant a time as I can remember during mv whole army life. It was pitch dark w'hen w-e reached our destination and we were told to go into the pine woods for the night. Heavy masses of snow were falling from the trees and there was nearly a foot of snow on the ground. It was a dismal place, — not much to eat and no way to make fires. There The Armory at Harper's Ferry. After Antietam and Before Fredericksburg. 73. was not much sleep that night. Colonel Morris with the aid of pioneers had a fire made at headquarters where some of us tried to get warm. It seemed as if half the bovs would be dead before mornmg, but they all seemed to come out bright next dav and went to cleanmg up the ground and making a comfortable camp " Here they remained until the evening of December loth where we may leave them to await the events of the coming day The Burnside Bridge in 1891. I Where the pontoon touched the Fredericksburg shore. CHAPTER V. The Battle of Fredericksburg. It chills the blood to follow the experiences of the Fourteenth Regiment during' tlie short time it has been in service. The long march from Fort Ethan Allen to Antietam, the terrible ex- periences there, the tedious march to Bolivar Heights, the lack of proper food and clothing, the wearisome march to J^>elle Plain, the unsoldier-like and disorderly condition of the camp, and the heavv work as stevedores, make one wonder how any man could live to reach his native state. We come now to relate the bitterest of all these experiences in what might well be called the massacre of Fredericksburg. To understand the details of this horrible battle we may look for a moment at the situation. The regiment was encamped now at Falmouth, about three miles above Fredericksburg, on the north side of the Rappahannock. Fredericksburg, a sluggish South- ern citv, lies on what might l^e termed the south side of the river, the river at this point running from northwest to southeast. Tt had a few mills which were fed by a causeway running along in the rear of the town between the town and the Confederate for- tifications. This causeway was from ten to fifteen feet wide, quite dee]), and spanned bv a nu.mber of little bridges, from which the ])lanks were removed at the time of the battle. The (74) The Battle of Fredericksburg. 75 town rambles along- tlie river front for about two miles. A bigh ridge directly in rear of tbe town w^as called Marye's Heigbts, wbicb encircle tbe city back some five bundred yards, and are tbe termination of a plateau wbicb rises from one bundred and fifty to two bundred feet in an abrupt terrace from tbe plain upon wbicb tbe city stands. Tbese beigbts form a balf-circlc Major CYRUS C. CLARK. Wounded at Fredericksburg. from tbe river above to a point below tbe city some little distance from the river, and are most admirably adapted for defensive purposes. Tbe rebel batteries, numbering- at least one bundred guns, were massed on tbese beigbts, and covered not onlv every street leading out from tbe city, but every square foot of ground of tbe plain below. A tbird of tbe way down tbe terrace was an earthwork filled with infantry while at its foot ran a stone wall 76 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. extending southwar.l from the cenieterv above the citv and was. contnmed by an earthwork around the whole circle. Behind this stone wall was massed a double line of Confederate infantry. To enter either street leading out to those heights was to face the concentrated fire of that mass of artillery and the deadly work of those three lines of infantry. The concentration of the Federal forces on the north side di- rectly in front, and the arrival of pontoon bridges to the edge of the river several weeks previous, were sufficient to give t^o so astute a military commander as Lee a key to Burnside's plans of operation. It is estimated that Lee had at this point about 85,000 men. the last of which had probably arrived there two weeks before the battle. The long delay in making any move to cross by the Federal forces gave the Confederates ^ample time to strengthen what was already an impregnable entrenchment. The semi-circular formation of the high ground enabled the Con- federate artillery to enfilade the Federal army both at right and left. The town lay on the plain l)etween this ridge and the river. This position selected by Lee was the strongest for military operations that could be imagined. From this\3oint of writing it would seem apparent that the moving of the Federal force's was as much to the mind and pleasing of Lee as if he had given Burnside written orders, for it would appear as though Burnside had no definite plan of his own as he abandoned the project which he entertained a few days previous of crossing at Skinker's Neck, ten miles or so below the town. To march his army to Fredericksburg he proposed to throw over four pontoon bridges, one at the north and one at the center of the town, and two below. He ordered his grand division commanders to concen- trate their troops near the proposed bridges, with Sumner near the upper and middle bridges and Franklin at the bridges below the town. "The laying of four or five pontoon bridges capable of bearing a great army is a work of some time, and the crossing of bridges is like passing a defile. To pass 100.000 men with a numerous artillery over four or five bridges is as far as pos- sible from being a short or easy afifair in a season of profound peace, and when there are scores of long range guns ready to The Battle of Fredericksburg. 77 fire upon every head of a column as it debouches from its bridge, a serious complication is brought into the affair, and it was as certain as anything future that as soon as it was announced that the engineers were at work on the bridges, the whole Confederate army would be on the alert, and that if the movement appeared to be serious, any troops that might be on the river below would be promptly called on to move to the scene of action as swiftly as their swift Southern legs could carry them, and it was alto- gether probable that they would not arrive too late. And when it is remembered that the bridges were not thrown early on the nth., and that the attack was not made nor the army crossed that day, nor until more than forty-eight hours after work on the bridges was begun, it will be clear that all dreams of a surprise had vanished, and that the circumstances were well suited to filling the minds of Burnside's lieutenants with grave misgiving." Many of Burnside's generals advised against the attack, among whom was General Sumner of the Second Corps. One wonders whether it was the obstinacy of Ikirnside or pressure from Wash- ington impelled him to make this attack which resulted in such a fearful sacrifice. Certain if he was a military man of strength he must have known that it was impracticable and hopeless. About three o'clock Thursday morning, December the nth, work was begim throwing over the bridges. The morning was foggy and the work continued until ten o'clock when the fog Hfted and exposed the engineers to a fierce fusillade of sharp- shooters secreted in rifle-pits and buildings that skirted the river side of the town. So determined was this firing that the work had to be discontinued, and the engineers were not successful in completing the bridges until about four o'clock in the afternoon. We quote from Walker's "History of the Second Corps" in regard to the laying of these bridges: — "So complete hide'-d was the Confederate's command of the situation, that when the work began at the Lacey House, on the morning of the nth.. Barks- dale's Mississippians did not think it worth while to interfere, at first, with the detachment of Fiftieth New York engineers which had been charged with this duty, but allowed the bridge to be laid nearly two-thirds across the stream, when, by one volley 78 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. the pontoons were swept clear of men. The position of the enemy, thus revealed, was, for an hour, pounded bv our artillery, from rig'ht and left, until it was supposed that a sufficient effect had l)een ])ro(luced, when the engineers were again ordered for- ward, but to no l)etter effect ; then again and again the hopeless effort was renewed. 'They made," sa\ s Lieutenant-Colonel Fiser, commanding- the Seventeenth ^lississippi, 'nine desj^erate at- tempts to finish their bridges, but were severely i)imished and promptly repulsed at every attem]it.' " • Majur Lacy'- \\i, We left the regiment near Falmouth on the evening of De- cember loth. About two o'clock Thursday morning in camp all was bustle ancl animation, fires were blazing, men were hurrying to and fro, for the sergeant-major had just been round with the order, "Strike tents, pack up and be ready at six o'clock for a march and a fight." The men hastened to obe}- and just as the day began to dawn, while they were finishing their breakfasts, the boom of heavy guns commenced, indicating that the ball had The Battle of Frederickrburg. 79 opened. But little time was allowed for retlection for the clear ringing' voice of the lientenant-colonel was heard giving the order to fall in and in ten minutes the regiment was in motion. Thev took a circuitous route to avoid being- seen by the enenn- and at ten o'clock arrived at a ])lace about one-half mile in the lear of the Major Lacey house, the headquarters of General Sumner. There the division halted as the pontoons were not yet laid. Among- the sick left at I'.elle Plain was Colonel Morris, Com- manding (ieneral of the Second Brigade, which was now under command of Colonel Palmer of the io8th Xew York. The i^2(\ Pennsylvania had been added to the brigade. The experiences had told heavily uj^on the ranks of the reginient according to Sergeant Hirst for while they took into the engagement at An- tietam 800 men only 300 muskets left FahBouth. Toward night- fall there was a loud and long continued cheer as a signal that the bridges had been successfully laid. The order forward was given and the regiment passing through a narrow ravine moved toward the brink of the river, which they nearly reached when the order was countermanded and the regiment marched back and bi- vouacked in the underbrush. This underbrush was green and wet and it was with great dil^culty that fires were made to cook the coffee and rations. Friday morning, the 12th, dawned clear, calm and beautiful, and the regiment was early on the move toward the Rappahan- nock, passing over the bridge whose southern end was at the foot of Hawkes Street. There was a feeling of relief, and the band seeking to give expression to the joy of reaching the city struck up the tune "Dixie."' They were immediately stopped bv a stafif-ofificer who either did not appreciate music just at that time or considered it indiscreet. From Hawkes Street the regi- ment turned to the left into Sophia Street, the first street from the river and running parallel with it. Here they remained under arms the rest of the day, the roll being called as often as everv hour to prevent the men from straying from the ranks. The houses appeared to have suffered considerably from the can- nonading of the previous day, but not nearly as much as would have been supposed from listening to the bombardment. None ^0 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. ^^^|y^0» ■h- I ■! ■^ - '*n r>-»ii»» ^M^wyWi^'* « r#«#lte Where the Regiment crt)ssed the Rappahannock. ■^of the inhabitants were to be seen, they either having retreated within the rebel Hnes or were hidden in cellars to be out of harm's way. Some houses and stores were broken open by stragglers, but nothing like indiscriminate pillage took place. The queer appearance presented by some of these stragglers was very laughable. One would have on a woman's hat or would be decorated with a plume of peacock's feathers, another would be carrying a large gilt mirror and another still rejoiced in the possession of a pulpit bible. The feeling of joy and exaltation in reaching Fredericksburg and finding it practically abandoned, which even prompted the band to burst out with music, gradually wore away and there came over the regiment a gloomy and -solemn frame of mind. There was something imnatural in th.e quiet of the enemy and it was no longer believed that they had retreated. The range of hills back of the town had a grmi and threatening appearance and the suspense began to tell upon the The Battle of Fredericksburg. 81 men. Before night the regiment was moved to Carohne Street, haking on the north side of the street, the right resting on Hawkes Street and the left on Faquier Street. Night came on and the men were quartered in the houses in that vicinity, but were al- lowed no fires. Some of the men went down cellar and. darken- ing the windows, fried cakes made out of flour they found in, the house, for supper. Some of these cakes were fearfully and wonderfully made, but they were an improvement upon hard- tack and salt pork. At night many of the men rested m beds with one or two comrades, the first they had occupied since they left Connecticut. Caroline Street, where the Fourteenth rested December 13, 1862. The morning of the 13th was foggy and the position of the enemy could not be seen nor our own guns on the oppositt^ side of the river. It was generally rumored in the regiment that it would be the Second Brigade that would first attack the strong- hold of the Confederates. This was no mistake. About nine o'clock the regiment was suddenly ordered to fall in and obeyed, leaving their half cooked salt beef on the fire. They marched to Princess Anne Street and halted between the church and court house, the former of which was used as a hospital and the 82 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. latter as a signal station. The officer in charge of this signa' station was Lientenant Frederick Fnller of the I32cl Pennsyl- vania Regiment, now of the Second Brigade. This was a con- spicuous mark for the Confederate gunners, one of the upright posts that held the belfry having been knocked out already. It was gratifying to see the faithfulness with which this officer did his duty in such perilous situation. Backward au'l forward, up The Church and Signal Tower, Princess Anne Street, Fredericksburg. and down, like a nuisic master's baton did this red signal wave. The men of the regiment watching its movements in tlie -luaint; old belfry, sixty feet from the ground, with anxious interest, for they well knew that it would in time give in its own language the order, forward. The regiment was here ordered to prime and fix bayonets. Shells came crashing down into the city, tearing down brick The Battle of Fredericksburg. 83 walls and scattering- death and destruction around. Out would fall amid a group of men, burst with noise, and in a few moments pale and mangled forms with bloody garments would be carried by in silence. The regimental officers here dismounted and sent their horses back over the river. At noon "Forward Fourteenth" was again the word and they moved down the street, some times on the double quick, to the depot, turning square to the right on to one of the only two bridges by which they could cross the canal and gain the plain in front of the enemy's position. The Old Depot. Prussia Street. firing of a dozen rebel guns came to a focus on each of these two points. Lieutenant-Colonel Perkins ran on foot at the head of the regiment cheering the men by his voice and example. The path was narrow and uneven and the ranks a little disordered. Across the causeway they filed and to the right near a stone wall, behind w'hich a number of wounded lay. Some of the faces were already white with the strange pallor of death though it was but so lately that the fight had commenced. Still on and on, out into the open field under the full fire of the enemy's guns. 84 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. Here the regimental line was reformed and the men ordered to lie down, \\niilc lying here several shells burst directly over the left wing of the regiment, causing much suffering in their ranks. By some mistake the regiment had formed in the rear of another regiment and accordingly the Fourteenth had to about face, march back a few rods, face to the front, and then lie down again. Some of the men of the other regiments jeered think- ing the Fourteenth was in retreat, but they were simply obeying orders and the regiment showed much steadiness under such a heavy fire. Soon the order came to rise and move forward again on the double-quick. This brought the regiment to the very front just imder the heights occupied by the enemy's ar- tillery and very close to the sunken road in which were posted the rebel infantry. Chaplain H. S. Stevens in his "Souvenir of the Fourteenth Regiment" says concerning this moment: — "Into a 'slaughter pen' indeed, were the men going, but with brave hearts they pushed forward, the officers cheering them on. Soon they filed to right by a half wheel, for this road was far to the left of the point to be charged, imtil the line came under the partial shelter of a slight mound, and formed on the left of Andrews. One or two changes having been made here to conform lines to posi- tions, instructions were given the men to lie close until ordered up. The guns on Taylor's Hill fairly enfiladed the position do- ing deadly work, particularly at the left of the regiment, as they did in the loth New York near. It was a moment when men's hearts are striken with a dreadful expectancy, for the outlook was horrible. Kiiuball's veterans were ordered on, and bracing for the fray, they made their straight, fierce rush at the stone wall, only to be hurled back by the leaden storm flung out at them by tiers of musketry as barks are beaten back by raging gales. Then Andrew's brave fellows were ordered up to the charge to meet a similar fate. There was a rush, a cheer, a crash of ■nus- ketry with a tempest of bullets driven straight at their breasts, and the lines dissolved, stragglers or clusters firing here and there, but chiefly dropping upon the ground to be exposed as little as possible. Then the Second Brigade was ordered 'up The Battle of Fredericksburg. 85 and at 'eni'. Ah, that charge! A few rods brought the hue to the flat ground (hrectly in front of the old 'Fair Grounds', in- dicated at that time by some remaining tall posts and some high boards clinging here and there to the rails. Here Colonel Per- kins shouted his last command to the Fourteenth. He dashed ahead and his brave boys followed. A few rods over ground every foot of wliich was laslied by artillery, and the leveled guns on the direful wall coolly waiting spoke out in unison terrific." The Sunken Rr)ork, three or four cooking utensils, such as frying pans, tin cups, old tomato cans, etc., hitched to various parts of our body. Of course, we were all well armed and some of us had axes besides. We were made into a division by ourselves, and L with a gun on one shoulder and an ax. a five pounder, on the other, was placed as right guide to the division. After nearly the whole army had marched past and we came into sight, it was no surprise for me to see the President step a little nearer and wonder what damnation kind of men would come along next. However, if he. or his wife, or daughter asked any questions, I think they would have been surprised to learn that we were a fair sample of the army in light marching order, Just after we passed the President, The Wirter at Falmouth. 1 1 5 we were moved at double-quick time for a quarter of a mile, jurt to show what stamina there was in Old Hooker's soft tack. We got back to camp just before sunset, thorouc^hh- tired out with our two days exertions." During- April Lieutenant-Colonel Perkins visited the regiment in citizen's dress, having been honorably discharged from the service for wounds received at l^^redericksburg". He was heartilv greeted by the men, who rejoiced that his wounds had not proved fatal. In George H. Washburn's "History of the One Hundred and Eighth New York X'olunteers" he records a peculiar service for which the Fourteenth Connecticut and One Hundred and Eighth New York were called. He sa}s : — "A few days before the n^ove for Chancellorsville an incident occurred in disobeying orders in our division, which had been ordered out for drill and parade. Two nine months Pennsylvania regiments refused to comply with the order as their time was nearly out. (General French. Division Commander, was constantly winking, and on account of this habit, was known as 'Blinky French." ( )n this occasion his eyes blinked as fiery as the twinkle of Mars, and the French of it was, that the One Hundred and Eighth Xew York and the Fourteenth Connecticut were to proceed with loaded guns to the camps of the recalcitrant regin.ients, and bring them out, or shoot. They came without further dallying." On ^Monday morning, Aj)ril 28th, orders were received to break camp and be in readiness to move. Tuesday morning they moved to the Warrenton turnpike in the vicinity of Pank's F'ord. where thev camped for the night. Sergeant William H. Hawley was left behind from illness with about twenty others, who were afterwards sent to the Potomac Creek Hospital. In the afternoon of April 29th. the regiment ha.^til} packed up and marched, and instead of going direct to the river, marched about five miles further up, nearly opposite to United States Ford. The next morning they moved to the vicinity of United States Ford, where they halted for a few hours, making coffee, during which time a pontoon was thrown across the river, and the regi- ment passed over about sunset, without a shot being fired. CHAPTER \'II. The Affair at Chancellors^^lle. We left the regiment on the evening of Thursday. April 30th, after having crossed the Rappahannock on a pontoon near United States Ford, and bivouacked in the vicinity of the Chandler House, about three-quarters of a mile from Chancellorsville. This "ville" was simply a fine old brick mansion of Southern type surrounded bv statelv trees, amounting almost to a forest. It was about ten miles from Fredericksburg, with which it was connected by a turnpike, plank road and river road, the two former making a fork at Chancellorsville. and running nearly parallel toward Fredericksburg. The grounds about the Chancellor House, the scene of the battle, were low and swampy, and covered with patches of woods, with deep and thick underbrush, being almost impenetrable. There seemed to be little work for the regiment on this first day of the battle. About eleven o'clock it was called to arms and marched down the plank road to the Chancellor House, the headquarters of General Hooker and his stafif. Heavy firing along the front indicated that the Confederate forces had opened an attack. The regiment then turned to the right through a voung growth of pines. There were no skirmishers thrown out and at one time it was discovered the regiment was in dan- gerous proximity to the enemy. After remaining here two hours the artillery fire seemed to slacken, and the regiment retraced its course, halted and stacked arms in an open lot adjoining the plank road on the west side. ]ierhaps half a mile from the Chan- cellor House. There were in this lot the brigade, which seemed to be held in reserve, and several batteries of artillerv. For the remainder of the day they were under arms and frequently had to fall into line in readiness to move to the front as the cannonad- ing grew sharper, but as often broke ranks again. In the even- ing the regiment was formed in line of battle on the extreme right and threw out pickets for the night. (u6) COL. THEO. G. ELLIS. The Affair at Chancellorsville. 1 19 After the wounding of Lieutenant-Colonel Perkins at the battle of Fredericksburg, from which wound he was never able to re- sume his position at the head of the regiment, the command fell upon Adjutant Theodore G. Ellis, who was afterwards promoted to major, lieutenant-colonel and colonel of the Fourteenth and brevet brigadier-general. He died in Hartford' Januarv 8th, 1883. aged fifty-two years. Previous to his enlistment he had been devoted to civil engineering, a profession for which he had special qualifications and in which he became eminent. He did niuch for the Fourteenth Regiment, being thoughtful, accurate and intelligent concerning his duties. His men never doubted his thorough devotion to all the positions which he was called upon to fill. His manner was genial and friendly toward those \\ith whom he had occasion to associate although his criticisms were often caustic, though just. On the morning of the 2d. the regiment was relieved and re- turned to the camp previously occupied. Toward nightfall a seri- ous charge by Stonewall Jackson on the extreme right of our line, which was farthest from the river, and was occupied by the Eleventh Corps, caused a panic and disastrous route. It was under the command of (ieneral (). (). Howard. The generals had neglected to picket their front and the men of the division were busily engaged in cooking supper in the dense thicket, hav- ing previouslv stacked their guns, when they were surprised by the enemy. Of the pandemonium which this panic caused General Ben- jamin Morgan said: — "The stampede of the Eleventh Corps was something curious and wonderful to behold. I have seen horses and cattle stampeded on the plains, blinded, apparently, by fright, rush over wagons, rocks, streams, any obstacle in the way ; but never before or since, saw I thousands of men actuated seemingly by the same unreasoning fear that takes possession of a herd of animals. As the crowd of fugitives swept by the Chancellor House, the greatest efiforts were made to check them ; but those only stopped who were knocked down by the swords of staff- officers or the sponge staffs of Kirby's batttery. which was drawn up across the road leading to the ford. ]\Iany of them ran right on 120 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. down llie liirnijikc toward lM-edei-icksl)iirj;-, through our hue of hattle and picket line, and into the enemy's Hne. The only reply one could get to argument or entreaty was, 'All ist veloren ; vere ist der pontoon?' Although the appearance of thousands of fugitives from battle, with ambulances, wagons, cannons, and caissons, all in a wild stampede, is apt to be very disconcerting and demoralizing to a line t)f battle, the troops of the Second Corps did not ajjpear in the smallest degree affected." During this pandemonium caused by the fleeing Eleventh Corps, the attempt to resist it by the L^nion troops and the The Chuncellor House at the present time demonstrations of the attacking enemw the band of the hV.urlrt-nth Regiment, which waN now considered the best in the Army of the roloiiu-u-, did its most heroic worl:. We cannot rt'sist copxing ( ojoiu'l JMX'derick I ,. ililchcock, who gives a bt-autiful tribute to diis band in his sketch of ibe ( )ne Hundred and ■riiirly-.Sceond 1 'eunsyUania Regiment, entitled "War from the In.side." I If says: — "i )uc ol" ihr most heroic deeds I saw done to help stun die lleeiiig tide of men and restore courage was not the Work ol a baller\, nor a charge of ca\alr\ . but the charge of a band of music! The band of the l'^)m-teenth Connecticut The Affair atSChancellorsville. 1 2 1 went right out into that open space between our new Hne and the rebels, with shot and shell crashing all about them, and played "The Star Spangled Banner', 'The Red, White and Blue" and "Yankee Doodle' and repeated them for fully twenty minutes. They never played better. Did that require nqrve? It was undoubtedly the first and only band concert ever given under such conditions. Xever was American grit more finely illustra- ted. Its eiTect upon the men was magical. Imagine the strains of our grand national hymn, "The Star Spangled Banner", sud- denly bursting upon your ears out of that horrible pandemonium of panic-born yells, mingled with the roaring of musketry and the crashing of artillery. To what may it be likened ? The carol of birds in the midst of the blackest thunder-storm ? Xo simile can be adequate. Its strains were clear and thrilling for a mo- ment, then smothered by that fearful din, an instant later sounding bold and clear again, as if it would fearlessly emphasize the re- frain, 'our fiag is still there." It was a remarkable circumstance that none of them were killed. I think one or two of them were slightl}- wounded by i)ieces of exploding shells, and one or two of their instruments carried away scars from that scene." When this l)reak of the Eleventh Corps occurred, the Second Brigade was hurried from its position in reserve to support the line, and leaving behind knapsacks and other impediments moved down the plank road at the double-quick, halting at the cross- road near the Chancellor House, for the violence of the attack seemed to have abated. In a few moments, however, there was terrific firing on the Orange Court House road to the right, and the men were hurried in that direction for a quarter of a mile on the run and turning oft' on the right of the road, formed in line of battle in the woods facing the west. It was now dark and the enemy ceased firing. The position was changed several times through the night, the men resting on their arms. The Fourteenth was on the right of the brigade in the second line of battle and was unsupported on the right. At this point Com- manding Major Ellis sent 2d Lieutenant Lucas of Company A to General French to learn what was on their right. Lieutenant Lucas was sharply ordered back to his regiment, with the remark 122 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. that it was "liis husincss and lie would attend to it." Tliere is no evidence tliat lie did. Soon after da}lig"ht on the morning of Sunday, May 3d., the only actual fighting by the regiment occurred. We will let Cor- poral K. !'). Tvler of ComjjanN- I'., afterwards ist sergeant, tell the story of this part of the engagement. He says : — "The next morning. May 3d, the enemy opened fire on us from a compara- tivel\- short distance in our front. Although we could see but little of them on account of the woods and underljrush, we re- turned the fire with vigor, thinking that even if some of the shots were sent in at randcim, thev might do the enemy as nuich in- jurv as their shots were doing us ; and their shots, whether by chance or otherwise, were constantly telling on our men. At this time there was evidently some mismanagement in rhe ar- rangement of our Fourteenth ])Osition, as there seemed to be an open iui])n)tected space to the right of the regiment, while the iJth .\ew Jersey Regiment of our brigade, that should have con- nected with our line on the left of our regiment, overlapped it, their right falling in the rear of our company. As the \ew Jersey regiment o])ened fire C"om]:)anv B's attention was about e(|uall\- dix'ided between the enemy in front and the friends in the rear. A movement of our regiment to the right would doubtless have been made had not the rebels evidentlv discovering a weak s])ot suddenly began to api)ear on our right flank, when the order was gi\en us to tall back, which we did in verv good order, carrying our wounded with us and flnalK' coming out of the woods at the identical s])ot where we had stacked our knap- sacks the night before. Any other regiment than the Fourteenth might not \\-a\v sto])])ed to get their knapsacks under the circum- stances, but we had had e.\])erience in losing knapsacks and in absence of positive orders not to resume them, we hunted up our own as (|uickly as ])ossible, ;ind then leisiu'eh and in perfect order still, went back and look u]) a new i)osilion some distance to the rear. Tln' inniuMJiate ;idvance of the enem\' following us was checked by (';irroirs I'.rig.ade ol om" corp>, who appeared ttpon the scene just in the nick of time." Sergeant Hirst sa\s that be would ratbt'r have been shot than The Affair at Chancellorsville. 123 to have fallen back at this time. In attempting to rally the men Captain Hronson of Company I received a bad wound in the shoulder and was carried to the rear. The Fourteenth retired to the rifle-pits where they remained until early Wednesday morning. During this time they were the constant mark of the Confederate sharp-shooters, but suffered no perceptible injury. Of their retreat across the river and back to the camp at Fal- mouth Major Hincks has this to say : — "We had jvist gone to sleep Tuesday night when we were roused and told the cam- paign had been a failure, that the enemy had beaten us and that we must retire in j^erfect silence to the other side of the river. Our regiment and those next us formed and stood in line for an hour or two in the rain, darkness and cold, waiting for further orders. Finally we were told to lie down again. At twelve o'clock we were again called and after standing in the ranks until nearly three, we moved oft' toward the river. Another such a journey in the darkness I hope never to have to perform. The road hail onl\- been cut through the woods the day before and every now and then one would strike his foot against a stub and go down headlong into the mud and rising hurriedly w'ould go on again. Before long we ceased to pick our way at all, but went in through brooks, mudholes or anything, taking a bee line towards our journevs end. The pontoons were recrossed about daylight and at about ten o'clock a handful of us arrived at our old camp, having come fifteen miles with less than one-half hours rest. The balance of the regiment kept coming in all day." Thus ends the part the Fourteenth took in the battle of Chan- cellorsville. While there were none killed, the regiment snft'ered largely from wounds. Captain Bronson of Company I received his fatal wound, dying June 3. just a month later. The number of the regiment at this time was reported by Commanding Major EUis as 219. The total number of wounded was 3 commissioned officers. 34 enlisted men ; missing. 2 commissioned officers, one of whom was Captain Samuel Fisk ("Dunn Browne") who was at the time supposed to be killed, enlisted men, 17. Major Ellis reports to the Adjutant-General of the State the course of the regiment at Chancellorsville and submits the fol- lowing list of wounded : — [24 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. "Company A. Wounded, Sergeant, Edward L. Hunimiston, in face. Privates, James H. Bartram, thumb, Charles H. Piatt, eye, slightly ; missing, Privates, David Farrar, John Kelly, Sam- uel Stone, George Bunyan, Patrick Aloore. Company B. Wounded, Captain, James L. Townsend, side, slightly, ist Lieutenant, Henry P. Goddard, head, slightly, Cor- poral, Henr\ S. I'.rooks, shell wound in leg. Privates, Thomas Capper, gun-shot in side, Cyrus Priest, gun-shot in shoulder, Austin Judd, gun-shot in hand, Edwin Stroud. Company C. Wounded, P^rivates, Edward Kilduff, gun-shot in shoulder, Leonard Merchant, gun-shot in hand, Charles Up- son, bayonet wound in elbow, slightly, Thomas Byington, head. Company D. Wounded, Private, Thomas Stafford ; missing, 1st Lieutenant. James F. Simpson, — supposed to have been taken prisoner. Private, John Williams. Compau}- E. Wounded, Sergeant, Samuel Webster, arm, Privates, James Rogers, leg, John McDonald, knee, slightly, Ed- win I'ierce, Lsaac C. Barrows, Jerry Callahan; missing, Privates, Tiniolhy Loun, Baltas Wagner, James McCormick. Compau}- V. Wounded, Privates, Charles R. Bunnell, gun- shot in wrist, John Garvin, gun-shot in foot; missing, Corporal, Henry B. CJoodrich, Private, Reynold T. Aloore. Company (1. Wounded, I'rivalcs, Ralph Thompson, gun-shot in hand, Levi M. Chapman, contusion by shell, Christopher W. Boone, gun-shot in ankle, Renslar (xoodale, gun-shot in arm, Kichard J. C'adwell; missing, Ca])tain, Samuel Mske, supposed to lia\e ])een killed. ( ll was afterwards discovered he had been taken prisoner, lul.) Company II. Wounded, Privates, George S. Edwards, side, Jeremiah Calvert, hands ; missing, Sergeant, Samuel N. Watrous, Privates, John C. (ioddard, .\mos Dayton, H. E. Hart. Company L Wounded, Captain, Isaac R. Bronson, gun-shot in right shoulder, l'ri\aies. luigenc W. Dorman, gun-shot in side, Charles Kraft, gun-slioi in arm, amputated, Charles N. Bartram, Andrew Murphy, toe; missing. Privates, ( )liver W. Evarts, Michael SiKer. CompauN K. WOundrd, I'rivates, John .Smith, Edward Rig- ney, gun-shot in hand." The Affair at Chancellorsville. 127 Of Captain Bronson, Captain P^iske ("Dunn Browne") has this to say in the Springfield Republican: — "I must give some feeble expression of my sorrow — and that of the whole circle of his brother officers and soldiers — in the tidings we have just received of the death of Captain I. R. Bronson of the Fourteenth, sorely wounded in the fight near Chancellorsville, on Sabbath morning. Mav 3d. He was one of the most earnest, honest and fearless pa- triots whose life has been sacrificed in this great cause. In camp, which is far too often made an excuse for relaxing the principles of moralit}' and religion that are a restraint at home, he led a pure and Christian life. Where profanity and obscenity are, I am forced to say, almost the rule, and decent language the excep- tion, no impure or irreverent words came from his lips, nor, un- rebuked, from those of his men. ( )f a courage that never left him satisfied to be away from his post when action and danger were before us, of an earnest patriotism that left none of us in doubt what were his motives in coming to the field, of an endur- ing fortitude that shrunk from no extremities of hardship and privation that came upon us, of a generous and cheerful spirit that was an example to us all, he was a soldier worthy of our cause, a patriot without a blemish, a Christian that did not dis- honor the name, a comrade of whose loss I can scarcelv trust myself to speak. Since the death of the lamented Willard (cap- tain of Company G) of my own town and home, slain at Antie- tam, no stroke has come home to me. personally, so deeply. Noble Christian soldiers both ! A tear to their memory, and a lesson to each of us from their lives." The following is Commanding Major Ellis" report to the Ad- jutant-General of Connecticut, which is the same as his report to the Brigade Commander : — "Headquarters Fourteerlh Connecticut Volunteers, Camp near Falmouth, Va., May 9th, 1863. Captain J. P. Postles, A. A. A. G., 2d Brigade. Sir: — I have the honor to report the following particulars res- pecting the part taken by the Fourteenth Connecticut Volunteers, in the late action near Chancellorsville, Va. This regiment cross- 128 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. ed the Rappahannock with the Second Army Corps, near United States Ford, on the evening of the 30th of April, and at once proceeded to camp near Chancellorsville. The next day we were advanced abont tliree-quarters of a mile forward south-east of the 'Chancellor House", but were immcdiatel}' returned to camp, where we remained the rest of the day. In the evening, this regi- ment was formed in line of battle on the extreme right, and threw out pickets for the night. We were relieved on the morning of the 2d, and returned to the camp previously occupied. About sun- down f)f the 2d, we were advanced to the front, and formed to the left of Gordonsville road, near the 'Chancellor House." From this position we were moved alc^ng the plank road leading to Spottsylvania Court House, and formed in line of battle facing to the south-west on the right of the road. The regiment was on the right of the brigade in the second line of battle and was unsu])ported on the right. This position was somewhat altered during the night, but was substantially that occupied on the morn- ing of the 3d. About sunrise on the morning of the ^(\ instant, the first line of l)attle having been forced by a terrific assault of the enemy, this regiment became engaged, the enemy appearing on our front and right flank almost simultaneoush-. We were forced to retire, principally on account of there being no troops on our right to prevent the enemy, which had engaged the front line (»n our right, from ])assing through the unoccupied interval and attaining our rear. After withdrawing, this regmient joined the remainder of the brigade and was ]ilaced behind rifle-pits to the left. Mere we remained from the evening t)f the 3d. to the morning of the (Ah. being occasionally under a slight fire, but meeting with no loss. About 2 A. Al., on the 6th, this regiment was witli(h'a\\n and recrossed the river to the cam]i. The strength of the regiment on the morning of the 3d was 21Q. \'ery resjiectfully, Theodore G. Ellis, JMajor C"ommanding the Fourteenth Connect'cut." The Barn at Meade's Headquarters. CHAPTER VIII. The March from Falmouth to Gettysburg. The regiment returned to its old camp ground near Fahnouth for the second time, dejected and sad over another reverse of the cause for which they were fighting. The only relieving feat- ure of the engagement was the mortal wounding of General Stonewall Jackson of the Confederates. His name had become a synonym of dash and daring, which was feared by the Union soldier. About the middle of May the old camp ground at Falmouth, which had been the scene of their winter's trials and joys withal, was moved about a mile farther from the river in a pine forest. While remaining here a practical joke was perpetrated on Chap- lain H. S. Stevens by some of the boys, who did not "-^eem to have regard for clerical dignity. As was his custom, the worthy chaplain strolled from the regiment into the near-by woods, with a portfolio for the purpose of writing, and while lying on the ground, he fell asleep. Some light hearted young lieutenant placed an empty whiskey bottle on his arm. It was soon noised around the camp and many of the regiment went out to see the strange spectacle. Whether the chaplain was awakened by their presence or whether he had continued his nap to a legitimate conclusion, he soon awoke, and with becoming surprise, took in the situation. He was the subject of many expressions of con (129) I 30 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. ciolence for his apparent (lci)arture from his usual course of rec- titude, for which the chaplain did not express much thankfulness. It was the general impression in the regiment that they would continue here for some time, and the men were engaged fitting up the new camp as if such a proionged stay was assured. On the 28th of May, however, the regiment was ordered to be in readiness to march at thirty minutes notice, and to be supplied with three days cooked rations. They were not ordered to move until the 14th of June. Meanwhile the most rigid descipline was observed, furloughs were forbidden, and the men were not permitted to pass beyond division lines. Soon after sundown Sunday, June 14th, the regiment broke camp in silence, and started on the long march to the Potomac. They marched until about midnight, when they halted at Stafford for a little rest. Piefore dawn the march was resumed and con- tinued to Dumfries, which was reached about noon. The regi- ment was the rear-guard and the enemy was not far bchinrl them. June 1 6th the march was continued, being a very fatiguing one, as the men were out of practice, the day very hot and no air stirring. At evening the regiment halted at a place caller] Wolf Run Shoals, having come some twenty-five miles. Colonel Smyth, of the 1st. Delaware, being senior officer, was in con,- mand of the brigade. Here at Wolf Run Shoals was stationed the Second Connecticut Light I'.attery. Most of the men of the battery had been recruited at Bridgeport, the home of m.iny of the members of Com])any A of the {-"ourteenth. There were hearty greetings and a short time was spent by frieiul visiting frienrl. June 17th the regiment resumed its march, reaching the vicinity of i'"airfax Court Mouse that evening. Sergeant Hirst relates the exjieriences of the day as follows: — *Tt was a terrible day, the weather being hot anrl sultry. The roads were grounrl to powder by the thou.sands of men who had preceded ns. which n-.ade our progress very slow, and strong men wilted flown as though blasted by something in the air. iJeing on the rear- guard, I saw several cases of sunstroke Tin; ambu- lanrcs were soon filled with used up men. while hiuidreds of The March from Falmouth to Gettysburg. 131 others had to be urged along-, as we were not allowed to leave one living man behind The highwav was reserved for the artiller}-. army wagons and ambulances ; in the fields on each side of the road marched the infantry, covered on the flanks by skirmishers and light horsemen. It is strange how generous men become on a march. Do you want a pack of cards, a book, a blanket, a pair of drawers or perhaps an old iron JOSEPH r_ PIERCE. T6e only C^ '"-=—-=" rnlisteti in rhe Ansy of rne PotoTnac. kettle? Xo. — down they go. in the road. All along each side of the road are strewn httndreds of blankets, overcoats, and even pants and vests. These varrous articles were "to piles and burned by the rear-guard as we moved sl«: i. While encamped at C^rto^ille, Time i9dL. tiee moootooy of the camp A»-as broken by the c' ^ ' ^ ut of a Major Hincks reports this incident as : -- - — ^^This , I wit- 1 32 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. nessed for the first time and from a distance, the not uncommon spectacle of clearing out a sutler. The victim selected is usually, though not always, one who has inspired general indignation hy excessively high prices for his goods, and the manner of his pvuiishment is on this wise. The guy-ropes that hoki up his large store tent are secretly cut, the tent, of course, collapses, and in the general confusion the numerous and often apparently sympathizing bystanders help themselves to all the plunder they can conveniently la\" hands on. This, of course, is sheer rob- bery, yet the sutler's business in many instances is not much better. The proper remed\- would be for the government to employ a man to furnish the troops at cost or a reasonable profit such articles as stationery, tobacco, underclothing, etc. Perhaps some of the chaplains could be made useful in this way." June 20th the march was resumed to Gainesville. An inci- dent of the march still remembered by many of the members of the Fourteenth was the meeting of a New York regiment, just added to the brigade, who ap])cared to have been well drilled, but had not seen service. Their uniforms were fresh and tidy and the men wore white gloves and standing collars. This con- trast with the tattered, worn and faded garments of the men of the Fourteenth, who had passed through Antietam. Fredericks- burg and Chancellorsville. and their long fatiguing ir.arches. caused some of the latter regiment to jeer and remark that the starch would soon be taken out of them. The next dav an officer in command of this dandy regiment made a complaint to .Ahijor l^llis that his men had been insulted b\' the members of the I'ourleenth hooting at them and calling them white gloved gentry. The same day the march was over a portion of the scene of the second Hull Run l)attU', where the men were reminded of the engagement of the year previous. 1 lall ])uried bones of Federal soldiers could be seen e\er\wliere, trees were broken, and the usual amount of army debris tliat is left 1)\- a conflict between two op]K)sing forces. I)a\ by day and ste]) by step the regiment was approaching ;bc future mem()ral)le l)attle-field of Gettys- burg. The March from Falmouth to Gettysburg. 133 On the evening- of June 24tli the regiment camped at Gum Spring, in a severe rain storm, and remained here until next day, when they i)roceeded toward the Potomac, reaching Ed- ward's Ferry in the afternoon. After some delay incident to the laying of a pontoon bridge, which, soon after dark, the regiment passed over, and were again in Maryland. A couple of miles farther on the regiment turned into a wheat field about two o'clock in the morning, where, tired and jaded, the men slept until long after sunrise. The march was continued toward Frederick City, camp being made June 28th, within a mile or two of the town. June 29th the march was resumed toward Uniontown, a distance of thirtv- two miles, and was the longest and most tedious march since the regiment entered the service. Many of the members of the regi- ment had kind remembrances of their reception at Frederick City on the march to Antietam, and were disappointed when the cohnnn turned to the right and did not i)ass through the city. About ten o'clock a small brook was forded, the men not being allowed to remove their shoes or roll up their trousers on ac- count of the delay it might occasion. This caused the dust and fine gravel to adhere to their trousers, which soon found its way into the worn shoes, causing many of them to become foot-sore. A halt of more than five minutes at a time was not made during the day. During the march the line passed through Liberty, Johnsonville and Union I '.ridge, and about ten o'clock camped near Uniontown, the men being very nmch exhausted. The citizens here were very kind to the 1:)0}S, furnishing them with fresh bread, cherries, milk and other luxuries at nominal prices. A congratulatory order was read to the troops from General Hancock on their endurance of the march. It was during this tarry at I'niontown that the troops were informed of the change in commanders. General Meade having been appointed to suc- ceed General Hooker. For the fourth time during their service of ten months the regiment was destined to go to its fourth battle under a new commanding general. They had had Mc- Clellan at Antietam, Burnside at Fredericksburg, Hooker at Chancellorsville and were to have Meade at Gettysburg. Con- 34 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. sidering their experience in the three Ijattles mentioned, can it be any wonder that they received the news with satisfaction ? The regiment remained at Uniontown until the mornmg of July 1st. when orders to march were given, and they moved raijidly toward Taneytown, halting for a couple of hours, when thev moved forward and crossed the Pennsylvania line, con- tinuing until they reached a point within two or three miles of Gettysburg at aljout eight o'clock in the evening. They heard sharp artiller)- tiring in their front, which indicated that the men would soon have work. Here we will leave them on the edge of this supreme battle-field of their experience for another chapter. 4* ^^^' The Round Tops. CHAPTER IX. Gettysburg. Elated at his successful retreat through the dilatoriness of McClellan and Burnside at Antietam, and his positive victories along the Rappahannock, at Fredericksburg and Chancellors- ville, General Lee determined to make his second invasion upon the territory of a loyal state. Doubtless this was prompted by pressure from the Confederate capital, which was as urgent that he should move on to Washington, as the authorities at the t'ederal capital were anxious to press the Union generals for- ward to Richmond. To do this it was necessary that Lee should disengage Hooker from the Rappahannock, and relieve the anxiety at Richmond. Consequently on the 3d of June, leaving A. B. Hill's Corps at Fredericksburg, as a mask to his moving arnn\ Longstreet's Division marched to Culpepper Court House, and Ewell's Corps moved toward the mouth of the Shenandoah Valley. Hooker, aware that there was some movement of the Confederate army, was yet somewhat in the dark as to its pur- (135) 1 36 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. posed object. He tlierefore sent Sedgwick's corps on the 6th. across the Rappahannock at FrankHn's crossing to make a closer reconnoissance, but as Hill remained in position, all that Sedg- wick discovered was that the enemy was in force. Stuart's Cavalry had been concentrated at Culpepper before the arrival of Longstreet's Corps. Hooker, becoming aware of this, de- termined to send his whole cavalry force to break up Stuart's camp. Accordingly on the 9th General Pleasaton was ordered across the Rappahannock to meet Stuart, whom he repulsed. This encounter disclosed to Hooker a knowledge of Lee's in- vasion of a Northern state. That the intelligence was startling and required decisive and energetic movement need hardly be said. To meet this emergency. Hooker threw out his right along the Rappahannock, while the cavalry still held the upper forks of the river. Lee upon reaching Winchester, and moving on to- ward York and Chambersburg. recalled the troops, ordering them to concentrate at (jettysburg. In breaking up his camps along the Rappahannock, LJooker moved his left and center on the road direct to Washington, following and covering the line of the Orange and Alexandria Railroad. ( )f tlic march of that portion of the army in which we are particularly interested, the l^^ourteenth Regiment, of the Second Corps, we have already spoken in detail in the preceding chapter. General Hancock, who had meantime taken command of the Second Corps, was summoned to assume the command of Gen- eral Reynolds, if he should Ije killed or seriously wounded, and to report if in his mind (Gettysburg was a suitable place for battle. Hancock arrived soon after the rejnilse of the First and l-'.le\enth Cor])s. and the death of Reynolds. All was confusion and chaos. Dispatching .Major .Mitchell of his stafif to General Meade, he reported that in his opinion Gettysburg offered a suitable position for defense, although- somewhat exposed to be turned by the left. The battle of (Jettysburg has been called "The Waterloo of the war between the states." True it is that here the cause of the ConfederacN touched its high water mark. It is not the province of this writing to enter into the details of the battle of Gettysburg. 1 3 7 Gettysburg. It has always been a fruitful theme for the writers' pen. Its intensity, the surrounding circumstances, its sangui- nary character, and its final result, have always been a favorite study of all classes. Historians have written of it, artists have painted it, poets have sung of it, and military chieftains have studied it. We must, however, tell so much of it as will enable us to depict the part the Fourteenth Regiment played. Let us then for a moment look at the field. Looking westward from (lettysburg, the horizon of vision is bounded at a distance of ten miles by the range known as the South Mountain, which, running north and south, forms the eastern wall of the Cumberland Valley. The landscape has a rolling and diversified surface caused by numerous ridges which run nearly parallel with the South Mountain range. The town of Gettysburg nestles at the base of one of these ranges. At the distance of half a mile to the west of the town is another ridge, called, from the Theological Seminary that stands thereon. Seminary Ridge. At the town still another ridge bends east- ward and southward in an angle formed by Cemetery and Culps Hills. Cemetery Hill is so called from being the burial place of the town. The distance across the interval between Seminary and Cemetery Hills is about a mile. The Emmettsburg road runs through this interval to Gettysburg, somewhat nearer Ceme- tery Hill. This ridge extends from Cemetery Hill about three miles and terminates in a high, rocky, wooded peak, named Round Top, near which rises a rough and bald spur of the same, which is called Little Round Top. The slopes and the interval abound in cultivated fields, with here and there patches of woods. These ridges have a favorable slope to the rear, affording ample cover for reserves and trains, and a gentle undulating slope to- ward the west. We quote from Walker's "History of the Second Army Corps" of the general distribution of the forces on the second morning : — "On the morning of July 2d, the troops were disposed with reference to an anticipated attack from General Lee, at an early hour, as follows : General Slocum was in command of the right wing, which consisted of the Twelfth, Eleventh and First Corps, 38 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. occupving- Cul])s Hill on the extreme right and Cemetery Hill on the right center. General Hancock's Corps was designated to occupy Cemetery Ridge, forming the left center. The Third Corps, under General Sickles, was to hold the left. It was Gen- eral Meade's intention that this corps should be stretched out toward the Round Tops." Returning to trace the movements of the LV)urteenth Regiment, Position'of the Second Corps at (-iettysburK. it will he remembered we left them on the night of July ist., resting within tw(j or three miles of Gettysburg. About ten o'clock the regimeni was, marched out to do picket duty along tin- ludtiniore turnpike. Here the}' remained until next morning al daylight, when they were ordered to rejoin their brigade. Of this second day, Major Hincks says: — "This morning the mist hmig thick and heavy over the ground. We were recalled from the pick'el line soon after dawn and followed a narrow and rugged road which graduall}- ascended toward the front. After we had marched i)erhaps a c()n])l(' of miles, we passed a little coltagi', I think- of onl\- one story, hardl\- large enough to be digni- iird with the lilK' of a lioust'. 'I'his 1)uil(ling was occupied by General Meade as iR'adipiarters, and we saw t[uite a nuniber of horses sarldlcd and tied to the garden fence. A few rods Gettysburg. 39 further on we turned off from the road to the left, and after go- ing up a Httle ascent, the brigade was halted in column by regi- ments on a grassy field or plateau of considerable size. In front of and a little to the right on slightly higher ground was a ceme- tery, on the further edge of which pieces of artillery were planted and troops stationed, protected by a rough ritle-pit or barricade. Immediately in front of us, when the mist had lifted, we could see across the plain the distant spires and houses of Gettysburg. A little in advance of us and to our left, in a grove of trees, was Meade's Headquarters on Taneytown Road. a battery of brass pieces. Woodruff's regular battery, I was told. Here the line made a sharp bend toward the south, just taking in the farmhouse and its outbuildings, and extending toward our rear for a long distance until it was finally lost to view in the woods and mountains. We tarried in this field for the remainder of the day, the men keeping their accouterments on and remain- ing close by their stacks of arms." It was in this field that an accident occurred, which came near costing Captain Coit of Company K his life, and deprived the 40 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. regiment for a time of the services of a brave and faithful of^cer. A drummer-bov, was mounted on an officer's liorse, which he was taking to the rear. The horse evidently becoming frightened by the noise of the tumult, threw the boy to the ground, and plimged forward to where the regiment lay. Men got out of the way as rapidly as possible, and all succeeded, excepting Captain Coit, who was just rising in the act of drawing liis saber, when the horse was upon him, striking him full in the face and breast, h was a wonder that he was not killed or, at least, badly disfigured, but in a few days the captain was able to return to his reghnent, and afterwards passed through many of the prominent battles with it. A portion of the Field at Getty.sbiirg. 'idle regiment remained here- until about four o'clvdc, whoi it was moved about two hundred yards further toward the left. })assing through an apple orchard and halting on its further edge, f|uite near the lnad(|nartirs of General Hays, commanding the division. Here the regiment was ])laced behind a loosely con- Gettysburg. 141 structed stone wall, which commenced near the house and ran south for a mile or two until lost to sight among the woods and movmtains. This was the ground occupied by the regiment dur- ing the rest of the battle. This arrangement made it face the west and occupy the ground which had been filled by the New York brigade. In front was a large and gently sloping plain several miles in length from north to south, and perhaps one mile in width. At its opposite side was a thick belt of woods, occupied by the enemy, behind which was a lofty range of hills. About midway of the plain were two picket lines. Hay's Headquarters. While the regiment lay here in support of Arnold's First Rhode Island Battery, heavy firing was heard on the right, a.\)- parently several miles away, the sound advancing and retreating as if the tide of battle swayed back and forth. Somewhat later there was also heavy firing upon the left. As darkness ap- proached, the scene was very grand and impressive, the ground 1 42 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. seemed to shake from the thunder of the heavy guns, whose bright flashes could be seen, followed by loud reports. Gradually the firing grew less frequent and by half past ten ceased alto- gether and all was quiet for the night. Sergeant E. B. Tyler of Company B gives an interesting ac- count of the regiment's experience that night and the next morn- ing as follows : — "That night as we lay, our knapsacks plumb up to the base of the stone wall and pillowed our heads thereon, not being allowed to divest ourselves of any other arms or equip- ments, we sought for the rest and sleep we so much needed. Arnold's Rhode Island Battery just to the left of us finally quieted down, although I think we could have slept notwith- standing that, but when suddenly there rang out the volleys of musketry, the roar of artillery and the rebel yells of the Louis- iana Tigers over on East Cemetery Hill, every vestige of sleep was dispelled and every man on the qui vive for there is some- thing weird, mysterious and almost unearthly in a sudden night attack. Then came the clattering of mounted messengers, the clear ringing orders of Carroll, as with the First Brigade of our division, they rushed across the cemetery to the relief of the Eleventh Corjxs and by their timely aid can be attributed the repulse and almost annihilation of the desperately attacking Tigers. On the morning of the 3d Companies B and D were ordered out on the skirmish line, with our reserve lying in the little de- pression of the Emmettsburg road. Those of us detailed to go out on the line crawled out across the wheat field to the fence beyond and l\ing ujjou the ground behind the posts and lower rails of Ihc fence, began the sharp-shooters drill of the day. The space between us and the rebel skirmish line was open and clear in the main and the least showing of head, hand or foot was an invitation for a target of the same, (^ne thing we soon learned and that was the ])uff f)f smoke from our rifles when we fired made an un])lcasantl\ close target even when we were sure we were unseen ourselves. We were stationed two or three fence lengths a]>art and although we could hardly see each other, for previous to Pickett's charge the standing grain afforded consider- Gettysburg. 43 able protection from view, we occasionally spoke to one another on either hand for companionship or to ascertain if each was all right. A comrade, I think it was Hiram Fox, next to me on the left, said he had spoken to Corporal Huxam, who was next to him on the left, but obtained no reply. T suggested to him to crawl over to Huxam's position and see if all was right. He did so and reported back that Huxam was dead, shot through the head. He had evidently become tired of lying flat U])on the ground and firing through the lower rails, and risen up to a kneeling position and was aiming through the middle rails of the fence, a risk the rebel sharp-shooters had quickly availed themselves of, and not unlikely the very one that had attracted Huxam's attention was the one that proved too quick for him and fired the fatal shot." Marker for the Bliss Barn site at Gettysbur;<. The regiment at this time numbered one hundred and sixty men, about forty of whom were doing picket duty in front of its line. Somewhat to the right and about twenty-five hundred feet away were the farm buildings, house and barn, of William 144 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. Bliss, yiv. Bliss was like many other farmers who give more attention to the architecture and pretentiousness of their barns than they do to their houses. This barn was a rambling struc- ture seventy-five feet long and thirty-five feet wide. It was a solid oak frame incased by a stone wall one story in height, and then of brick. It was plentifully su]:)plied with doors and win- dows and hastily made apertures. It was indeed a vertible fort. It became known to the boys as the "bank barn," so called by having an earthwork drivewav extending from the sill of the second floor and sloping gradually back to the level ground. The Confederate sharp-shooters were not long in seeing the ad- vantage of this improvised fort and soon every window, door and crevice showed the protuding muzzles of long range rifles ready to do their deadly work. During, the later hours of the 2d. of July it was found that these rifles were picking off officers and men along the skirmish line which it commanded. Consequently the First Delaware Regiment was sent out to capture the build- ings and took the ground and some prisoners, but were obliged to return. Then four companies of the Twelfth Xcw Jersey were detailed for the duty of capturing the grounds and build- ings. They charged in good style and captured them, taking a large number of prisoners and losing some of their own men. They were withdrawn after dark. On the morning of July 3d., about half past seven, five other companies of the Twelfth New Jersey again captured the barn, taking more prisoners, and re- turned again to the line. Anrl again this military eelpot was set to catch a fresh batch of sliii])cry Confederates. Finding the firing intolerable, especially to the men of Arnold's Battery on the crest, as well as those on the skirmish line. General Havs ordered the Fourteenth Regiment to capture the buildings "to stay." Captain S. A. Aloore, with four companies of the regi- ment, numbering some fifty or sixty men, was sent down to cajiture the brick barn. To reach the barn was a perilous task and no man c(n-eted the work. After passing up toward head- quarters and down a lane across the Fmmettsburg road, it was then necessary to cross a field, a distance of nearly eighteen hundred feet. Rcachinc: this field, they were given orders to Gettysburg. 45 break and each man reach the barn as best he could. In doing this the desperate character of the undertaking was reaHzed, as they were open to the fire of the skirmish hne and the sharp- shooters in the barn, together witli a flanking fire from the brigades of Thomas and McGowan located in "Long Lane." but such was the dash and the wild fury of the approach that the Confederates left the barn in haste, giving only parting shots. Captain Moore was the first to enter the barn and the Federal soldiers were soon in full command. Several prisoners were The Knowlton Marker at the site of the Bliss House. taken. The Confederates, however, took possession of the house about one hundred and fifty feet away, and sheltered as best they could in that and the peach orchard adjoining, where from these two sources they continued the firing. Some of the men were wounded in the run to the barn, and soon after they occupied the barn, a shell struck it. killing Sergeant Clements and wound- ing- others. On the way to the barn Lieutenant Seward of Com- pany I was shot through the body and Lieutenant Seymour of the same company was shot through the leg. Finding that the 1 46 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. capture of the barn did not remedy the trouble, orders were given Major ElHs to take the remaining four companies of the regiment, the other two companies being out as skirmishers, and capture the house. Leaving the colors and the color-guard at the wall, the route of Major Ellis to the house was much more exposed to the Confederate sharp-shooters' firing than was the first detail, but on they went, with a vim of determination which character- ized the men of the command. It was like dodging ten thousand shafts of lighting. They soon reached the house, but lost some men on the way. The Confederates left the house as precipi- tately as they did the barn, some of their parting shots killing Sergeant Baldwin of Company I, and John Fox of Company A was seriously wounded in the thigh. Things now began to look serious for the brave men who had driven out the Confederates, now posted in the rear. The house proved a shallow protection and most of Major Ellis' detail went to the barn. As there were no windows or opportunities to fire in the rear of the barn, it looked as if the men were at the mercv of the enemy, "in a trap and liable to be exterminated." They had received orders to capture the buildings "to stay" and the faithful men knew no other course than to obey commands. Lieutenant Seyiuour first suggested to Colonel Smyth that "If, in the event of capturing the house and barn, the rebs make it so hot we can't hold them, shall we fire them?" Colonel Smvth at first gave no reply, but later gave orders to the lieutenant in such an event to fire the buildings. Lieutenant Sevmour fell helpless, and the line rushed on, so that the order did not reach the men, and they, being in ignorance of the existence of such an order, held on in their beleaguered places. Later General Hays sent instructions to burn the buildings. Captain Postles. of Colonel Smyth's stafif, was dispatched with the order to Major Ellis to burn the buildings. Captain Postles bounded off on his magnificent charger, going over the ground like a hurricane, fully aware of the dangerous character of his mission. He, how- ever, reached the barn, delivered the order and returned to head- quarters in safety. Xo sooner was the order given than the men proceeded to execute it. The barn was set fire in different places Gettysburg. 147 and a straAV bed in the house proved a convenient dispenser of flame. Then the men. taking up the dead and wounded, started back for the wall, running the same gantlet as when thev went to the barn. They had done their work well and when they reached the Emmettsburg road both buildings were in flames. It is not to be wondered that such a gallant and perilous deed as capturing and burning these buildings, one of the bravest dur- ing the whole progress of the war. should be claimed by other regiments and companies, but to the honor and glorv of the The Monument on the right is that of the Fourteenth Regiment. Fourteenth Regiment nmst be credited this heroic deed. Foi several years after the close of the war there was a spirited con- troversy as to whom this honor should belong, it being finally decided by Colonel Bachelder. the authorized historian of the battle of Gettysburg, to whom all the evidence and affidavits were forwarded. He admitted the claim and decided that it be- longed to the Fourteenth Regiment alone. 148 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. In Walker's "History of the Second Army Corps" he says: — "General Alexander Hays, finding the enemy's skirmishers a.eain troubling him from the Bliss barn, sent forward a detachment from the Twelfth New Jersey, which captured the barn, with the Confederate skirmish reserve. At a still later hour in the morning, the enemy again occupying this position. General Hays ordered a detachment from the Fourteenth Connecticut, Major Ellis, to take the buildings and burn them to the ground. The Fourteenth acquitted itself handsomely, losing ten killed and fifty-two wounded." Colonel Smyth in his official report of the battle says -—"The barn and house near it, being reoccupied by the enemy's sharp- shooters, an order was received from General Hays, commanding the division, to take the barn and house at all hazards and hold it. The Fourteenth Connecticut was detailed on this service, which it gallantly performed. Soon after an order came from General Hays to burn the house and barn, and they were accordingly fired." Returning to their former position at the wall, it was found that the First Delaware Regiment occupied the ground which they had left. Alajor Ellis therefore stationed the men ab<^ut two rods in the rear. The Rround over which Pickett's Division advanced, Gettysburg. 1 49 Major Hincks gives the experience of the regiment: — At about one o'clock there burst upon us most unexpected!) tlie heaviest cannonade I had ever witnessed. Without waiting for orders, which could hardly have been heard, we advanced with one impulse for a few paces and lay down just behind the First Delaware men, who had taken our places at the wall. By the good providence of God, the enemy's guns were pointed so that the shot mainly cleared us and went over the crest of the hill into the valley beyond, where, as we afterwards learned, thev sup- posed our troops were massed. Else it would seem that our little line by the stone wall could hardly have escaped being swept away. The wall, being built on a ledge of rock, took those shot that fell short and bounded off instead of burving themselves in the ground beneath us and then exploding, tear- ing in pieces those lying above, as I knew them to do in the grove further to our right. I mention these things to account for the singularly little damage we sustained from its terrific fire. The battery on our left, under Captain xArnold, sustained a more serious loss. Its guns kept up a steady reply for more than an hour, though I am at a loss to know what they could have seen to fire at, the smoke was so thick. So very thick was it that the sun seemed blotted out. One of the guns was directly behind me and at every discharge, the concussion would throw gravel over me and I could not only see and smell the thick cloud of burning powder, but could taste it also. I lay with my arm thrown over Eddy Hart and so hot was it that the drops of perspiration falling from my face made mud of the dusty soil on which we were stretched. No one moved or spoke save the gunners behind us and ever and anon I could hear the ringing voice of the sergeant nearest us giving command to aim, fire, (a tremendous crash) load, to be after a brief in- terval repeated. Then after a time T judged that he was wounded, for his voice was silenced, and out of the cloud came another and different voice, repeating the same command. From time to time, we could hear the wailing of some one wounded, but still their fire did not slacken. When the gunners fell, the drivers took their places. I looked up once or twice to see 150 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. brigades, which had lost their \va\- in the l)hnding sulphurous canopy and were flying wildl\ hither and thither, trying to escape from the storm of bursting shot and shell, which filled the air. I saw a fence rail, which had been struck by a shot, go spinning through the air as a man would throw a drumstick. I am informed that the thunder of the guns upon this occasion was heard for nearl_\- a hundred miles awaw and the story hardly seems incredible to one who was upon the ground. I utterly despair of giying any idea of the yarious diabolical sounds to which we listened, the howling of the shell as they sped through the air was like the voice of the tornado upon the ocean, and the sound of their bursting like incessant crashes of the heaviest thunder. At length it ceased as suddenly as it had begun. There was a complete calm, the clouds broke, and we could see the sun shining once more. Our neighbors of the battery, wdiose ammunition had some time since become ex- hausted, profited by the occasion to bring up their horses, which had not been killed or wounded, and withdrew their guns to the rear. One or two pieces which had been pushed out further to the front were left behind. We rose from the ground and stretched our cram])L'd limbs and, in our inexperience, thought the battle was over, but Major Ellis was better posted than we. 'No,' said he, 'They mean to charge with all their infantry.' 'Fall in Fourteenth' was the order and after a little delay we got the men in their places in line, and were soon in the ])lace left vacant by the withdrawal of the battery." Major Broatch s])eaks of an incident that occurred as the skir- mish line went out. As they were crossing the Emmettsburg road a Confederate shell struck the rail fence and threw a rail with much force, striking Augustus (luild across the small of the back, felling him to the ground. Mis conu-ades supposed he was killed and left him for dead, going on to the skirmish line. When the (, on federate army advanced on the charge and our skirmishers wi-re drivm in William H. Hall and James Inglis of Com|)any ll found, as the\ crossed the Emmettsburg road, that (iuild was ali\'i'. The\- took him up tenderly and started to carry him in. Thev were entreated by the men at Gettysburg. 1 5 1 the wall to leave him or they would all be shot. They per- sisted, however, in their endeavor, although under a heavy fire, and succeeded in reaching the wall, and thus saved his life. Guild lived and was discharged June 5, 1865. Deducting the two companies that were acting as skirmishers at the front and the killed and wounded in the destroying of the Bliss buildings, the regiment now numbered about one hundred men. To occupy the space at the wall left vacant by the dis- rupted battery, it was necessary for the regiment to stretch out, leaving only one line. All eyes were turned upon the front to catch the first sight of the advancing foe. Slowly it emerged from the woods, and such a column ! Eleven brigades of Pickett's Division advanc- ing obliquely upon the Second Division of the Second Corps, Heth's four brigades, commanded by General Pettegrew, in front, while that of Lane and Scales formed in their rear. There were three lines, and a portion of a fourth line, extending a mile or more. It was, indeed, a scene of unsurpassed grandeur and majesty. It is no wonder that Major Ellis in his official report said "It was magnificent." As far as eye could reach could be seen the advancing troops, their gay war flags fluttering in the gentle summer breeze, while their sabers and bayonets flashed and glistened in the midday sun. Step by step they came, the music and rhythm of their tread resounding upon the rock-ribbed earth. Every movement expressed determination and resolute defiance, the line moving forward like a victorious giant, confident of power and victory. If one listened, he might hear the voice of the commander, "Steady men, steady." There is no swaying of the line, no faltering of the step. The advance seems as resistless as the incoming tide. It was the last throw of the dice in this supreme moment of the great game of war. On, on, the}- come and slowly approach the fence that skirts the Emmettsburg road. Watchful eyes are peering through the loosely built stone wall. Anxious hearts are crouched behind this rude redoubt. Hardly can the men be restrained from firing, although positive orders had been given that not a gun should be fired until the enemy reached the Emmettsburg road. 1 52 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. It was. indeed, an anxious moment. One you can see is looking at the far oiT home he will never see again. Another is looking at his little ones, as he mechanically empties his cartridge-box on the ground before him, that he may load more quickly, de- termined to part with life as dearly as possible. Others are communing with Him before whom so many will shortly have to appear. The skirmishers are driven in, Init not in confusion, and some times about face to return the Confederate skirmish fire, and thus gain time to bring in the killed and wounded. Slowly the great line moved forward until it reached the fence. The men mounted to cross when the word fire ! fire ! ran along the Union line, crack ! crack ! spoke out the musketry, and the men dropped from the fence as if swept by a gigantic sickle swung by some powerful force of nature. Great gaps were formed in the line, the number of slain and wounded could not be estimated by numbers, but must be measured by yards. Yet on came the second line in full face of the awful carnage. No longer could the measured tread be heard, no longer were the orders of the commanding officers audible for the shrieks of the wounded and groans of the d\ing filled the air, but on they came, meeting with the same fate as their comrades. The third line wavered and faltered, even their courage forbiaamg them to face such a storm of musketry. The color-bearers now ad- vanced, apparently in obedience to previous orders, and, at- tended bv their color-guards, planted their battle flags in the ground much nearer. Then the firing being too hot for them, lav down, waiting for their men to advance and rally around them. One of them in particular was in advance of the others and planted his flag not more than ten rods distant from and in front of the center of the l^^ourteenth. The men of the regiment still actively continued firing. Several of the men were fortunate in having two breech-loaders for while one was load- ing the other was firing. So rapid was this firing that the barrels became so hot that it was almost impossible to use them, some using the precious water in their canteens to pour upon the overworked guns. Accounts seem to agree that the Con- Gettysburg. 53 federate line broke quicker in the immediate front of the Four- teenth than any where else, and seeing this a shout went up from the regiment, which was taken up and echoed and reechoed along the whole Union line. In vain did the Confederate com- manders attempt to reform their broken columns, colors were dropped and the men fled in confusion. Major Ellis gave the order to the regiment to fire left oblique to dislodge some of the Confederates who had come uncomfortably near the front of an adjoining battery. The regiment had just turned when a daring and audacious Confederate jumped upon the gun of a Headquarters at Gettysburg after the battle batterv which had been left about two rods in front, when the batterv withdrew for want of horses, and waved his hat in his hand for his comrades to follow. He did not remain there an instant, but fell riddled through. With the help of the regi- ment's crossfire, the rebels in front of the neighboring battery were soon in full retreat. Another incident connected with this remarkable record of the Fourteenth was the capture of a flag by Major Hincks. The I 54 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. Confederate color planted about ten rods in front of the center of the regiment still stood. There were no rebels standing near it, but several were lying down, waiting for the men to ad- vance. Major Ellis called for volunteers to capture the flag and instantly Major Hincks, Major Broatch and Lieutenant Brig- han; leaped the wall. Brigham was shot down by a retreating rebel, but the other two sped on, Hincks finally outstripping Broatch ran straight and swift for the color, amid a storm of shot. Swinging" his saber over the prostrate Confederates and uttering a terrific yell, he seized the flag and hastily returned to the line. He was the object of all eyes and the men cheered him heartily as he reached the ranks. It was the flag of the Fourteenth Tennessee Regiment and had inscribed upon it the names of the twelve battles in which the regiment had ijartici- pated, viz.: — "Seven Pines, Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor, Shep- ardstown, Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Oxhill, Harper's Ferry, Sharpsburg, Frazier's Farm, Cedar Run and Manasses." Theodore F. Rodenbough, Brevet Brigadier-General of the United States Army, in his book of "Saber and Bayonet," made up of stories of heroism and military adventure, nas this to sa} regarding the capture of this flag: — "During the grand assault, the Fourteenth Connecticut Regiment was in position opposite the left of the enemy's advancing lines ; this regiment was armed with Sharp's breech-loading rifles and their fire was very severe. Sergeant Wade of this regiment says: — -'By this time the Four- teenth were all excited ; they remembered Antietam, Fredericks- burg, and Chancellorsville, and over the wall they went ; nothing could stop them, and soon they were fighting hand-to-hand with the rebels. "\Ve captured six battle-flags and forty prisoners ; and over one hundred prisoners came in afterwards ( )ii, it was a glorious (la_\' for the old Ivjurteenth ! One of the lieutenant-coloiu'ls takrn l)y our regiment, coming up to )ur thin line, aski'd us wIhtc all our troops were, and being told that he could see all then- were, fxrIaiDied, '( )h ! that T had known it a half hour sinci'.' Soini' of tlu- prisont'rs told us that their gen- erals 1(j1(1 tlu'ni llu'\ wtTt- iii-htiui;- nothing but the Pennsvlvania Gettysburg. 1 5 5 militia, but when they saw the ace of ckibs, the trefoil badge of the Second Corps, they all exclaimed, 'We have been fighv-ng the Army of the Potomac' After the first fire from the Union side had taken effect, Sergeant-Major William B. Hincks, of the Fourteenth, saw, planted in the ground some distance in front, a rebel flag. Around and on a line with it were a number of unwounded men who had thrown themselves down to avoid the heavy fire. He determined to capture the flag. Leaping over the wall he ran straight for it. At the same time two or three others of his regiment had started for the same goal. One of these, an officer, was brought down by a bullet ere he had run ten yards. Hincks outstripped the others, reached the spot, and with a yell seized the colors by the stall, and, waving his sword over his head, was on his way back be- fore those around him could devine his purpose. Instantly a shower of bullets came all about him ; he was also exposed to a scattering fire from our troops. It was 'running the gantlet,' indeed. Hincks in his dash across the neutral ground, seemed to bear a charmed life. As he neared his own lines, he saw the men standing up, regardless of the leaden messengers behind, and as he mounted the wall, trophy in hand, the regiment to a man wildly cheered the gallant fellow. It proved to be the colors of the 'Fourteenth Tennessee.' Major Hincks writes: — - 'We were behind a low stone wall, such as may be seen on any New England farm. Parallel to this wall, and perhaps one hundred and fifty yards away, was a lane (Emmettsburg road), on enher side of which were the ruins of a wooden fence. My recollection is that our people began to fire as the front line of the enemy crossed this fence. This broke their front line ; their advance was checked and they began to fire. Then their color- bearer ran forward, planted his flag in the ground and with several others — I presume the color-guard — lay down beside it, our fire being very hot. At that time I was firing two Sharp's rifles, which Lieutenant Hawley was loading for me ; they belonged to men wounded early in the day. The regiment on our right fired buck-and-ball cartridges, and I think that I i 156 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. was in as much danger from them when I ran to get the flag as from the enemy One gun (cannon) which had been pushed out a few rods in front of our stone wall remained there during the charge, having been disabled. A daring South- erner jumped upon this gun and waved his hat; but did not live to tell the story. In going after the flag, I ran past this gun, leaving it upon my left hand." The men now careless of shelter stood erect and with loud shouts continued to fire into the retreating army as long as they were within range. Many of the retreating column lay down behind stones and hillocks, and even the dead bodies of their comrades, to be protected from the Union shots. Presently, as by one common impulse, bits of white cloth and handkerchiefs were waved as signals of surrender. In response to these signals, our men leaped over the wall and advanced tow-ard the retreating foe. When they reached the point where the enemy's advance had halted, rebel wounded and unwounded in large numbers rose up and surrendered themselves. One of the first to leap over the wall was Corporal Christopher Flynn of Com- pany K who, advancing far down toward the retreating line, picked up a l)attle-flag which the}- had dropped in their flight. Corporal E. W. Hacon of Company F also seized the flag of the Sixteenth Xorth Carolina. Several others were subsequently picked uj), making five in all which were credited to the regiment. The claim has also been made that six flags were captured, al- though -Major Ellis sj^eaks of only five in his official report. Some have claimed that the sixth flag was a beautiful silk flag, which was not given to the ])roper officers. Major liincks, Cor])oral Flynn of Company K and Corporal Bacon of Conii)anv !•' afterwards received the United States Medal of Honor for deeds of special 1)ravery. Major William \\. 1 links was born in lUicksport, Maine, but moved to Ih-idgeport. Conn., while a lad. He was of scholarly instincts and was jjreparing for a ihorough education, when the call of his country api)ealed to his inbred spirit of patriotism and he abandoned his cherished plans and enlisted in Co. A. A man of Major Hincks' strength of mind, purity of purpose, integrity Gettysburg. 57 of character and frankness of manner could not long fail to have an influence upon his comrades and win their love and esteem. He rose rapidly from a private to the rank of major, although to the latter rank he was never mustered. With the exception of a short time when he was on the brigade staff, he was always with his regiment going with it through all of its engagements and was never seriously wounded. At the close of the war. Major WM. B. HINCKS, Adjutant. Hincks returned to Bridgeport and became engaged in mercan- tile business. His qualities of careful and decerning judgement soon won for him the reputation of a sound business adviser, and his opinions were often sought in that line. He became the custodian of many important trusts. He was also vice-president ^nd secretary of many business organizations of his adopted city. 158 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. For many years he was secretary and treasurer of the City Sav- ing's Bank of Bridgeport. He died November 7, 1903 amid the universal regret of his fellow citizens and his old comrades of the Fourteenth Regiment. A number of the field and line officers surrendered their swords to Major Ellis and Adjutant Doten. About two hundred prisoners were captured, two for every man in the regiment. It was indeed a glorious day for the brave Fourteenth. An incident occurred many years after relating to this sur- render. Among the Confederate ofificers who surrendered their swords was Colonel John A. Fite, of the Seventh Tennessee, who handed his sword to Lieutenant-Colonel S. A. Moore (then cap- tain) who was standing near Colonel Ellis. Lieutenant-Colonel Moore discovered that the sword was a valuable one and must have been much prized by its owner. In 1890 Lieutenant-Colonel Moore took steps to discover the owner that he might return it. To this end he sent a communication to the Memphis Appeal and the owner, as we have stated, was soon found. He communi- cated at once with Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, satisfying the latter that the sword was his whereupon Lieutenant-Colonel Moore sent the sword to Chicopee where it was put in the best of order and dispatched to Colonel Fite. This incident formed the basis between the L^nion and Confederate colonels of lengthy and fre- quent correspondence of the most cordial character, in which Colonel Fite expressed his apjireciation of the magnaminit\- and gallantry of Lieutenant-Colonel Moore. Those of the prisoners who were able to walk came in after which the boys of the regiment went out and brought in the w^oundcd. although under a heavy fire from the skirmish line which the Confederates had been able to reestablish. These Confederate wounded were tenderly treated and cared for. even portions of the precious stone wall being removed so that thev could be taken in withcnit jolting. Cofifee was made and the meager rations shared, showing that "One touch of sorrow makes all the world akin" even in the horrors of war. Gettysburg. 59 After dark the picket line was thrown out, ammunition and rations issued and the men slept as best they could, leaning against the wall, with their equipments on and guns ready for action. Thus closed the most eventful day of the conflict, a day full of incidents, heroism, remarkable situations and brilliant achieve- ments of the now slender Fourteenth Regiment. Can it be any wonder that the battle-field of Gettysburg is often revisited and its scenes of horror and momentous events dwelt upon by mem- Spangler's Spring. hers of the regiment? The location of the Bliss buildings, the sight of the protecting stone wall, the broad plain over which Pickett's charge so grandly swept, and Spangler's Spring, where Union and Confederate soldiers often drank together, are never worn topics of interest and discussion by those that survived. 160 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. In regard to the conditct of the regiment on this memorable day "Dunn Browne" writes to the Springfield Republican as follows : — "The Fourteenth Connecticut, in whose welfare nearly every portion of the state is interested, had a splendid oppor- tunity, being in the very center of the line attacked on the after- noon of the 3d. instant, and never was opportunity better im- proved. Although my own regiment, I can speak with compara- tive impartiality of its doings, because my duty on detached ser- vice at present called me away to another part of the field. I had occasion to view the whole length of our lines, to ride over every part of the field ; and in no part of the whole line was there evidence of harder fighting or a more gallant charge. Five regimental battle-flags are the trophies of its valor, as well as about a prisoner for each man engaged. It was a grand sight to see in this portion of the battle the charge made by the rebels, and the way it was met." Another incident which we ma}- note was the finding of a daguerreotype by Sergeant Russell Glenn of Company A in the hands of a Confederate soldier who had been killed in the battle. We will allow Sergeant Glenn to tell the story. He savs : — "It was on the battle-field of Gettysburg where I secured this ])icturc and I prize it as the most valuable relic of my war experience. It was on the morning of July 4th, 1863. that I went among the Confederate dead who fell during the previous day's fight. I, with others, was searching for the sick and wounded who were being conveyed to the rear for treatment. I had hardly entered that terrible valley of death when I beheld a handsome, noble looking youth, lying prone upon his back ; his eyes wide open and staring towards heaven. His counte- nance wore the most beseeching expression that I ever beheld. At first I thought the youth was alive and was about to speak to him when I oljseryed that he held something in his hand that la\- upon his left breast. I stooped over him and discovered that he had been shot through the heart and probably did not live more than thirty seconds after the fatal bullet hit him. In his Gettysburg. 61 THE REBEL GIRL. From a picture taken from the hand of a young rebel just after he was killed at Gettysburg, by Russell Glenn, now of Bridgeport. hand was a daguerreotype of the above profile, the case of which had been entirely shattered by the deadly ball, but, marvel- ous as it may seem, the profile remained uninjured. It is cer- tain that the poor fellow lived but an instant after being hit, but in that short space of time his thought was of the picture — probably the face of his sweetheart — and, taking it from his breastpocket, he saw the shattered case, but was permitted to gaze on the features of a loved one as his soul took its immortal flight. I took the picture from the rigid grasp of the dead 162 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. soldier, and taking the skirt of his coat, wiped off the blood from the glass and carefully placed it in my pocket, intending, if possible, to find the original, but as yet have not been suc- cessful." The following is the list of killed, wounded and missing which Major Ellis officially reported to the Adjutant-General of the State of Connecticut : — "Surgeon, Frederick B. Dudley, wounded, in arm. bv frag- ment shell. Company A. Wounded, Privates, John Fox, musket ball through leg, Russell Glenn, in face and hand : missing. Sergeant, Henry M. Cooley, Corporal, William Jacobs, Privates, John Geatley, James W. French, sent out on patrol and not returned. Company B. Killed, Corporal, Samuel G. Huxam ; wounded, Sergeant, George H. Hubbard, in arm. Corporal, Elnathan B. Tyler, in foot. Privates, James H. Sage, in head, Augustus Guild, in back, by shell, Patrick Dailey, in foot, Hiram H. Fox, in hand. Company C. Wounded, 2d Lieutenant, Julius W. Knowlton, shell wound in back, Privates, William Patrick, in foot, slightly, Valentine Lungwitz, slightly, Owen McKewan, in hand, Theo- dore C. Byington, in leg, William C. Rice, buck shot in leg, Cornelius Dailey, shell wound in back. Company D. Killed, Corporal, William Goodell ; wounded. Captain, Walter M. Lucas, bruise on leg. Sergeants, George N. Brigham, in side, severely, Benjamin Hirst, in shoulder. Corporal, David W. Whiting, in hand, slightly. Privates, John F. Julian, in temple, Charles Morrison, slightly. Company E. Killed, Corporal, Walter F. Standish ; wounded, 2d Lieutenant, h'rederick Shalk, slightly. Privates, Michael Mc- Dermott, in leg, Isaac C. Barrows, solid shot in leg, in side, bv shell, Francis IJebo, in jaw, Henry I'^risl)ee. buck shot in hand, James Rilev, in arm. Company I'. Killed, Private, Thomas J. lirainard ; wounded, 2d Lieutenant, John A. Tibbets, in arm, slightly. Privates, Dan- ford J. Davis, in head, slightly, James A. Stroazzi, in arm, bruise in head, 'Hiomas I'um. in head, slightly, Michael O'Connell, slightly. Gettysburg. 1 63 Compan\- G. Killed, Privates, Aaron A. Clarke, Alfred H. Dibble, Moses G. Clements, William D. Marsh ; wounded. Cor- porals, John S. Stannard, in neck, Stanley L. Chapman, in leg. Privates, John B. Stevens, in arm, Edgar S. Ely, in leg, Albert M. Hill, in temple. Company H. Killed, Private, Thomas M. Ames ; wounded, 1st Lieutenant, Henry L. Snagg, in leg, 2d. Lieutenant, Frank E. Stoughten, in lung, seriously. Privates, Thomas W. Gardner, in hand, James Crinyan, in hand and side, Theodore Kohlrisser, in hip. Company L Killed, Corporal, Joseph Puffer; wounded ist Lieutenant, Frederick S. Seymour, in leg, 2d Lieutenant, Samuel H. Seward, in stomach. Sergeant, George W. Baldwin, in abdomen. Corporal Henry H. Frankenfield, in neck, Privates, James W. Benham, in thumb and wrist. Nelson Hodge, in knee, seriously, Thomas L. Crittenden, in head, seriously. Company K. Wounded, Captain, James B. Coit, run over by horse. Private, Francis McVay, in arm." The following is Major Ellis' official report to the Adjutant- General of the state : — "Headquarters Fourteenth Connecticut V^olunteers, Camp near Gettysburg. Penna., July 6th., 1863. Brigadier-General H. J. Morse, Adjutant-General, State of Connecticut. Sir: — I have the honor to report the following as the part taken bv the Fourteenth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, in the late battle at this place. We arrived on the ground on the morning of the 2d. instant, after being out all night on picket some two miles back, and joined our brigade. During the fore- noon we supported Woodruff's Battery Regular Artillery. We were afterwards for a short time detailed on provost duty, and in the afternoon moved further to the left to support Arnold's First Rhode Island Battery, where we remained with a slight change of position all night, throwing out pickets to the front. During the day the regiment was at times under a heavy shell 64 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. fire, but met with no loss except Captain Coit. who was seri- ously injured, accidentally, by a runaway horse. On the morning of the 3d., we advanced two companies as skirmishers, under command of Captains Townsend and Lucas, who maintained their ground nobly until the grand attack of the afternoon when they were driven in by the advancing lines of the enemy. During the forenoon the regiment was ordered to take and hold two buildings, a large barn and house, outside of our lines of skirmishers, a little to the right of our position, from which the enemy were seriously annoying our troops. Mouth of Devil's Den, Gettysburg. 'i"he barn was gallantly charged and taken by four companies under command of Captain Moore, the remainder of the regi- ment making the attack u])on the house, commanded bv mvself. The whole distance from our lines to these buildings being coniniandi'd 1)\ the enemy's sharp-shooters, we met with some loss in llie attack. It was here that Lieutenants Seymour and Seward wtTi' wounded. While the regiment was within these Gettysburg. 1 65 buildings and firing from them upon the enemy, a case-shot entered the upper part of the barn and exploded, killing and wounding some of the men. Having received orders to destroy these buildings, they were fired in several places, after removing all our killed and wounded, when we retired to the picket reserve, bringing off all our wounded and arms. We were again or- dered to support Arnold's Battery and formed on its right, where we remained under the terrific shell fire of Friday after- noon from one o'clock P. M., until the battery retired disabled, when I moved the regiment forward and to the left to cover the space previously occupied by the battery. About this time two rebel lines of battle, extending across the plain for more than a mile, preceded by a line of skirmishers, and reinforced at two points on the right and left by a third line, were observed to emerge from the woods about one-third of a mile distant, running nearly parallel to our front, and ad- vanced steadily across the intervening plain. The spectacle was magnificent. They advanced in perfect order, the line of skir- mishers firing. Uur men were formed in a single line of battle along an almost continuous line of low stone wall and fence, which offered a considerable protection from the enemy's fire. When the first line of the enemy had advanced to within about two hundred yards, our fire opened almost simultaneously along the whole line. The enemy's first line was broken and hurled back upon the second, throwing it also into confusion. De- tached portions of the lines were rallied, and for a short time maintained their ground. Being mown down by our terribly destructive fire, they commenced falling back, when a portion of this regiment charged upon them, capturing five regimental battle-flags and over forty prisoners. There also afterwards came into the lines of this regiment about one hundred or more of the enemy, some of which were wounded and gave them- selves up. Among the officers who personally surrendered to me were the following: — Colonel John Fite, 7th Tennessee, not wounded, Lieutenant-Colonel N. J. George, ist Tennessee, not wounded. 1 66 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. Lieutenant-Colonel Parkers, 52d North Carolina, wounded, Major John G. Richardson, 52d North Carolina, wounded, Among those who were taken as prisoners or came within our lines wounded, were the following line officers : — Captain G. A. Graues, 22d North Carolina, Captain George Gillian, 52d North Carolina. . Captain J. A. Kincain, 52d North Carolina, First Lieutenant J. C. Warren, 52d North Carolina, First Lieutenant J. N. Robertson, 5th Alabama. There were many of the Field and Line officers captured whose names could not be ascertained. The colors captured belonged to the following regiments:— 14th Tennesse, 1st Tennessee, 1 6th North Carolina, 52d North Carolina, ■^4th Virginia. The colors of the ist and 14th Tennessee and i6th North Carolina bear the following inscriptions on each: — 'Seven Pines, Mechanicsville, Cold Harbor, Shepardstown. Fredericksburg, Chancellorsville, Ox Hill, Harpers Ferry, Sharpsburg, F>azier s Farm, Cedar Run, Manasses." The color of the 14th Tennessee was the first taken, and was captured by Sergeant- Major William B. Hincks. That of the 52d North Carolina was taken by Cor- poral Christopher Flynn, Company K, and that of the i6th North Carolina by Private E. W. Bacon, Company V. The following is a corrected list of the killed and wounded in the above engagements: — Killed, enlisted men, 10; wounded, commissioned officers. 10; enlisted men. 42; missing, enlisted Ti'tn, 4 ; total 66. This regiment went into action with about 160 muskers. I am, (ieneral. very res])ectfully. Your obedient servant, Theodore G. Ellis, Major commanding I'ourteenth Connecticut \^olunteers." *Chaplain Stevens thinks that this flag must be the 14th Virginia as the 4th Virginia Regiment was in Stonewall's Brigade and was engaged against Gulps Hill. The Two Round Tops, Gettysburg, from the west. CHAPTER X. The Summer of 1 863. We must pause a few moments before the regiment leaves Gettysburg. On awakening on the morning of July 4th., it was found that the Confederates had advanced their skirmish line and a vigorous picket firing was kept up through the day. At times there was shot from long range guns and shells, necessitating some one of the regiment to be on the alert and warn the men of danger. The rain was very severe through the day which must have been trying to the great number of Confederate wounded who lay directly in front of the regiment, but too far out toward their skirmish line to enable the men to give them any relief. During the night a humorous incident occurred. A number of shots were heard in cjuick succession from our picket- lines, the men hastily aroused took their places at the wall and waited patieiUly for orders. Intentl}' they held themselves in readiness to meet the approaching foe ; peering into the dark- ness, with their weapons in their hands. Several volleys were fired and when morning came, it was found that a white cow had been the cause of all the trouble. This was the last foe met on the battle-field of Gettysburg. As the morning broke, it was found that there were no Con- federates at the front, and reconnoissances in all directions (167) 168 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. showed that Lee was in full retreat on the Fairfield and Cash- town roads. Meade seemed to share McClellan's idea that: — "He who fights and runs away May live to fight another day ; But he who is in battle slain Can never rise and tight again. Twenty-fotir hours too late the comparatively fresh Sixth Corps was at once pushed forward in pursuit on the Fairfield road and a brigade of Gregg's cavalry division on the Cashtown road, (ieneral Sedgwick, in command of the Sixth Corps, find- ing the retreating army posted in the Fairfield pass, deemed Lee's position too strong to be successfully attacked. In the afternoon of July 5th. the regiment was again in motion, under command of Colonel Alorris who had returned and as- sumed command of the brigade, in place of Colonel Sm\th who had been wounded. They marched slowly and leisurely, making frequent halts, to Two Taverns, distant about five miles. Here they remained during Monday with the oft repeated question of something to eat prominent in their minds. On the morning of Tuesday, the regiment was on the move at an early hour and continued eight or ten miles to Taneytown. The roads were in shocking condition from the severe rains, making the march tedious and wearisome, and the men, still being out of rations, were weak with hunger. This becoming serious men were de- tailed to go into the town and obtain food, the expense of which was to be ])aid by the government. Flour seemed to be the only available ccjuimodity in that line which served to make sodden and unleavened cakes for the men. One patriotic and humane resident of the town sold water from his pump at six cents a glass. Later in thf (la\ the wagon-trains coming up rations of hardtack and salt pork were distributed. Wednesday, July Sth., the regiment, under command of Cap- tain Davis, marched about twenty miles, camping near Frederick City. Major I'.llis had been left at Taneytown. sick. The next day the regiment made a march of twenty-three miles, passing through b'rederick City and the villages of Jefiferson and Burketts- ville, crossing the South Mountain range at Crampton's Gap, and The Summer of 1863. 169 went into camp near Rohersville. Starting again at six o'clock the next morning they marched about ten miles, passing through the villages of Rohersville and Keedysville, the latter of which the regiment passed through on its march to Antietam the Sep- tember previous. Major Hincks says: — "The weather was very hot and we marched slowly though perhaps this may have been due to the presence of the enemy in our front as we heard can- nonading all day. About noon we were permitted to halt for a brief space and rest. The direction of this movement Colonel Morris carried out with singular ingenuity by marching us to the top of a high hill, and halting us in the full glare of the sun. Farther on near "Bakerstown', so called, we halted again for half an hour and this time, as the sun had now gone down, in the woods. Moved on a short distance and halted for the night. Sent out picket detail, and bivouacked in line of battle in the edge of a piece of woods." Saturday morning, the irth., the regiment was again on the move, halting a short time at Tenleytown, and then to the front, passing through several lines of battle which crossed the road, while skirmishing was going on in front. Here they remained for the rest of the day. At evening a sudden start was made and marched a mile or two close to the enemy and bv order thren' up breastworks of rails and earth, behind whicii they passed the night. This was about three miles from Hagerstown. Sunday there was marching and countermarching along the Hagerstown turnpike, for what purpose the men were ignorant, finally taking a turn in a wheat-field in the midst of a severe rain, where a line was formed with great nicety. Here it was that the regiment learned that Colonel Morris had been relieved of the command of the brigade. Forty-five men, under command of 2d Lieutenant William H. Hawley, of Company B, were de- tailed to form a skirmish line. They advanced the line three times and the regiment constructed a new line of earthworks. The 13th. the advance was made still nearer the enemy's line and on the 14th. the picket-line entered the rebel works with very little resistance, although there was a slight skirmish. The regiment marched up by flank and found the Confederate position opposite 1 70 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. a very strong one. much more so than the Union troops held at Gettysburg-, several cross fences and thorny hedges intervening between the two armies. The earthwork was thick and high to climb, even when not under fire. The Confederate army, how- ever, had safelv crossed the Potomac on a rudely made bridge of boats and were now making a hasty 1)ut orderly retreat. So that the battle of Falling Waters was a battle that ought to have been fought, but never was. The regiment continued its march the following dav, July 15th., passing through the village of Sharpsburg and renewing the remembrances of their first battle in September, 1862. Tak- ing the tow path along the Baltimore & Ohio canal, they camped about a mile from Harper's Ferry, the distance marched during the day being about twenty-three miles. Thursday morning the regiment again moved forward, reach- ing Pleasant A'alley about five miles distant, where it encamped, remaining there during Thursday and Friday. While camped here some of the regiment, in common with members of other regiments of the division, helped themselves to straw from a neighboring farmer for their tents. The farmer went to head- quarters and made a vigorous protest to General Hays. The General went to the door of his tent and looking u]) and down the camp of the division said "Straw, I see no straw. I think you are mistaken." Whereupon the farmer was much irritated and swore li])erall\-. The (General re])lied "I thought you were a bad man and your language proves it. You should study your Bible" and taking a Bible from his table presented it to the sur- prised and disgusted farmer. General Hays charged him to read it carefully and bowed him courteously out of his tent. The onlv drawback to this story is the very remote probability of a P)ible being on ( ieneral Hays' talj](\ Reveille was sounded at two o'clock Saturday morning and at seven o'clock the regiment was on the move, crossing the Poto- mac and Shenandoah rivers, and mcning down the Pouden Valley over the same route they passed after leaving Bolivar Heights the year ])el'ore. Tliey went into camp about three o'clock and no member of the regiment will forget the abundance The Summer of 1 863. 1 7 1 of blackberries and the whole division, as well as the Fourteenth, feasted plentifull}- upon this wholesome berry. "Dunn Browne" writes to the Springfield Republican as fol- lows : — "You ought to have seen our corps move into the huge blackberry-field, or rather succession of them, last evening after their hot midday march. The habit of military discipline pre- vailing kept the men in the ranks till they were regularly dis- missed, though every tread crushed out the blood of scores, and Uncle Sam's stiff brogans were soaked in dewberry gore. But when the order 'Stack arms!' 'Rest!" had been given, in an instant, in a nothing of time, in the hundredth part of the 'twinkling of a bedpost', the whole battle array was melted away. The glitter- ing lines of stacked arms were all that were left upright in the field. The backs only were visible of a half dozen thousand tired sold- iers, who are not wont to turn their backs to the enemy ; and as the manna which came from heaven to the Israelites in the wil- derness, when the dew rose in the morning, so disappeared this gracious provision of Heaven's bounty for our weary boys ; and they rose (not very soon) refreshed from their luscious banquet. There were enough and to spare. Fields and hills all around us are black with them, — more millions of tiny blackamoors than our army of abolitionists can put out of the way in a week. But we are doing our best ; heaped bowls and plates of blackberries for tea and for breakfast ; a few blackberries as we went to bed ; a few on waking this morning; (how- much better than fiery whiskey for that purpose!) and now a few more to start on just as we are leaving. It has been a blackberrying on the grandest scale I have attended for a long time." The next day being Sunday. Jvdy 19th.. the column still con- tinued down Louden X'alley which was at first narrow and then broadened out into luxuriant farming lands. After eight miles the men camped at Gregory's Gap. That evening an order was received by Captain Davis to detail three commissioned officers and six privates to visit Connecticut and bring on the conscripts with which to fill up the depleted ranks of the regiment. Sum- moning the commissioned officers together Captain Davis called for the drawing of lots for two of the commissioned officers. 1 72 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. The order said three was exclaimed when Captain Davis said that he had already ordered the adjntant to detail him. The officers laughed, hut were evidently much chagrined to see such colossal nerve as the Captain exhibited. Lots were cast and the choice fell upon Captain Broatch of Company A and Lieutenant Rockwood of Company D, and Privates Glenn. Penhallow, Wolff, Murray, Davis and Wade. Monday, July the 20th., was excessively warm. The regiment marched about twelve miles, camping at Bloomtield that night. There were many stragglers on account of the heat and the com- mand to "Close up" was often given. Tuesday, the following day, the regiment remained in bivouac at this point. Blackberries were plent\- and there was much more freedom with the men in helping themselves to food and necessities than before they saw the de- jjredation of the Confederates upon the people of loyal Penn- sylvania before the battle of Gettysburg. July 22d. the regi- ment with the corps moved on to near Uppersville, passing through the village of Paris and going into camp near Ashby's ( iap, having marched a distance of twelve miles. The regiment at this time was in the rear of the Second Corps with several provost marshals behind it. July 23d., Thursday, the regiment marched at five o'clock pass- ing down a hilly road parallel to the mountains until the town of .Springfield, at the entrance of Manassas Gap, was reached at eleven o'clock. Here they remained under arms to support the Third and h'ifth CJjrps which had marched up the Gap to attack the rebels, who were posted in the vicinity of Front Royal. At five o'clock in the afternoon in response to some artillery firing the men were hurried off. The road was hard, tedious and badly cut u]), but the men went on, reaching the locality of the firing. Tlie\ saw several wounded men, but were not themselves en- gaged. They bivouacked on the side of a stony hill, but, being tired and exhausted, slept well, although many of the men went to bed supperless. 'Hie distance made was about twenty miles, camp bring nuule about two miles from the village of Linden. brida) morning the stress of hunger was almost unendurable and as the generals and high officers rode back and forth, they The Summer of 1863. 173 were greeted with shouts of "hardtack" by hundreds and thou- sands of voices. The marching had been rapid and excessive, the wagon-trains being left far behind. The shouting for hard- tack became so annoying to the well-fed generals that an order was read saying that rations of that commodity could not then be issued, but that presently fresh beef with salt and pepper would be given, and that in future shouting hardtack would be con- sidered mutinous. Just before leaving camp a scanty supply of rations was given out. Camp was broken about noon and the route over which the troops passed two days previous was re- The riatrerstdwn t^iKe, traced, camping upon their old ground near Springfield, reach- ing there about four o'clock. The promised rations of fresh beef, salt and pepper not having materialized many men went out foraging. General Hays, learning this, took the -provost guard and sallied out after them and succeeded in arresting ten of the Fourteenth, twenty-three from the ist Delaware and more from other regiments, which were all sent back to headquarters under guard; and in putting to flight a good many others, among whom were several commissioned ofiicers. There were some ludicrous scenes. At one farm-house some were taken 1 74 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. in the house and not a few concealed themselves in the tall grass in the yard. Suspecting something of the sort, the General stood in the path and cursed at them in his unique style, saying that he saw them, every one of them, and bidding them come out and surrender. Some of them were easy enough to do so, but others remained and were not discovered. At half past four Saturday morning, July 25th., the regiment was again on the move, marching fifteen miles that day, reach- ing White Plains about four o'clock. The march was a severe one to the men who were still exhausted for lack of food. Sunday it was excessively hot and there were many stragglers picked up by the Confederates, among whom were James Mc- Cauley and J. H. Ramsdell of Company A, who were hastened to death somewhat faster than those remaining in the Union army by starvation in rebel prisons. Warrenton was reached at eleven o'clock, and after tarrying about an hour the march wa.= resumed toward Warrenton Junction, distant about nine miles, making twenty-four miles in all. The pace was swift and the men were much discouraged and exhausted. A rumor spread through the ranks that General Hays was racing the Second Corps with the Third Corps. Turning into a large field tlie troops broke ranks and immediately began picking blackberries, of which there was a great abundance, much to the disgust of General Hays, who, after considerable exertion, got them to- gether long enough to stack arms. That (lay completed six weeks since the camp at Falmouth was left ; during which time they fought the battle of Gettysburg and had marched over four hundred miles. Thev remamed in this cam]) near Warrenton Junction until five o'clock Thursday afternoon, July 30th. During their stay here extra rations of pickles, pepper and whiskey were issued. The men were rested, refreshed by their greater variety of rations and moved on to- ward Elk run in much better spirits than when they reached War- renton J miction. The regiment camped at Elkrun about ten o'clock. The next day, although exceedingly hot, ihe men marched a distance of about five miles to Morristown, near Kelly's Ford on the Rappahannock. The Summer of 1 863. I 75 About eight o'clock on the morning of August ist. the brigade marched toward the rear for some ten miles, reaching Bristow Station at noon. The men rested, writing or reading. :n tlie shade until about dark when the regiment and tlie 1 2th New Jersey was ordered to fall in and marched off rapidly along a rough country road, running parallel to the raih-(Xid, 1nit (]u;te a distance to the cast of it. for about five miles, t.) Cedar Run, where the two regiments encamped. Here they remained until August i8th., and these da}s were filled with varied experiences. While military duties were not so strenuous, there were many trying situations as well as pl(\as- ant occasions. The first of the former occurred August 6th.. when Captain Davis, who had been detailed to go to Comiecticut for recruits, returned to camp with forty-two out of one liundred and seventeen with which he started, the missing inimlier having deserted on the way, most of them when the boat arrived in New York. While experience proved that many of these men, who were for the most part conscripts and substitutes, did very valiant service and were an honor to the brave old regiment, a large percentage were not only conscripts, but nondescripts. Perhaps no occurrence brought to the minds of the original men of the regiment, now reduced to about eighty, the great loss they had sustained by battle and disease since their departure from Connecticut as did the advent of these new recruits. 1 he character of this addition, mostly of foreigners from New York City, left little in common between the men. These new nien had scant sympathy with the cause for which they were fight- ing; they lacked the bond of state pride and the tie of companion- ship, made not only by kinship in many instances, comrades c-nd school-mates of old, but by the experiences of the days and weeks since they entered the service. This motley array of new re- cruits, representing fifteen or twenty nationalities, ]>resented strange types of character with manifestations at times ludicrous and at other times provoking and disgusting. No member of the regiment will forget Pierce Barron who was assigned to Company B. He was a typical Irishman of the old fashioned kind, of an age not less than fifty or fifty-five that 1 76 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. made it a mystery how he ever got into ranks, so brimful of Irish wit. horse-sense, and whiskey when he could get it, as to make him, perhaps, the greatest source of enjoyment in an all around way of any of them. Some previous service in a New York regiment brought him to the Fourteenth a thorough old soldier, although undoubtedly a bounty taking substitute. He never flinched or shirked any duty that the younger members of the company endured. He soon acquired a certain kind of popularity with the officers and men that made them wink at any little irregulari- ties that might occasionally occur. His cheek was unlimited and yet so perfectly natural that he of all others seemed uncon- scious of it. Neither will the members forget the collisions that often occurred between Barron and John Dermody, an equally typical Englishman, tall, straight as an arrow, coming to the regiment with a green patch or shade over one eye. His age or bad eye would either have undoubtedly exempted him from a draft, but L^ncle Sam wanted men badly, and accepted him as a well paid substitute for some drafted man. The very opposite of old Pierce Barron, with a deportment so serious and matter of fact that he seldom smiled and least of all appreciated the jokes of the old Irishman. Many recall now the occasion when sitting around the camp-fire, cooking cofifee, Barron accidentally turned over Dermody's cofifee-pot and how angry the latter was and threatened to pour the contents of his rifle into Barron, with decided emphasis on the tents, and how Barron responded by threatening the contents of his rifle into Dermody, not omit- ting the emphasis on the tents. But Dermody was a good soldier and many a time when in the humor he would <"ake the position of a soldier and give the manual of arms as executed in the British army. In direct contrast to these two was Antonio Capellini, a small man of dark complexion and baboon face, all overgrown with hair. No one could converse with him or find out where he was born. He could be taught but one duty of a soldier and that was that of drawing his rations. He was most careless of Uncle Sam's property and when on the march he aUvyys straggled and would throw away his gun, bayonet, knapsack, The Summer of 1863. 177 haversack and canteen. It was a common thing to see liim brought back with his few remaining effects crowdeil into an old grain bag slung over his shoulder. Then there was one Xeickler by name, seeminglv more of a quadruped than biped, short and chubby and always falling down, both upon drill and on the march and though not hurt in the least, did not seem to know how to get up again, lying upon the ground as helpless as a turtle turned upon its back. Many still remember Joshua Tripp, a man of undersize, ap- pearing in camp with a pair of trousers by which one would imply that the quartermaster had satirically fitted him ))y furnish- ing him with a pair designed for the largest man in the service. These trousers were so large in girth that Joshua had to hold them up with both hands, and so long that they were folded several times over, producing at the ankles an arrangement much like that used to cure interfering horses. One could not look at him without laughing and the men remember with what indignation Lieutenant Galpin received him when he was per- emptorily assigned to Company A. Unlike his scriptural name- sake, who led the children of Israel into the land of promise, Joshua was not designed by nature to assist in leading the Army of the Potomac into the promised land of victory. In fact this second Joshua's intellect was so infinitesimal that he could hardly tell the muzzle of his gun from the breech and many remember the ludicrous attempts to teach him how to shoulder his gun. Few will forget his being mounted upon a barrel at the quarters of the Brigade Guard and the frequent trips of the major to attempt to teach him this first requisite of a soldier's service. This, however, was useless and was only terminated when the head of the barrel gave way and poor Tripp passed temporarily cut of sight. Joshua had with him his bounty and so dear was it to his heart that he could not resist the temptation to count it scA-eral times a day. Many of the boys thought he was not competent to take care of it and proposed to take it in charge and save it for him. To this end they chloroformed him several times and made careful search, even digging up every inch of ground beneath his tent, but all in vain. It was a perplexing 1 78 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. question whether Joshua was sane or shamming: insanity to ob- tain a discharge. However, it became evident after three months trial that he was of no service. He was discharged, and, while leaving camp in one of the army wagons, Frank Somers of the band asked him where he had kept the money to elude their search, to which Joshua replied, with a twinkle of his peculiar eyes, that he placed it in the folds of the legs of his trousers. The genial chaplain was often the subject of a joke. We have related one that occurred while in camp at Falmouth. Another too good to be lost is one told by Major Hincks and recorded in an address before the regimental society at Bridge- port in 1879, as follows: — "Candor compels me to state that Chaplain Stevens was then, as now, exceedingly fond of sardines, almost the only weakness in an otherwise very amiable character, and as the government was not in the habit of issuing these palatable little fishes for rations, he had taken a supply of them with him when he started from old Connecticut. By the time that he arrived at our quarters, however, only a single box remained and this happened to be incautiously left in plain sight upon the top of his pile of luggage while its owner was absent in another part of camp. The spectacle of a good man in affliction, it has been well observed, is one calculated to make even a celestial being weep. Imagine then the deep pathos of the scene when upon Mr. Stevens" return he found that Commis- sary-Sergeant Dibble and Adjutant Doten had coolly opened the box and were just finishing the contents. 'Why, gentlemen, how is this?' he asked. 'Those sardines were mine. Didn't you see niv initials scratched tipon the box?' 'Your initials" said Dibble, 'where are they?' 'Why here' replied the Chaplain, 'don't vou see upon the lid H. S. S., Henry S. Stevens?' 'Really tlien. Chaplain, I nuist ask your ])ardon" replied Dibble. T no- ticed the letters, indeed, but entirely misunderstood their mean- ing. r>(tth .Adjutant Doten and myself supposed that H. S. S. instead of meaning Henry S. Stevens stood for Have Some Sardines, and accordingly we gratefull}- availed ourselves of \our polite invitation.' To do our friend Mr. Stevens justice. The Summer of 1863. 79 I think that he was more pleased at the ingenuity of the excuse than chagrined at the loss of his sardines." Those were pleasant days at Cedar Run and gave the bovs opportunity for much needed rest and recuperation inasmuch as a larger and more varied list of rations was obtained. Added to this the opportunity for fishing and bathing was much enjoyed. Since the battle of Gettysburg and it was seen how the Con- federates foraged upon the farmers of the loyal states the bovs of the Fourteenth, who had never been great foragers, became more or less adept. National Cemetery, Antietam. Among the pleasant incidents were the concerts given by the Fourteenth Regiment Band which had gained a reputation as the finest band in the army. ( )ne of these concerts especially remembered was given one bright moonlight night and was at- tended bv the ladies of the neighboring plantation. The scene was verv picturesque. The white tents were pitched in a grove fronting a grassv lawn. A little way ofif the band was drawn up in open order, with soldiers holding candles between, while in the background were troops of soldiers, some standing, others I 80 Fourteenth Regiment. C. \ . Infantn-. leaning against the trees or reclining upon the grass, and behind them a few dozen of negroes of all ages from the neighboring plantations. The band played "When the Swallows Homeward Rv/' "Ever of Thee I am Fondly Dreaming" and other selec- tions, closing with a stirring piece brought from Germany in manuscript and entitled "The Second Corps Battle Gallop" wherein after an introductory overture, the bugle call and charge. the roll of musketry, the boom of artillery and the groans of the wounded could all be plainly distinguished. The whole concluding with a grand and almost deafening pean of rejoicing at the victorv. Many still remember the colored boy who danced to the music of the band when they played "Fisher's Hornpipe." "Harrigan's Ball" or "Yankee Doodle", but who was much perplexed after the first strains of "Thou Art So Near and Yet So Far" or "Home Sweet Home". It seemed to take some time for him to get through his woolly head that it was not dance music. Fresh squads of newly enlisted men continued to arrive, one hundred and forty-three reaching camp August loth.. and as rapidly did they desert, fifty-four leaving for parts unknown before the i6th. Tuesday. August i8th.. the outposts were all called in and line of march was taken to the rear, a goodly procession as far as length was concerned, but only about eighty of the old members of the regiment. They joined the brigade at a stone church near Bristow Station and marched to Elkrun, about five miles distant. W'here they encamped. This same day another squad of one hundred and thirty-four men arrived from Con- necticut. This was what remained of a total of over two hundred, the remainder having deserted en route, some jumping from the car windows while the train was in rapid motion, and others deserting at stations along the journey. Most of these men went under assumed names. \'ery many not remembering the names under which they enlisted at roll-call were obliged to look into their caps where their names were written on pieces of paper. The presence of a large class of men of this charac- ter made it doublv difficult for the old and trusted men in the .it /.ai» " i r •TisiiT :3i jBe >^"^i :<'««*! !iJ«*^ ' aHjE 3Dr ,ik:s2r auBfil v ig rv :ew jX tmaai zehici 'ire -ii'Ji±iiiar :2s m t^ffms^ mrr. MuTiBWP ^ ~ " ~^^^ :: ;Bnrf I_jiiC3E. ^ it"TlHtr"mi'llH-fT Njoi:'" -"- -ai- feir ^ - I ~ 'ai ! !4 Imww .U in '^ br- . 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The reg-inient continued at Elkrun until the I2th of September, with desertions of ch'afted men and substitutes still continuing, although enough remained to give the regiment much the appear- ance as before x\ntietam in regard to size. Many of the new re- cruits, however, had shown good material and commanded the respect of officers and comrades. About this time a more eligible camp was selected close by, which the men were very loath to leave when the command to break camp was given September 1 2th, and march was made to Bealeton and on to Rapidan Station, bivouacking that night wdthin half a mile of the river. Next morning the regiment crossed the river and bivouacked near Culpepper, where they remained until the morning of the ir)th. There was much firing heard during these days, but the regiment was not engaged. Of their experience at Culpepper Sergeant E. H. Wade says : — "Broke camp at nine o'clock and marched through the town of Culpepper. It was the prettiest town we have been through yet. Quite a large number of ladies were to be seen, but not one but what was dressed in deep mourning. Not a smile was on their faces, but instead a scowl or frown met our gaze. Even the little bovs and girls looked the same and as for the men they were saucv and ugl\, but we took this all right and the band struck u]) very appropriately 'Jordan is a Hard Road to Travel'. Went into cam]) at the to]) of C"edar Mountain. The enemy was near and we could see the Hash of their gims as they fired at our supply trains." September i/th tlu' regiment came down Cedar Mountain at six o'clock and marched until al)out noon. They were in close range of the tiKiii\, monu'Utarily expecting to be engaged. To avoid attracting attention l)y the glitter of their gun barrels, the (182) LT.-COL. SAMUEL A. MOORE. Bristow Station and Mine Run, 185 men were ordered to trail arms. The location of the regiment at this time was Robinson's Run, near Cedar Mountain, about ten miles from Culpepper. It was here that the men of the regiment passed through a new and trying experience. De- sertions of drafted men and substitutes had become so common and bold that the military authorities regarded some example as absolutely necessary for discipline and good order. Few, if any, regiments in the service had been depleted so much by casualties in battle and disease as the Fourteenth. As a result a much larger number of recuits were assigned to the regiment than to other regiments. We have already spoken of the character of a large percentage of these recruits and the very many desertions from camp and during the journey from Connecticut. Growing out of these circumstances Elliott and Laton, members of the Fourteenth, the first a drafted man and the second a substitute, were sentenced to be shot for desertion. The regiment had no part in the execution only as spectators in common with the whole division. It, however, loaned its chaplain for comfort and band for impressiveness, which lead the way, playing the Portu- guese hymn. It was a very bungling afifair from the fact that not nK>re than one cartridge out of the five did any service. After repeated firing the men were pronounced dead and the division was marched by companies past the graves and the bleeding forms of the victims. New recruits to the regiment were after that marched by the graves as a silent example. September 20th. the regiment was ordered out on picket duty for two days, and Major Hincks says that when they returned from picket duty two days later, "The ammunition was all called in and a new supply issued, owing to shocking incidents of the execution." About this time a beautiful set of guidons were presented to the regiment by friends in New Haven. The making and designing of these guidons was in charge of Mr. Horace Dibble, brother of Quartermaster Charles F. Dibble. They were made by Miss Annie McCarthy, now Mrs. Annie M. Upton of Salem, Mass. Quartermaster Dibble was at the time in New Haven on a furlough and took them to the regiment upon his return. The New Haven Palladium said of them : 186 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. " vSome of the particular friends of the Fourteenth C. V. in this city have been having made for the presentation to that gallant regiment a very handsome set of guidons. They are made in the style required by the system adopted in the Army of the Potomac, whereby not only each regiment can be iden- tified by its guidons, but also the brigade, division and corps to which it is attached. These for the Fourteenth are of heavy silk, triangular in shape, exhibiting a blue field with red border. On the blue field is the white satin trefoil badge of the Second Corps, bearing in gilt the name of the regiment. For richness of material and brilliancy of hue, the boys of the Fourteenth need not hesitate to place these beautifully made colors alongside those of any regiment in the army. They are to be mounted on handsome gilt staves, surmounted each with an acorn. Quartermaster Dibble, who is about to leave this city to rejoin the regiment, will take them to the camp." There was much annoyance in the camp of the regiment from thieving. John Hirst writing about this time says: — "The day the two bounty jumpers were shot, I had my knapsack stolen and with it my new cap, shirts, stockings, handkerchiefs and, worst of all, my diary. Some of these fellows would steal the last cent you had if they could get a chance at it." He further says : — "The other Sunday we had a call for church and had an exhortation from ' Paddy Owen ' (General Joshua T. Owen), who is in temporary command of our brigade. He told us we saved the battle in Pennsylvania (Gettysburg) by holding our ground so bravely, and that if the rebels had been successful in their great charge ( Pickett's) our whole army would have been cut in two and vvc should have been flanked upon all sides. He gave our division, the third of the Second Corps, the most credit of an\- in the army for the victory and said that the Second Corps always held the front in time of peril, closing by hoping we should always hold it by good deeds whenever we get home again." During these few weeks the command of the regiment in the field and staff began to assume more tangible shape. We have already noted that Colonel Morris was discharged for disability Bristow Station and Mine Run. 187 August 14th. JVrajor Theodore G. Ellis was promoted lieuten- ant-colonel September 22d, and colonel of the regiment October nth. Captain Samuel A. Moore of Company F was promoted to major September 22d, and lieutenant-colonel October nth, Adjutant Frederick B. Doten of Company F was promoted to captain October 20th and William B. Hincks from sergeant- major to adjutant October 20th. Captain Carpenter of Com- pany C was transferred to the Invalid Corps on account of wounds received at Fredericksburg. Captain Davis of Company H was dismissed for neglect of duty at conscript camp near New Haven. These two captains were the last of the original captains that left the state in August, 1862, some being killed or dying of wounds and others being promoted. This may have given rise to the very common adage in the regiment that "if one belonged to the Fourteenth Connecticut he would either meet death or promotion within a year." September 24th a curious incident occurred. A bull strayed from within the rebel lines to a cornfield directly in front of the Fourteenth. Captain Lucas of Company D ordered a detail to dispatch the beast. While the men were skillful in shooting rebels this new object of attack seemed to tax their skill. So many shots were fired in such rapid succession that it was thought that the Confederates had attacked our lines. Officers rode back and forth in great excitement and the First Brigade turned out under arms. Some of the boys facetiously called this the "Third Battle of Bull Run." The enraged officers were, however, appeased on receiving liberal portions of the animal when dressed. The regiment numbered at this time five hundred and eighty officers and men present for duty, of which four hundred and eighty were recruits, although there were nine hundred on the roll. Of these recruits a great many had already deserted. There was considerable complaint in the regiment concerning the character of the recruits sent to them, some making the claim that there was favoritism in the assignment of these men and that the Fourteenth Regiment did not have pull enough to se- cure picked men as had other military organizations. 188 Fourteenth Regiment, C. V. Infantry. Major Hincks makes this record in his dairy: — -"October 6th, bivouac near Culpepper, Va. We broke camp near Cedar Moun- tain early this morning and have marched back through Cul- pepper and are now lying in a field on the north side of the town. On our way here, just before we reached Culpepper, we met our new Major, Samuel A. Moore, on his way to join us. He was mounted on a nimble little piece of horse-flesh and was very gladly received both by officers and men, in particular by the members of his old company with whom he is always a great favorite." g.-M. CHARLES F. DIBBLR. Uuarterma.ster Charles F. Dibble was a native of Newtown, C