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THE STORY

OF THE

MAINE FIFTEENTH;

BEING A

BEIEF NAEEATIVE OF THE MOEE IMPOETANT
EVENTS IN THE HISTOEY

OF THE

Fifteenth Maine Regiment ;

TOGETHER WITH

A COMPLETE ROSTER OP THE REGIMENT, EMBRJ3 CING
THE NAME OP EVERT OPPIOER AND ENLISTED MAN
SERVING WITH IT AT ANT TIME DURING ITS
TERM OP SERVICE ; AND ILLUSTRATIONS AND
BRIEF BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES OP NEAR-
LT ALL THE COMMISSIONED OPPICERS
OP THE REGIMENT.

BY HENRY A. SHORE Y,
Secretary and Historian Fifteenth Maine Regimental Association.

BRIDGTON, ME.:
PRESS OF THE BRIDGTON NEWS.
1890.

INDEX

Page
Introductory,  I
The Situation at the Opening of our Story  5
The Maine Fifteenth and its First Winter in Camp,  7
At Portland and on the Ocean Wave,  n
Six Weeks of Burrowing in Ship Island Sand,  IS
The Fifteenth's First Trip up the Mississippi  17
The Eventful Summer of 1862 at Camp Parapet,  21
The Fifteenth Re-cuperates in Western Florida,  27
The Military Situation in the Gulf Department,  36
At La Fourche Crossing, Company Canal, etc.,  43
The Fifteenth on the Road to the Texas Coast,  51
Our Flag Proudly Waves Over Texas Soil,  56
Up the Coast to Mustang Island and Fort Semmes  59
Up St. Joseph's and Matagorda, and the Investment and Capture of Fort Esperanza  61
On Matagorda Island and Decrow's Point,  66
Again in Louisiana — Through the Teche, to Alexandria and the Red River,  72
Up Red River to Grand Ecore and Natchitoches,  76
The March from Grand Ecore, and the Battle of Sabine Cross Roads,  79
Emory's Division Meets the Enemy at Pleasant Grove and Checks the Stampede,  85
Another Desperate Battle at Pleasant HiU, in which we Win a Decisive Victory,  91
The Army, with Undue Haste, Falls Back to the Line of the Red River,  100
Fifteenth Boys as Prisoners of War,  104
From Grand Ecore to Alexandria, Post Haste,  ic8
Three Weeks at Alexandria, "Damming" the Red River,  114
From Alexandria to the Mississippi — a Review ofthe Expedition,  118
On the Mississippi and on the way to the Potomac and the James,  125
With the Army of the Potomac and Chasing Early ur> the Shenandoah,  130
Our Veterans Take In the Long-Promised Veteran Furlough in Maine,  137
The Fall and Winter of 1864-65 With the Army of the Shenandoah  140
The Fifteenth Completes its First Three Years Term,  147
The Eventful Campaigns of the Spring of 1865,  154
Six Weeks at the National Capital Wliere the Fifteenth Takes in the Great and Final
Review of the Armies  157
The Fifteenth Puts in a Year in South Carolina,  161
The Final Muster-Out and THE END of "The Story of the Maine Fifteenth,"  175
APPENDIX.— Regimental Roster,  I to 28
Roster Field and Staff,  2-3
" Company A,  4-5
" B  6-7
C,  8-9
D  10-11
E,  12-13
F  14-15
" G  16-15-22
" h,  :. 16-17
1  18-19
" " K  20-21
" of Regiment as Finally Mustered-Out,  23-25
Brevet Appointments,  23
Service of Officers in Other Organizations,  26

Index to Portraits.

Page
Officers of Field and Staff, (No. i),  ,  I
" " " " " (No. 2),  I
" " Companies A, B, C and D,  36
" " " E, FandG,  79
" " H, I and K,  104
Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of Companies A, B and C,  137
D, E, F, G, H, I and K, (with
Lieuts. Owen and Orcutt of Co. C, and a group of fourteen officers taken at
Nahant Beach, during the Lynn Re-union, August, 1890,)  156

4 Maj. F. M. Drev

I Col. Isaac Dyer
2 Lt.-Col. B. B. Murray
3 Maj. J. H. Whitmore

5 Maj. J. R. Coates

•*» «*t-

'eftr ¦**•-

i Col. McClusky.
2 Surgeon Higgins,
3 Surgeon Donnell.

4 Asst. Surg. Dodge.
5 Asst. Surg. Kimball.
6 Asst. Surg, Holt.

7 Adjutant Nowland.
8 Major Hawes.
9 Quartermaster Locke.
Chaplain Brown.

io Asst. Surgeon Holmes.
1 1 Quartermaster Tilton.
12 Chaplain Wetherbee.

INTRODUCTORY.

(T>-*N presenting this humble volume to the inspection of his old com-
J| rades of the Maine Fifteenth, the author takes early occasion to
t4^ disavow any purpose to produce anything Hke a complete historical
sketch of the Eegiment as an organization or of the individual mem
bers composing it. This, under the circumstances, seems impracticable.
The work, rather, is designed as a simple reminder of salient points
in the career of the Old Eegiment, which it must be pleasant to treasure in
memory's store-house as the active participants therein shall approach the
decline of life, when, if not at life's meridian, we shall delight to review
the eventful years of the war-period, and especially to recall the familiar
names and faces of comrades, living and dead, with whom we were so long
associated amid the pleasures and the vicissitudes of army life — in
"the mess," the camp, the field, the hospital, and, mayhap, prison-
stockade. The author has designedly avoided any special mention of merito
rious or heroic acts of either individual officers or enlisted men, or of any
short-comings that might be alleged against either, preferring rather to
treat of the career of the Eegiment in its capacity as an organization,
whose praiseworthy record is made up of the combined services of the in
dividuals composing it. In every emergency in which the " Old Fifteenth"
was placed in its continuous service of more than four-and-a-half years, it
never failed to creditably acquit itself; and this is due no more to the
worth and capacity of its commanding and subordinate officers than to the
stalwart manliness of those composing its rank and file.
The Eoster of Officers and Enlisted Men appearing in the Appendix
is as complete as it has been possible to render it with the materials at
hand. The facts are mainly gathered from the Eeports of the Adjutant
General of Maine, and any material errors appearing must be ascribed to
imperfect records on file in that office.
The author has made earnest and long-prolonged effort to procure
the picture of every commissioned officer who at any time served with the
regiment ; that he has not been entirely successful in this respect is by no
means to be attributed to any oversight of his own. With but very few
exceptions the pictures are accurate copies of photographs taken during the
war-period ; and if any of the originals who may " have grown handsome
in their old age" feel an inclination to criticise the pictures as imperfect

2 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
representations, they need only to re-examine the originals to be re-assured.
The " whirligig of time " produces wonderful changes even in the human
visage and expression.
With these explanatory observations "The Story of the Maine
Fifteenth " is respectfully and confidently commended to the favor of the
survivors of the Old Eegiment, and to the families and relatives of deceas
ed comrades, in the earnest home that it may prove in some measure an
instrumentality of re-calling the sacred memories clustering about the past
and of more closely cementing in the bonds of an enduring-comradeship,
the Httle band of veterans whom God in his infinite mercy has so long
spared " to enjoy the fellowship of old soldiers and receive the overflowings
of a universal gratitude," on account of patriotic and self-sacrificing services
most worthily performed !

Cjje Storgof t|e J§aine Jfifteeitt|.

CHAPTER I.

" THE SITUATION " AT THE OPENING OF OUE " STORY."

Thk Commencement of the War. — The Call for Troops and the Generous Re
sponse. — Incidents of the Opening Months of the Great Struggle. — A
Brief Sketch of the Situation in the Fall of 1861. — The Very General
Despondency Prevailing. — Maine's Noble Response to the Country's Call.

,UR brief "Story of the Maine Fifteenth" opeiis with that
critical period in our country's history^— the closing months of' the
first year of the War of the Rebellion. Abraham Lincoln, the law
fully-elected chief magistrate, had been peacefully inaugurated and
had registered in heaven his official oath "to preserve, protect and defend"
the government entrusted to his care, followed by those portentous mutter-
ings of dissatisfaction ftom the South, aiid- the "secession," one after anoth
er, of the Southern States. With the arms and munitions of war supplied
through the treachery of government officials, the South had been rapidly
placed upon a war-footing, and rebel batteries in Charleston harbor had in
solently belched forth " their challenge to the fray," which, promptly ac
cepted by a loyal North, had transferred nearly every village and hamlet of
the North, East and- West, into a military camp. - The flag of the rebellion
had taken the place of the stars and stripes upon Sumpter's flag-staff, and
in every section of the South the national authority was being openly de
fied. " To repossess the forts, places and property" of the Union seized by
the rebels, " Father Abraham " had early called for seventy thousand men
for a period of three months, followed later by requisitions framed upon a
much broader scale. New England soldiers had already heroically fought
their way through a howling mob in the streets of Baltimore ; Washington
was surrounded with national troops ; and the banks of the Potomac stud
ded with frowning cannon. Federal troops had invaded Virginia's " sacred
soil," and the intrepid Ellsworth had paid the penalty of his patriotic ardor
with his life-blood. The disastrous " Big Bethel," with the brilliant young

6 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
Maj. Winthrop as only one of many victims, had come and gone; while
the numerous little better than "drawn-battles" and skirmishes of the
year, in West Virginia, Missouri,and elsewhere in the border States, with the
loss to the Union service of the chivalrous Gen. Lyon and others of the
early heroes of the war, all conspired to dispirit the people and enshroud
in gloom the patriotic heart. Furthermore, the bottom of the national
money-till had early been reached, and the first war-loan of two hundred
and fifty millions ordered. Mid-summer had brought its disastrous no less
than disgraceful " Bull-Run," — though with it some valuable instruction in
the science of war. The venerable Gen. Scott had retired from the com
mand of the army and the youthful yet brilliant McClellan was collect
ing and organizing that magnificent army on the banks of the Potomac,
in full view of the pickets of the rebel hordes. In the early fall came the
disastrous " Ball's Bluff," with the tragic death of Col. Baker ; the threat
ened foreign complications incident to the Mason-Slidell episode ; the dep
redations upon our commerce by rebel privateers ; the " masterly inactivity"
of the great and splendidly equipped Army of the Potomac; the deprecia
tion of the national currency and the inevitable suspension of specie pay
ments, — these, combined, rendered the outlook anything but encouraging,
and served to very effectually dissipate the theory at first so generally en
tertained — that the war was likely to prove but a mere holiday recreation !
In the nearly nine months which had elapsed since the firing upon
Sump ter — to the close of the year 1861 — there had been no less than
seventy-two skirmishes and battles between the contending forces, resulting
in a loss to the Union forces of something like sixteen hundred and fifty-
nine in killed and thirty-three hundred and sixty-three in wounded — the
loss of the enemy, as near as can be ascertained, being thirty-four hundred
and five in killed and fifty-three hundred and eighty-eight in wounded.
Much gallant and desperate fighting had occurred on both sides, and many
prisoners and much public property captured by each ; but, on the whole,
it must be confessed, the aggregate results were far from satisfactory.
At the very inception of the great struggle, Maine — in common
with all of the loyal States — promptly stepped forward with tenders of men
and means, for the national defense. Her record is one of which every son
of Maine has reason to be proud. She generously offered at the onset ten
full regiments of ten thousand men, fully armed and equipped ; and these
had hardly left the State when she manifested a willingness to as promptly
respond to other calls in the same direction.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.

CHAPTER II

THE MAINE FIFTEENTH AND ITS FIRST WINTER IN CAMP.

The "Maine Fifteenth" is Born— The Recruits Gather in Camp and are
Organized, Drilled and Disciplined— The Four Months' Sojourn at Au
gusta — The Departure for the Seat of War via Portland.

©F Maine's first ten regiments, the First was dispatched to the front
as early as May ; three others followed in June ; another in July ;
another in August ; two more in September ; and the Tenth in Oc
tober. Immediately came the call, under date of Sept. 11, 1861,
authorizing Maine " to raise, arm and organize, at the expense of the Uni
ted States, a regiment of cavalry, five regiments of infantry, and six bat
teries of light artillery." It was in pursuance of this authority that the
Maine Fifteenth was organized and called into the service.
Unlike the first ten regiments raised by Maine, the Fifteenth and
other regiments recruited under this authorization, were from the start the
" children of the general government," and only such expenses were in
curred as were warranted by the army regulations. Neither municipal or
state bounties were offered as an incentive to enlistments, though an assur
ance was given that if the recruit serve the full period of his enlistment,
or during the war, if sooner ended, a bounty of one hundred dollars would
be paid each recruit by the United States. The rigid regulations of the
United States Army being observed in all the preliminaries of the organi
zation and equipment of the regiment, the recruits were necessarily denied
many of the little luxuries which the more liberal policy of the state gov
ernment had bestowed upon the troops which had preceded us, and which
in some measure served to relieve the severity of so sudden a transfer
from the comforts of home-life to the hardships inevitably surrounding the
experiences of the soldier, in the camp no less than in the field.
The fall and winter of 1861-2 found the region of the State Capitol
at Augusta a veritable military camp, and Maine's " War Department," —
presided over by that able and industrious officer, Adjutant General John
L. Hodsdon, — a scene of ceaseless activity. The First Cavalry, the Thir
teenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Infantry, and several batteries of light ar
tillery, were all in process of organization at one and the same time ; while

8 THE STORY OF.' THE .MAINE FIFTEENTH.
the Eleventh Infantry had but just left Augusta (Nov. 12th) and only two
weeks later Col. Shepley's Twelfth Infantry left its Portland camp for the
Lowell (Mass.) rendezvous of the New Orleans Expedition.
Though the recruiting papers for the Fifteenth were not issued un
til October, as early as the first week in November a number of large de
tachments had already arrived upon the camp-ground, and very soon there
after the Fifteenth was able to gather quite a formidable battalion., and" to
take up the ordinary routine of duty pertaining to the soldiers' camp-life.
The early arrival of a number of the larger detachments was due to the
fact that they had been originally intended for one of the other regiments,
and had in reality gone into camp with the Thirteenth upon the Arsenal
Grounds ; but, owing to some misunderstanding among the officers as to
the assignments, a transfer to the Fifteenth was amicably arranged.
The Fifteenth Maine's Encampment was located upon the beautiful
grounds of the State fronting the State Capitol, upon the east side of the
highway. Though late in the fall — and our occupancy continued through
the winter— our first introduction to the soldiers' experience was in the or
dinary army tent, rendered inhabitable only by the various ingenious de
vices which the Maine Yankee is never slow to bring to his relief in an:
emergency. While an extra woolen blanket in those bleak winter nights
might have been very acceptable, yet when the Maine Solons in their leg
islative capacity declined to make appropriation for such " luxuries," the
boys found it by no means difficult to worry through the winter without
them. By the latter portion of November a sufficient number of recruits
to answer the requirements of the law as to the " muster " of certain of the
field and staff officers, had arrived in camp ; and the Adjutant and Quar
termaster were commissioned in November, the Surgeon a few days later,
followed by the Lieutenant- Colonel, Assistant Surgeon, etc., about the mid
dle of December. Col. McCluskey, however, was not mustered-in until
lite in January. Under these circumstances the command of the regiment devolved
upon Lieut. Col. Dyer during its first three months' of camp-life ; and for
its early instruction in discipline, drill, and other of the rudimentary details of
military science, — as well as for very much that was valuable in its subse
quent career, — the regiment is largely indebted to that estimable gentleman
and sterling officer. The Adjutant, too, was very efficient and serviceable in
those early days. A thoroughly trained soldier and conversant with every
detail of military duty and requirement, his counsel and instruction were
as eagerly sought as he was free to impart of his ripe experience.
The first company for the Fifteenth was mustered early in Decem
ber, and during that month nearly all of the ten companies had • completed

THE 'STORY " OF.-.THE MAINE;' FlETEfiNtfH. 9
<¦ their organization and their- officers' received their cdmmissitins. Company
;A was mustered Dec. 6;. B, Dec. 7; C, Dec. 9; D, Dec.' 10-23 ; E, Dec.
. 24-Jan. 3 .; F, Dec. 12-17 ; G, Dec. 20 ; H, Dec. £1 ; I, Dec. 31- Jan: 16 ;
rand K, Dec. 16-Jan. 7. .-..'¦.
In the Appendix at the close of this work, a detailed Roster of the
Officers and Enlisted Men, as originally muster'edrin, is given, and it seems
,quita unnecessary here to repeat the list. It ' may be of interest to- state,
.howj/er, that the Fifteenth, as originally organized; drew its members from
"near1 ,- all sections of the State. Of the field and staff officers, the Colonel,
.Major, Surgeon, Adjutant, Quartermaster, and Sergeant-major, were all
from Aroostook County ; the Lieat3nant-Colonel, from Somerset ; the- As
sistant Surgeon and Hospital Steward, from Cumberland ; the Chaplain,
from Lincoln ; and the Quartermaster-sergeant and Commissary-sergeant,
from Washington County. Of the company officers and enlisted men, 'A
.were from Washington ; B, Sagadahoc ; C, Aroostook ; D, Cumberland ;
E, Aroostook ; F, about equally divided between Cumberland and Aroos-
.took — the Captain, with his detachment, being from the former and the
Lieutenants from the latter county ; G, Aroostook ; H and I, Penobscot ;
,and;K, Washington. Other counties were of course represented by aii
occasional recruit in the several companies, and later, when the depleted
¦ranks of the regiment were filled from the recruiting rendezvous, by de^
tashments, thus materially changing the locality classification as here stated.
The winter's sojourn at Augusta was in many respects quite un
eventful though not -wholly devoid of interest. The innumerable duties
incident to camp-life— rthe daily routine of guard-mounting, company and
regimental .drill, the parades and reviews, and the never-failing "recreation*'
of ' guaxdaduty — served to occupy a goodly proportion of the time; while
the-. liberal policy of the commanding officers as to leaves of absence, the
privileges afforded both officers and enlisted men of attending' the various
social festivals and the religious and other gatherings in the city and-its
vicinity, the close. proximity, of. the. camp to the seat of government, with
its attractions during the legislative sessions and its constant throng of vis
itors from every section of the State, all contributed towards rendering the
winter's tarry at Augusta rather an agreeable experience.
<.. , Much vexatious"delay attended the perfecting of arrangements for
the/.- water-transportation of the troops designed for the- Butler Expedition ;
and as .the weeks: and months made their successive rounds and found us
still "awaiting orders," and evidently ^'accomplishing very little towards
" the suppression of the rebellion," the soldiers became quite "eager for
the fray,"— and on .that bitterly cold morning towards the latter part of
February, when the/order to "strike tents!" was . passed along the line,' -it
was received with, very general rejoicings-. ¦¦ ¦'¦'¦¦ ¦¦ ¦••¦ -:¦'¦¦- ¦•¦¦ •-.

1 0 THE STORY OP THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
As a more painful incident of the winter's stay at Augusta must- be
mentioned the fact that the exposure to which the soldiers were subjected
in camp during the winter, quite seriously affected the general health of the
command, and rendered " the sick-list," both in camp and in quarters, quite
formidable. Many contracted violent colds, resulting in lung difficulties
and other ailments, from which they never recovered. Not a few died at
Augusta during the winter or early spring months, while many others,
completely broken down in health, and unable to accompany the regiment,
were left behind, in hospital or at their homes, and were finally discharged
from the service for disability, or, unaccounted for, were dropped fi-om the
rolls in pursuance of general order. In this manner the services of some
of our worthiest men were lost to the regiment and to the country ; and,
though " dropping from the ranks " earlier in the race than some of their
more fortunate comrades, they are nevertheless entitled to be classified as
among that noble band of patriots who sacrificed health arid life upon the
country's altar in the hour of her direst need.
The Fifteenth "broke camp" on the morning of Feb. 25th, 1862.
The work of preparation was no mere holiday pastime, since "raw recrjiits"
never move with the celerity of veterans. The packing of the goods and
chattels constituting the entire outfit of the soldier into an ordinary knap-
Sack, " strapped upon the back," was an entirely new experience and one
attended with innumerable perplexities ; — yet this and all other important
lessons in " the school of the soldier " were mastered eventually. In due
time the regiment was in fine and proudly marched — but only as far as the
depot ! Here it was discovered that " some one had blundered." No cars
had been provided for the transportation of the regiment ! For awhile we
patiently awaited developements ; then we marched " back up the hill," —
to the State House, where we unsuccessfully sought temporary quarters ;
later, and with like results, we " moved in force " upon the U. S. Arsenal
Buildings ; and finally, as a last resort, we occupied the public halls of the
city ; where, with comfortable fires and munificent contributions of hot
coffee and other appetizing luxuries from various sources, we managed to
extract some little comfort from the situation — if not to obtain the restful
and refreshing slumber so much desired.
On the morning of the 26th of February we again endeavored to
" catch the train " — this time, happily, with success. The work of " pack
ing " and " sandwiching " was completed in due time ; a season for the ex
change of parting words and caresses with the loved ones gathered at the
train to witness our departure was afforded and well-improved ; the shrill
whistle of the engine and the " all aboard ["signal were sounded; and with
the inevitable accompaniments of music, cheers, weeping eyes and waving
handkerchiefs, the Fifteenth Maine was moving Southward !•

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 1 1

CHAPTER III

EN ROUTE— AT PORTLAND— AND "ON THE OCEAN WAVE."

At Portland. — An Uncomfortable Night on Ship-Board. — The Great Republic
Not in Readiness. — The Regiment Transferred to More Comfortable Quar
ters in Portland's New City Building. — A Week's Sojourn in the Forest
City. — The Regiment Again Embarks and Indulges in a Sea-Voyage of
Twenty-Eight Days' Duration.

MPON leaving Augusta the plans contemplated immediate embarkation
on board ship "Great Republic," with the expectation that the vessel
would at once proceed to sea ; and, reaching Portland late in the af
ternoon, the regiment was at once marched to the vessel, the soldiers
spending the night on board. It was very soon discovered, however, that
the ship was not in readiness for "first-class passengers" — hardly for the
horses, which were assigned " the steerage." The ship was cold, damp, and
exceedingly untidy. The commissary stores were not on board, and the fa
cilities for cooking were insufficient to the supply of cooked rations for any
thing like the number of men we had brought on board, In some other
respects the ship had failed to make the necessary arrangements for the
voyage ; and, in consequence of this culpable negligence in some quarter,
the men experienced very great discomfort.
Happily, however, we were in a friendly port, and, furthermore,
had thus early in our military career learned to — " g-r-o-w-1." The situ
ation was at once brought to the attention of the Mayor of the city, who
— upon consultation with and the acquiescence of the commanding officers —
promptly repaired to the wharf where our vessel lay, and in a neat and
appropriate speech welcomed the regiment to the hospitahties of the city of
Portland ! With deafening shouts of applause the soldiers greeted the
invitation, and the regiment at once debarked and inarched to the (then)
New City Building, which it occupied as " barracks " for a week, and
where the soldiers were the recipients of many kindly attentions from the
patriotic people of that goodly city.
The week's sojourn in Portland was characterized by no especially
noteworthy incident; though in many respects it was quite pleasureable to
the soldiers. Numerous opportunities were afforded for mingling with the
people and of attending the religious meetings, social gatherings, etc. ' A

12 .THE' STORY" OF THE MAINE- FIFTEENTH.
number of the members of the regiment also here received calls from rel
atives and friends, while not a few were given brief leaves of absence in
wliich to visit the old home and exchange the parting words with loved
ones — a privilege very highly appreciated by those thus favored.
Owing no doubt largely to the seemingly unnecessary exposure to
which the men had been subjected on all hands since breaking camp at
Augusta, the list of those sick in quarters and in hospital had again become
quite formidable. From forty to fifty quite serious cases were upon the
hospital list, to say nothing of those sick in quarters or at their homes ; and
despite the most faithful nursing and assiduous attentions from all quarters,
it was found, when the hour of departure arrived, that quite a large num
ber must be left behind.
On the 6th of March, the vessel's preparations for the voyage being
completed, the regiment again embarked upon the ship Great Republic —
then the largest saihng- vessel afloat — and at noon of the. 7th, amid salvos
¦, of artillery and music from the forts in the harbor, and the cheers of the
throngs of spectators gathered upon the wharves to witness our departure,
we proceeded to sea ; bidding adieu for a time — many, alas ! for all time ! —
to the dear old " State of the Pine Tree, " and the loved ones scattered all
along her hills and vales !
The great ship upon which we had taken passage, with its large
and diversified population, seemed like a httle world of itself, and was an
object of unceasing interest, especially to those who were now making their
first voyage " o'er old ocean's wide expanse." Here were nearly or quite
one thousand men — including the ship's officers and crew — quartered upon
the vessel, " bunks " being arranged "between decks" and elsewhere, in
such manner as to utilize every inch of space ; while " on the ground floor "
were a large number of cavalry and artillery horses — about two hundred
and fifty — so closely " stowed-in " as to be absolutely unable to lie
down — even hi death! , ... , :, .,-.
The commissioned officers were assigned excellent accommodations
in the ship's capacious cabin and saloons ; but, unhappily, the enlisted men
hardly fared as well. They were more numerous ; hence, necessarily, less
fortunate. It was found wholly impracticable to issue rations to the several
companies, as in camp, and cooked rations were served from the ship's gal
leys. A regular and perhaps the "favorite diet," was a. compound known
to the " bill of fare " as bean-soup, but which the boys were wont to char
acterize as " bean-swagen ; " and very often, when eagerly crowding about
the cook-room at the dinner-hour, waiting to be served, the shouts, —
" swagen !" " bean-swagen !" raised by hundreds of voices, and taken up
and passed along in every direction, became a strikingly familial- phrase,..if

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 13
-riot especially musical or pleasing as a chorus. Nevertheless the "swagefi"
" dinner-cry" seemed to afford the boys infinite amusement and the com
manding officer manifested no disposition to interfere with the sport.
As to the regular bill-of-fare on ship-board, it may as well be con
ceded that it was hardly up to the standard of our first-class hotels, either
in variety or as to the method of compounding. It was, however, very fair
" army-diet"; and when the boys became accustomed to their changed sit
uation there was no more complaint than was to have been expected. The
food was certainly ample in quantity if not entirely satisfactory in quality
and Variety ; indeed, that there was a sufficiency, and even a surplus, was
clearly evinced by the spectacle frequently witnessed, especially in rough
weather, of scores of soldiers benevolently sharing a but partially digested
" dinner " with the sharks and dolphins following in the vessel's wake !
In chartering the " Repubhc " for the government transport service,
by some oversight, clearly, there appears to have been no stipulation that
the vessel be absolutely free of occupants when placed at our disposal; at
all events the ship had not long been on her course ere the discovery was
forced upon the soldiers that they were sharing their bunks with an innu
merable, active, living, crawling force, which was waging relentless warfare
upon the lawful tenants. The " invading army " was in some measure in
visible, save upon microscopic inspection, yet its rank and file were by -ho
means of a retiring disposition. The peculiar Httle intruders were never
idle, and whenever they honored one with a call they seemed to under
stand just how to assert their presence and to compel respectful attention !
Private and long-protracted interviews were daily if not hourlv granted
the representatives of this obnoxious clan, and many a weary tour of pick-et
duty was rendered necessary on account of then- close proximity to " our
fines" — a favorite point of observation for our outposts being aloft, upon the
vessel's cross-trees, or in the rigging ! Ugh ! — the vile wretches ! Nev
ertheless, the agile, unlovely, and pestiferous army grey-back is among the
never-to-be-forgotten incidents of the war-period.
Fortunately the weather during the entire voyage was exceptionally
fine and there was much to enjoy for those whose physical condition ren
dered a cheerful view of the situation possible. A favorite amusement was
sporting with the various representatives of the " finny tribes " over the
sides of the vessel ; while the frequent " speaking " of passing vessels ; the
mysteries as to atmospherical conditions, etc., ofthe wondrous Gulf Stream-;
the views of light-houses and points of land passed on our course; and the
never-ceasing attractions of the mighty ocean itself — all served to render
the trip anything but dreary or monotonous. But to the unfortunate vic
tim of disease, and of sea-sickness and its attendant despondency, there was
little of romance or of pleasure in " fife on the ocean wave," and these were

14 THE STORY OF THE MAINE -FIFTEENTH.
rarely heard chanting that popular melody. Of a. bright moon-light- eve
ning, the magnificent drum-corps attached to the regiment, and which
even then had attained a high degree of proficiency in martial music, con
tributed immeasurably to the enjoyments of the voyage, and it was often
called into requisition " to drive dull care away." •-,
There was of course considerable sickness on board and the facili
ties for caring for those thus afflicted very limited. The water became
scarce and poor as we neared the end of the voyage ; and, in view of the
situation as to health-giving and nutritious diet, it seemed a marvel that no
death occurred during the voyage.
Of our cargo of two hundred arid fifty horses, but nine or ten died,
— a somewhat remarkable fact, all things considered.
By a very unfortunate " accident " during the trip, the beautiful
regimental banner, presented by the ladies of Aroostook, was lost overboard
one night off Abacoa, and it was found impossible to regain possession of it
— an incident very keenly regretted by all.
Quite an amusing episode of the embarkation was the discovery,
some time after the ship had put to sea, that two of those who came aboard
in the garb of " soldiers " were really more appropriately clad wheji wear
ing the female attire. As the Quartermaster had failed to make requisition
for this variety of " equipage," the ladies were at a decided disadvantage.
On the morning of the 4th of April, the joyous cry, "Land, -Ho ! "
swept along the decks, supplemented by the welcome announcement that
we were nearing our destination — Ship Island, the general rendezvous of
the much-talked-of " Butler Expedition."
As our ship approached the long strip of white sand, bedecked with
numberless canvass tents ghstening in the sun, with its wharves, ware
houses, huge piles of stores, ammunition, etc., and, in the harbor, an im
mense fleet of vessels of every grade and description, the port presented
rather the appearance of an important commercial city than an insignifi
cant sand-bar of the sea.
The " Republic " lay at anchor off the island until the next day —
Saturday, April 5th — when we were towed as near to the wharf as was
practicable, and, utilizing river steamers as " fighters," we disembarked.
The boys had been upon ship-board twenty-eight days, and, as may well
bs imagined, were by no means reluctant to exchange the vessel's deck for
even this mere apology for terra firma, in utter disregard of the scriptural
warnings as to the folly of building upon sandy foundations !

THE STORY OP THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 15

CHAPTER IV.

SIX WEEKS OF BURROWING IN SHIP ISLAND'S SAND.

Ship Island. — Something about the Sandy Isle. — Gen. B. F. Butler, the King
of the Realm — The Troops upon the Island.— Our Brigade Associates. —
The Grand Review. — Troops and' Naval Vessels Quietly Slip Away. — The
Music of Farragut's Guns Bombarding the. Forts at the Mouth of the
Mississippi. — The Fifteenth Ordered to "Report to Gen. Butler," at New
Orleans!

. (f^fO sooner had the Fifteenth, boys " pitched their tents " upon Ship
J ¦ I Island than they started out, in pairs and in squads, on a "prospect-
4| ing tour" — to view the new location. To their amazement they
found themselves occupants of a mere hillock of sand thrown up by
some caprice of the sea, and so unstable that its shape and size are liable to
be more or less affected by every violent storm sweeping across the Gulf.
It is only one of a chain of sand-bars, scarcely rising above the level of
the sea, and perhaps seven miles in length and three-fourths of a mile in
width. There were a few pine trees and scrub oak on a sand-heap at the
eastern end of the island, while at the western end was a tolerably good
harbor., affording a fine opportunity for the naval vessels and transports of
the expedition. The location of the island proved a most eligible one for
the purposes of the expedition. Though near the mouth of the Mississip
pi and within easy reach of the forts guarding the approaches to New Or
leans, it is also but about fifty miles from Mobile Bay, and only ten miles
from Biloxi, Miss. As the purposes of- the expedition were not positively
known to either the rebels or the people of the North* and Ship Island was
quite as desirable a base for a movement against Mobile or the Texas coast
as New Orleans, its selection served the double purpose of affording ample
accommodations as a Union naval station and of keeping the rebel author
ities in a constant state of uneasiness as to the point of attack.
: As a matter of course the very first duty upon arriving within the
territory of this new " kingdom " was to call upon and pay our respects to
"the king of the realm," Gen. Benjamin F. Butler, the commanding gen
eral. If any essayed to do this, however, they did not find the General
sitting in state at his headquarters, arrayed in full-dress uniform and closely
guarded by pacing sentinels, but rather on the wharves, clad in the un
pretentious fatigue cap and. blouse, . skipping, jabout in. .a. very lively-manT

1 6 THE : STORY OF THE MAINE TTFTEENTH.
ner, superintending every detail, and infusing his characteristic energy and
enthusiasm into all with whom he came in contact. Few officers or soldiers
came ashore from the vessels without attracting the General's attention, and
woe-betide any one upon whom that very peculiar eye happened to be fo
cused who was not prepared to promptly and satisfactorily account for him
self. One or two encounters of this description occurred during the de
barkation of our regiment, which occasioned much amusement among, the
spectators. Upon our arrival from six to eight thousand troops were quartered
upon the island, including one or two cavalry companies and several bat
teries- of fight artillery. A fortress had also been constructed, manned by
a detachment of regular artillerists. Gun-boats,monitors, and naval vessels
of all descriptions, were hovering about the island, some at anchor and oth
ers steaming about in pursuit of blockade runners, with whom some very
spirited encounters occurred not far from the island. Besides Gen. Butler
and his military staff, Gen. J. W. Phelps was upon the island, having oc
cupied it with a brigade as early as December, 1861, thus affording the
eccentric Vermonter an opportunity to steal a march upon " A. Lincoln " in
the matter of emancipation proclamations ! The army and navy command
ers were in frequent consultation, and everybody seemed absorbed in the
work of preparation for a movement apparently of very great importance.
The Fifteenth was assigned to Col. (afterwards Gen.) George F.
Shepley's Brigade, comprising the Twelfth, Thirteenth, Fourteenth arid
Fifteenth Maine, and the First Maine Battery. Brigade, regimental and
company drill, and the ordinary camp duties, were at once taken up, and
continued without interruption during our stay upon the island.
The hard sandy beach which skirted the island constituted an ex
cellent parade-ground, though the tramp through the loose sand in reaching
and returning from the beach, was laborious and even hazardous, as many
of the soldiers learned to their sorrow. The water was excellent, — though
in some cases it was thought wise to dilute with vinegar ! — and was to be
readily obtained by sinking a barrel in the sand. Fish, oysters, shrimps,
etc., were in abundance. Wood for the cook-fires were rafted from the
easterly end of the island; and this labor, with the ordinary camp-duty,
the " fatigue-details " incident to the lading and unlading of stores and
munitions of war constantly arriving and departing, etc., furnished about
all the " exercise " deemed requisite to preserve the health of the troops
while on the island.
A noteworthy event of the sojourn upon Ship Island was the grand
review of all the troops upon the island, before the commanding general.
The parade was formed upon the beach and presented an unusually pretty
spectacle. The force then on the island numbered some fourteen thousand,

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 17
nearly all participating. •'"- The -parade comprised 'four regiments and a battery
from' 'Maine, one or more regiments from each of the States of Massachu-
'settsi?)Connecticut, Vermont and -Rhode Island, three Western regiments",
arid a number of batteries arid cavalry detachments.
 By- the middle of April the naval vessels and sailing-craft' of all
descriptions commenced tb quietly slip away from the island, arid soon after
a large proportion of the troops embarked upon transports and sailed in the
directiori of the iriouth of the Mississippi. A littie'-'later the reports of
heavy and incessant cannonading- wafted to our ears from over the water,
brought the tidings that AdnuralFarragiit had commenced the bombard
ment of the Forts at the mouth of the Mississippi, arid that one of the
¦riiost terrific naval contests in the wo'rld-'s history was in progress, but a few
miles away. ;- Though, strictly speaking/ mot " an affair ofthe arrny," we
shall -have something to say of the mferiiorahle conflict when the Fifteenth
passes "the historic spot on its way up^the river.
The first death in the Fifteenth since leaving Augusta occurred up
on the island May 9th, of diphtheria, followed closely by four or five oth
ers, just :before embarking for the Mississippi.
The Fifteenth received " sailing orders " about the middle of May,
having tarried upon the island a trifle more than six weeks. '

CHAPTER V.

THE FIFrEENTH'S FIRST TRIP UP THE MISSISSIPPI.

"On Board1-' Ship Tam"erlane. — Decidedly Poor Accommodations. — Twelve Days
and Nights in Making a Seventeen Hours' Trip. — At, The Mouth of the
"Father of Waters." — The Story of Farragut's Passage of the Forts Brief
ly Told. — The Obiects of Interest Along the River. — The City of New
Orleans. — The Fifteenth Debarks a-p Camp Parapet, La.

9HE Fifteenth Maine embarked on board ship Tamerlane, for the
Mississippi, May 19th, leaVftrg but a sriiall garrison at Ship Island —
the naval vessels cruising, efn the vicinity being mainly relied upon
for the protection of the public -property upon the island.
— -- -^f-he trip to New Orleans, under favorable- conditions, ordinarily oc
cupies from fifteen- to seventeen hours ; but the miserable old sailing-vessel
which had been -assigned "us for transportation:, succeeded in frittering away

18 THE STORY OF THE, .MAINE -FIFTEENTH.
twelve long and very weary days and nights in making the voyage. Of
insufficient capacity, utterly lacking in accommodation* for passenger-ser-
,Vice, firiadequate in her supplies, and in all respects unsuitable, the trintwas
one of very great discomfort. After a few days out a* large number of the
men were entered upon the sick-list, and these, especially, suffered intense
ly. As there seemed no urgent; necessity for the use of a sailing- vessel for
the transportation of troops at that period in the history of ;the expedition,
there was, quite naturally, much murmuring during the weary voyage.
The record of the first ten days of the trip on the " Tamerlane "
may be told in few words. It comprised head- winds ; a becalmed sea;
aimless drifting about at the mercy of wind and tide ; and weary hours of
anxious waiting for the steam-tug • expected to take us in tow. And when,
at the close of the tenth day out, a tow-boat took us in charge and briskly
jagged us over the sand-bars— by Pilot- Town — and on up the river to, the
vicinity of Forts Jackson and St. Phillip. — she certainly found a grateful
and appreciative company, who, if not " a ship-wrecked : crew,"£%ere nev
ertheless upon a vessel which had long been " in distress," • • ' : m.
At the Forts we linger for a season and are afforded the much-de
sired opportunity of taking a view of the scene of the ever-memorable na
val contest so gallantly fought and gloriously won by Admiral Farragut's
command. Let us briefly recall the story.
Forts Jackson and St. Phillip are located about thirty miles above
the point where the waters of the great river break through in five different
" Passes " on their way to the sea, and some seventy-five miles below New
Orleans. The forts are on opposite banks of the river, their guns com
manding the channel for a long distance. Besides these, the ingenuity of
man seems to have been exhausted, in various devices calculated to render
the position practically impregnable. They comprised chain-cables stretch
ed across the river and securely fastened, sunken vessels, torpedo boats,
huge fire-rafts, battering-rams, etc. But, fortunately, Farragut had thor
oughly informed himself as to the situation and was prepared to meet every
emergency. He had in his powerful fleet no less than forty-eight vessels,
carrying three hundred and ten guns, some of them of very heavy calibre.
Many of his ships were " chain-cla^d," a solid armor of heavy chain-cable
being skillfully interlaced about the ships, affording ample protection against
shot from the enemy's heavy guns. The wood-work of the vessels had
been painted the color ,pf the muddy water of the river, while some were
decorated with trees, reeds, etc., that they might not be easily distinguished
from objects along shore. In fact nothing was lacking in the way of prep
aration, for a conflict which proved the most desperate and memorable in
the annals of naval warfare, in this country or elsewhere.
On the morning of April 17th twenty-one. mortar -hoats, under the

THE STORY OF THK MAINE FIFTEENTH. 19
command of Com. Porter, steamed up to the Forts, and on the 18th opened
a most terrific bombardment, continuing three days without cessation, but
with no perceptible results. At the onset the. rebels. sent down a huge fire-
'raft,.piled very high with wood soaked in turpentine — a " firey monster "
indeed ! But a boat shot out from the fleet, and, with grappling irons, so
"curbed" the " monster " that he was harmlessly led to the shore, and al
lowed to burn to the water's edge ! During the three day's cannonade,
the scene simply beggars description. It was a long-prolonged shower of
perpetual thunder and lightning, which seemed to shake earth and heaven
from their very foundations. But it was an inexcusable waste of ammu
nition and entirely barren of results. Neither forts or ships manifested the
slightest disposition to yield. And when the. brave old Admiral became
satisfied that this was the situation, he heroically determined to "run. the
forts," in spite of the obstructions in the river thought by many to be im
passable.. „ Under cover ofthe night men with hammer and chisel were op
erating upon the massive chain-cable stretched across the river, and in due
time it was severed in twain and the hulks to which it was fastened drifted
harmlessly down the river. When all was in readiness the Admiral formed,
his fleet into what the soldiers might have called " three ranks, open order,"
or in three distinct lines or divisions. One took the middle of the stream,
.the others closely hugging either shore. The centre-line addressed itself to
the task of looking, after the rebel gun-boats and the obstructions in the
river ; the flanking divisions concentrating their batteries upon Forts Jack
son' on the left bank and St. Phillip on the right. The stately march com
menced at one o'clock in the morning. The forts at once opened a most
merciless fire, the ships as briskly responding ; and as for a long distance
the vessels were within range of the enemy's guns, such a shower of shell,
- cannon-ball, grape, and other engines of death,, has rarely ever been ex
perienced, before or since. The river was gorgeously illuminated} fey:, the
rapid and incessant firing, aided by the numerous great fire-rafts sent dpjwjii
upon the fleet from above. It seemed a marvel that our vessels were, .able
to weather such a terrible storm of leaden hail! But. with comparatively
trifling loss, the ships moved steadily forward and majestically passed the
forts, and soon wei'e beyond range of the enemy's guns! Thenxa^fle.eJLpf
rebel gun-boats was encountered arrayed hi.lirie-of-battle on the river j.f-b^t
in less than thirty minutes eleven of these were riddled and dismantled; and
their hulks left high and dry upon the river's banks, our war-ships making
little more account of them than if they had been a swarm of pestiferous
¦ Louisiana mosquitoes ! Simultaneously with Farragut's rash exploit Gen.
. Butler embarked, troops upon small boats and sent, them to the creeks and
bayous in rear of the. forts, but the garrisons were "tired.. .of the strife,"
had mutinied and spiked their .guns, andywere right glad, ef an opportunity

20 THE STORY OK • THE.' -MAINE FIFTEENTH.
to surrender. Arid, without further, incident: worthy off record,- the'great
commercial metropolis of the South^-filled with as bitterly rebellious a
population as was ever allowed to escape unhung — awoke from its slumbers
on the morning of the 24th of April, to find " seventeen of the ' despise'd
Yankee war-vessels at its levees, flaunting the hated stars and stripe's in
their very eyes, and even audaciously demanding the surrerider of the city !
Thouo-h, after the manner of the renowned Bombastes Furioso, there was a
deal of the silliest of twaddle from the Mayor of the city and others, and
the atmosphere was lurid with sulphurous threats, oaths and scowls, a small
force of marines quietly marched ashore and soon after threw to the breeze
the proud emblem of American nationality, from the flag-staff of the U.'-S.
Mint ! New Orleans was Ours ! Gen. Butler at once assumed the
military command to which he was so eminently adapted and in the admin
istration of which he justly achieved very great renown.
The entire- loss of the naval forces during the battles incident to the
opening of the Mississippi to New Orleans, aggregated: but thirty-six in
killed and one hundred and twenty in wounded. The rebel loss has never
•been reported. "¦'''
After leaving the Forts the passage up the river was one of rare
enjoyment. On either bank, extending rearward as far as -the eye could
reach, lay fertile plantations, with their rich and diversified scenery, com
prising groves of magnolia and orchards of orange; the growing crops iri
the fields ; grand old mansions, deserted and lonely ; hundreds of negroes
about the quarters, or in the fields, sending greetings through the medium
of various unique demonstrations — forming -a variegated panorama of rare
interest to those viewing the enchanting picture for the first time. Theri
there were those objects of historic interest associated with the closing
scenes of the war of 1812, where ¦ intrepid old Andrew Jackson so signally
routed the forces of Packenham, — the very flower of the British Army,-^—
leaving that accomplished officer dead upon the field, with over two thous
and of his force killed and wounded. Soon we reach the famous crescent-
shaped bend in the river, abruptly disclosing to view the great city of New
Orleans, with its stately ships now lying idle at the wharves; its great
public thoroughfares and squares now well-nigh deserted ; its noted markets
and great warehouses tenantless and mouldy with disuse ; and the entire
picture strikingly suggestive of war's blighting and withering effects.
Reaching the moorings at New Orleans on the afternoon of May
30th, we remained on ship-board during the: night. The great city seem
ed wrapped in profound slumber, and as to the order and unnatural quietude
everywhere prevailing, rivalled even one of our staid New England vil
lages! It was difficult to realize that we were looking down upon a great
city which but a few weeks before was teeming with an arrogant and defiant

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 21
rebel population, and now, humbled as in the dust at the feet of the hated
Yankee commander, was yielding implicit if not cheerful obedience to the
mandates of the military authorities.
The next morning the ship moved up the river some six miles, to
Carrolton, where we at once debarked, and reported to Gen. J. W. Phelps,
commanding the United States forces at Camp Parapet.

CHAPTER VI.
THE EVENTFUL SUMMER OF 1862 AT "CAMP PARAPET.'

Camp Parapet and its Surroundings. — Gen. J. W. Phelps, his Command and
his Eccentricities. — Butler's "Iron-Rule" at New Orleans. — He Brings
the Haughty Southrons to their Knees and Compels Civility. — The
Military and Naval Operations in the Department. — Retirement of
Col. McCluskey and Maj. Hawes. — Col. Dyer Succeeds to the Command. —
The Deadly Malaria of the Mississippi Swamps. — The Fifteenth indulges
in another Ocean Voyage and Drops Anchor on the Florida Coast.

/(C\N Saturday, May 31st, 1862, the members of the Fifteenth found
b a "1 themselves, for the first time in theh history, located upon " the sa-
\\J cred soil" of the South, and surrounded by its luxurious orange-
groves and fertile plantations — to say nothing of the numerous more
disagreeable features incident to the location.
"Camp -Parapet" is about a mile and a half above the village of
Carrolton and some six or seven miles distant from New Orleans. It de
rived its name from the fact that quite a formidable earth- work had here
been constructed by the enemy early in the war, extending from the Mis
sissippi Eiver on the left, some two miles, to a dense cypress swamp on the
right, which, in turn, reached to the shore of Lake Pontcbartrain. It
had been erected with reference to repelling an attack from up-the-river ;
but inasmuch as the Yankee plan of the campaign against New Orleans
was based upon an entirely different one than that contemp]ated by the
rebel engineers, the " Parapet " proved entirely worthless to the parties
constructing it. Nevertheless the Union soldiers found it quite serviceable
in many respects, and the rebels seem not to have labored wholly in vain.
The forces at the post comprised the 12th Conn., 8th N. H., 7th
Vt., and several batteries of light artillery ; now reinforced by the Maine
Fifteenth. General J. W. Phelps, the eccentric and somewhat " cranky "

22 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
Vermont brigadier, was in command, his headquarters being in an unpre
tentious tent in rear of the centre of the brigade fine, and in quite as close
proximity to the quarters of the soldiers as was at all times agreeable. The
General was a rigid disciplinarian, constantly on the alert, with eyes and
ears wide open ; and there were occasions when the boys might have been
quite as well pleased had he lived further away ! Nevertheless, this trifling
inconvenience was more than counterbalanced in the privileges afforded the
soldiers of rallying about the headquarters tent to listen to " the old man "
in his frequent " lectures " to any victim so unfortunate as to be arraigned
at brigade-headquarters for some trifling misdemeanor. Possessed of a
wonderful vocabulary and an adept in the use of quaint expressions, bitter
invective, and stinging sarcasm, the General was upon some of these occa
sions decidedly interesting — at least to all save the party to whom his re
marks were especially addressed !
The General's most favorite " subject " seemed to be some rebel
planter who had in any way maltreated his slaves ; though when there was
an insufficient supply of this variety to appease his appetite in a moment of
irritation, any commissioned officer of high grade, a lieutenant or sergeant
drilling his company, or even the most diminutive and inoffensive soldier on
the extreme left of his company line, served the purpose for the time being.
The "boys" will not fail to recall many of the General's ill-natured admon
itions upon the occasions of his irregular rounds on drill or parade, and es
pecially at the Sunday morning inspections !
And yet, it should be said in passing, during the General's occa
sional lucid intervals he manifested some very amiable qualities of head and
heart. He was exceptionally well-informed as to the minutest detail of
every military requirement, was assiduous in his attention to matters in
volving the comfort of the soldiers or the sanitary condition of the encamp
ment, and, on the whole, was a very creditable brigade-commander. Gen.
Phelps retired from service during the summer on account of a controversy
with Gen. Butler as to the wisdom of supplying arms and equipments to
the large number of negroes hovering about the camp, at a date prior to
the government's decision to utilize " the contraband " for all military pur
poses to which he seemed adapted.
And speaking of the negroes, it was during this first summer on the
Mississippi' that the members of the Fifteenth received their first introduc
tion to that ever-present accompaniment of camp-life in the South. The
"contraband" — "intelligent" and otherwise — swooped down upon us from
all directions, singly, in pairs and in swarms, and the camp was literally
thronged with the dusky refugees. They were by no means unwelcome
guests ; indeed they and the soldiers soon became devoted friends. The
negro gratefully accepted any favors bestowed, and in return diligently la-

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 23
bored about the' camp, relieving the soldier of much of the drudgery which
might otherwise have devolved upon him. As an auxiliary of every com
pany and headquarters mess-tent, the negro proved to be well-nigh indis
pensable ; and he rarely betrayed the confidence of a Union soldier.
Though located just outside of the city of New Orleans, the Fif
teenth was nevertheless part and parcel of Gen. Butler's military establish
ment, and its members were closely ideritified with the vigorous measures
by which the haughty Southrons were compelled to yield obedience to the
mandates of the military authorities. The treasonable spirit of the people
of New Orleans and its vicinity, of either sex, manifested itself in every
conceivable manner, and the desperately wicked nature of the unrepentant
rebel heart daily asserted itself. But Gen. Butler's rare executive abilities
proved equal to the emergency, and very soon the military authorities be
came masters of the situation. The hanging of the audacious Mumford in
the presence of the assembled thousands in New Orleans ; the famous
" woman-of-the-town-plying-her-vocation " order ; the summary and severe
punishment of the slightest indignity to the United States uniform or its
flag ; coupled with the benign charitable measures inaugurated for the re-
fief of the destitute of the great city, worked their inevitable results, and
the angry mutterings of the populace were in due time supplanted by an
apparently cheerful acquiescence in the new order of things. Soldiers on
the streets were at least treated with civility, and no longer spat upon by
hot-blooded rebels clad in the garb of richly- dressed ladies ! This wonder
ful revolution in pubhc sentiment in and about the Crescent City is aptly
sketched in a poem of the period, of which the following is an extract ;
l.V THE EARLY DAYS OF BUTLER'S REIGN.

" In the City of the Crescent,' by red Mississippi's waves,
Walks the haughty Creole matron with her daughters and her slaves.
Freedom's flag is floating o'er her, Freedom's sons she passes by,
And the olden scornful fire burns rekindled in her eye.
How dare Freedom thus insult her ? How dare mudsills walk the pave
Whose each stone to her is hallowed by the toil-sweat of the slave?
"What ! you call that rag your banner? You, sir, hireling, hound, I mean
Thus I spit upon your emblem ! Let your churl's blood wash it clean !
W;ll you wear your liveried jacket, hireling bravo that you are !
Lackey, paid to rob and murder in a thin disguise of war ! "
¦Thus with many a taunting gesture, speaks she to the Northern. braves
As she flaunts along the sidewalk with her daughters and her slaves !
Naught reply the Northern soldiers, smiling, though they feel the stings
Of the foul and meretricious taunts the Southern lady flings ;
So he passes, while the venom from her fragrant mouth still slips,
Like the loathsome, toads and lizards from the enchanted maiden's lips,
And her spotless soul joys doubtless, soft her modest bosom beats,
That she so has aped the harlot in her city's public streets ! ' '''"

24 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
AND A FEW WEEKS LATER IN THE SEASON.

In the City of the Crescent, by red Mississippi's waves,
« Walks the haughty Creole lady with her daughters and her slaves ;
But her eye no longer flashes with its wonted fire of hate ;
Her tongue is strangely silent now, and modest is her gait ;
With quiet mien and humble she passes soldiers by,
Nor even on our country's flag turns a defiant eye.
What wondrous glamour so hath changed the haughty lady's mien ?
The crime of her rebellious heart hath she in sorrow seen ?
Or has her spotless besom owned that Yankees there may be
Worthy of even a Creole's love ? Is hers no longer free ?
No ; it is none of these have tamed the lady's rebel soul ;
On each mudsill, she, cenes, still breathes inward curse and dole !
And as for love, save for her knight, no love her heart can stir,
Since o'er a julep's sugared brink he swore to die for her ;
For though he died not, but preferred another field to seek,
'Twas only, as she knows, because the julep was too weak !
'Twas none of these ! Another cause for change of mien had she !
For spitting once too often at the Banner of the Free,
And once too often, through her pure lips the venom letting loose,
The haughty Creole dame was shown into — THE Calaboose !
Whatever may have been the average judgment as to Butler's mil
itary career as a whole, the soldiers who served under him in that eventful
summer of 1862, are in hearty accord with the general verdict, that in the
administration of his arduous and delicate duties as military commandant of
New Orleans, he proved to have been " the right man in the right place."
Possessing, in rare measure, that essential element characterized by Inger-
soll as " the audacity of genius," it served his purpose far more effectually
than had " an army with banners " been his chief reliance.
During the entire period of Gen. Butler's reign at New Orleans the
Union troops occupied but a comparatively small portion of Louisiana ter
ritory. Though we sported a " mifitary governor," legislative assemblies,
and all the paraphernalia of a reconstructed state government, Gen. Nick-
erson was not very wide of the mark when he taunted Gov. Shepley with
the remark : " Governor of Louisiana ! Why, General, you haven't terri
tory enough in your ' State ' to spread your proclamation upon !" New
Orleans and its immediate vicinity was ours ; more than this, with the very
small military force under Gen. Butler's command, it seemed imprudent to
undertake. The city itself at all times required very careful nursing at
the hands of the military authorities, as treason's fires, though effectually
smothered, had by no means been extinguished. It is true that very soon
after the capture of the city a number of Admiral Farragut's vessels ran up
the river as far as Vicksburg, with the idea of preventing the rebels from
fortifying along its banks. The land forces also occupied Baton Eogue, and
an extremely difficult feat of engineering was undertaken, with the design
of so ehanging the course of the great river as to isolate the heights about

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 25
Vicksburg and render them useless as sites for fortifications. The attempt
proved abortive and cost us a good many valuable lives, — from malaria and
other ailments contracted by exposure on the river while the enterprise was
in progress. Naval vessels, however, frequently traversed the river, and
did effective service, shelling the rebels away from various fortified positions
and destroying a number of the enemy's gunboats and rams. The only
affair in the Department approaching in magnitude to an engagement with
the enemy, was that at Baton Rouge, in August. The attacking force was
gathered for the purpose at Tangipahoa and commanded by the rebel Gen.
John C. Breckinridge. It numbered about five thousand ; ours not more
than half that number. The force attacked comprised the 14th Me., 21st
Ind., 6th Wis., 9th Conn., 7th Vt., and 30th Mass., under command of
Gan. Williams, who was shot dead from his horse while gallantly rallying
the 21st Ind. after every one of its field and staff officers had been killed.
Oo.r troops fought most heroically and finally repulsed the attacking force.
The rebels at one time gained access to our camps and a desperately fierce
contest, at close range, ensued. But the enemy was very severely punished.
His loss was six hundred in killed, wounded and missing ; ours, fifty-six
killed and one hundred and seventy-five wounded and missing. The rebel
forces withdrew from the vicinity, and soon after our troops were recalled
to Camp Parapet and other points. There was also quite a serious affair at
Pass Manchac and Pontchitoula, in which several companies of the 12th
Me. participated ; Capt Thornton of that regiment was severely wounded.
Also worthy of passing mention is Gen. Weitzel's foraging expedition to
the Lafourche region, when that wonderfully fertile district was forced to
contribute liberally to the support of the government and the relief of the
destitute of New Orleans. The slaves were turned loose, the sugar-cane
gathered and utilized, cotton confiscated, loyal governments set in motion,
and the rebel cause weakened and our own strengthened in various direc-
o
tions. There was little if any resistance, no enemy being discovered in any
considerable force.
While at the Parapet an important change in the Fifteenth's board
of field officers was occasioned by the retirement, on account of resignation,
of Col. John McCluskey and Major Benjamin Hawes. A number of the
line officers also left us at this point. Both Colonel McCluskey and Major
Hawes were gentlemen possessed of many most estimable qualities, who
during their brief stay with us had won a large circle of warm personal
friends, by whom their departure was keenly regretted. From the date of
the acceptance of Col. McCluskey's resignation the command of the regi
ment devolved upon Lieut.-Colonel Dyer.
But the incidents of the eventful summer of 1862 which were its
distinguishing characteristic — and which must ever be reverted to with

26 THE STOKY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
sadness by the hundreds of aching hearts there bereaved — are yet to be
referred to. They relate to the frightful inroads upon our ranks resulting
from climatic conditions and disease incident to the malaria so prevalent in
the region in which we were located.
Barring the sickness at Augusta and Portland, attributable to the
exposure inevitably attending camp-life in Maine in mid- winter, the regi
ment had been in a remarkably healthy condition up to the date of our de
parture from Ship Island. But few deaths had occurred, and these mainly
among those left behind in Maine. At Ship Island several died from diph
theria and one or two from other ailments. But the enervating effects of
that long-prolonged and unfortunate voyage on the ship Tamerlane ; the
sudden and debilitating changes in the temperature ; the wilting influences
of the midsummer Louisiana heat ; and the poisonous malaria with wliich
the atmosphere in the region of the Mississippi swamps is constantly im
pregnated, proved more disastrous in their results than the grape, cannister
and minnie balls of the field of carnage ; and very soon the stalwart regi
ment which had embarked at Ship Island in May with full ranks, was de
pleted to a mere skeleton of its former self. Disease and death were ma
king fearful ravages among us ; and while the intense heat of a scorching
Louisiana sun in June, July and August, was well-nigh unendurable even
to the few remaining in robust health, to the poor fellows prostrated upon
sick beds in the crowded hospitals, or in quarters, it proved disastrous in
the extreme. The death-roll assumed formidable proportions. One, two
and three burials per day, were not unusual during a portion of the sum
mer, while a "sick-list" of thirty, forty, and even fifty per company, was
quite frequently shown by the morning reports. Death from sun-stroke
was by no means rare ; wliile men relieved from guard-duty in the morn
ing, apparently well, were in some instances numbered with the dead before
sunset. The force required for the care of the sick was necessarily large ;
and with a hospital-roll exceeding in number that reported for duty, the
outlook was very dispiriting. Ample and comfortable hospital accommo
dations were provided on a large>iver steamer moored to the levee not far
from camp, and with the unremitting attentions of our medical force —
Doctors Donnell, Kimball and Dodge — and its efficient corps of assistants,
the condition of the patients was rendered as comfortable as possible under
th? circumstances. Where deemed practicable the hopelessly debilitated
were discharged upon surgeon's certificate of disability and hurried to their
homes, with the hope that a change of climate might prove beneficial, or,
at least, that they might enjoy the comforts of home and the attentions of
loved ones wliile crossing the dark river. Quite a number were also fur-
loughed, and for like reasons. And yet, despite every effort, the number
of the sick was constantly on the increase, and the solemn funeral proces-

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 27
siori filed by our tents with mournful regularity, as the dreary days and
weeks lengthened into months and the fateful August had been reached.
Ah ! the deadly miasma of the Southern swamps and bayous ! Its
casualties far outnumber those entailed by the shock of battle ! For veri
fication of this oft-quoted truism reference is made to the record of our
losses for the years 1862-3, grouped under the captions " Died in Service "
and " Discharged for Disability," in the Appendix.
Very fortunately, however, early in September the much-needed
relief came, in the form of orders directing the regiment to prepare for a
sea-voyage ; and, not unreluctantly, on the 9th of September we embarked
on board the fine steamship Ocean Queen and immediately steamed down
the Mississippi and out to sea, dropping anchor off Fort Pickens, command
ing the entrance of Pensacola Bay, on the evening of Sept. lOth^our des
tination proving to be Pensacola, on the western coast of Florida.

CHAPTER VII.

THE FIFTEENTH RECUPERATES IN WESTERN FLORIDA.

The City of Pensacola. — A Very Pleasant and Healthy Location. — The Com
manders and Forces. — Incidents of the Sojourn in Florida. — Foraging and
Scouting Expeditions.— "Bagdad," " The Fifteen Mile House," and the
Fateful "Escambia River." — Evacuation of Pensacola. — "Barrancas." — The
Return to the Mississippi.

CAELY on the morning of Sept. 11th the Ocean Queen "weighed
anchor" and steamed up the broad and magnificent Pensacola Bay
to the city of that name — passing Forts Pickens and McRea at the
entrance of the Bay, and on the left an unsightly mass of ruins on
the site once occupied by the fine buildings of the United States Navy Yard.
Pensacola, some five miles up the harbor, was reached at about nine o'clock.
The regiment immediately disembarked, and was assigned unusually com
fortable quarters in barracks, the deserted private residences being utilized
for that purpose.
Pensacola, our new location, though now wearing a decidedly dilap
idated appearance, was found to be a city which in its prosperous days had
numbered a population of about five thousand. Once enterprising and
thrifty, supporting an extensive commerce, and engaged in prosperous in

28 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
dustries, desolation and decay were now the chief characteristics. The
finest residences of the city had been vacated and many of them were now
being occupied as quarters for the troops, offices for headquarters, hospital
accommodations, etc. The commanding general, very properly, had appro
priated the elegant residence and grounds of an ex-U. S. Senator now a
member of the cabinet of the Confederacy ; minor officers were luxuriating
in nicely-furnished apartments fronting the public squares ; while the
quarters of the enlisted men were by no means unpretentious.
The forces at the post, upon our arrival, were commanded by Gen.
Richard Arnold, an artillery officer, the troops comprising the 6th and 91st
N. Y., and two companies of the 1st U. S. Artillery. Gen. Arnold was
soon relieved, the command devolving upon the famous " Billy Wilson," the
Colonel of that " desperately wicked " regiment, the New Yvork Sixth.
But in October Gen. Neal Dow was assigned to the command, and the New
York regiments were relieved by the 7th Vt. (Col. Holbrook) and 28th
Conn. (Col. Ferris.) In January Gen. Dow was ordered to the Mississip
pi, leaving Col. Dyer as the commander of the troops in Western Florida.
An important incident of regimental history, soon after reaching
Pensacola, was the reorganization of the board of field officers, by the pro
motion of Lieut. -Col Dyer to Colonel; of Capt. Benj. B. Murray, jr., of
Co. A, to Lieut.-Colonel ; and of Capt. Franklin M. Drew, of Co. G, to
Major. Col. Dyer had practically — and very ably and efficiently — exer
cised the command the larger portion of the time since the regiment's or
ganization, and it was exceedingly gratifying to all that he was now per
mitted to enjoy the full rank and emoluments to which he seems to have
b.ien entitled from the start ; while the selection of Captains Murray and
Drew as his chief supporters, added strength, ability, and genuine worth,
to the official board. The appointments proved very generally satisfactory
to the members of the regiment. At about, the same time an elegant reg
imental banner was received from Maine and formally presented in an ap
propriate address by Gen. Dow, to which Col. Dyer fittingly responded.
Companies " D " and " K " were quartered at the Forts during
our sojourn at Pensacola, sharing with the troops of the regular army the
duties of the garrison, and deriving many advantages from such association
in the matter of drill and discipline. These companies rejoined the regi
ment, at Barrancas, March 28th, 1863.
One of the pleasant episodes incident to the very extraordinary ad-=
vantages of the Pensacola location, was the organization, by the temperance
element of the regiment, of a Division of the Sons of Temperance. It was
known as "Army Division, No. 1," regularly chartered and supplied by
the Grand Division of Maine, held weekly meetings of a very interesting
character, and attained a large membership. Church and sabbath-school

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 29
facilities were also afforded ; and in these and many other respects, New
England's manners and customs were duplicated as closely as possible by
the Maine colony which had established itself at Pensacola.
But as to the general health of the command '! Happily that was
very greatly improved. With a most salubrious climate, comfortable
quarters, a cool and health-giving sea-breeze much of the time, excellent
water, and the " abundance of the sea " to draw upon for the fish-food not
supplied by the commissary department, the regiment had scarcely become
located upon the Florida coast before decidedly beneficial results were ex
perienced. The very large " sick-list " of the "Camp Parapet " location
gradually gave place to a decidedly improved condition of affairs. In two
months' time our number " present for duty " had increased fifty per cent.,
and we were able to muster quite a full line of stalwart appearing " con
valescents " at the evening parades. Verily, as a sanitarium for the malaria-
infected and debilitated soldiers of the Gulf Department, Pensacola proved
a most happy conception. *
The guard-duty in Western Florida was the chief employment. A
picket line encircled the entire city, extending some five or six miles, and
the force at the post being very small, the interval between the tours of
guard-duty was necessarily very brief. Every other day was about an
average diet at the start for the robust members of the regiment ; though
later, when fortifications had been constructed, this duty was somewhat
lightened by a contraction of the lines. However, as this was about the
only irksome duty devolving upon the soldiers while at this post, there was
very little occasion for complaint.
While in Florida scouting expeditions to the adjacent country were
numerous. Though the enemy was not encamped near us in any consid
erable force, occasional incursions were made by detachments of rebel cav
alry in close proximity to our picket-lines, and the security of our . camp

*Under date " Headquarters District of West Florida, Pensacola, Fla., Dec. 9, 1862,"
Gen. Dow wrote to the Adjutant General of Maine : —
" General : — I wish to inform you of the condition of- the Fifteenth Maine Volunteers,
which has been at Pensacola since the nth of September. The regiment had been encamped
at Carrolton from the 31st of May to the 8th of September, during which time the health of
the men was very much broken down. For some time after its arrival at this Post the regiment
was in a very bad state from disease contracted amid the swamps of the Mississippi. For the
last two months the men have been rapidly improving in health and strength. The sick-list,
at first very large, is now reduced to a small figure, and the spirits of the men have recovered
their tone. The regiment has been improved also in drill and general discipline, in which
particulars its state is entirely satisfactory. The Colonel and other officers are assiduous in
their attention to their duties, and exert themselves to the utmost to make their regiment ev
erything it should be ; and they have the satisfaction of seeing that their efforts are crowned
with abundant success. My intercourse with the officers of the regiment has always been very
pleasant, and they have been ready to do everything in their power to maintain good order and
entire subordination, not only in their own battalion, but by the influence of their example
among the other troops of this command.
Very Respectfully, Neal Dow, Brigadier General, Commanding.

30 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
seemed to require that all sections of the adjacent territory be visited fre
quently, to guard against the possibility of being surprised by a cavalry
raid from an unexpected quarter. Furthermore, Gen. Dow, while in com
mand, seemed to regard the confiscation- act as a very effective weapon for
" despoiling the (rebel) Egyptians," and whenever opportunity was afforded
to relieve rebel-sympathizers of home-comforts or the means of subsistence,
he was very much inclined to strike in that direction. There were numer
ous villages and small settlements within a radius of thirty miles of Pensa
cola, and these were repeatedly " raided," stripped of their cattle and other
supplies, and in some instances of their household furniture. The adjacent
villages of Milton, Bagdad, Oakfield, Judge's Mills, etc., though practically
deserted by their white population, were nevertheless frequently visited
by the scouting parties. Though our soldiers, as a rule, were orderly and
decorous upon these occasions, they were not always cordially received by
the inhabitants. Frequently upon these expeditions small detachments of the enemy
were discovered, and rifle-shots exchanged at long range. A number of
our soldiers were wounded, a few captured, and one or more killed. Our
forces, also, were successful in taking several prisoners, with horses and
equipments, while not a few rebel soldiers were killed and wounded. The
Florida woods afforded small detachments of rebel cavalry excellent oppor
tunities of " attack and retreat," enabling a small mounted party to harrass
an infantry column ten times its own number with perfect impunity;
and these occasional skirmishes, though rarely attended with serious results,
were in some instances adventurous and exciting in the extreme. The
scope of this work will admit of only a passing reference to a few of the
more important of these expeditions.
One of the earliest and most notable of these excursions was the
descent in force upon the pretty little village of Bagdad, some twenty-five
miles from Pensacola. Nearly the entire regiment took" part — and most of
our field, staff and line officers, were of the party. A well-known Kenne
bec steamer transported the " marauders," who pounced down upon the
place just before the break of clay, greatly to the terror of the inhabitants.
No barrier to the occupation of the town was interposed ; indeed, it was
practically " a deserted village." Under orders from the commanding
general everything of value in the shape of cattle, hogs and other supplies,
as well as some of the choicest of the household furniture, was seized, trans
ferred to the steamer, and taken to Pensacola. Some very pleasant homes
were thus broken up, or at least stripped of their luxurious surroundings if
not of the necessaries of life : the inmates being tendered transportation
and protection within the Union fines. To many this policy seemed un
necessarily harsh, fruitless of good results, and wholly without justification.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 31
Yet there was no alternative for our soldiers but to obey orders. Much of
the furniture taken was appropriated by the employees of the transport-
steamer, and the remainder turned over to the quartermaster's department
and utilized for furnishing the barracks of officers and soldiers at Pensacola.
During the latter part of February an expedition was sent out to
break up a rebel cavalry rendezvous at a point known as the " Fifteen-Mile
House." The party comprised about one hundred men from the Fifteenth
and an equal number from the 28th Connecticut. Col. Ferris was in gen
eral command, with Lieuts. Shorey of " B "and Dwinal of " G " in charge
of the Fifteenth's detachment. After a long night-march through the
open woods — rendered exceedingly picturesque by myriads of fires run
ning the entire lerigth of the tall forest trees — and a brief halt for rest and
refreshment, at day-dawn a few of the enemy's cavalrymen were espied
at some distance away, and shots exchanged. As usual, the Johnnies fired
a few vollies and then disappeared. Somewhat later, however, on the re
turn march, quite a detachment of cavalrymen put in an appearance, har-
rassing our flanks and rear for several hours. Their tactics were to ride
up as close to our line as they deemed prudent, discharge a volley and fall
back beyond rifle-range, only to reappear later, at another point on the line
of march, to repeat the experiment. Various efforts were made to decoy
the enemy into a position which would enable us to effectively return their
fire, but to no avail. Flankers were thrown out, a skirmish-fine establish
ed, and a good many shots fired, but without satisfactory results. There
was but one horse in our party, and, practically, the rebel cavalrymen were
masters of the situation. The skirmish was lively and exciting, and con
tinued until late in the afternoon. No one was in any way injured on out
side ; and, so far as we were able to discover, the rebels were not much —
— if any — more unfortunate than we.
Late in the afternoon — when within but a few miles of Pensacola —
an incident occurred which proved a very narrow escape from fatal results.
Near the close of the skirmishing before mentioned, a party of horsemen
put in an appearance in rather closer proximity to our column than those
with whom we had but just been exchanging shots ; and our boys of
course at once opened fire in that direetion. The new-comers were not
disposed to show fight, but instead raised a cry of alarm and vigorously
manipulated hats and handkerchiefs as a signal that a cessation of hostilities
was desired ! Upon investigation the horsemen were found to comprise
five of the officers of our own regiment, who, learning of our little affair
with the enemy's cavalry, had come out to greet us and render any aid de
sired ! Their escape was well-nigh miraculous. Chaplain Brown, who
was of the party, especially regarded the presence of mammoth trees of suf
ficient size to afford protection for his reverend head and stalwart form, as

32 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
providential ; and with good reason, considering the bullet-defaced condition
of the trees behind which the officers had taken refu°e.
But by all odds the most unfortunate and disastrous of the scouting
expeditions of that period was that of March 6-7, up the Escambia River
and across the country to Acadia. The party comprised about fifty men
from each the 15th Me. and 28th Conn. Col. Ferris was in general com
mand; Lieuts. Shorey and Dwinal in charge of the 15th Me. detachment.
The expedition left Pensacola at 4 p. m. of the 6th, in eight row-boats fur
nished and manned by the naval authorities. The boats steered directly
for the mouth of the Escambia, making a passage of about twenty miles
mainly under cover of the night, and landing at a point known as Judge's
Mills at about midnight. Seven of the bouts effected a landing without
difficulty ; the other one, unfortunately, passed the point of disembarkation
a considerable distance, and did not respond to the signals sent up for her
recall. A fire was built on the shore in the hope of attracting the attention
of the boat's crew ; and after vainly waiting an hour or more it was discov
ered that the missing boat was aground some two miles up the river. Dis
patching another boat to her assistance, Col. Ferris deemed it prudent to
push on, as the object of the expedition could only be attained by reaching
Acadia before day-break.
Scarcely had the party commenced its eleven miles' march through
a dense forest, when the rain commenced to descend in torrents, continuing
during the entire march, and drenching to the skin every mother's son of
us. The little village of Acadia was reached at about 3 o'clock ; the men
at once taking refuge in a large unoccupied house on the outskirts of the
village, and which proved to be the favorite resort of a small force of rebel
cavalry. The remnant of a recent lunch was still upon the table, and a
number of sabres, carbines, etc., were found about the premises. In the
negro quarters it was learned that a small cavalry force was likely to break
fast at the house that morning. Under these circumstances it was deemed
prudent to secrete our party in the various buildings in the neighborhood,
with the view of allowing the " Johnnies " to drive into the yard without
molestation, where they might easily be surrounded and captured. Unfor
tunately, however, five of the rebel cavalrymen rode along in advance, and
quite unsuspectingly, carelessly shouting to the negroes, " Turn out, and
get us some breakfast !" Three of our soldiers eagerly, if not hospitably,
met the new-comers at the door, and rather prematurely demanded their
surrender. Two of the rebels obeyed very promptly ; the others recklessly
attempted to run, were fired upon, and one mortally and the other slight
ly wounded. The other escaped. One of the horses was killed instantlv.
The cavalryman who was fatally wounded received one ball in the face and
another through the lung — a most pitiable spectacle and an object of much

THE ST0KY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.

33

sympathy. All four of the captured ones were young men, two of them
not more than nineteen. They were kindly cared for : the one severely
wounded left in the care of friends called to his aid — the others taken to
Pensacola, with the horses and other captured property. Very soon after
the occurrences mentioned above a small cavalry detachment was espied in
the woods a considerable distance away, but, upon learning the situation,
they took a hurried departure and were not afterwards seen. At 9 o'clock
Col. Ferris concluded that there was nothing more to be accomplished, and
we at once proceeded upon the return march.
But, alas ! the missing boat ! No tidings had reached us as to the
boat or her passengers, though, quite naturally, no one entertained apprehen
sions of any serious mishap. But upon reaching the point of disembarka
tion — at about three o'clock in the afternoon — most painful tidings awaited
U3 — intelligence which served to enshroud the entire party in a pall of
gloom and of sad bereavement. It appeared that the missing boat had run
aground the night before ; and when the boat dispatched to her aid arrived
and attempted to relieve her, so eager were the men to reach the shore
that an unfortunate scramble ensued, in which the relief-boat was overload
ed and swamped, and all on board — most of them encumbered with the
dead-weight of a soldier's equipments — were precipitated into the river and
compelled to struggle for life in the waters of the Escambia. The night
was very dark, the rain descending in torrents, the location unfamiliar, and
the situation as a whole so unfavorable, that, despite the earnest efforts of
the survivors, eleven of the party found a watery grave. Eight of these
were of our own regiment, and three of the crew from the naval vessels
sent to row the boats. The unfortunates ones from the Fifteenth were all
faithful and exemplary soldiers, most of them young men of most amiable
qualities, and with excellent family connections. They were : Corporal
Charles W. Greeley, Frank P. Roundy, William B. Marson and Samuel
S. Colbath, all of Co. H ; Charles Gilker, William Keef, and Augustus C.
Bean, of Co, C ; and Marriner T. Green of Co. B. The bodies of the
drowned men were recovered, after diligent search, a few days subsequent
to the sad and fatal accident.
About the middle of March — 1863 — the exigencies of the military
situation on the Mississippi demanded a concentration of the forces, and the
evacuation of Pensacola was determined upon : the troops occupying the
vicinity of the forts and the more eligible point under the protection of
their guns, known as " Barrancas." The new location gave us undisputed
control of Pensacola Bay — a most desirable harbor and naval station — all
that was really requisite' in a military point of view, with a much less area
to guard or defend in case of attack.

34 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
The work of evacuation was very laborious. It was commenced
March 17th and occupied several days. Nearly the entire population de
sired to accompany the troops to their new station, and for days and nights
large numbers of the inhabitants, of every age, condition and sex, with all
their goods and chattels, were gathered upon the public squares, awaiting
transportation. While in this unsettled and very "uncomfortable state, a
destructive fire broke out on Palafox street, burning several buildings and
other property, and throwing the citizens into an excitable state, tending to
increase rather than alleviate the discomforts of " evacuation- week." Two-
days later other and more destructive fires occurred, evidently of incendiary
origin. Meanwhile large fatigue parties were constantly employed, remov
ing not alone the government stores and property, but the household goods
of " Union-loving citizens," who not only claimed the protecting care of
the military authorities but were also in a measure dependent upon our
commissary department for supplies. The work incident to the evacuation
was not completed until the 22d ; and as the last steamer pushed off from
the wharf, a scene of desolation and decay was presented such as is rarely
witnessed. An unofficial enumeration just before leaving revealed the
fact that ten men, thirty women, and about as many children, constituted
the entire population of a city whose census-rating was from four to five
thousand ! The Spanish Consul declined to accompany the troops, and later
his flag of " neutrality" afforded protection for frequent rebel marauding
parties, who rode in and out of the city at pleasure.
" Barrancas," as our new location is popularly known — derived
from the Fort of that name — is near the town of Warrington, at the ex
treme northwestern corner of Florida, opposite the entrance to Pensacola
Bay, in the immediate vicinity of Forts Pickens, McRea and Barrancas,
and about nine miles below the city of Pensacola. The government here,
before the war, had supported an extensive naval-station and marine-hos
pital ; and the place was of considerable importance in a military point of
view. But as early as February, 1862, Fort Barrancas and the navy -yard
were seized by the rebels ; Fort McRae was abandoned ; and in the inef
fectual attempt to drive the heroic Lieut. Slemmer from Fort Pickens, a
force under Gen. Braxton Bragg, numbering several thousand, assembled
in the vicinity, and attempted to frighten the gallant garrison away. One
dark night they stole across the bay in boats and surprised the camp of the
6th N. Y. on the upper end of Santa Rosa Island, killing sixty of " Billy
Wilson's " brave lads ; but our forces subsequently rallied, drove the rebels
to their boats, firing upon them after they had re-embarked, and inflicting
as great loss, to say the least, as had been sustained. But Bragg utterly-
failed to make any impression upon Pickens, and finally the entire force
moved away, first destroying the naval floating-dock and railway and much

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 35
other public and private property. These buildings — once elaborate and
expensive — were now little better than a mass of charred brick and gran
ite. At the site of the navy-yard proper the work of demolition had been
so complete as to afford no accommodations for an encampment ; upon the
grounds of the marine-hospital, however, superb quarters were arranged.
The natural beauty and elaborate adornments of the. grounds, over
looking the ocean, and shaded by the majestic live-oak, with tastily con
structed walks and drives, were a very unusual appendage to the soldier's
camp-ground ; and yet the boys managed to maintain the dignities of the
situation very creditably to themselves and all concerned. Here the Fif
teenth tarried some three months. There were the ever-present drills and
parades, guard-duty, and an occasional scouting-expedition ; but very little
transpired worthy of record in these pages.
One of the peculiarly sad events of the sojourn at Barrancas was
the untimely death, of typhoid fever, of our popular young Assistant Sur
geon, Dr. Sumner G. Holt. He was appointed in the summer of 1862.
His loss to the regiment was keenly lamented by the entire command.
Another notable change in the medical staff was the resignation of
Assistant Surgeon John H. Kimball. He had served faithfully and with
rare professional skill from the organization of the regiment, through the
calamitous summer of 1862 at Camp Parapet, and had himself contracted
disability which seemed to render a change of climate necessary. His
departure, in June, '63, was very keenly regretted by the entire command.
Dr. Kimball subsequently entered the service as Surgeon of the 32d Me.,
serving with distinction in the campaign in front of Petersburg and else
where, with the Army of the Potomac.
Upon the death of Assistant Surgeon Holt the accomplished Hos
pital Steward, Dr. Lorenzo Dodge, was commissioned Assistant Surgeon,
and he and the Surgeon — Dr. Jotham Donnell — comprised the medical
corps at the date of our return to New Orleans.
Near the latter part of June (1863) the Fifteenth was again order
ed to the Mississippi and our season of "recuperation" brought to an end.
We had in this manner whiled away nine months, very pleasantly, and
very profitably, too, at least in one respect : we were no longer to be placed
in the category of " invalids " — a statement abundantly verified in the fact
that when taking passage at Barrancas, when ordered to New Orleans, the
commissaiy department found it necessary to provide for something like
six hundred stalwart beef-eaters, with scarcely a sick man on the regimen
tal roll ! The regiment embarked on the steamship Crescent June 19th,
and on Sunday, the 20th, we steamed out by the Forts, the recipients of
very hearty parting salutations from comrades with whom we had long
maintained very pleasant relations.

36 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
Entering the river on the morning of the 22d, and being favored
with a delightful view of the picturesque scenery along its banks by day-
h>ht, we reach our moorings, opposite the city of New Orleans, at about
three o'clock the same afternoon.
While Col. Dyer steps ashore to report our arrival and receive or
ders, we may as well improve the opportunity to " take the lay of the land "
and briefly sketch the military situation in the Department, for the purpose
of placing upon record some of the more important events transpiring du
ring our absence in Florida.

CHAPTER VIII.

THE MILITARY SITUATION IN THE GULF DEPARTMENT

Gen. Nathaniel P. Banks as Department Commander.— He Brings Reinforce
ments and Inaugurates an Aggressive Military Campaign. — He Finds the
Enemy in Force, Strongly Fortified, and in Possession of a Large Pro
portion of the Territory Assigned Him. — Galveston, the Campaigns West
of the Mississippi, and Port Hudson. — Desperate Attempt to Raise the
Siege by Attacks upon Brashear City, Lafourche Crossing, Donai.dsonvile,
etc. — Gen. Emory Greatly Alarmed for the Safety of New Orleans. — He
Raises the Macedonian Cry and the Fifteenth Comes to his Relief !

(TV-SN December, 1862, Gen. Butler was relieved as commander of the
jm Gulf Department, his successor being Major-General Nathaniel P:
^j\ Banks. The new commander had been supplied with something
like ten thousand additional troops, and instructed to at once inaug
urate an aggressive campaign, with the view of co-operating with Gen.
Grant in the opening of the Mississippi River, and, that accomplished, the
possession of the territory in Louisiana and Texas not then held by the
Union forces. About one-half of the troops brought into the Department
by Gen. Banks were nine-months' men ; and as he had undertaken a con
tract of somewhat formidable proportions for the spring and summer, very
little time was consumed in necessary preparatory work. With the new
arrivals the effective force in the entire Department numbered about thirty
thousand, which was at once placed in position on the military checker
board, ready for effective service as the exigencies of the situation might
require.

*£*l

4/

12

I Lt. S. D. Leavitt, Co. A
2 Capt. W. fC Rich, Co. A
3 Capt. J. N. Martin, Co. A
4 U. J. E. Libby, Co. B

5 Capt. S. H. Leonard, Co. B 9 Lt. W. C. Plummer, Co. C
6 Capt. H. A. Shorey, Co. B 10 Capt. J. A. Clark, Co. C
7 Lt. C. E. Graves, Co. B 11 Capt. John H. Hasty, Co. C
8 Lt. J. E. Latham, Co. B 12 Capt. D. M. Prescott, Co. C

17 Lt. C. F. Jordan, Co. D

18 Lt. James H. Lord, Co. D

13 Capt. C. S. Illsley, Co. D
14 Capt. F. 0. S. Howe, Co.D
15 Lt. John C. Cobb, Co. D
16 Lt. John Mead, Co. D

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 37
Gen. Banks found the enemy in undisputed possession of nearly all
of the territory in the States of Louisiana and Texas outside of New Or
leans and its defenses, with the exception of a few points on the river and
on the coast. At Port Hudson, on the Mississippi, most expensive and
formidable fortifications had been constructed, which were defended by an
army of about eighteen thousand men. Then the water-approaches to the
Red River region, on the Atchafaylaya, etc., and the entire Teche and
Opelousas country, were strongly fortified, the salient points garrisoned, and
within call was a rebel army of from twelve to fifteen thousand, exclusive
of the troops at Port Hudson. The rebels also had quite an effective fleet
of gunboats, floating batteries, rams, etc., of light draught, and quite ser
viceable in operations on the shoal bayous and rivers of Western Louisiana.
At the outset Gen. Banks seems to have been left largely to his own
discretion, and a number of movements were made which appeared to in
dicate that he regarded the occupation of some point in Texas, and of the
Red River country in Western Louisiana, of quite as much importance as
the opening of the great river, that " its waters might flow unvexed to the
sea." True, immediately upon Banks' arrival, Grover's Division of eight
or ten thousand men was sent to occupy Baton Rouge and its vicinity, as
a necessary preliminary to the Port Hudson campaign ; but, simultaneously
with this, a small force was dispatched to Galveston, Texas, to occupy that
island, the important harbor being already held by the naval vessels. No
resistance was offered at Baton Rouge, but the developments demonstrated
that to have sent the larger force to Galveston would have been much the
wiser course. Less than three hundred men, from the42d Mass., occupied
Galveston as an advance-guard of the army of occupation, but before they
could be reinforced or even destroy the bridge connecting the island with
the main land, from three to five thousand rebel troops and three cotton-
clad gunboats swooped down upon the island by land and water, attacking
with artillery and infantry, capturing the entire garrison and destroying a
number of our finest naval vessels. The soldiers and sailors captured were
confined in Texas prison- stockades for more than a year, suffering great
privation. Gen. Godfrey Weitzel, on Berwick Bay, was also reinforced, for
the purpose of driving the rebels from the Teche country and destroying a
very troublesome rebel gunboat on the Western Louisiana bayous known as
the "J. A. Cotton." Weitzel, with the co-operation of the navy, had a
desperate contest with the gunboat, which, disabled in the fight, was burned
by the rebels. Weitzel's loss was six killed and twenty-six wounded, be
sides some serious disasters among the naval forces — including Lieut.-Com.
Buchanan, who was killed. The rebels also lost severely and were driven
from the region, at least temporarily. Later a combination movement un-

38 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
cler Grover and Weitzel endeavored to get possession of the Atchafaylaya
and Butte-a-la-Rose, but the impediments in the bayou in the way of drift
wood and other obstructions, rendered the expedition a failure. The sol
diers were employed nearly a month in rendering the stream navigable for
the gunboats and light-draught transports.
In March the loss of several fine naval vessels on the river between
Vicksburg and Port Hudson, rendered Admiral Farragut desperately cross,
and he insisted upon a demonstration in force against Port Hudson by the
land forces, to so far divert the attention of the enemy as to permit him to
" run the batteries " with his war-ships. The entire available force of the
Department was gathered at Baton Rouge, and, March 13th, twelve thous
and strong, moved to the rear of the enemy's position at Port Hudson, with
the design of attacking in the early morning of the 14th. But by one of
the most daring and brilliant exploits in naval history, the naval officers
found themselves able to " run the gauntlet " without assistance ; and, " the
object of the expedition being accomplished," the army was withdrawn.
Expeditions were also sent out to destroy the railroad bridge at
Ponchatoula and the enemy's communications on the Amite River ; and,
Gen. Banks not feeling justified either in attempting to form a junction
with Grant at Vicksburg or entering upon the Port Hudson campaign,
with the limited force at his disposal, returned his army (in April) to the
region of Brashear City and the Lafourche, where some very serious fight
ing took place. The enemy was encountered under the rebel Generals
Taylor, Sibley, Green and Mouton. The rebels desperately contested every
point where a stand was made, inflicting, and sustaining as well, considera
ble loss in officers and men. Indian Bend and Vermillion Bayou, espec
ially, were scenes of most notable contests. But our troops were victorious
at all points ; and April 26th Butte- a-la-Rose, the key of the Atchafaylaya
and Red Rivers, fell into the hands of the navy, the troops pushing on to
Alexandria, compelling the evacuation of Fort DeRussey, and pursuing the
retreating rebels nearly to Grand Ecore, over a road with which the Fif
teenth boys became somewhat familiar a year later. The trophies of the
campaign, as given in the official reports, were twenty-five hundred prison
ers and twenty-two guns, three rebel gunboats and eight steamers destroyed,
large quantities of public property, and the gathering in of something like
six thousand fugitive negroes.
In May the exigencies of Gen. Grant's campaign at Vicksburg ren
dered it tolerably certain that promised reinforcements from that quarter
for the long-contemplated Port Hudson campaign could not reasonably be
expected; and, upon careful consideration, and conference with Grant,
Gen. Banks concluded that the only course open to him was to besiege that
strongly fortified position, even with the small and insufficient force at his

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 39
disposal — scarcely as many soldiers as the enemy was able to muster behind
his well-nigh impregnable fortifications.
By the middle of May Gen. Banks' army commenced to " assemble
for the fray " about Port Hudson. Gen. Augur, from Baton Rouge, effect
ed a junction with Weitzel, Grover, T. W. Sherman, and Dwight, on the
25th, after severe fighting and considerable loss ; and two days later a des
perate assault, to test their strength, was made upon the enemy's works.
Our men of course fought gallantly and heroically, but they were repulsed,
with a loss of two hundred and ninety-three in killed and fifteen hundred
and forty-nine in wounded. This unsuccessful assault demonstrated to the
satisfaction of all that the fortifications could never be carried by storm
with anything like the force at hand ; and so our army deliberately planted
itself within rifle-range of the enemy's position and commenced the con
struction of fortifications — meanwhile, day and night, keeping up an in
cessant and harrassing cannonade at all points of a line extending from
seven to eight miles, from river to river ; the naval vessels also contributing
their full quota to the production of this perpetual storm of " thunder-and-
lightning." On the 14th of June it was deemed advisable to again test the
strength of the works in a second general assault. Though resulting in
some very substantial advantages, the attack was attended with frightful
sacrifice of life and limb ; and again our military commanders had been
taught that the slow process of sapping and mining, and a depleted com
missary department within the besieged lines, were the weapons that must
be chiefly relied upon in the reduction of this Gibraltar of the Mississippi.
Two disastrous general assaults and twenty-one days and nights of almost
continuous fighting, with very. severe loss on both sides, had imprinted this
' important truth, as in letters of blood, upon the minds of all engaged in this
memorable siege. And to this laborious work our troops were industrious
ly addressing themselves at the period of the Fifteenth's recall from Florida
— every available soldier present for duty being in the trenches and behind
the works. But while the army of Gen. Banks is thus engaged — eagerly and
impatiently awaiting the signal announcing the capitulation which, at best,
cannot long be delayed — stirring events were transpiring in another section
of the Department. The rebel army of Major-Gen. Taylor which Banks
had driven from Western Louisiana just prior to the investment of Port
Hudson, and which had been unable to unite with the army within the en
closure in which it had been imprisoned, had re-organized, and had been
dispatched upon a raiding tour to the Lower Mississippi, with general in
structions to inflict all the mischief possible, and striking in any direction
most likely to occasion alarm on the part of the Union commanders, in the
hope that through fear of the loss of New Orleans and other important

40 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
points, Banks might be induced to so far release his grip upon Port Hudson
as to enable Gen. Johnston to come to the relief of Gardner with reinforce
ments and supplies. Besides, Gen. Richard Taylor, the officer command
ing the District, being a son of Louisiana, with troops from the two States
of Texas and Louisiana, was extremely ambitious to achieve renown by
some brilliant coup de main which should throw at least a portion of his
army into New Orleans, even though he held it for a very brief period.
This and the stoppage of river-communication between New Orleans and
Port Hudson, were objects very near the heart of the rebel commander,
and are frequently discussed in official communications passing between
Lieut. -Gen. Kirby Smith, commanding the Trans-Mississippi Dept., and
Generals Taylor and Magruder, the Louisiana and Texas commanders.
About the middle of June Gen. Taylor had collected at Shreveport
an army numbering anywhere from seven to twelve thousand men, of all
arms, well supplied with light artillery, and largely composed of cavalry —
the latter said to have been the finest in the confederate service. The ar
my moved in fight marching order, in three separate and distinct detach
ments : the division commanders being Col. James P. Major, a dashing
cavalry officer ; Gen. Alfred Mouton, and Gen. Green. Major's command
took the " war-path " during the second week in June ; made a bold dash
in rear of and opposite Port Hudson, driving in our pickets ; striking the
town of Plaquemine, on the Mississippi, capturing the garrison, with con
siderable property, and destroying three steamers ; making a detour around
Donaldsonville, a strongly fortified position ; raiding plantations being run
by federal interests and doing immense damage ; and then striking across
the country towards Thibodeaux and the Lafourche region. At Thibo-
deaux and its vicinity a considerable number of our soldiers were captured
by the cavalry advance/including a lieutenant and fifty enlisted men of the
12th Me. The skirmishers of Major's raiders moved down to Lafourche
Crossing and drove in our pickets ; but, very fortunately, the main force
lingered at Thibodeaux awhile for much-needed " rest and refreshment,"
affording the commanding officer at Lafourche Crossing opportunity to
gather the scattered detachments of Union troops in that locality, prepar
atory to resisting the threatened attack.
Meanwhile the columns of Mouton and Green were moving over
separate routes, in the direction of Berwick Bay and Brasheai- City, through
the Teche country, striking Franklin, New Iberia, etc., but, surprising as
it may seem, so concealing their movements that neither at Department or
District headquarters was there any intelligence of the presence in Western
Louisiana of such a force of the enemy, until the two divisions had com
pletely environed the forts and fortified positions at Brashear City and sent
in a demand for the surrender of the garrison. The division of Major, it

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 41
was supposed, was the only one which had been let loose upon the Western
Louisiana country ; and this is how it came to pass that Gen. Emory was
so completely bewildered at the simultaneous attacks, with large' force, upon
both Brashear City and Lafourche Crossing — a condition evident from the
tenor of his frequent and somewhat characteristic dispatches to Col. Cahill,
a few of which appear in the account of the evacuation of Lafourche Cross
ing, in another chapter.
But at Lafourche Crossing, happily, the dashing rebel cavalryman
found foemen worthy of his steel ! Lieut. -Col. Stickney, 47th Mass., had
come down from Brashear City and assumed command at the first intima
tion of the^tln-eatened attack. He had at first a force of from three to
four hundred, hastily collected from various sources, but reinforced during
the day, swelling his numbers at the time of the attack to about six hun
dred. He was well supplied with artillery, which was judiciously posted
and gallantly and skilfully manned. The rebel advance drove in our pick
ets at about 5 p. m. of the 20th, when a few vollies were exchanged ; but
several well-directed shots from an eligibly-located 12-pounder, on the
bridge, speedily checked the rebels and sent them back to their reserves,
with a number of their killed and wounded. The next day, the 21st, there
was more or less skirmishing on the picket-line, but a drenching rain-fall,
of the Louisiana variety, and continuing throughout the afternoon, serious
ly interfered with contemplated operations. At about 4 p. m. the enemy's
cavalry and infantry engaged our outposts with increased vigor, intermittent
firing continuing for an hour or more, the enemy finally retiring. But at
6.30 the rebels again appeared in large force, advancing rapidly, and com
pelling our outposts to fall back very speedily, upon the left wing. At
about dusk the enemy opened with a 12-pound howitzer, throwing shell
and solid shot, but this gun was soon silenced by a number of well-poised
vollies from the guns of Capt. Grow's N. Y. Battery. At about 7 o'clock
the enemy rushed forward, close up to our lines, raising that unearthly
" rebel-yell " as a fit accompaniment to a charge so reckless, firing as they
rapidly advanced — all in the very teeth of the most galling musketry fire
and the destructive cannister of our artillery. A desperate effort to turn
our right flank was only prevented by the enfilading fire of our reserve ar
tillery and the heroic rally of our infantry reserves. The enemy, of course,
exerted themselves to the utmost to obtain possession of our artillery, the
contest, at the most critical juncture, being hand-to-hand and even hand-to-
throat. The rebels were most severely punished. They were driven back
at the point of the bayonet, many of their men crawling on hands and
knees to escape the terribly destructive fire of our artillery. They retreat
ed in confusion to Thibodeaux, at about 8 o'clock, and did not see fit to
again renew the attack.

42 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
Our force actually engaged was less than six hundred ; the enemy's
not less than eight hundred, with a force of from fifteen hundred to two
thousand in reserve. The Union loss aggregated eight killed and forty-one
wounded; the enemy losing not, less than seventy in killed and two hundred
in wounded. The ground in front of our lines was literally strewed with
the dead and wounded ; and to their care, under a flag of truce, both par
ties devoted themselves during the night and the next forenoon.
The main force of the enemy, however, could not have tarried even
to gather up the dead and wounded ; indeed, Col. Major claims that the
fio-ht was precipated for the purpose of concealing his real movement in the
direction of Erashear - City — towards which point he marched at 9 p. .wi^-
moving all night. He explains his failure to bring up his reserves in the
statement that the rain had destroyed his ammunition ; the arrival of fed
eral reinforcements rendered him anxious as to his ability to connect with
the other divisions of Taylor's force, on Berwick Bay, at the time designa
ted ; and though he " could certainly have demolished the federals and the
temptation was great to revenge the death of the gallant men who fell in
Pyron's assault," he was compelled to move away in hot haste.
The forces of Green and Mouton commenced the combined move
ment upon the forts and fortified positions about Brasheai- City on the same
night that Major's command made the forced march from the Lafourche.
The attack was most adroitly planned and skilfully executed ; a " mosquito
fleet " of forty-eight small skiffs being used to cross the bay under cover of
the darkness, and bearing an important part in the assault. The forts were
practically surrounded before the presence of a hostile force was discovered.
The surprise was complete ; and after a feeble resistance on the part of the
garrison and a gunboat in the harbor, the latter hauled away, and the forts
were compelled to surrender, with an immense supply of stores of various
descriptions, including small arms, ammunition, and guns of heavy calibre,
of great service to the enemy in the Trans-Mississippi Department. By a
singular coincidence, though the commanding officer at Brashear was upon
the point of surrendering to the forces of Green and Mouton, which had
made the attack in the first instance, the transfer was in reality made to
Major's cavalry, which had put in an appearance from another direction,
and had been driving our pickets before him for a considerable distance.
As will be noticed by reference to the dates of the attacks upon
Lafourche and Brashear, the earlier reports were but just being received at
Gen. Emory's headquaretrs at New Orleans when Col. Dyer called to re
port the arrival of the Fifteenth Maine. The General had been apprised
of the attack upon Lafourche but knew nothing of the very unfortunate
condition of affairs on Berwick Bay. The grand old hero of course keenly
realized his responsibilities at this critical juncture, and that he was a trifle

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 43
nervous and more or less excited, is no marvel. Nevertheless he seems to
have had an abiding faith in the outcome — more especially after the arrival
of the Fifteenth Maine ! At all events he had no sooner given Col. Dyer
his orders than he hurriedly dashed off this expressive message to Gen.
Banks, under date June 22 : * " The Fifteenth Maine has this moment ar
rived. * * I send them immediately forward to Lafourche. We shall
now beat the enemy back ! " Possibly that dispatch may have been intercept
ed at Major's headquarters at Thibodeaux ! There seems no better expla
nation of the intrepid cavalry leader's hurried departure, to say the least !
 *See Official Records Union and Confederate Army, page 585 of Series I, Part I.

CHAPTER IX,

AT "LAFOURCHE CROSSING."— " COMPANY CANAL."— etc.

By Rail to the Opelousas Region. — At Lafourche Crossing. — The Scene of
the Fight "Just after the Battle." — A Reconnoisance in Search of the
Enemy. — "Wau-Talk." — The Enemy Passes By on the Other Side. — A "Mas
terly Retreat" from Lafourche. — A Night March Rearward. — To Algiers,
New Orleans, Company Canal, etc — Gen. Emory Somewhat Agitated. —
A Sketch of the Movements of Taylor's Raiders. — But Gen. Banks Re-
laxeth Not his Grip upon Port Hudson's Throat !

5HE Fifteenth, in light marching order, stepped from the steamer to
the cars of the Opelousas Railway, at the Algiers depot, at about
sunset of the 22d, and at once proceeded towards Lafourche Cross
ing, and at daybreak of the 23d found themselves rolling through a
wonderfully fertile agricultural section, with a wide expanse of territory
literally groaning under the burden of thrifty crops of corn, cotton, etc.,
the scene presenting a most attractive spectacle.
Reaching the Crossing at about 5 o'clock a. m., we are very cor
dially welcomed by a force numbering from nine to eleven hundred, of all
arms, our regiment increasing the fighting strength of the little army of
occupation to something like seventeen hundred. Col. Cahill, 9th Conn.,
as senior officer, had assumed command, superseding the gallant officer who
had so creditably acquitted himself in the action referred to in the prece-
dino- chapter. All were eagerly discussing the incidents of the fight, and,

44 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
by way of variety, retailing the wildest of rumors as to the movements and
probable intentions of the enemy ; no tidings of the departure of the en
emy from our immediate front, or of the unfortunate affair at Brashear,
having then been received. The participants in the fight were of course
the lions of the occasion, and with pardonable pride eagerly pointed out
the relative positions of the contending forces and rehearsed interesting in
cidents of the desperate attack and gallant and heroic repulse. The blood
of the slain and maimed was plainly visible upon the field and on all hands
were to be witnessed suggestive reminders of the very hotly-contested en
gagement. But very little time was afforded for viewing the field or even
for partaking of the inevitable morning lunch of hard-tack and coffee. As
early as 9 a. m. a reconnoisance, under command of Col. Dyer, was under
marching orders — the troops comprising the 15th Me., 9th Conn., a Mass.
cavalry detachment, and five pieces of Grow's N. Y. Battery. The party
went as far as Thibodeaux, some five miles away. Here many of the ene
my's wounded were found, and reliable information obtained that the main
force of the raiding party had moved away. No incidents of especial im
portance transpired. The most of the force returned at night ; and, the
soldiers being exceedingly weary, they were by no means dilatory in ar
ranging their -'little beds " and stowing themselves away for the night,
utterly oblivious of prevalent rumors of the advance of the entire rebel
army, from half a dozen different directions !
All the next day (June 24th) the atmosphere was really lurid with
" war-talk." Reports of a most sensational nature were in circulation, and
the commander and his staff officers, at least, appear to have been consid
erably panic-stricken. Negroes and whites were flying into camp from the
adjacent districts with reports as varied and well-nigh as conflicting as the
number of the messengers, and little that was reliable came from any quar
ter. Meagre reports of the affair at Brashear, of the destruction of the
railroad at various points, of the advance of the enemy in large force, etc.,
filled the air, but they were received with many grains of allowance. One
apparently well-authenticated report, in the afternoon, set forth that the
rebels, seven thousand strong and carrying eleven pieces of artillery, were
within five miles of Thibodeaux ; another, later, represented them as moving
in two columns down either side of the Bayou Lafourche. Again and
again the " long-roll " was sounded, and the soldiers were really in " line-
of-battle " during the greater part of the afternoon. Finally Gen. Emory
deemed the exigencies of the situation such as to render the evacuation of
Lafourche Crossing, with all possible dispatch, an imperative necessity ;
and to protect the railroad track and prevent the rebels from obtaining a
foothold between us and New Orleans, the Fifteenth, just before sundown,
was dispatched on a weary eighteen miles' inarch on the railroad — the train

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 45
following on some time during the night and taking the jaded and foot
sore pedestrians — veritable " railroad-tramps " — on board ; the train reach
ing the depot at Algiers a couple of hours after midnight, where we tar
ried until morning.
Early on the morning of the 25th the Fifteenth was ferried across
the river to New Orleans ; and after marching and countermarching about
the streets of the Crescent City for awhile, we finally sought refuge in the
Custom House Building, where we were permitted to rest our weary bones
upon the hard floor of that hospitable government retreat. Here we re
mained until the afternoon of the 26th, when an order was received to
proceed without delay to "Company Canal," on the Algiers side of the
river, and seven miles distant, which point was reached at about dark, and
where the boys passed a very dreary night in wrestling for existence with
a numerous army of mosquitoes, of mammoth size and evidently "very
hungry and very thirsty." It was confidently expected that the enemy
would strike in that vicinity — a position regarded as of considerable im
portance — and the regiment was constantly on the alert in anticipation of
being called into action. But the summons came not. On the following
morning we went into camp, remaining until midnight of the 29th, when,
upon very short notice, a steamer came along with orders to take the regi
ment, post-haste, to Camp Parapet, and landing us at that point on the
morning of the 30th.
Our "rear-guard" at the Lafourche seems to have been seized with
something of a panic while waiting for the trains, and were in some re
spects utterly reckless in the destruction of bridges, cannon, ammunition,
the killing and turning loose of artillery horses, etc. This was justified
only by a critical emergency, and it has been claimed in some quarters that
the retreat was unnecessary in any event, or at least that it might have
been made leisurely and most of the public property brought off; in short,
that both Gen. Emory and Col. Cahill were needlessly alarmed. But that
is by no means certain. It is true no enemy had appeared to molest or in
any way interfere with the evacuation ; but that Taylor's army was in our
immediate vicinity in force sufficiently large to have pushed its way in any
direction desired, was a fact well understood at the New Orleans headquar
ters. At Brashear City, on the day before, Gen. Taylor's entire force had
for the first time concentrated, with the commanding general on the ground
to direct contemplated movements in person. Fully understanding Tay
lor's fond ambition as to New Orleans, his opportunities in view of the
practically defenceless condition of the city and its surroundings, and the
absolute certainty that the smouldering rebel fires among the populace would
be rekindled the moment the confederate troopers appeared on the city's
public thoroughfares, it would have been foolhardy and wholly inexcusable

46 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
to have assumed any unnecessary risks. Nevertheless, in view of what
actually transpired, the annexed dispatches, sent over the wires — in quick
succession and as rapidly as the telegraph could dash them off — during the
afternoon and night of June 24th, seem a trifle " panicy," if not absurd.
They appear in the published " Official Eecords of the Union and Confed
erate Armies," vol. xxvi, series I, part i. *
Taylor's raiders, after the repulse at Lafourche and the capture of
Brashear City, pushed up the Lafourche to Donaldsonville, attacking that
strongly fortified position on the 28th, and after a most desperate assault
were repulsed, with a loss of two hundred and sixty-one in killed and
wounded. Nevertheless the same force moved down the river a few miles,
constructing formidable works and planting batteries commanding and se
riously impeding the navigation of the Mississippi. Another column oper
ated along the line of the railway to the Lafourche, capturing a number of

[Col. Caiiill, Lafourche Crossing, to Gen. Emory, at New Orleans.]
I, Maj. Morgan, at Thibodeaux, reports seven thousand of the enemy moving down the
Bayou Lafourche.
II. The enemy is advancing on both sides the Bayou Lafourche in large force, four miles
above. My trains have not yet arrived.
[Gen. Emory, at New Orleans, to Col. Cahill, at Lafourche.]
I. If the report be true it is your duty to retire to Boutte Station at once with all your
force. Lose no time in the matter. You might follow the track to Des Allemands and tele
graph the cars to meet you there.
II. If you believe report to be true you have no time to lose in getting away from where
you are, leaving a strong guard and a light train at Lafourche. * * If Brashear City
is gone it will be neeessary to destroy the bridge at Lafourche ; if they have not the force you
estimate destruction of bridge will be an awful mistake.
III. Move at once your main force to Boutte ; if deceived you can move back again.
IV. Spike your guns and retire your infantry by the railroad track, destroying the
bridges as your rear guard passes them.
V. Why do you wait for trains ? Retire along the track of the railroad with your in
fantry, if nothing else. Destroy your artillery if necessary.
VI. If you cannot bring your horses kill every one on the spot. Kill them with a knife
so the enemy will not hear your guns. Don't let anything fall into their hands. Destroy all
the bridges, including the one at Lafourche, after your rear has passed. * * Destroy
the telegraph office and all its records. Blow up your cassions, but make no fires until your
main body is at least ten miles off.
VII. If you cannot get along on the train march your men on the railroad track. Hurry
your force to New Orleans, leaving one regiment at Boutte Station. Destroy the track and
bridges as you pass.
VIII. Hurry to this city with sueh forces as you can bring.
IX. Send Col. Dyer's regiment to Algiers. Leave one regiment at Boutte Station ; if
attacked fall back to the gunboat on the river. Bring all the rest of your force to New Or
leans as rapidly as possible. Order train to come to Algiers and return at full steam.
[Gen. Emory at New Orleans to Gen. Banks at Port Hudson.]
I. Enemy's force at Brashear and on this side is known and ascertained to be at least
nine thousand and may be more. He has part of our rolling stock and is working this way.
The city is quiet on the surface but the undercurrent is in a ferment.
II. Two regiments of Col. CahiU's force have at length reached Boutte Station. He is
at Raceland with the balance of his force. His tardiness of movement is inexplicable !

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 47
garrisons, and posting its pickets in one instance within twenty-five miles
of New Orleans. Some twenty guns were also posted at eligible points on
the Mississippi Eiver, keeping up a continuous fire on our transports and
gunboats, and seriously crippling a number of our vessels. The enemy
held the entire Lafourche region, Berwick Bay, the key to the Attakapas,
had blockaded the Mississippi, and Gen. Taylor was moving upon the Bar-
atana Canal as his favorite route in case he saw an opportunity to swoop
down upon the city of New Orleans. The rebels had also been reported
on the east side of the river, above Bonnet Carre, (on which account the
Fifteenth was hurried across the river to the Parapet from Company Canal.)
Indeed the situation appeared so critical that Gen. Emory — commanding
the Defenses of Orleans — felt justified, by the exigencies of the situation,
in making appeals for aid directly to the War Department, and in formally,
and urgently notifying Gen. Banks that he must at once come to the relief
of the important interests centered at New Orleans,- even at the risk of an
abandonment of Port Hudson ; that he must, in fact, choose between the
two points— it being, in his judgment, impossible to hold them both.
Happily, however, Gen. Banks was not a victim of the prevailing
panic, but patiently and perseveringly held his grip upon Port Hudson's
throat, with the tenacity of a man having unbounded faith in the ultimate
triumph of his cause !
Old Camp Parapet had undergone many changes since the Fifteenth
Maine boys had shaken its dust (or mud !) from their feet, some nine
months before ; nevertheless the old land-marks were easily recognized.
To be sure Gen. Phelps, the chief attraction (!) of the summer before, and
the well-known regiments of the old brigade, had gone, and new forms and
faces were to be seen about the parade-ground ; but the old-time variety of
Louisiana mud, the voracious mosquito, and the ever-present malaria, with
its attendant " shakes," remained, and we were very soon domesticated as
members of the military household. Col. Dyer of the Fifteenth, the rank
ing officer, assumed command of the post, very acceptably playing the role
of acting-brigadier — though, it must be confessed, the new commander was
not an exact duplicate ofhis amiable (!) predecessor before referred to.
Though when hurried across the river from Company Canal, and
for a number of days later, there were apprehensions of serious trouble on
account of the threatened attack of Taylor's raiders upon New Orleans,
the glorious victories at Vicksburg and Port Hudson, during the first week
in July, entirely changed the aspect of affairs. Notwithstanding the fact
that the enemy had established himself in the Lafourche region, on Berwick
Bay, and even along the banks of the Mississippi, below Port Hudson, the
capture of the rebel strongholds before mentioned left our troops free to
swoop down upon Taylor's raiders, very speedily regaining possession of

4<S THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
Donaldsonville, Brashear City, and other important points in Western
Louisiana. But the task involved considerable severe fighting ; Taylor ma
king- frequent raids into the Teche and Lafourche regions during the sum
mer, at least a portion of his army remaining in the Upper Louisiana coun
try until the commencement of the Red River campaign, a year later.
The great victory of the troops of the Gulf Department, at Port
Hudson, was greeted with universal rejoicings. It had been a severe and
most hotly-contested campaign, and of unprecedented hardship to the sol
diers participating. The siege occupied forty-five days, of which twenty-
one may be said to have been characterized by incessant fighting. Our
casualties are reported at seven hundred and eight killed, thirty-three hun
dred and thirty-six wounded, and three hundred and nineteen in prisoners
and missing. This does not include the large list of losses from disease in
curred in the trenches and other exposure incident to the campaign. The
rebel loss was of course very great, but there is no means of accurately as
certaining the figures. We captured over ten thousand prisoners, seventy-
three guns, forty-five hundred pounds of powder, one hundred-and-fifty-
thousand rounds of ammunition, twenty thousand head of cattle, ten thous
and bales of cotton, and much other valuable property. The victory was
a costly one, but the very decided advantages accruing from the opening of
the Great Father of Waters, from its source to the sea, seems to have
justified the expenditure.
Early in July — though regimental headquarters remained at Camp
Parapet — the Fifteenth became considerably scattered by the detachment of
a number of its companies to guard important points in various sections of
the Department. Co. A was dispatched to the LeBarre Road, two miles
from the Parapet ; E to Lake Pontchartrain ; B to Kenner Station, Jeffer
son Parish, and a week or so later to Pass Manchac, on the Jackson, Mis
sissippi and Great Northern Railroad, thirty -five miles from New Orleans ;
I occupied a station seven miles below B, on the shore of the Lake ; and F
relieved B, at Pass Manchac, the middle of August. Other companies may
also have been detached for a short period, but there is no data from which
to ascertain the precise location of each company, or to give even a general
narrative of events transpiring with the several companies while thus
detached. It is worthy of note, however, as characteristic of this period of our
regimental history, that the deadly malaria of the Louisiana lakes, swamps
and bayous, again played sad havoc among our soldiers, and the effects of
the radical change from the salubrious climate of Western Florida to the
fever-impregnated atmosphere of the Mississippi, soon became strikingly
apparent. All the companies suffered more or less in this respect, accord
ing to location, but probably none more seriously than Co. B., at Pass Man-

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 49
chac. The writer being at that station, and having a more general knowl
edge of the situation there than at other points, treats of this as a fair spec
imen of all the points occupied by the detached companies.
" Pass Manchac " is the connecting fink between Lakes Maurepaus
and Pontchar train. It is located mid- way of a dense cypress swamp, ex
tending from six to ten miles on either side. The tents occupied the bridge
and trestle-work " bed " of the raihoad, with the miasmatic waters of the
Lakes and Pass beneath and in front and rear, and the cypress-swamp on
either flank. Alligators, snakes, and other hideous reptiles abounded —
their unearthly " music " furnishing the morning, noon and evening sere
nade, in the absence of the drum-corps ! All the surroundings were strik
ingly suggestive of " the fever and shakes," a condition so apparent, that,
upon their first inspection, Col. Dyer and the medical officer attending him
agreed that " it was not a fit location for white men." The truth of this
conclusion was abundantly verified by subsequent developments. Though
the men were in an exceptionally healthy condition at the date of taking
up the location at Manchac, it is literally true that every man present with
the company during that period there contracted the poisonous malaria to
a greater or less degree, and a number of them were as a result completely
broken down in health during the six weeks of the company's service at
this point. From twenty to thirty were prostrated at one time, and ten to
twelve men for duty was more than could be mustered as a daily average
the middle of August, when the company returned to the Parapet. But the
experience of Co. B was not materially different from that of the other de-
tatched companies. Second Lieutenant J. Edwin Libby, a faithful and
popular young officer, was an early martyr to this very unfavorable loca
tion, contracting the malarial poison at Manchac, and breathing his last at
a private residence in Carrolton early in September, very keenly lamented
by all his associates.
The duty of the companies at these detached posts comprised the re
ception, and escort to New Orleans, of refugees and paroled prisoners ; the
inspection of baggage and correspondence of those coming within the Union
lines ; the prevention of smuggling, by land and water, etc. Various ex
peditions were organized and sent into the adjacent country — one, com
posed of men from B and I, reaching as far as the village of Pontchatoula,
in Tangipahoa Parish, a dozen miles from Manchac. Much that was ex
citing and adventurous transpired, and some hair-breadth escapes might be
here narrated, did space permit.
At the Parapet the few companies remaining were engaged in the
usual monotonous routine, with nothing especially exciting transpiring.
By the middle of August all the detached companies were called in ; and
Aug. 23d we were so fortunate as to receive orders to break camp and take

50 THE STtiRY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
passage on the steamer " Gladiator," for New Orleans. The transport ves
sel was very aptly named — as right glad the boys were to bid a final adieu
to the fated camp-ground where they had eked out but a miserable ex
istence during the two summers which they had spent in the South, and
the scene of so many casualties in our regiment.
As a noteworthy event of the second summer's campaign on the
Mississippi, should be mentioned' the very perceptible shrinkage of our reg
imental line at the evening dress-parade, as a result of the ordinary casu
alties of the service. Death and disability discharges had made appalling
inroads in our ranks, old comrades, by scores and even by hundreds, having
" fallen out by the way." Included among the losses were quite a number
of the commissioned officers. The sad death of Lieut. J. E. Libby, Co.
B, has already been referred to. Of those resigned, on account of disabil
ity, were: — Adjutant James Nowland, Quartermaster Worthington S.
Locke, and Chaplain J. I. Brown, of the regimental staff; Capt. Daniel
M. Prescott, Co. C; Capt. Ransom N. Pierce, Co. G; Lieut. John Z.
Swanton, Co. E ; and Lieut. Harrison G. Prescott, Co. H. Capt. John B:
Wilson, Co. H, and Lieut. John C. Cobb, Co. D, left us to accept promo
tion in colored organizations — the former as Surgeon and the latter as
Colonel. In addition to these, Major F. M. Drew, Capt. C. S. Illsley and
Capt. C. B. Smith, were temporarily detached (in August) at the North, for
service in connection with gathering drafted men and substitutes into the
various encampments, in Maine and elsewhere.
Upon its arrival at New Orleans the Fifteenth was assigned excel
lent quarters in an old Cotton-Press, in the lower section of the city, not
far from the noted French Market. The Cotton-Press was a huare granite
and brick structure, with a large open square^, enveloped in substantial
walls, admirably adapted to the purposes of a regi-lnejital parade-ground.
The soldiers fared sumptuously as to quarters, the location, in many re
spects, being quite as desirable as that enjoyed by the regiment while in
Florida. The duty was comparatively light, comprising guard and patrol
service in the city, especially designed to protect the officers and soldiers- of
the various regiments (other than our own, of course !) from falling into the
snares and pit-falls which ever beset the unwary in that great and fearfully
wicked city ! In the performance of this work the patrols were frequently
required to penetrate the " slums " and " dens of infamy " of this " Paris
of America," participating in some exciting- adventures, which, if narrated
might be regarded as a trifle " blood-curdling-."
About the latter part of August five companies of the Fifteenth
were detached, to occupy various stations. Companies A and D were sent
to the village of Carrolton ; G to Hickock's Landing, Lake Pontchartrain ;
H to Fort Banks ; and K to Bayou Des Ayres. These companies remained

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 51
at these stations while the regimental headquarters remained at Orleans.
While in New Orleans the officers and soldiers, when not on duty,
were generally permitted to wander about the city at pleasure, enjoying
many privileges which they very highly appreciated. Among these was
an opportunity to meet, for the first time, that famous " man of destiny,"
Gen. U. S. Grant. After the capture of Vicksburg and Port Hudson,
Grant visited Banks, at New Orleans, and was tendered a most enthusias
tic reception, many courtesies being extended. Included in these was a
social festival at Gen. Banks' residence, attended by a large proportion of
the officers and soldiers stationed in the vicinity, all eager to grasp the il
lustrious little hero by the hand — though, as a matter of fact, few then
realized that the modest and unassuming guest of the evening was the
" Moses " for whom Father Abraham had so long been searching, and who,
under God, was destined to lead the loyal people " through the wilderness "
in which they had so long been groping, and to ultimate and glorious vic
tory ! At the complimentary review, at Carrolton, Gen. Grant was thrown
from his spirited charger and so severely injured that he was unable to re
turn to duty for weeks ; indeed, it was feared at one time that his brilliant
career was likely to be brought to a premature termination on account of
the unfortunate accident.

CHAPTER X,

THE FIFTEENTH " ON THE ROAD " TO THE TEXAS COAST.

After Port Hudson, What? — Gen. Banks Ready for Another Job. — Looking
Toward Texas. — Two Unsuccessful Attempts to Plant the Stars and Stripes
upon its Soil. — The Fifteenth "Takes a Hand" in a Game that Wins. — A
Perilous Voyage on the Gulf of Mexico. — We Drop Anchor off the Coast
of Texas very near the Mexican Border.

' C^(JNlTH the opening of the Mississippi River and the repossession of
. > 1 ¦ 1 important points in Western Louisiana, the troops in this region
* /'ALU were now free to seek other fields of usefulness ; and that aggres
sive movements of some importance were on the tapis, was appar
ent from the unusual activity manifested in military and naval circles. We
had been reinforced from Grant's army to the number of thirty thousand —
including the Thirteenth Army Corps and considerable cavalry and artillery,
with their necessary equipments — and although our original command had

5 2 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
been reduced by very nearly that number by the casualties of the cam
paigns, the muster-out of nine months' men, and by disease, we still were
able to concentrate quite a formidable body of veteran troops. A number of
distinguished general officers had also joined us, including Gens. Wm. B.
Franklin, E. 0. C. Ord, N. J. T. Dana, C. C. Washburn, F. J. Herron,
T. E. G. Ransom, and others of lesser note. All this glittering array was
suggestive of active service, and there was of course considerable speculation
as to the objective point. But this, for prudential reasons, was only confid
ed to those of the inner circles of Gen. Banks' military household. As a
matter of fact, moreover, it appears that this was not positively determined
upon until quite late in the summer. The plan was a matter of dispute.
Gen. Halleck, the then commander-in-chief, rarely agreed with the com
manders in the field as to any campaign, and he seems to have been espec
ially " mulish " in his treatment of Gen. Banks. Though affecting to give
him the largest discretion as to plan and detail, a campaign was no sooner
entered upon than an entire change of programme was necessitated by per
emptory instructions from Washington. But this was a characteristic ofthe
Halleck "era of blundering " in high places, from which all our fighting
generals, and the country's interests as well, suffered keenly.
Nevertheless, after much correspondence and consultation among
the military commanders, a plan was perfected, in August, for a combined
mifitary and naval attack upon Mobile Bay ; and this was about being en
tered upon by Grant, Banks and Admiral Farragut, when a message was re
ceived by Gen. Banks, sent at the earnest solicitation of the State Depart
ment, setting forth that there were "reasons other than military, why our
flag should be restored to some one point in Texas without delay !" And
this of course, for the time being, gave to the Mobile Expedition its quietus.
In pursuance of orders from the Washington authorities Gen. Banks
made his first demonstration towards Texas by way of Sabine Pass, in Sep
tember. This had always been his favorite route, and seemed to present
advantages over all others. The plan was to effect a landing at Sabine
Pass, and push on, overland, to Houston and Galveston, thus controlling the
railroad centres, and also maintaining communication with New Orleans by
railroad and water-transportation. But the General made a fatal error at
the start. He placed Maj .-General Franklin in command ! It was de
signed that Franklin should land his troops at some eligible point and co
operate with the naval vessels in capturing the enemy's fortified position at
Sabine Pass ; instead of this the gunboats were allowed to bear the brunt
of the assault unaided by the infantry — and although the rebel works were
defended by less than one hundred men, the war-ships not only made no
impression, but really ran aground in the shallow water and narrow chan
nel of the Pas?, under the guns of the fort, and were compelled to surren-

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 53
der. The infantry failed to effect a landing, and were reluctantly compelled
to return to New Orleans, in very great humiliation. The expedition
was worse than an utter failure, as it had advertised the plan to the rebel
authorities, and brought the rebel armies of Texas and Louisiana to the
threatened locality.
But, happily, the Sabine was not the only avenue of approach to the
" Lone-Star State," and another expedition was at once dispatched to re-
connoiter the route from the Teche to Niblett's Bluff, or, if that was found
impracticable, by way of Alexandria and Shreveport. The army was trans
ferred to the Teche Sept. 13th, Gen. Herron's Division of the 13th Corps
moving from Morganza. After a careful inspection, however, both of
these routes were found to be wholly impracticable. They involved a march
of from three to five hundred miles, through a bitterly hostile country, with
out supplies or water, and the roads very difficult. The force was hardly
adequate to such an undertaking. Nevertheless, the flag must be unfurled
upon Texas soil all the same, and that without delay. There was still an
other " broad highway" to Texas " leading down," and this was by the
way of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mexican frontier ! There was no time
to lose ; and for the double purpose of bewildering the enemy and testing
the skill of another commander, Gen. Franklin and the greater portion of the
troops which had undertaken the overland route, were left in occupancy of
Berwick Bay and the Teche, while another entirely independent expedi
tion was quietly organized, to move by the only remaining route that seemed
to offer any assurance of success.
And this is how it came to pass that the Fifteenth, while quietly pur
suing the even tenor of its way at its extremely pleasant camp at the
New Orleans Cotton Press, was ruthlessly disturbed one day during the lat
ter part of October, by an order to prepare for a sea-voyage, reporting to
Maj. -Gen. N. J. T. Dana, the immediate commander of the expedition.
Though receiving the preparatory word Oct. 19th, it was not until
the 23d that transportation was furnished : the steamer Clinton taking us on
board, receiving the 13th Me. at Jackson Square, and proceeding to Car
rolton, the general rendezvous. Here we were joined by all our detatched
companies — with the exception of K, which could not well be relieved.
The two regiments remained on the steamer during that bitterly cold night,
the soldiers being sandwiched very closely together and experiencing con
siderable discomfort. The next morning, however, Gen. Dana ordered
the Clinton relieved by the transfer of several of the companies of the Fif
teenth—A, B and D — to the Gen. Banks, upon which was the 19th Iowa.
Lieut.-Col. Murray — though not the senior officer — was placed in command
of the "Banks," — a very discreet arrangement, as the sequel proved. The
greater portion ofthe day — October 24th — was occupied in necessary pre-

54 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
liminaries ; but at about 4 p. m., in response to signal-guns from the flag
ship, the steamers, one after another, pulled out into the stream, and grace
fully glided down the river, dropping anchor at its mouth to await the ar
rival of the remaining vessels and supplies. Here we remained until the
evening of the 27th. Five days' rations were issued — considerable activity
was in progress in the cooking-galleys — and in various directions necessary
preparatory arrangements were being -perfected. The flag-ship, with Gen.
Banks and staff, Gen. Dana and staff, and other officers, joined us on the
evening of the 27th, and the fleet soon after proceeded to sea.
The formation of the line and sailing of the fleet constituted a very
pretty spectacle. The vessels moved with the precision of troops on par
ade, in designated positions, deployed at prescribed distances from vessel to
vessel, and every movement directed from the flag-ship by a system of sig
nals manipulated by a staff officer of the commanding-general. The sail
ing-orders contemplated moving in two distinct and separate lines, one mile
apart, with half-mile intervals between the vessels of the same line. The
fleet, when deployed at open order, covered a very wide expanse of ocean,
and at night, when the position of each ship was clearly defined by colored
lights displayed in the rigging, the picture was weird and beautiful. The
prescribed formation was as follows :
The Flag-ship McClellan, with Maj. -Gen. Banks and Staff, Maj. -Gen. Dana and Staff, with
Headquarters Guards and Attendants.
Steamer Crescent, with Brig. -Gen. Wm. Vandever, and detachment of the 91st Illinois.
Steamer St. Marys, with 9-i.th Illinois and the 110th Cavalry.
Steamer Empire City, with 26th Ind., 38th Iowa, and detachment 91st- Illinois.
Steamer Peabody, with the 37th Illinois and 120th Cavalry.
Steamer Thomas A. Scott, with the 20th Wisconsin and 20th Iowa.
Steamer Clinton, with the 13th Maine, six companies 15th Me., and a detachment of Cavalry.
Steamer Belvidere, with the 34-th Iowa and a detachment of the 120th Cavalry.
Steamer Gen. Banks, with the 19th Iowa, three companies 15th Me. and a section of Artillery.
Steamer Northerner, with the 1st and 16th regiments Corps D'Afrique.
Steamers Bagley, Pocahontas, Hufsar, etc., with Cavalry and Artillery ; and a fleet of gun
boats and other war-vessels, as a naval protectorate.
The fleet occupied but little time in getting into line, being well un
der way before dark of the first evening out. The weather was favorable
and no notable incident occurred. But on the second day the gulf was
quite rough and the vessels of the fleet became considerably scattered.
Sea-sickness, of a severe type, became epidemic, with a result which may
be more easily imagined than described. The Western men, especially,
suffered intensely, being, as a rule, quite unfamiliar with old ocean's playful
freaks. The poor fellows thus afflicted were pitiable objects, and they ab
solutely — like Rachel of old — " refused to be comforted."
On the 30th the storm became really terrific and tempestuous, the
surf breaking over the vessels in a manner quite disagreeable if not a trifle
suggestive of the perils of " they who go down to the sea in ships." Some

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 55
of the smaller vessels, especially, were hardly equal to the emergency, and
weathered the gale with extreme difficulty. The Gen. Banks, upon which
were three companies of the Fifteenth, was but barely kept afloat. An
ugly breach was sustained amidships, the cooking-galley smashed into smith
ereens, the steering-apparatus rendered unserviceable, and the situation crit
ical in the extreme. Perhaps three-fourths of all on board were desperate
ly "sea-sick." The Iowa Colonel, and some of his officers, became frantic,
and piteously appealed to Col. Murray to order the vessel in under the guns
of the rebel forts on the coast, as, in their view, a Texan prison must be
even more hospitable than a watery grave. The officers of the ship contrib
uted not a little to the general panic, urging, very strenuously, that unless
the vessel was at once relieved of a portion of her cargo she must surely go
to the bottom. After a hurried consultation it was determined that dis
cretion and valor were by no means inconsistent ; and, though very reluc
tantly, we proceeded to " dump " a number of bulky articles into the sea.
Eleven unusually large and plump mules were thrown overboard ; also
battery wagons, artillery equipments, and other property. The mules
dropped into line in the vessel's wake, desperately endeavoring to " keep up
with the procession," giving way, one by one, from utter exhaustion. But
the sacrifice of property proved eminently wise, as the steamer would
hardly have " pulled through " but for this course. Indeed she was well-
nigh a helpless wreck when the storm cleared ' away, being taken in tow
by the Empire City in the morning and remaining under her protection
until reaching the point of destination.
The gale — which had raged furiously during the entire night — had
spent its force before morning — day-break ushering in a placidity of tem
perament as well as an unruffled sea. The day following (the 31st) the
sea continued smooth, permitting the fleet, which had become much scat
tered during the storm, to resume its wonted " order of inarch," and mak
ing such progress that on Sunday, Nov. 1st, the welcome cry, " Land,Ho !"
was passed along from vessel to vessel, and at 5 p. m. of the same day we
dropped anchor off Brazos Island, at the extreme south-western portion of
the Texas coast, and within a few miles of the mouth of the Rio Grande
River, the dividing line between Texas and Mexico.
During the voyage one of the soldiers of Company E — on the Gen.
Banks — died ; and while lying at anchor off the coast the solemn ceremony
of consigning the body to a watery grave, after the manner of the sailors'
burial, was performed — a most impressive and mournful spectacle.
With but few exceptions the vessels of the fleet reached the general
rendezvous Nov. 1st ; and on the 2d preparations were commenced for ef
fecting a landing — not a mere holiday recreation, as was very readily dis
covered when the unloading of the horses and artillery was undertaken .

56 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
Indeed, the history of the landing of the United States troops upon the
same coast at the opening of the war with Mexico — when several days was
occupied in the debarkation of a single regiment, and when Second Lieu
tenant U. S. Grant, in attempting to manipulate the pulleys by which the
soldiers were lowered down from the ship to the lighters, was hurled with
great velocity some twenty-five feet, into the water, from which awkward
and hazardous predicament he was rescued by means of a bucket lowered
down from the ship — had prepared our commanders for the difficulties
encountered.

CHAPTER XI.

OUR FLAG "PROUDLY WAVES" OVER TEXAS SOIL!

The Maine Boys First Land and Throw to the Breeze the " Stars and Stripes."
— Perils of the Debarkation. — The Enemy Not Expecting Company. — But
the Rebels Burn their Cotton and Stores before Running Away. — A Por
tion of our Force Occupy Brownsville and the Mouth of the Rio Grande. —
Our New Location and its Historic Associations. — The Fifteenth Prepares
for a Coast Expedition, to be Commanded by Gen. T. E. G. Ransom.

//CJ\ UITE fittingly, the " poetry " of the occasion — " from Maine to
Texas " — was kept constantly in mind, and plans made for the
landing of the Maine troops first. The steamer Gen. Banks — in a
disabled condition — was the first to cross the bar, followed closely
by the Clinton : the two vessels containing the two Maine regiments. The
first boat-load of troops to reach the shore were from the Clinton, but by
some oversight, the boat carried no flag ; and, it being well understood that
' ' the planting of the stars and stripes upon Texas soil" was one of the chief
objects of the expedition, there was very naturally more or less rivalry
among the soldiers on the two vessels as to who should first accomplish that
great desideratum. This honor fell to the lot of a detachment of Company
B, of the Fifteenth Maine. The company happened to be the owner of a
company flag, and this was taken ashore in the first boat landing from the
Banks — the agile Private James R. Oliver most expeditiously taking it to
the roof of an old building on the island, and waving it in the breeze, amidst
the tumultuous cheers of the soldiers on the vessels within view ofthe very
romantic and inspiring spectacle. The men from Maine — the extreme
north -eastern state of the Union — had restored the country's flag to a point

o

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 57
upon the extreme south-western portion of the territory so long held by the
confederate forces, and almost within sight of the inhabitants of a foreign
nationality. The Maine boys were a long distance from the " State of the
Pine Tree," but they were entirely "at home," even upon a barren island,
with "Old Glory" proudly floating over their heads !
The landing of the troops, horses, artillery, stores, etc., was accom
plished only with extreme difficulty, after a number of days of arduous labor.
Many of the soldiers landed through a dangerous surf, boats frequently cap
sizing in the breakers on the bar, and a number of soldiers and sailors los
ing their lives. The seamen of the naval vessels rendered very efficient ser
vice during the process of disembarkation, a number of their boats anil ves
sels being permanently disabled by this hazardous service on the inhospita
ble Texan coast.
The landing of United States troops upon Texas soil seems to have
been considerable of a "surprise-party" to the rebel commanders in Louisi
ana and Texas ; indeed, had it been otherwise, a successful debarkation must
have been well-nigh impossible. The Sabine affair and the subsequent
continued occupation of the Teche by the army under Franklin, with an
occasional dash upon the rebels in various directions in that region, had so
comptetely absorbed the attention of the enemy on the Louisiana border,
that no tidings of the departure from New Orleans of a separate expedition
seenis to have reached them until the appearance of our ships off Brazos ;
accordingly very few rebel troops were concentrated upon the coast. Gen.
Bee, commanding the forces in the region of of the Rio Grande, in report
ing the arrival of our ships toMagruder, volunteered the opinion : "I think
the expedition is from Fortress Monroe !" That we were wholly unex
pected is the only explanation of the lack of cordiality on the part of the
rebels on the occasion ofthe arrival of so distinguished a party upon this
far-away Southern coast.
The rebel commander at Brownsville, on the appearance of our ves
sels, at once dispatched small detachments of cavalry to Point Isabel and
the mouth ofthe Rio Grande, to observe the movements of our forces, while
he hurriedly evacuated Brownsville, destroying much valuable property, in-
¦cluding a large number of buildings and considerable cotton in the town.
He then " skedaddled," by foot and train, to the centre of the vast sandy
desert, from which point he reported our coming to his superior officer, at
Houston. Bee's cavalry was overtaken by our advance at Palo Alto Prai
rie, and driven in confusion towards Brownsville. A portion of our force
pushed on to the Boca Chica and the mouth of the Rio Grande, occupying
Brownsville without opposition on the 6th. Here headquarters were estab
lished and maintained for several weeks. The Fifteenth tarried at Brazos
for a couple of weeks ; nearly all the other regiments being dispatched in

58 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
various directions soon after landing upon the island : in the main at Point
Isabel, Brownsville, and along the Texas shore of the Rio Grande.
Our curiosity to learn something of the country of which we had
taken possession was hardly satisfied by anything seen upon this very unat
tractive island ; though the location was not without interest on account of
its historic associations. The island — Brazos Santiago by name — is the
Southern extremity of Padre Island, separated from the main land by the
Laguna de la Ma-dre — a capacious bay forming a most excellent harbor.
The entire island — Padre — is about sixty miles long, though subdivided
into several islands, the Brazos subdivision being some eight miles long and
something like a mile or more in width at some points. Immediately across
the lagoon, and in full view, is Point Isabel, rendered famous as the base of
supplies for Gen. Zachary Taylor's army at the commencement of the war
with Mexico, when the American troops occupied both that point and Bra
zos Island. Here too, Gen, Winfield Scott landed in 1842 to take com
mand of the army; and but a short distance away is the famous battle-fields
of Palo Alto and Eesaca de la Palma, where, in May, '42, a then obscure
lieutenant in Taylor's little army — Ulysses S. Grant by name — first inhaled
the not very fragrant aroma of smoking gunpowder, as emitted from hos
tile cannon during the shock of battle. *
Nevertheless, so far as we were able to see, the country could hard
ly be characterized "as a goodly land," or one of very great fertility. The
entire coast, from the Louisiana boundary on the east to the Mexican line
on the west, is low and sandy, indented by a continuous chain of lagoon
bays, cut off from the sea by elongated and narrow peninsulas and islands,
in the main destitute of verdure, and as desolate and uninviting as a ver
itable desert of sand. This condition extends from forty to sixty miles in
land, beyond which is a vast prairie belt with a highly productive soil,
abounding in deciduous trees, groves of live oak, etc. In the interior the
soil is of great fertility, productive of fine crops of cotton and sugar, wheat,
•corn, tobacco, etc., the prairies affording pasturage for the finest herds of
cattle to be found in America.
But the Fifteenth had something more adventurous on its docket
than monotonous garrison duty on this uninviting island of sand ; it be
ing "booked" for an active campaign up the coast, in the direction of Gal
veston. Soon after the occupation of Brownsville Gen. T. E. G. Eansom —
a gallant 13th Corps brigadier — reported for duty on the coast, and (Nov.
15th) was assigned to the command of the forces on Brazos Island and at
 * Gen. Grant, in his "Memoirs," speaking of this, his first battle, confesses that then,
for the first time, he felt sorry that he had enlisted ! " As I looked down that long line of
about three thousand armed men," he adds, " advancing towards a larger force, also armed, I
thought what a fearful responsibility Gen. Taylor must feel, commanding such a host and so
far away from friends !"

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 59
Point Isabel, with instructions to prepare at once for an expedition down
the coast, taking fifteen days' rations, a six days' water supply, etc. Some
two thousand troops comprised his entire command : boat howitzers and sev
eral gunboats co-operating. Gen. Banks and staff, on steamer McClellan,
were to accompany us, as by no means disinterested spectators.

CHAPTER XII

UP THE COAST TO MUSTANG ISLAND AND FOET SEMMES.

A Day's Passage on Steamer Bagley. — We Land upon the Beach and Make a
Forced and Severe March up the Island on the Beach. — An Advance upon
Fort Semmes and a Bloodless Victory. — Surrender of the Fort and Garrison.
— Gen. Ransom Makes a very Agreeable Speech. — Reinforcements and a New
Commanding General.

jHE Fifteenth took passage on steamer Bagley and sailed on the night
of Nov. 15. After a day's passage up the coast the two Maine regi
ments were transferred to small vessels and lighters brought along for
the purpose ; and at about sunset of the 16th landed through the surf
near the southern extremity of Mustang Island. The landing was effected
with very little difficulty, the sea being quite smooth. After a brief rest
upon the shore the command was put in motion (at about 10 p. m.) for a
very fatiguing all-night march upon the hard, sea- washed beach, in the di
rection of a fortified position held by the rebels upon the northern extrem
ity of the island. Marching some eighteen miles, and taking a brief rest,
we resumed, in line of battle, our front being covered by skirmishers march
ing a considerable distance in advance of the main line. At about 8 a. m.
of the 17th, a mile south of their works, the enemy's pickets were encoun
tered, who made a slight show of resistance. Our advance at once opened
fire and the gunboat Monongahela ran up to an eligible position and tossed
a few shell into the enemy's works. The two Maine regiments were at
once formed in line as a storming party, led by Gen. Ransom, and were
moving steadily forward, with hostile intent, when they confronted a party
of rebels bearing a flag of truce, sent out to prevent the useless shedding
of blood, by an offer of surrender, without conditions. The proposition was
of course very cheerfully accepted by Gen. Ransom. Nearly one hundred

60 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
stalwart Texan Rangers — tall, stout, robust looking fellows — fell into our
hands as prisoners, with three heavy guns, a large quantity of stores, and
munitions of war. One company from each of the Maine regiments
marched within the works and took possession, Col. Dyer being placed in
command of the post. The rebel flag was hauled down and the stars and
stripes thrown to the breeze in its stead. The rebel flag was brought off
as a trophy by the Maine captors, and now hangs immediately over the en
trance of the State Treasurer's office, in the State House, at Augusta. The
captured position was known as Fort Semmes. It commanded the approach
es to Corpus Christi Bay and a section of country of very great importance,
Corpus Christi, at the head of the bay, being one of the chief cities of the
Texas coast. A very gratifying episode of our bloodless victory at Fort Semmes
was the graceful congratulatory address of Gen. Ransom to the two Maine
regiments, on the parade-ground fronting the fort, as soon as the terms of
capitulation had been agreed upon. General Ransom pleasantly compli
mented the Maine troops upon their endurance and perseverance during
the exceptionally fatiguing mareh up the island and the steadiness and sol
dierly bearing manifested as they advanced in line to storm the enemy's
works — having not the remotest idea as to what they were to encounter —
and expressing his very high appreciation of the soldierly bearing of both
officers and soldiers. In his official report Gen. Ransom also speaks in
terms of the highest praise of the Maine regiments and of their command
ers, Col. Dyer and Lieut.-Col. Hesseltine. That this was not merely a
matter of form is evinced by the fact that in the same report he speaks of
the very unsoldierlike conduct of the commander of the Iowa regiment,
who, he says, " constantly discouraged his men by complaining in their pres
ence of the hardships of the march," permitting them to straggle, scatter,
etc. During this brief campaign, it may be said in passing, Gen. Ransom
completely captured the affections of the Maine troops, and he and they
were ever after very close friends.
Soon after the surrender of Fort Semmes the 34th Iowa and a Mis
souri Battery reported to Gen. Ransom, having arrived by steamer War
rior. Maj. Gen. C. C. Washburn — a Western officer and a brother of
Maine's War Governor, Israel Washburn, jr. — also reported at about the
same time, and, as the senior officer, was assigned to the command of the
" Coast Expedition," — Gen. Ransom retaining the immediate command of
the brigade to which the two Maine regiments were attached.
The troops tarried at Fort Semmes nearly a week — a very fortunate
occurrence, inasmuch as all the soldiers of the command were weary and
" foot-sore," the pedal extremities, especially, requiring careful nursing, to
ensure effective service during the remainder of the coast campaign.

THE STORY- OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 61
But there was. further important work before us, and even the brief
season of rest was utilized in preparations for future campaigns. Among
these was a re-organization of the command into two distinct brigades —
our. brigade, commanded by Gen. Ransom, comprising the 13th and 15th
Me, the 34th Iowa, and Battery F, First Missouri Artillery.

CHAPTER XIII.

UP ST. JOSEPH'S AND MATAGORDA ISLANDS AND THE
INVESTMENT AND CAPTURE OF FORT ESPERANZA.

Across Arransas Pass to St. Joseph's. — An Oasis in the Texas Desert. — Cowardly
Attack by a Flag of Truce Party and its Summary Punishment. — A Texas
Norther.- The Crossing of Cedar Bayou. — On Matagorda Island. — The
Maine Boys Observe Thanksgiving on a Texan Island. — More Reinforce
ments. — Attack upon and Investment of Fort Esperanza. — Digging Rifle-
Pits During a Texas Norther. — The Rebels Run Away, Blowing up the Mag
azines of the Fort. — Occupation of Fort Esperanza and Matagorda Bay.

//^®\ N the morning of the 22d (Nov.) Ransom's brigade was ferried across
¦ • ¦ Arransas Pass to St. Joseph's Island, and the same afternoon we
\L^/ commenced the march up the island, encamping for the night at a
large cattle ranch, some eight miles from the starting-point. The
objective point was understood to be Fort Esperanza, a strongly fortified
and garrisoned position, at the head of the island.
As a matter of justice to the apparently " God-forsaken country"
along the Texas coast, it should be said that, as compared with anything
else encountered, St. Joseph's Island is as a veritable oasis in a great
sandy desert. Here was to be found excellent grazing land, with its at
tendant fine herds of cattle, with now and then flocks of deer skipping
across the pathway of the army with their wonted agility. The cattle were
sleek and plump, and ever ready at hand for the frequent fresh-beef ra
tion in which the soldiers luxuriated. In the absence of the usual appli
ances of the butcher's profession the rifle was substituted, and unerring
marksmen were always ready able to as gracefully drop a beeve with min-
nie-ball as if the lightning-stroke had been the agent of death employed.
On the 23d the march was resumed. As we were approaching the
enemy's fortified position a guard of mounted infantry was kept some dis-

62 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
tance in advance, under command of Capt. C. S. Illsley. As the advance
reached Cedar Bayou a small party of rebels, displaying a flag of truce, was
espied upon the opposite shore, the southern extremity of Matagorda Island.
With that due respect for a flag of truce which has ever characterized civ- -
ilized warfare, Sergeant James Saunders (Co. F, 15th) was sent over to
ascertain the wishes of the party. He disrobed and swam the bayou ; our
advance-guard remaining upon the lower shore. The flag-of-truce was in
charge of the rebel Maj. Hill (said to have been an artillery officer of con
siderable capacity sent to conduct the defense at Fort Esperanza in the
threatened attack.) The Major undertook to inquisitively interrogate Ser
geant Saunders upon various matters connected with the expedition, and
especially as to the disposition of the rebel garrison at Fort Semmes, (the
rebel authorities affecting to believe that they had been cruelly dealt with
and that two citizens of Texas had been hung in the rigging of our vessels.)
The Sergeant very properly refused to give any information upon the sub
ject, and in the dispute that ensued the Major drew his revolver and shot
at Saunders — unarmed and naked as he was — wounding him quite severe
ly. Our soldiers on the opposite shore witnessed the struggle, fired, and
the Major was very soon seen to limp away ; the Sergeant taking to the
water and returning to his comrades on St. Joseph's Island. The dead
body of the Major was discovered when our force crossed, lying upon the
sand a few hundred yards from the spot where he received the fatal shot.
Thus speedily was the inhuman outrage upon Sergeant Saunders avenged.
The crossing of the Bayou was found to be a more difficult task
than had been anticipated ; the presence of one of those terrific gales,
termed " Texas Northers," rendering any effort in that direction during its
prevalence practically unavailing. The Pass was deep and something like
three hundred yards wide, with a very strong current, exposed to the fierce
gale sweeping down the Gulf — the angry waves being dashed upon the
beach with very great velocity. We could, therefore, only stand idly by,
endeavor to keep ourselves from freezing, and await developements.
And while the subject of " Northers" is under consideration it may
as well be said that these periodical gales are really a terror. Swooping
down upon the bleak, unprotected coast, once or twice a week during the
winter season, and holding high carnival for two or three days at each visit,
they are well-nigh unendurable. For genuine frigidity they completely
throw our New England winter gales into the shade. The loose sand is
scattered, in vast clouds, in every direction, toppling over tents, filling eyes,
ears and nostrils with sand, and inflicting innumerable indignities. The
only resort of our soldiers — having a limited supply of clothing and camp
equipage — was to burrow in the sand, in pits dug from eight to ten^feet
deep, and covered with raw-hide from cattle recently butchered — a custom

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 63
giving some point to one of the jokes of the regimental wag — the inimitable
Lieut.- Plummer — " it's a mighty mean country where a man must dig his
own grave and crawl into it, without the aid of mourners and waiving the
customary ceremonies ! " But a " Texas Norther " cannot be adequately
described ; it must be experienced to be fully appreciated.
It was found, when the gale had somewhat abated, that it was
wholly impracticable to bridge the bayou ; indeed, to cross by any means
was no holiday recreation. The crossing by means of rafts was finally con
cluded upon as the most practicable method. The engineer corps had
brought along four large yawl-boats, and by lashing these securely together .
a ferry was provided of sufficient capacity to carry the troops, wagons and
artillery, the horses and mules being compelled to swim, with the assistance
of leaders. A number of days was occupied in crossing the force, and the
task was laborious and disagreeable. Our brigade held the advance and
was the first to cross, (on the 25th) our first duty upon reaching Matagorda
being the burial of the dead rebel major, whose comrades, in their haste to
get away, left the body lying stiff and cold upon the sand. We made a
seven-mile march up the island the day of crossing, going into camp at 9
p. m. to await the arrival of the remainder of the force.
By a most happy coincidence the line of march led us by a ranch
man's abode whose poultry-yard was exceptionally well-supplied ; and one
of the boys was so inconsiderate as to pass the word along the line that
Nov. 25th, in Maine, was being observed in that joyous festal season so
dear to the heart and stomach of every New Englander — Thanksgiving
Day ! That the soldiers were unable to resist the temptation to make
timely requisition upon the poultry-supply goes without the saying ; but
the appetizing repast established a connecting link between us and " the
dear ones at home " so ennobling as to amply atone for any wrong-doing
in the matter of depredations upon that far-away Texas hen-roost !
During the night we were joined by the additional brigade just
landed upon the coast. The troops were mainly from Indiana and Illinois
— a Thirteenth Corps brigade, commanded by Col. Henry D. Washburn.
This accession gave us two full brigades for the attack upon Fort Esperanza. .
Bright and early on the morning of the 26th the advance up the
island was commenced — the troops making a march of some twenty-three
miles before reaching the camp agreed upon : a large cattle-ranch, but ten
miles from Fort Esperanza's outer works. On the 27th the march was
resumed — Ransom's brigade moving up the eentre of the island, and Wash
burn's, in a parallel line, on the beach. Before noon we had reached the
light-house, close by the Fort. The rebel pickets were encountered at
about eleven o'clock aud very unceremoniously driven within their works.
After reconnoitering the position our line was formed, occupying a range

64 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
of sand-hills within three hundred yards of the outer works — Ransom oc
cupying the left and Washburn the right. The fortification was found to
be very formidable, extending from the bay to a lagoon running from the
bay to the main-land side of the island. It was anywhere from ten to fif
teen feet high, and at least fifteen feet thick. That it mounted heavy guns
was clearly apparent when the enemy opened upon us with 128-pounders
and 24s, throwing shells, but with very little effect. The position and calibre
of the works being ascertained, our advance was withdrawn, the afternoon
and the day following being occupied in reconnoitering, with occasional skir
mishing and sharpshooting, diversified by artillery shots from the enemy.
Unfortunately, just as we had reached the vicinity of the works,
another of those unearthly " Northers " sprang up, continuing some forty-
eight hours, and not only rendering the operations on land disagreeable in
the extreme, but practically preventing the proposed co-operation in the
attack by the gunboats laying off the island. The soldiers suffered intensely
all through the gale. The sand-pit excavations furnished the enly shelter,
and these were only accessible as an occasional resort, the troops having
more pressing work in hand than promoting their own comfort. During
the night of the 28th fatigue parties from all the regiments were put at
work digging rifle-pits running parallel with the enemy's works — the boys
diligently and adroitly plying the spade until after midnight, eagerly seek
ing their "sand-holes" when the job was completed for the refreshing slum
ber which they had so richly earned.
As a result of the effective labors of the " engineers," along the
front of both the right and left sub-divisions of the line, our artillerists were
enabled to plant batteries in much more eligible positions than formerly,
and in the morning they commenced to drop shells into the enemy's strong
hold, driving his men from their guns, and doing very effective work.
Our guns were advanced and brought into position under a constant though
quite inaccurate fire from the heavy guns of the Fort. On the right, by
skillful manoeuvring, Washburn planted his guns within seven hundred
and twenty-five yards of the Fort before nightfall, some of his movements
being so much exposed as to have been attended with great hazard had the
enemy been throwing " the shell that scattereth " instead of the solid shot
which may be so easily " dodged." Our batteries kept up an incessant and
effective fire all day, the infantry leisurely standing by and watching the
effect of the cannonade, and rejoicing at every substantial victory attained.
By noon the rebels were compelled to seek refuge within the inner works of
the fortress, when, following up the advantage, our guns were concentrated
upon " the last ditch," rendering the enclosure so intolerably hot for the
" Johnnies " as to overcome, for them at least, the effects of the very frigid
temperature which the " Norther " had brought to the entire Texas coast.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 65
Had the gale so far subsided during the day as to have permitted the gun
boats to take a hand in the fight, a white flag must have taken the place
of the confederate ensign on the flag-staff of Esperanza quite early in the
day. The artillery duel had been prolonged during the day mainly in the
hope that the gale would have spent its force before morning so far as to
enable the gunboats to run by the Fort to render the escape of the garrison
impossible; nevertheless all the arrangements had been perfected for an
assault by the infantry early in the morning should the gunboats fail to put
in an appearance. But the rebels seem to have anticipated our plans ; as,
at about midnight, a terrific explosion was heard within the Fort, followed
by others. The enemy was preparing to run away and was blowing up
his magazines ! An advance of the skirmish line was at once ordered, who,
gaining the interior of the Fort, found that the rebels had made good their
escape, leaving behind his stores, ammunition, the personal baggage of the
officers, etc. Cotton was piled around the different magazines, with loose
powder scattered in various directions. Only two of the magazines were
saved. Our advance pushed on to the rope-ferry, but were too late to
overtake the retreating rebels. The rope had been cut, allowing the float
ing bridge to swing around upon the shore ; the destruction of the bridge
being prevented by the close pursuit of our advance, who extinguished the
fire and captured six of the eight rebel soldiers left to fire the train. The
garrison at the Fort comprised from five to seven hundred men, who owe
their escape to the prevalence of the gale, which so effectually prevented
any participation in the affair on the part of the naval vessels. So far as
is known the rebels lost but one man in killed ; our loss was one killed and
ten wounded. Considerable valuable property in the shape of ordnance
and other stores fell into our hands. A small fort on an adjoining island,
as well as Esperanza, was taken possession of.
The capture of Fort Esperanza cost but little in the way of blood
shed, yet, nevertheless, the campaign was one of very great privation, se- ,
verely testing the powers of endurance of all participating. Gen. Wash
burn, in his official report, very aptly said :
" I cannot express in too strong language my .admiration of the conduct of the officers
and men engaged in this expedition. We left the foot of St. Joseph's Island without trans
portation of any kind, except twelve wagons used for transporting supplies. With this small
train I had to supply twenty-eight hundred men, together with the animals- belonging to the
train, and horses for two batteries, nearly sixty miles from my base of sunplies. The weather
much of the time was very inclement, water very bad, and fuel scarce, but I never heard a
complaint or murmur of any kind. "
The possession of Fort Esperanza and Matagorda Bay gave to the
expedition one of the finest harbors on the Texas coast. The bay extends
into three counties at the mouth ofthe Colorado River, protected from the
te mpeStuous waters of the Gulf by a long and narrow peninsula, and hav-

66 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
ing a most eligible avenue for the approach of vessels known as Pass Ca-
vallo. The point occupied is only about forty miles from Indianola, and is
in close proximity to Galveston, the largest city and the natural commercial
centre of a country comprising nearly one-half the entire State. Never
theless the rebels had considerable territory still in their control, including
a strongly fortified position at the mouth of the Brazos River, and the isl
and of Galveston, where, it was understood, Gen. Magruder's principal
force was concentrated, numbering from twenty to twenty-five thousand,
anxiously awaiting developments. •

CHAPTER XIV

ON MATAGORDA ISLAND AND "DECROW'S POINT.

The Fifteenth Again Settles Down to the Monotony of Camp-Life. — New
Arrivals. — A New Minister and Doctor. — Various Scouting Expeditions.- ¦
We Occupy Matagorda Peninsula (Decrow's Point). — Gen. Dana Again at
the Helm. — The Fifteenth Re-enlist as Veteran Volunteers. — A Review
of the Situation. — We "Pull Up Stakes " and Leave Texas to the Rebels.
1 , — Evacuation of Matagorda Peninsula. — The Fifteenth Again at Sea!

/-IMMEDIATELY^ after the occupation of Fort Esperanza the Fif-
JL teenth made a reconnoisance extending some four or five miles, but
^Jl without discovering even the shadow of an enemy, and the troops
quietly settled down to the monotony of camp and garrison life — a
very radical change from the ceaseless activities of the preceding month's
campaigns. There were the frequent rides clown the island and the sport
incident to the driving of cattle after the manner of the ranchmen ; an oc
casional reconnoisance to some portion of the mainland ; the weekly and
even the semi-weekly visits of the " Northers," etc., but very little trans
pired that was adventurous or noteworthy. A number of the regiments
went into camp on Matagorda Peninsula soon after the taking of Esperanza.
Gen. Washburn's headquarters, however, were continued on Matagorda
Island during the entire month of December, and the Fifteenth and other
regiments of its brigade lingered on the island until about the middle of
January. Early in December Col. John G. Cobb's colored regiment arrived
on the island to garrison Fort Esperanza. The Colonel and a number of

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 67
the staff and line officers were formerly of the Fifteenth, and a very pleas
ant reunion of old comrades long separated was the incidental result.
The Fifteenth here also received very important accessions in the
coming of the newly- appointed Chaplain, Rev. S. F. Wetherbee, and the
Assistant Surgeon, Dr. George Z. Higgins. These popular and worthy
officers were as cordially welcomed as the circumstances of the situation
would permit ; but with a terrific " Norther " under full sway upon their
arrival and no means of providing artificial heat, there was not very much
of " warmth " in the reception. Indeed the truth of history compels the
confession that during the first night on Texas soil the Chaplain was com
pelled to lay his reverend head in an inhospitable pool of water, formed
from the exceptionally heavy rain-fall, the gale toppling the tent over the
heads of the field and staff officers as effectually as if it were constructed of
straw ! Capt. C. S. Illsley, of Gen. Ransom's staff, commanded a large
scouting expedition up Matagorda Bay the middle of December, which was
quite adventurous. The party penetrated the rebel country for a consider
able distance after leaving the row-boats. No enemy was encountered ;
but on the return, near midnight, a gale sprung up, compelling landing
from the boats on the beach a considerable distance from shore, on an un
occupied island. It was a dismal experience which the participants will not
fail to recall.
About the 28th of December Lieut.-Col. Hesseltine, with one hundred
men of the 13th Maine, had a very lively affair at the head of Matagorda
Peninsula. They went up in a gunboat, landing in small boats through
the surf on a reconnoisance. A gale sprung up completely cutting off com
munication with the gunboat soon after the party had landed. The rebel
pickets were encountered and driven up the peninsula, but early in the
afternoon a rebel force of from eight to ten hundred, mostly cavalry, put in
an appearance, and endeavored to surround Col: Hesseltine's little party,
who had hastily thrown up breastworks, and prepared to make a gallant
resistance. The gunboat poured shot and shell -'upon the rebel force with
good effect. Hesseltine's party were besieged within their works all night
and during a portion of the next day, being taken upon the gunboat in the
afternoon, without loss. A light-draught rebel gunboat came upon the
scene just after our party had returned to their vessel, and opened fire,
but she was soon driven ashore and became a total wreck. The affair was
very creditable to the 13th Maine boys and the gunboats co-operating.
The same day Gen. Ransom went up the Bay on a gunboat as far as the
mouth of the Brazos River. He saw a large rebel force with strong works
at Vela sco, Quintana, and at the mouth of the San Bernard. The entire
Texas army had concentrated in that region, prepared to show fight when-

68 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
ever we should leave the islands and make a movement towards the interior.
Early in January Maj -Gen. Dana moved his headquarters from the
Rio Grande to Matagorda Peninsula, and commenced concentrating all his
available force in that direction. The brigade to which the Fifteenth had
been temporarily assigned crossed over Jan. 17th; nearly all the troops,
excepting the garrison at the Fort, now being upon the main land. The
brigade (comprising the 13th and 15th Me., 20th and 34th Iowa, 64th
Ohio, and 130th Illinois) was commanded successively by Gen. Ransom,
Col. Dyer,' and Col. Rust of the 13th Me. — Gen. Ransom becoming com
mander of the division in the re-organization of the troops.
Quite an amusing affair occurred soon after the brigade had become
comfortably established upon the Peninsula. A sensational report was
current that a large rebel force had landed upon the lower end of Mata
gorda Island and was moving up the island to attack Fort Esperanza.
The Macedonian cry, "come over and help us," was speedily responded to,
a large force being hastily ferried across by steamer — the Fifteenth being
of the party. There was considerable of a panic at the Fort and every
preparation had been made to resist what was interpreted as a threatened
attack. The troops from the Peninsula reached the vicinity of the Fort
at about 9 p. m. and immediately formed a line of battle a short distance
from the Fort, the right taking position in the rifle-pits. Scouts were dis
patched in all directions but no enemy was discovered. The line was pre
served during the night. The next morning Lieut.-Col. Murray, with six
companies of the Fifteenth, was dipatched upon a reconnoisance, " doing "
the entire island, and making a very hard march of from fifty to sixtv
miles. Nothing more " rebellious " than the cattle roaming at will upon
the island was discovered ; and the boys, weary and foot-sore, returned in
due season, thoroughly disgusted at what they were pleased to characterize
" a very great scare." From prudential reasons the force remained upon
the island several days, returning to the Peninsula (more frequently termed
" Decrow's Point ") January 25th.
At about this period the project of re-enlistment, as " Veteran Vol
unteers," was much agitated a nong the regiments eligible under the liberal
offer made by the War Department, and the Fifteenth, especially, mani
fested a very lively interest in the matter. Under the provisions of an or
der from the War Dep't, under date Sept. 11, 1863, it was stipulated that
all volunteers serving in three years' organizations, who had less than one
year to serve on their original enlistment, and who should re-enlist for
three years or the war, should be entitled to a bounty and premium of
$402 from the general government ; the state government further prom
ised a bounty of $100 from the State ; and $200 more was promised from
the towns — a total of $702. In addition the re-enlisted soldier was prom-

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 69
ised a furlough of thirty days, with transportation home and back. The
Fifteenth men who joined the regiment at its original organization were
eligible to re-enfistment under this order. The matter was thoroughly
investigated and discussed, and the proposition was so very favorably re
garded by our soldiers that a large proportion of those entitled to do so
promptly entered their names as "Veteran Volunteers." Nearly or quite
three-fourths of those present for duty re-enlisted, and under the provisions
of the order the regiment thus became, in name as well as in fact, a Veteran
Regiment, and was mustered as such Feb. 22d, 1864, to take rank on the
re-enlistment from Jan. 25th, 1864. The commissions and rank of the
officers wei'e continued from the original date. The names of those Re-
enlisting — not including the commissioned officers — as given in the Maine
Adjutant General's Report, are appended. *
So far as any aggressive movements were concerned the Texas coast
expedition seems to have terminated with the occupation of Matagorda Isl
and, Bay and Peninsula. Esperanza had been captured the latter portion
of November ; yet the months of December, January and a portion of Feb-

N. C Staff. — Segt. Maj. Edwin A. Low, Hos. Stew. Charles P. Storer.
Company A. — Edwin P. Bridges, Andrew J. Bulmer, Wm. A. Caswell, Stephen H.
Case, Augustus F. Chambers, Wm. H. Chambers, Patrick Conners, Dougald Cameron, Syl
vester Davis, Hiram Davis, Hammond Davis, Peter Decoster, Albert H. Hallett, Andrew J.
Hankins. Edward P. Hodges, Terrence Healey, Wm. H. Johnson, James E. Knight, Joseph
Lee, Nelson Leary, John F. Leighton, James N. Martin, Alonzo V. Moore, Angus McGilvery,
Wm. H. McLaughlin, Asbury P. Pottle, James L. Pierce, Jonathan Randall jr., Lyman
Rumerey, Henry Richardson, David Reynolds, Charles Swan, Hosea Smith, Elisha Sherman,
John Sherman, Thaddeus Touse, Ralph L. Teed, Henry A. Whitney, Wm. F. Walker, John
A. Wheeler, Hilton B. Wright.
Company B. — James E. Alexander, William C, Allen, William Henry Bosworth,
Leemon H. Bard, Andrew Bubier, John E. Christopher, James Coombs, 2d, George
H. Douglass, Frank Deojay, Charles E. Graves, Dennis Gatchell, Abram T. Green, George
M. Green, B. Franklin Higgins, Carlton Lancaster, Joseph E. Latham, David C. Merryman,
William Maxwell, James McGrath, Augustus R. Oliver, James R. Oliver, Bradford H. Push-
ard, Loring O. Pushard, Wm. W. Penny, Jacob Powers, James E. Rollins, FrazierT. Shorey,
Isaac F. Swan, John B. Tarr, Adam O. Trufant, Orrin A. True, Eben B. Whitney.
Company C. — Wm. P. Barker, James Bell, George W. Christopher, Daniel Everett,
Alexander Graves, Michael Gallagher, James Johnston, William P. Morris, Benj. F. Owen,
Hezekiah S. Owen, Whitman L. Orcutt, Jeremiah Perrowe, Sanford B. Preble, Melvin S.
Preble, Charles C. Pomroy, Alfred W. Roberts, James Roax, Harrison H. Robinson, George
Roy, Lyman R. Seigers, James M. Story, Samuel W. Stratton, Jeremiah Snow, Jonathan D.
Snow, Wm. Smith, Wm. H. Sutter, Charles H. Shaw, Leander M. Wyman, John P. Walker,
Charles S. Whitney. Samuel Wilson.
Company D. — Warren T. DeCraney, Charles E. PZmery, Duncan Falkner, Lyman
W. Hanson, Clark Lewis, Joseph P. Martin, John Meara, Alexander Noble, Augustus W.
Plummer, Edward Pearson, Henry S. Rich, George R. Ray, Octave St. Peter, Simeon Small,
Asa B. Tuttle, Sidney Verrill, Parris R. Winslow, Robert B. Welch, Isaac C. Welch, Orlando
Winslow. Company E. — Thomas Adams, Samuel Brown, Robert Boyd, Edward M. Ben
nett, John H. Bennett, John D. Blake, James H. Betton, Charles Cunningham, Joseph
Casey, Patrick Collins, Richard Decorcey, Cornelius J. Desmond, James Furlong, Cornelius
Fish, Daniel W. Garey, Patrick Gallagher, Shepherd Hoyt, Merrill B. Hanning, David Lind
say, Charles W. Lake, Daniel McCarty, John H. McCormick, Dana B. Morrill, Thomas Mc-
Kee, Wm. Murphy, Lewis Myshrall, James McGinnis, John Noble, Robert S. Palmer, Alfred
F. Perkins, Gordon Perkins, David T. Sawyer, Orville L. Sawye:, MichaelTasnane, James
P. Witham. [See foot-note page 70. ]

70' THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
ruary, wore away, with nothing further accomplished, or even attempted,
though troops were constantly arriving, and the preparations in progress
seemed to indicate an attack upon some strongly fortified position of the
enemy further up the coast or in the interior. Maj. -Gen. Dana had trans
ferred his headquarters from Brownsville to Matagorda Bay, and taken
command ofthe coast expedition; Franklin's troops were held in readiness
to be transferred to the coast at any moment ; and it was well known that
Gen. Banks was very anxious to occupy Galveston, as easy of access both
to Berwick Bay and New Orleans, and as affording an excellent base for
contemplated operations against Mobile. But he was very reluctant to
move with an inadequate force, understanding very well that in whatever
direction he struck he must encounter at once the entire available force of
Gen. Magruder, which, concentrated in the region of Indianola, Houston
and Galveston, was quietly awaiting developments. But the government
was unable to furnish the additional troops deemed requisite, and our army
unwittingly lapsed into a state of " masterly inactivity." Gen. Banks, how
ever, was quietly maturing his plans for the capture and occupation of
Galveston, when he was again disconcerted (January 23d) by imperative
instructions from Gen. Halleck, outlining another campaign, and one which

-[From Page 69.]

Company F. — Stephen J. Bailey, Alfred Corbett, Enoch Coburn, Robert R. Corbett,
James R. Corbett, Thomas F. Coffin, James T. Durgin, Wm. Dixon, John Fitzgerald, John
E. Gatchell, Joshua N. Gatchell, Michael Higney, Joseph F. Harmon, John Kelly, Patrick
Kelly, James Maladay, John Mehegan, Patrick Murray, Oswald McBrian, Eugene McCarty,
Maurice Murphy, Francis Martin, William Mitchell, William Ryan, Thomas Smith, Patrick
Sweeney, James Saunders, Seth Toothaker, Abizer York.
Company G. — Fernando C. Bolster, Joseph Bolier, Philip Bolier, Charles H. Bolster,
Charles A. Brawn, Charles T. Blackington, John Brown, Fabyan Crock, Joseph Cyr, Ray
mond Cormair, Thomas Donnell, Maguire Dubay, William Duke, George F. Emerson,
Charles F. Emerson, Mark Ellis, Daniel O. Edgecomb, George O. fields, Francis Govern,
Henry Hodsdon, Lorenzo D. Hatch, Bradford W. Laiten, Alonzo Lawton, Albert Marshall,
George Martin, Edward Murphy, William Morin, James Rideout, Thomas Violette, Wm. H.
Ward. Company H. — Oliver S. Barker, Alonzo Coan, William H. Carr, Jedediah Cole,
Oscar A. Coombs, Charles F. Dearborn, Joseph Davis, Jasper I. Fisher, John H. French,
Henry W. Gay, Samuel W. Goodwin, Sylvester L. Hatch, Benjamin C. Hatch, Fred'k A.
Haskell, John C. Libby, Jere. R. Leathers, Byron Libby, Wm. Mansfield, John McKinney,
Geirge L. Marson, James Noble, William E. Pullen, Daniel Pinkham, j:ohn L. Russell,
Samuel Robshaw, Warren Robbins, John C. Sweet, Chesley Shaw, Joseph W. Skillin, George
Smith, Wm.E. Skillin, Francis M. Skillin.
Company I.— George A. P. Bryant, Calvin G. Burkett, William Chaplin, Ed
ward Cunningham, John Devlin, Stephen H. Davis, Charles H. Edgecomb, Otis Gilmore,
Orrin J. Gaul, Luther V. Gilmore, Elijah N. Howes, Albert O. Hall, Patrick Jordan, Reuben
ii. McFarland, Peter Nolen, Freeman Peaslee, Emerson Pease, Wm. F. Perry, Charles R.
Rice, Frank Russell, Wallace Russell, Martin Sweeney, Patrick Summers, Albert P. Tolman,
Thomas Tobin, Joshua L. Tibbetts, Charles Wood, Robert Wilson.
Company K — Henry H. Archer, Benjamin Blyther, Isaac C. Bourness, John W.
Boynton, Cyrus S. Crocker, Wm. Ellison, John A. Fenerty, Payson E. Fairfield, Jacob Foss,
Joseph Hinton, Henry Hasnipp, John E. Hanson, Daniel Hurley, Charles N. Joslin, Otis
Ludwig, Frederick Leighton, George H. Lingley, Thomas F. Lamson, Wm. Murphy, Peter
F. MeCann, John McNutt, Daniel McNutt, Thomas H. McDonald, Thomas Myers, Peter
Matherson, Alonzo Morang, George Morrison, Augustus H Morse, Thomas Osborne, Robert
Pearson, Henry C. Peasley, Josiah Page, Jeremiah Quinn, John Quinn, Henry Ramsdell,
Frank E. ' Stickney, Ether W. Spra^ue, Aaron Wakefield, James F. Wakefield, James Wallace.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 71
could only be undertaken by the practical abandonment of all that had
been gained by the only expedition which, during the war, had been able
to secure a foothold upon Texas soil. But other western generals were
involved in the proposed campaign and were expected to co-operate, and
like a good soldier, the commander of the Gulf Department could only
obey orders, though entertaining very grave apprehensions as to the wis
dom of the plan and its probable outcome.
The new campaign contemplated retaining small garrisons, strongly
fortified, on Matagorda Bay and at Brownsville, and the evacuation of all
other points on the Texas coast. The order reached us Feb. 14th, and
the work of demolition was at once commenced. Large fatigue parties
were kept at work night and day, and very laboriously, in preparing for
the abandonment of the coast, regiment after regiment slipping away as
rapidly as transportation could be provided. The Fifteenth, which had
been the first to land upon the coast", was the last to depart — we, in this
respect, holding the post of honor — "covering the retreat." The regiment
"struck tents" Feb. 25th (1864) though not going upon shipboard until
two days later, when, the government wharf being demolished and the
public property removed, we left the barren and desolate peninsula and
slipped across to Matagorda Island to await transportation.
A dreary, tiresome week, was that of the evacuation of the Texas
coast. Its experiences were quite unlike those at Pensacola, save in the
laborious work involved. The caravan of homeless men, women and chil
dren, with goods and chattels strewed upon the wharves and public squares,
were in this instance lacking, yet the huge piles of public property to be
loaded upon the transports and otherwise provided for or destroyed, were
a very vivid and realistic object lesson. As the scribe recalls the scene,
glancing back through the dim vista of more than a quarter of a century,
he espies the old camp ground, lonely and desolate, with not a tent stand
ing upon the narrow peninsula, while here and there, grouped about bright
ly-burning camp-fires, reclining upon the sand or mayhap seated upon
empty "hard-tack" boxes, sipping their coffee, chatting with mess-mates, or
smoking dull care away, were officers and soldiers of all grades, very hap
pily commingling. In the harbor, receiving freight, were those well re
membered Texas coast-transports — the Clinton, Crescent and St., Mary's,
of the Morgan line ; the Planter, Bagley, Warrior, etc. ; while skipping
to and fro, actively engaged in the all-absorbing work of the hour, were
shouting teamsters, stevedores and staff-officers, a veritable medley of con
fusion and discord. The tall flag-staff is lowered — the finishing touches
of demolition are given to the wharf — the regimental line is formed, dis
missed, re-formed, and the process repeated over and over again, during the
comfortless days and nights in which we drearily "wait for the wagon,"

72 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
when the wagon cometh not. " Oh ! those were the weary days of waiting !"
Though the Fifteenth " struck " and packed its tents and camp and
garrison equipage Feb. 25th, it was not until the 29th that we proceeded
on board the Steamer St. Mary's, and noon of March 1st that we steamed
out of Matagorda Bay and proceeded to sea.

CHAPTER XV.

AGAIN IN LOUISIANA AND THROUGH THE TECHE REGION
TO ALEXANDRIA, ON THE RED RIVER.

A Sea-Voyage and Up the Mississippi to Algiers. — By Rail to Brashear Ci py. —
A Two-Hundred-Mile March to Franklin and Alexandria. — New Division
and Brigade Associates. — A Large Army Gathered on the Red River. —
The Rebels Repulsed at Fort DeRussey and at Henderson's Hill.

',yr TEAMER St. Mary's, upon which the Fifteenth had taken passage,
encountered quite severe weather before leaving the Texas coast,
which continued during the entire passage to the mouth of the Mis
sissippi, the soldiers suffering intensely from the cold as well as from
sea-sickness. She entered the South- West Pass at ten o'clock on the
morning of March 3d, arriving at the Algiers Depot of the Opelousas
Railroad the same evening, and disembarking at about midnight, seeking
temporary quarters at the Algiers Iron Works. Transportation was fur
nished a few days later, the regiment taking the train at about night-fall
of March 6th and reaching Berwick City, on Bayou Teche, the next morn
ing. Here were a large number of troops, all under marching orders for
Franklin, La.
The Fifteenth was here re-joined by Co. K, which had been sta
tioned at one of the Forts since the previous summer, and which did not
participate in the Texas campaign.
At noon of March 7th the Fifteenth joined the general caravan on
the road to Franklin — the route traversed being through a country of sur
passing beauty and fertility, the garden of Louisiana, if not of the world.
Large plantations lined the way, the buildings and general surroundings
indicating prosperity in prosperous days. A number of pretty villages
were passed on the route. The regiment reached Franklin at noon of the
8th, where were encamped large bodies of troops, a considerable proportion

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 73
being cavah-y. Maj. -Gen. Franklin was in command ; and from general
indications it soon became evident that an active campaign in the direction
of the Red River country was the object of the gathering.
Immediately upon our arrival we were assigned to the 2d brigade,
1st division, Nineteenth Army Corps, with Gen. James W. McMillan as
brigade and Gen. W. H. Emory as division commanders- — Gen. Franklin
commanding the corps as well as all the forces at the station. Our asso
ciates in the brigade were the 13th, 15th and 29th Maine, 47th Penn., and
162d New York. The 30th Maine was in an adjoining brigade, encamped
not far away. The 29th and 30th were new organizations but just arrived
from Maine, and the meeting of the members of the four Maine regiments
was an exceedingly pleasant event, bringing together, as it did, old friends
and townsmen long separated.
The troops comprised in Gen. Franklin's command numbered about
sixteen thousand, of all arms, including, besides the two divisions of the
19th corps, two divisions of the 13th corps, a force of about five thousand
cavalry, under Gen. Albert L. Lee, and an artillery brigade, under Gen.
Richard Arnold. This was by far the largest force we had ever seen to
gether ; and, encamped about a city of from four to five thousand hostile
inhabitants, with the attendant brightly-burning evening camp-fires,, the
soul-stirring music of the bands and drum-corps, the shrill bugle " calls "
of the cavalry command, etc., all served to constitute a mifitary pageant of
quite magnificent proportions.
The cavalry force, with its immense forage and baggage-trains,
commenced the forward movement March 13th; and during that night
and the day following, a continuous line of cavalrymen were tramping by
our camp, with their ceaseless rumble and jumble, the jingling of sabres,
the neighing of horses, and a degree of confusion and up-roar well calcu
lated to impress the looker-on with profound appreciation of the immensity
of the menagerie. Requiring a long stretch of road in which to straighten
itself out, the cavah-y preceded the infantry by a couple of days, reaching
Alexandria nearly a week earlier.
The infantry column " took the road" March 15th, Emory's Divis
ion filing into its prescribed position at about noon — the Maine troops not
forgetting to greet, with " three hearty cheers and a tiger," the gallant lit
tle General (Ransom) with whom they had " roughed it " in Texas, as we
passed the Thirteenth Corps headquarters on the road.
The first day out from Franklin we made some fifteen miles, along
the banks of the Bayou Teche ; the 16th, passed through New Iberia,
where our cavah-y had a sharp skirmish with the cavalry of the enemy a
few days previous ; Vermillion Bayou on the 17th ; Carrion Crow Bayou
on the 18th; Opelousas and Washington on the 19th; "resting upon the

74 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
Sabbath Day," the 20th ; striking Bayou Bceuf, with its well-filled sugar-
houses, on the 21st; Cheney ville the 23d; the Gov. Wells plantation —
with its memorable rain-storm and ankle-deep mud — on the 24th ; and
Alexandria, the general rendezvous, at about noon of March 25th. From
Brashear City to Alexandria is about two hundred "miles; and, in fearfully
hot weather, over dusty roads, and with water dipped up from stagnant
pools over which a yellow sediment had formed in many instances, the
march was justly regarded as a very creditable feat of pedestrianism.
As Franklin's corps entered the city — the bands playing their
most popular airs and the streets crowded with soldiers from the western
commands, camp-followers, and throngs of citizens — the " grand entree "
presented a most inspiring spectacle. Among those who witnessed our
arrival were military and naval officers of high grade, including Maj-Gen.
Banks, Admiral Porter, Gen. A. J. Smith, etc.
The city of Alexandria is on the right bank of the Red Eiver, one
hundred and fifty miles from the Mississippi, and one hundred and seventy
miles from Shreveport : the place last mentioned being the very important
point so highly prized and tenaciously held by the rebels, on account of
its Communications by railroad and water, and its many strategic advantages
from the rebel point of view. The population rating of Alexandria was
about eight thousand. Here the troops under Gen. Franklin formed a
junction with forces " loaned " by Grant from his Vicksburg command and
coming down the Mississippi and up the Red in transports ; with the naval
force co-operating ; and with those coming by water from other directions —
a combination of from twenty-five to thirty thousand soldiers of all arms. *
By a very curious and unprecedented assumption, the detachments
of the 16th and 17th corps were operated as a distinct and independent
force, commanded by Gen. A. J. Smith, who, in every emergency, insisted
upon "paddling his own canoe." Gen. Franklin was the immediate
commander of the entire force other than the exceptions mentioned — Gen.
Banks exercising the functions of Department Commander as to all the
troops save those commanded by His Eoyal Highness, General Andrew
Jackson Smith ! *
In reaching Alexandria the troops from Grant's army made a

The troops comprised :
Grover and Emory's Divisions of the Nineteenth Corps ; two Divisions of the Thirteenth
Corps, under Gen. T. E. G. Ransom ; and Gen. Lee's Cavalry Division, all under the
command of Gen. W. B. Franklin.
A finely equipped Artillery Brigade, commanded by Gen. Richard Arnold.
Two Divisions of the Seventeenth Corps, commanded by Gen. T. Kilby Smith.
Two Divisions of the Sixteenth Corps, commanded by Gen, A. J. Smith.
The Naval Fleet, under Admiral Porter, comprising from sixteen to twenty armed vessels —
rams, monitors, gunboats, etc.
A Marine Brigade, about 3000 strong, (which, however, was ordered to return to Vicksburg. )

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 75
brilliant little diversion at a strong-hold of the enemy known as Fort
DeEussy. The fleet of transports which conveyed them from the Upper
Mississippi formed a junction with the naval vessels at the mouth of Eed
Eiver, moved up an arm of the Eed known as Old River, entered the
Atchafaylaya, landed the troops at Simmsport, marched overland twenty-
five miles to Fort DeRussy, and, after a brisk skirmish, carried the works
by assault, capturing 26© prisoners, ten heavy guns, and considerable other
property. The Fort was a very strong one and much relied upon by the
rebels in their defensive operations in that region. Smith lost nine men
in killed and thirty-nine in wounded ; the rebels five killed and four
wounded. Gen. Mower, of the Sixteenth Corps, also put in a little good
service before the arrival of Franklin's command at Alexandria. With
three brigades of infantry and one of cavalry, he moved to a point known
as Henderson's Hill, twenty-five miles from Alexandria, capturing three
hundred rebel cavalrymen and a four-gun battery. Col. H. B. Sargent, of
Gen. Banks' staff, was severely wounded in the fight.
The rebels in the region of Alexandria hastily scampered away
after the affair at Fort DeRussy, passing to Shreveport through Cheney-
ville, having a two days' lead of our cavalry. Several brigades from other
points endeavored to come to the relief of the Fort DeRussy garrison,
but, finding themselves too late, a general stampede towards Shreveport
was commenced, large trains crossing the Red River March 19th. Having
thus put the rebel army " upon the run," Alexandria was taken possession
.: of without further difficulty.
Prior to the arrival of the military commander at Alexandria the
naval officers and the cotton speculators are said to have been very thrifty
in gathering in that valuable product of this fertile region. Thousands of
bales were seized, and much demoralization was the result. Under the law
regulating the disposition of property captured by the navy, a portion of
the proceeds accrues to the naval officers and crew ; and so eager were they
to profit by this opportunity that it seemed to many that the naval officers
were far more solicitous in the matter of cotton-seizures than for the success
of the expedition. When the rebels came to understand the policy of the
naval authorities they at once commenced burning their cotton to prevent
its falling into the hands of the government, and vast quantities were de
stroyed throughout that entire region. Gen. Banks heroically resisted all
pressure for permission to trade in cotton after he had assumed command,
and on this account became very obnoxious to the army of speculators hov
ering about headquarters with letters of introduction from very influential
sources at Washington. Before leaving Alexandria Gen. Banks directed
that all seizable cotton be taken for the government by the quartermaster's

76 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
department and turned over to the treasury agent, pursuant to the law of
Congress and the Treasury Regulations.
The low stage of the water in the channel of the Red River was a
cause of very serious apprehension on the part of the military and naval
commanders. There was scarcely six feet of water at some points, and few
of the gunboats or transports could float with a less amount. The only
expectation of success was based upon the hope of an increased amount of
water occasioned by the annual spring freshets.

CHAPTER XVI

" UP RED RIVER," TO GRAND ECORE AND NATCHITOCHES.

Again on the Tramp. — The "Caravan" Moves Up the Red River Region in
Detachments. — The Navy a Very Slow Coach. — The Cavalry Skirmish
with the Enemy All Along the Road. — Incidents of the Very Tedious
March. — We Tarry at Grand Ecore and Natchitoches to "Ration-Up"
Preparatory to the Anticipated Very Lively Work.

?HE combined military and naval advance up the Red River, in the
direction of Shreveport, was obstructed several days by the great
difficulty experienced in getting the transports and naval vessels
over the shoals at Alexandria. Several of the larger vessels were
unable to make the ascent ; but by March 26th some twelve gunboats and
about thirty transports were started up the river, the infantry commands of
Gens. A. J. and T. K. Smith going along on the transports as far as prac
ticable, and debarking and marching along the banks when it became nec
essary to lighten the vessels or silence a rebel battery. They made very
slow progress, however, ascending the river but about twenty miles, and
tarrying at Bayou Cotile until the 3d of April.
On the 26th the main army, under the immediate command of Gen.
Franklin, commenced its march in the same direction, but by a different
route. Our "caravan " moved in about the following order : First, three
or four brigades of cavah-y, followed by its long train of one hundred and
eighty cavalry wagons; then followed the two divisions of the 13th corps;
the ammunition wagons ; Emory's division of the 19th corps; the wagon-
trains of both the 13th and 19th corps, with ten days' supplies in the
wagons ; the balance of the cavalry bringing up the rear. Gen. Grover's

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.

77

division of the 19th corps, comprising a force of about three thousand, re
mained at Alexandria to garrison that post ; while the Marine Brigade,
upon which considerable reliance had been placed, was withdrawn and re
turned to Vicksburg. The column, being compelled to move mainly on
one narrow way and occupying a very long stretch of road, made com
paratively slow progress. On the first day out we accomplished but seven
teen miles, and the day following but half that distance. We had now
reached a section of country entirely different in its general aspect from
anything before encountered in the South. The narrow road led through
a densely wooded country, with high hills, deep ravines, and rough, pre
cipitous points, rendering rapid progress, especially for the artillery and
heavily-loaded ammunition trains, extremely difficult. The growth in the
wooded districts comprised the pine, beech, rock-maple, sassafras, etc., in
pleasing contrast, as to scenic effect, with the monotonous aspect of Eastern
Louisiana. The third day out we make but seven miles, travelling at a
snail's pace, the roads being blockaded by the cavalry trains, and the cavalry
by constant skirmishing with the enemy. On the 31st we cross Cane Riv
er, an arm of the Red, on pontoons, making a fifteen miles' march. Here
we leave the wooded path and strike the public road, with its dense clouds
of dust, very disagreeable to taste, eyes and nostrils. The army passes
through the pretty little village of Clouterville, in Natchitoches Parish,
twenty-three miles from Grand Ecore, encamping for the night a few miles
beyond. " April Fool's Day " finds us re-crossing Cane River and making
a sixteen miles' march, through a region abounding in abandoned cotton
plantations, with their red, clammy soil — desolate, barren and uninviting.
Only the negroes are to be seen about the premises — and the aged and
infirm at that. On the 2d our column reaches the pretty little town of
Natchitoches, once on the banks of Old Red River, but owing to a curious
freak of that very eccentric stream, now an inland village, the present
course of Red River passing at a point four miles away known as Grand
Ecore. The town boasted a population of one thousand, not a few of
whom deigned to witness our advent from the windows and assumed a
most unlovely cast of countenance as our bands struck up the popular and
inspiring national airs.
The fleet had not yet arrived at Grand Ecore ; though, in company
with the independent command of Gens. A. J. and T. Kilby Smith, it put
in an appearance the evening of the day following. Gen. Banks and staff
also came up from Alexandria by steamer, arriving at Grand Ecore April
2d. A brigade of colored troops also arrived at about the same time,
direct from Port Hudson.
But it must not be imagined that no enemy had appeared during
this long and tedious march, to dispute the right of way of the Yankee

78 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
army and navy. He was, in fact, all about us, and riearly every day the
rebel cavalry and ours were crossing sabres, some very lively skirmishing
taking place and a good many prisoners falling into our hands. From
Natchitoches Gen. Lee rode out twenty-three miles to a. place known as
Crump's Corner, where, from three to five thousand of the enemy were en
countered in a very desperate contest. The rebels were driven from their
position, leaving from fifty to sixty of their dead upon the field. The reb
els fought most impetuously. They dismounted, left their horses in the
rear, came forward, meeting our advance from behind trees, dead -logs, and
fallen timber. Our cavalry was obliged to send their horses to the rear,
drive the enemy, who fell back to their horses and were off before our
horses could be regained to give chase to the enemy — one of the many
disadvantages encountered in campaigning along a single road in a region
so heavily wooded. Artillery as well as cavalry was used on both sides,
the enemy showing no less than six cavalry regiments in the skirmish. A
day or two later Col. Gooding's cavalry brigade drove a force of fifteen
hundred of the enemy from their camp near Campte, capturing their
equipage, and inflicting considerable loss in dead and wounded, but at a
sacrifice of his own force of about forty in killed and wounded.
In the various cavalry skirmishes it was conclusively demonstrated
that Taylor's army was in full strength in our immediate front ; that he
had been largely reinforced from the rebel commands in Arkansas as well
as Texas, and that a general engagement at or before reaching Shreveport,
was inevitable. Grand Ecore — four miles across from Natchitoches-^- was the first
point of access to the transports and supply of " provender " for man and
beast, since leaving Alexandria ; and here the re-supplying of the forage
and commissary wagons, the re-arrangement of land transportation, etc.,
constituted the important and all-absorbing business during the brief tarry
at these two points.
By this time it had become evident to all intelligent observers that
neither gunboats or transports could be relied upon to further ascend the
river ; indeed the navy and the vessels accompanying seem to have been,
from the start, a very troublesome " Jonah." At Alexandria the navy
had impeded our progress from six to eight days, at Grand Ecore from
three to four; and now the very perplexing conundrum was presenting it
self for solution, " If, by any chance, the water in the river should fail to
rise, and the army be compelled to fall back, what is to become of the val
uable fleet, so indispensable to the free navigation of the Mississippi ?" A
very stupid blunder had evidently been made in the class of vessels assigned
for the expedition.But Gen. Banks was not disposed to shrink even from a task which

&

~''l

iA^i* at) tj

-3E. ?
—

I Capt. C. B. Smith, Co. E
2 Capt. James Walker, Co. E
3 Lt. John Z. Swanton, Co. E
4 Lt. A. \V. Hoyt, Co. E

5 Lt. M. B. Hanning, Co. E
6 Lt. E. A. Low, Co. E
7 Capt. L. J. Joyce, Co. F
8 Capt. C. E. Knight, Co. F

9 Lt. Patrick Neville, Co. F.
to Lt. J. H. Hackett, Co. F
1 1 Lt. John Fitzgerald, Co. F
12 Capt. E. J. Pattee, Co. G.

13 Capt. L. Dwinal, Co. G
14 Lt. James Rideout, Co.G
15 Lt. R. N. Pierce, Co. G
16 Lt. B. F. Brown, Co. G

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 79
seemed to present insurmountable barriers. Ten days' supplies were
therefore taken on board the wagons, and arrangements made for a
two weeks' separation from the base of supplies, with an absolute cer
tainty of meeting the rebel clans in battle array before again coming within
reach of , the commissary, forage and ammunition supplies.

CHAPTER XVII.

THE MARCH FROM GRAND ECORE AND THE DISASTROUS
"SABINE CROSS ROADS."

" Up the Red " to Meet the Johnnies. — The Cavalry has Lively Work from the
Start. — Repeated Calls for Infantry Support.— A Brigade Sent In, Over
powered, and Still Another. — A General Engagement Unexpectedly
Brought On.— The Cavalry and Thirteenth Corps Gallantly Fight but
are Badly Whipped and Swept Away with Great Loss. — A Very Disastrous
and Unfortunate Affair.

LSHE plans for the movement upon the enemy being well-nigh per
fected, the line of inarch in the direction of Shreveport was taken
up on the morning of April 6th. Gen. Lee, with three brigades of
cavalry — one of his brigades being detached as guard to the wagon-
teains — and three small batteries of artillery, took the advance, with orders
from Gen.i Franklin to " attack the enemy wherever found," but not to ,
bring on a general engagement. The long train of wagons of the cavalry
corps — numbering three hundred and fifty and carrying ten days' rations,
three days-' forage, ammunition, camp equipage, etc. — followed the cavalry
arid occupied a very long stretch of road between the mounted -men and
the infantry. Of the infantry force Gen. Ransom's detachment of the
13th corps had the advance; followed by Gen. Emory's Division cf the
19th corps and Col. Dickie's brigade of colored troops. Gen. A. J. Smith's
force tarried at Grand Ecore a couple of days later ; while Gen. T. Kilby
Smith's troops reinaihed on the river's bank with the gunboats and trans
ports, whic:i were under orders to move up the river to Loggy Bayou,
where Gen. Banks hoped to be able to establish communications with the
land forces from Sabine Cross Roads, a distance of fifty-four miles by land
and one hundred miles by water. Gen. Banks remained at Grand Ecore
until the entire army had taken the road, and then (on the 7th) rode towards

80 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
the front. Our Division took :p the line of march at about 9 a. m., trav
elling through a rough and thickly- wooded region all day, uninhabited, and
encamping for the night in a dense forest, some fifteen miles inland from
the River. The cavalry pushed on twenty-three miles, briskly driving the
enemy's pickets before them, and having no serious trouble. The next day
(the 7th) the cavalry moved to Pleasant Hill and three miles beyond — a
march of thirteen miles for the day. A couple of regiments of the enemy's
cavalry impeded the march, with a much stronger force at Pleasant Hill,
where they had dismounted and made a decided stand, compelling Gen.
Lee to put in all three of his brigades. The action continued an hour and
a half. Lee's loss in killed and wounded was seventy-five, the enemy losing
about the same number, besides twenty-five prisoners. Gen. Lee, seeing
that the enemy was in force in his immedi te front, dispatched a staff of
ficer to Gen. Franklin with an urgent request to end an infantry brigade
to his support. The brigade was started on the road, but, the artillery fire
having ceased, it was at once ordered to return, by Gen. Franklin's com
mand. The infantry column, meanwhile, made a twenty miles' march, go
ing into camp at Pleasant Hill at 5 p. m. Notwithstanding the enemy had
so unmistakably shown his hand, there was no other effort at a concentra
tion of the scattered detachments on the road than an order from Franklin
to Lee to keep his trains well up, that the infantry might advance as far
as possible on the morrow. Gen. Lee, on the contrary, earnestly begged
that a brigade of infantry might be sent him, and also that his trains might
be dropped back of the infantry column, as he found it difficult to advance
through that thickly- wooded country, fighting an enemy equal in force to
his own, and at the same time adequately guarding his immense train.
But upon receipt of Franklin's order Lee co.itinuel his advance until night
fall, driving the enemy to Carroll's Mill, ten miles beyond Pleasant Hill,
the infantry column having gone into camp at the latter point. But at
Carroll's Mill the cavalry found the enemy in strong force, estimated at
five thousand, with four pieces of artillery posted, and a creek and a ravine
between our forces and the confederates. Rather a critical situation, with
Franklin's advance " ten miles away !"
But Gen. Lee's brave cavalrymen bivouacked in line-of-battle in
the enemy's immediate front — the wagons in the road and faced to the
rear, as there was no clearing near by in which they could be " parked."
Lee then again very clearly reported the situation to Franklin by a special
staff-officer, to which, however, Frankli.i only m.ide response in the
following very extraordinary messages : " Must crowd the enemy vigor
ously !" — "Will send the Kith Ind. !" (cavalry)—" Will send Goodwin's
Brigade!" (also cavalry) — "Artillery and all are up in good order; if
wanted will reach Mansfield tomorrow !" (twenty miles away !) — " Will

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 81
send infantry at any time if certain enemy is in force !" — " Smith is coming
on Grand Ecore road ; must help ration him !" — " Keep your train well up .'"
Lee had asked for bread and Franklin had returned a juiceless stone !
Nevertheless, late in the evening, Lee again and even more earnestly and
formally, reported the situation, urging that infantry support be furnished,
and also renewing the request that the wagons be taken to the rear. This
urgent request reached Franklin's headquarters at about midnight, and
soon after this important reply was returned : " Gen. Franklin is in re
ceipt of your dispatch. He directs me to say that Gen. Banks is here, and
by his orders a brigade of infantry will move to your support at 3 a. m. on
the morrow." The early morning of that memorable and fateful eighth of April
found at Gen. Lee's temporary bivouac, Landrum's infantry brigade of the
13th corps, which had reported at about sun-rise. Lee at once threw out
a strong cavalry skirmish fine, placed the entire infantry brigade in line of
battle, and at once opened upon the enemy, driving him from his position,
and slowly pressing him back, about half a mile an hour, until noon, making
five or six miles, and reaching a position within five miles of Mansfield and
just beyond the clearing known as Sabine Cross Roads. The enemy con
tested every hill and were only dislodged by shelling with the artillery and
flanking with cavalry and infantry. Lee's loss, as well as that of the enemy,
was severe. The troops soon became utterly exhausted, and at noon Lan-
drum sent word to Gen. Ransom : " My men have skirmished and marched
through the bushes and thickets for eight or nine miles, making, in all, a
march of fifteen or sixteen miles. They have no water and are literally
worn out. Can you have them relieved soon 1 Gen. Lee insists upon
pushing ahead."
Gen. Franklin, it was evident, had made no plans for fighting on
the 8th, if indeed he seriously contemplated engaging the enemy at all. He
Jiad assigned an eight-mile march as the work of the day for the infantry
and their trains, the column starting out at 8 a. m. and going into camp
before noon. Gen. Ransom's camp — and Franklin's headquarters at noon
— were two miles in advance of Emory's. The Fifteenth went into camp
in a shady grove by the road-side six or eight miles from the position held
by the cavah-y. But, from the reports coming from the front by special
messengers riding at reckless speed, it was evident that the season of rest
was to be very brief. At noon Gen. Banks and staff overtook Franklin on
the road, and, after a hurried conference, he decided to push on to the front
and view the situation for himself. About this time came Col. Landrum's
appeal for relief, and Gen. Ransom obtained permission to accompany the
brigade to the front and see that it was used to relieve the exhausted troops
of Landrum's brigade rather than to increase the infantry support. Ransom

82 THE STOKY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
arrived on the field at about half past one to find that our forces had just
driven the enemy across an open field ?md were shelling him from a fine
position on a ridge occupied by the infantry and Nim's battery, and where
it was thought best to await the coming of reinforcements, hourly expected.
Upon riding to the front Gen. Ransom was able to perceive two batteries
and a large force of infantry in line of battle in the edge of the woods from
one-half to three-fourths of a mile in front, with considerable bodies of in
fantry moving down the road leading to our right and rear. Gen. Banks
and staff soon after appeared upon the field, and when made acquainted
with the situation gave instructions as to the disposition of the troops, and
hurriedly dispatched orders to Franklin to hurry forward reinforcements
as rapidly as possible and to himself accompany them to the front.
Our infantry on the right of the road was posted in a narrow belt of
timber dividing two large plantations, having open though broken ground
in front, and in the rear cultivated fields which descended to a imall creek
and thence rose to the edge of the timber one-half mile to the rear of our
line. Nim's battery was placed on a hill near the road, about two hun
dred yards to the left of the belt of timber, supported by infantry on the
left and behind the crest of the hill, with open fields in front. The bat
tery was supported on the right by seven infantry regiments and a section
of mounted artillery. The cavalry and mounted infantry were posted on
the flanks and rear with cavalry skirmishers deployed in front of the
infantry. There were twenty-five hundred infantry in line besides the cav
alry, perhaps six thousand being the combined force. The :kirmishing
was quite lively, but there appeared no other indications of an immediate
attack on the part of the enemy than that he seemed busily engaged in
moving his troops on a cross-road, strengthening his left and enveloping
our right. He evidently had from fifteen to twenty thousand troops.
While quietly awaiting developments — at about 4 p. m. — Gen. Lee was
amazed by an order from Banks to so dispose his force as to move imme
diately upon Mansfield ! He rode to Gen. Banks and protested that he
could not move ten minutes without bringing on a general engagement, in
which we were sure to be overpowered. Banks reluctantly withdrew the
order and again disjjatched a staff officer to hurry forward the infantry.
Some fifteen minutes later the picket-firing became very brisk, and
" the entire line of the enemy," says Gen. Lee, " advanced on our front and
on our flanks and marched straight up to our line." Our forces at once
opened with artillery, with cannister, and with musketry, and fought in
line perhaps twenty minutes. The right of our line, five regiments, was
advanced, bringing the enemy into good range, and rendering our firing
much more effective. The enemy's first line was driven back in confusion
upon his second line, but he recovered and again advanced, and so heroic-

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 83
ally contested the position that when unable to endure our galling fire, the
rebels halted two hundred yards away, dropped to the ground, and in that
posture continued firing. Our line was unyielding on the right, but the
enemy pounced upon our left with great force in a desperate assault, turn
ing our flank and soon crumbling our line at all points. Many of the
battery-men and their horses were killed, Lee losing- three guns of one of
his batteries on that account. Having captured Nims' Battery the enemy
were soon in strong force on the hill it occupied, and began pouring a most
destructive fire upon the batteries and infantry of the 13th corps. Ran
som promptly ordered the batteries to the rear and to a new position, and
dispatched Capt. Dickey, his assistant- adjutant-general, to commun'cate
the order for the withdrawal of the infantry to the edge of the timber in
the rear. But before that gallant officer eould execute the mission he fell
senseless from his horse, mortally wounded. Gen. Ransom, too, while as
sisting Col. Landrum in the re-formation of his shattered lines, under cover
of the woods, was severely wounded and carried to the rear. Our line
became thoroughly disorganized and broken into fragments in all directions.
The rebels were now clearly the masters of the situation, very persistently
following up their advantage, and crowding our forces back perhaps three-
fourths of a mile, capturing many prisoners, and wounding and killing a
large number of our men. At about the time Gen. Ransom was carried
to the rear, Gen. Cameron brought the remnant of the 13th corps upon
the field, Gen. Franklin coming witii him. These officers ably assisted in
rallying the troops for another desperate effort to turn the tide of battle,
but, unfortunately, they were too late to offer effective resistance to the
exultant and victorious enemy, who, charging across the clearing with
great impetuosity, and attacking in front and on either flank, carried ev
erything before them. A rash and bloody struggle of half an hour's du
ration ensued, Cameron's force temporarily checking the enemy's advance
beyond the inner edge of the woods, and, with such as could be rallied of
those previously driven in, putting in some very gallant work — until, com
pletely overwhelmed by largely superior numbers, they were all swept
away in confusion and crowded back upon the impassable jam of wagons
of the cavah-y train, which so blockaded the road and woods that it was
impossible to move the artillery or extricate mules, horses or wagons, from
the perilous situation. All of the 13th corps artillery, the remaining guns
of the famous Nims' Battery, the ambulances containing the wounded, and
one hundred and fifty-six wagons Laded with rations and forage, here fell
into the hands of the enemy.
A wild and utterly indescribable panic here ensued — a veritable
" Bull- Run-stampede," excepting that here was infinitely better excuse for
such demoralization than at the memorable " skedaddle " alluded to. Ev-

84 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
ery man seemed to strike out for himself, eager to reach a safe jDlace in the
rear as rapidly as possible ; and what with the riderless horses and mules,
the overturned wagons, the wagons faced to the rear, to the front, and but
partially turned about, the fleeing cavalrymen, the frantic and riderless
horses, the dead and wounded encumbering the way, the hatless officers,
with drawn sabres, endeavoring to check the stampede, and the advancing
and jubilant rebel hordes, pouring their hot shot into the panic-stricken
crowd and rushing upon the "jam" with their glistening bayonets poised
at a " charge," — it was one of those very frequent occasions encountered in
active service, when the bravest of soldiers might have been very glad to
have exchanged places with the inoffensive babies at home — " and the girl
babies at that ! " *
It is but just to say, in passing, that at every point of this unfor
tunate and disastrous affair, Gen. Banks and staff and all the subordinate
commanders most gallantly acquitted themselves. Gen. Banks, especially,
was ever in the thickest of the fight, personally directing every movement,
utterly reckless as to personal danger ; and when the fine crumbled' away
finally he first implored the soldiers to remain, and then, hatless and with
drawn sabre, he made a desperate effort to rally the disorganized crowd for
another determined effort to check the stampede. Lee and Ransom and
Landrum were brave as lions. These officers commanded the forces which
bore the brunt of the attack. Franklin and Cameron were at the front but
a short time before the breaking of the lines, but did excellent service du
ring the brief but gallant resistance made by Cameron's Division, and also
during the stampede; while Gen. Stone and other officers of Gen. Banks'
staff, early on the field and actively engaged, are deserving of the highest
praise. The brigade of cavah-y guarding the trains also perpetrated an act
of gallantry deserving of mention. Hearing the rapidly-approaching firing
the commander, with most of his brigade, rode rapidly to the front, and,
wheeling into line in excellent order, delivered a most destructive volley
into the ranks of the rebels swarming the road, and afterwards falling back
in as good order as was possible under the circumstances.
The "masterly retreat" was continued for more than a mile from

An eye-witness of this remarkable scene, writing to a Philadelphia paper at the time of
its occurence, thus graphically describes this utterly indescrible affair : — "Suddenly there was
a rush, a shout, the crashing of trees, the breaking down of rails, the rush and scamper of
men. It was as sudden as though a thunderbolt had fallen among us and set the pines on fire.
What caused it, or when it commenced, no one knew. We found ourselves swallowed up, as
it were, in a hissing, seething, bubbling whirlpool of agitated men. We could not avoid the
current ; we could not stem it ; and, if we hoped to live in that mad company, we must ride
with the crowd. * * Behind the rebels were shouting and advancing. Their musket
balls filled the air with that strange, file-rasping sound that war has made so familiar to our
fighting men. The teams were abandoned by the drivers, the traces cut, and the animals rid
den off by the frightened men. Bareheaded riders rode with agony in their faces ; and, for at
least ten minutes, it seemed as if we were going to destruction together."

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 85
the point where the line of Cameron's Division was broken : the rebels
following closely upon the heels of our retreating forces with a continuous
and destructive fire, taking prisoners by scores and by hundreds, and easily
" scooping in " artillery, wagons, horses, and other valuable property within
their reach, to say nothing of the more serious damage inflicted in the way
of the fearful harvest of dead and wounded left in the track of the pursu
ing army. But, happily, the end was not yet! Though every .detachment of
the army that had -preceded Emory's Division ori the march (on the morn
ing of the 8th) had been separately and successively moved up to the
battle-line, whipped, routed, and hurled back upon the wagon-trains hope
lessly demoralized, the veterans of the Nineteenth Corps were yet to put
in their work !

CHAPTER XVIII.

EMORY'S DIVISION MEETS THE ENEMY AT "PLEASANT
GROVE " AND GALLANTLY CHECKS THE STAMPEDE
AND TURNS THE TIDE OF BATTLE.'

Emory's Division Takes a Hand. — Hurrying to the Front Through a Panic-
Stricken Mob. — We Form Line of Battle at Pleasant Grove. — A Desperate
Fight of an Hour and a Half's Duration. — We Hold the Enemy in Check.
Turn the Tide of Battle, and are Credited with Saving the Army from
Destruction. — The Part ofthe Maine Fifteenth.— The Army Quietly Re
tires at Midnight and Takes the Road for Pleasant Hill to Seek a More
Favorable Position.

CT\ LTHOUGH the battle of " Sabine Cross Roads" had been "on "
tj since early morning, and by noon the enemy had taken a position

A.

y I in Gen. Lee's front in great force and was clearly making his dis
positions preparatory to a general engagement, very little seems to
have been done by our commanding generals in the way of meeting the
emergency. As early as two o'clock in the afternoon — as will be seen in
the preceding chapter — the rebels confronted Gen. Lee's five thousand men
with an army of from ten to fifteen thousand — and with Cameron's force
but five and'Emory's eight miles away ! Cameron's Division was not sum-

86 THE STORY' OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
moned to the front until the middle of the afternoon, while no word
came to Emory's Division until after the enemy had attacked with his
whole force and our little army at the front had been overwhelmed, as set
forth in the preceding chapter. In other words, as Gen. Dwight states the
situation, "our army stood dormant in the presence of the enemy" several
hours, supinely allowing a force three times its strength " to completely
envelope our little army," and finally to attack with crushing force, with
no preparation to meet the assault.
But at about four o'clock rnounted aides, riding at break-neck speed,
reached Emory's head-quarters, with orders for us to " hurry to the front
with all possible dispatch ;" the Division then being in bivouac in a pleas
ant grove some eight miles from the battle-front. Instructions accompa
nied the order to " take, if practicable, two days' rations and cooking uten
sils." We hastily gathered in a limited supply of "hard-tack," leaving the
" utensils" and other useless appendages behind, with the wagons ofthe com
missary department; and, in a surprisingly short space of time, the Divis
ion line had been formed and we were " humping it," at a " double-quick"
pace, for the scene of the conflict, making rapid progress so long as the
road was free of obstructions. The Division at this time comprised three
full brigades, aggregating about five thousand men. Gen. Emory com
manded the Division, with Gens. Dwight and McMillan and Col. Bene
dict as brigade commanders. The order of march was in single column
and by the flank ; our (McMillan's) brigade having the right of the Divis
ion line — the Fifteenth being the third regiment of the brigade-line.
Only a few minutes after starting out excited aides-de-camp were
encountered frantically appealing to us to " fly to the rescue ;" — (though no
swings were provided) alittle later the ambulance passed us, under cavalry
escort, carrying the gallant Gen. Ransom* to the rear, severely wounded ;
while some four miles out we met the advance-guard of the fugitives, gal
lantly leading the " masterly retreat" before referred to. And such a med
ley ! The crowd comprised a commingling of every variety conceivable —
negro servants and camp-followers of both sexes and of all ages and condi
tions, some mounted on horses or mules and others on foot, intermixed
with the cavalrymen, artillery soldiers and carriages and infantry of the
army — all combining in frantic efforts not only to reach the rear, or any

Gen. T. E. G. Ransom, here referred to, never returned to duty in the Gulf Depart
ment. He was severely wounded and at once proceeded North, sending a report of his part
in the battle from New York. He died soon after at Chattanooga, Tenn. Though quite
young he was really a brilliant officer, and universally beloved. Gen. Ransom distinguished
himself to such an extent in Grant's Vicksburg campaigns, that in making up his estimate of
his subordinate officers, in his "Memoirs," Gen. Grant says of Ransom : " Most of the
brigade-commanders (at Vicksburg) were equal to the command of a division, and one, Ran
som, would have been equal to the command of a corps at least." The officers and soldiers
of the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Maine were among Gen. Ransom's most ardent admirers.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 87
place of safety, but also to benevolently share their demoralization and fren
zy with the advancing troops! Closely following the first "jam" came
another crowd composed of disorganized soldiers of the cavalry and artil
lery, with wagons of various descriptions, ambulances, artillery appliances,
loose and infuriated animals, etc. — all swooping, in a heterogenous mass,
down the road and through the woods bordering the narrow highway on
either side; completely obstructing the only thoroughfare, and of course
rendering the march of our Division extremely difficult. Every inch of
the ground was contested, and " right of way " for the advancing column
was only secured by the most decisive measures — the fugitives, meanwhile,
seeming very anxious to convince our soldiers that in pressing forward, un
der the circumstances, they were surely rushing to certain destruction !
To say that Gen. Emory became desperately cross at this critical
juncture is stating it very mildly. He was as savage as an infuriated bear,
and his conversation was quite sulphurous if not really profane ! But he
grandly met the emergency. Ordering his " flankers" and the leading reg
iments to " fix bayonets " while yet on the march, and to use violence
where necessary to open up a path for his advancing column, he very ex
peditiously worked his way through the "jam. " Officers vigorously bran
dished their sabres in beating the fugitives out of the road ; while the sol
diers firmly held their muskets, with fixed-bayonets, poised at a " charge ;"
and by scolding and pleading at turns and a persistency and perseverance
rarely excelled, we were finally enabled to push on, though frequently step
ping aside to allow an irresistible jumble to pass to the rear. As the
"path-finders, " from our position inline, the brunt of this attack fell upon
our brigade. Soon, however, there was a more serious annoyance. The minnie-
balls of the rapidly advancing rebels commenced to whistle by our ears and
to drop about us, with quite disastrous effects. It was evident that no time
was to be lost in getting into line of battle ! Indeed, under orders from
Franklin, Gen. Emory had been for some time anxiously watching for a
favorable position in which to form the Division line, and had really ad
vanced half a mile or more after being warned by the surroundings of the
rashness of such a course, from sheer lack of territory upon which to make
his change of front. But the rebel hordes were upon us, and further de
lay would have been fool-hardy.
Happily, and just in the nick of time, a clearing was reached — which af
terwards became known in the literature of the campaign as " Pleasant
Grove, " and which, in the annals of Emory's Division, very soon became
historic ! It extended to either side of the main road, and on the whole
proved a very favorable position. With keen perception of its possibil
ities and under a very severe fire from the enemy's advance, Emory skilful-

88 THE STOHY OF THE MAIXF. FIFTEENTH.
ly brought his splendid Division into line, and with great celerity of move
ment. Himself posting the 161st New York across the road deployed as
skirmishers some distance in advance of the position selected, the First Brig
ade was placed directly across the road, at right angles, leaving a gap, or
" sluice-way," for the escape of that portion of the 13th corps which con
stituted the rear-guard of that detachment of our army and which had not
already gone to the rear. The Second Brigade (in which was the Fif
teenth) was posted on the right and a little in reserve, with the Third Brig
ade on the left. During the time occupied in the formation Gen. Emory
was on the skirmish line with the 161st New York ; indeed, he remained
there so long that when the formation of his line, was completed and it was
in order for the skirmish line to be withdrawn, the feat was only accom
plished with great difficulty and with severe loss. The rear-guard of Cam
eron's Division — cavalry, artillery and infantry — had barely passed through
the "gap" in the line left for their accommodation, and the aperture
closed, when, close upon the heels of the fugitives, and in large force,
came the jubilant and victorious rebel army. Our skirmish-line was quick
ly driven back upon the m ain line, and the rebels rushed on, apparently
without the slightest expectation of meeting any more formidable resistance
than that heretofore encountered since the line of Cameron's Division had
crumbled to fragments and detachments, but which, however, had gallantly
rallied, and made occasional spirited stands all along the road.
The rebels were moving in three distinct columns ; and when within
from eighty to one hundred yards of our line, Dwight's Brigade opened
upon them a most terrific fire, which was steadily maintained until the
rebels were overwhelmed and compelled to break and fallback. They ap
peared to be " t.'.under-struck " no less than bullet-riddled at their un
expectedly warm reception. Something had transpired not down on
their programme ! Such vollies of musketry as they had just encountered
could not have come from the retreating and demoralized army which they
had so long had " upon the run," and still were rapidly pursuing ! Evi
dently fresh troops had come upon the scene, and here the enemy seem to
have obtained their first intimation of that fact. Just at this juncture — a
very fortunate coincidence — Maj. -Gen Banks appeared upon the scene.
He was in full uniform, finely mounted, and, hat in hand, and sitting very
erect, appeared as cool and self-possessed as if on a Massachusetts muster-
field. He gracefully rode along the front of our line, in a very exposed
condition, exclaiming, in his rich, eloquent voice : " The victory is ours ;
the enemy is exhausted ; remember Port Hudson .'" This episode of course in
spired great enthusiasm among the soLiers and evoked most hearty cheers
all along the line, the fugitives lining the road, and, even far to the rear, ta
king up the refrain — an incident proving as inspiring to ourselves as it was

THE STORY OF' THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 89
unaccountable and suggestive of disaster on the confederate side of the line.
After the enemy's repulse in Gen. Dwight's immediate front and a
brief pause in which to confer as to the changed situation of affairs, the reb
els re-formed their line and moved around towards the right flank of our
position, where they were received with the well-directed and incessant
fire from that quarter, and again repulsed with heavy loss. They then
pounced down upon the left of the position, making three distinct and des
perate efforts to gain the crest of the ravine held by us, and which, carried,
would have given them the road leading to Pleasant Hill and a position in
the rear of our forces, which must have resulted most disastrously. Our
brigade line ran along the crest of this ravine, with a sloping hill-side in
our front and a valley beyond. The 13th Me. and 47th Penn. were on
the Fifteenth's right and the 160th New York on its left. The enemy's
assault upon this portion of the line was met by a concentrated and most
galling fire from our entire Division line, the 160th New York being in a
position to pour a most withering cross-fire into the enemy's ranks, with
most effective results. The rebels' fire was sharp and incessant from the
moment of formation, gradually increasing in volume as they begun to re
alize that they were now encountering " foemen worthy of their steel. "
They fought gallantly, heroically, desperately ; but, though having a force
largely superior to our own, they were unable to force back the line of Em
ory's Division a single inch from the position it had first taken ! The tide
of battle had been gallantly turned, and the veterans of Emory's Division
, had clearly saved the army from destruction and capture ! * In killed and
wounded this desperate assault had been very disastrous to the rebels — the
casualties on their side being at least double those sustained by us.
By this time the darkness of night — and darkness of a most inten
sified variety — enshrouded the field, compelling an abrupt cessation of hos
tilities. The fight bad continued for about an hour and a half, and from
first to last the firing was incessant and severe. The precaution of the
commanding officers, in ordering our men to lie down and fire in a reclin
ing posture, undoubtedly saved many lives on our side. The rebels, ad
vancing up the slope of the hill, furnished an admirable target from our
position, while their shots, for the most part, glanced harmlessly over our
heads and into the adjacent trees. Emory's Division was the only force
engaged, everything else having passed to the rear and retired along the
road leading to Pleasant Hill : the demoralization among the troops en-

" Nothing could surpass in impetuosity the assault of the enemy but the inflexible
steadiness and valor of our troops. The First Division of the Nineteenth Corps, by its great
bravery in this action, saved the army and navy. But for this successful resistance of
the attack at Pleasant Grove, the renewed attack of the enemy, with increased force, could
not have been successfully resisted at Pleasant Hill on the 9th of April." — [Gen. N. P. Banks,
in his Official Report.

90 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
gao-ed at Sabine Cross Roads being so great as to render them practically
unserviceable during the subsequent engagements of the campaign.
The Fifteenth, in common with all of the troops of Emory's Divis
ion, was actively engaged during the entire contest, and, as was the inva
riable rule during its term of service, most creditably acquitted itself. Of
ficers and soldiers alike performed excellent service. Col. Dyer, when
carefully superintending the establishment of the line and cautioning his
men to lie down and watch for the flash of the enemy's guns, was as cool
and self-possessed as when on battalion drill ; and he was ably supported
by Lieut. -Col. Murray and the staff and company officers, who, one and
all, did their entire duty, and demonstrated their worthiness to share the
glory of the victory with the veterans of Emory's Division. The casual
ties on our side were not numerous ; those in our regiment being surpris
ingly few. But one man was killed, four wounded, and eleven missing.
Appended is a complete list. *
Soon after the firing had ceased a heavy infantry picket was thrown
out in front of the entire line. The darkness was total, completely obscur
ing the vision ; and it was necessary to instruct the guard to advance three
hundred yards, the soldiers keeping so close to their associates on either
flank that the orders might be passed from one man to the other, in a
whisper. If the enemy was encountered he was to be captured, if possi
ble, but no muskets were to be discharged. In pursuance of this order
from seventy to eighty of the rebel pickets were captured, but not a gun
was fired. The enemy, surprised at the strength of our picket-line, re
called their infantry guard and threw out cavalry videttes, moving their
main body a considerable distance away The men not on guard lay in
their positions on the battle-line until near midnight, amusing themselves
by listening to the conversation on the rebel side of the line, and noting
their movements as they gathered up and hauled to the rear the captured
spoils and united in jubilant shouts as they discovered the generous supplies
of forage, ammunition, provisions, etc., which had fallen into their hands.
The story that the rebels were disgusted at finding a number of packages
of paper-collars, and asked, under a flag of truce, that they be exchanged
for " hard-tack," was no doubt coined by some genius of an imaginative
vein, while lying upon the picket-line ! The sad duty of gathering in the
dead and wounded of course received careful attention. The ground was
literally bestrewed with the bodies of the dead and maimed — a phase of

Killed. —Private James P. Witham, Co. E. Wounded. — Privates Cornelius Fish
and Joseph Casey, Co. E ; Private William E. Skillin, Co. H ; Private Charles Wood, Co. I.
Missing. — Sergeant Joseph E. Latham and Privates Page F. Grover, John H. Hayden,
Leemon H. Bard and Abram T. Green, Co. B ; Privates John F. Leighton and Angus
McGilvery, Co. A ; Private John Houston, Co. D ; Private James Brennan, Co. I ; Privates
Thomas McDonald and George Morrison, Co. K.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.

91

war which ever sheds a pall of gloom over even the camps of the victorious.
But what of the morrow ? A " council of war " was held late in
the evening at which the situation was freely discussed. Though we were
the victors and held the field, it was evident that hostilities must be re
newed at daylight ; that Smith's troops and the other detachments not in
the battles of the 8th could not be brought up ; and therefore we must re
tire to another field, where a junction could be formed with reinforcements
deemed absolutely essential to success. The order to retire was quietly
circulated at about 10 o'clock; and before midnight we had replenished
our cartridge-boxes and were slowly wending our way towards Pleasant
Hill — some fifteen miles away.
As it was deemed important that the contemplated change of base
be kept from the enemy as long as possible, all orders were communicated
in a whisper, with an admonition that no noise or coriusion be tolerated.
In pursuance of this policy it unfortunately happened that many of the
men on the picket-line did not receive the order to retire in season to re
join their commands. Many of these fell into the hands of the enemy,
either on the picket line or while on the march to Pleasant Hill the next
morning. This in a measure accounts for the large number reported as
" missing." The movement was so quietly performed that the enemy was
not aware that we had retired until daybreak the next morning ; when, of
course, their cavalry advance pushed on in hot haste to ascertain our
whereabouts — presumably very reluctant to part company with their new-
made friends !

CHAPTER XIX.

ANOTHER DESPERATE BATTLE, AT PLEASANT HILL," IN
WHICH WE WIN A DECISIVE VICTORY.

A Weary Early-Morning March to "Pleasant Hill." — The Enemy's Cavalry
Follow and Show Fight. — Emory's Division and Smith's Corps in Line-of-
Battle.— The Enemy Makes a Desperate Assault Late in the Afternoon,
and After a Bloody Contest is Repulsed, with Losses Heavy on Both
Sides. — Details of the Battle. — Ghastly Scenes on the Battle-Field. —
The Fifteenth's Share in the Engagement. — List of the Casuatties, etc.

A/TjyARLY dawn of April 9th found our weary, foot-sore, well-nigh
LJ J famished soldiers, slowly wending their way towards Pleasant Hill.
\Jr^ There was very little of romance in the situation. The officers and
soldiers were all nearly exhausted with the fatigue incident to the
campaign. Many of us had marched thirty miles and endured the hard-

92 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
ships of a very fierce engagement, without food, sleep or rest, since the
morning of the 8th ; and it is a somewhat remarkable fact th t many of
the officers while riding their horses, and even some of the soldiers when
marching in their places in the ranks, were found fast asleep, and could
only be aroused by a vigorous shaking ! The road-side was strewn with
stragglers, abandoned wagons, gun-carriages, and litter of every descrip
tion : " flankers " being kept out the entire distance, and a strong provost-
guard engaged in taking charge of those absolutely unable to keep up
with the marching column.
The advance brigades reached Pleasant Hill at about 9 o'clock in
the morning. No serious difficulty was encountered during the march,
save that soon after daylight small detachments of rebel cavalry commenced
harrassing our rear, picking off stragglers, and wounding quite a number
of the soldiers composing our rear-guard. Somewhat later the rebel force
was strengthened to such an extent that it became evident that a general
engagement could not well be avoided at Pleasant Hill. A cavalry brigade
was sent out to engage the enemy's advance and continuous skirmishing
during the day was the result. Col. Gooding's cavalry brigade was actively
engaged during the day and suffered considerable loss.
Upon reaching Pleasant Hill Emory's Division for the first time
formed a junction with the detachment of the 16th corps commanded by
Gen. A. J. Smith. These troops had not participated in any of the battles
of the campaign, with the exception of Fort DeRussy. It was found,
however, considerably to our surprise, that the troops of Emory and those
of Smith constituted the only force available for the impending battle, save
only one small brigade of cavalry. The 13th corps had been badly shat
tered at Sabine Cross Roads; the small detachment remaining, under
Gen. Cameron, with Dickey's colored brigade and the remainder of the
cavalry, being started towards Grand Ecore and Natchitoches, with the
wagon trains and public property, early in the morning. Gen. Kilby
Smith's detachment of the 17th corps was still on the river with Porter's
naval vessels; while Grover's Division of the 19th corps remained at Al
exandria, and was not in any of the engagements of the campaign. We
had, therefore, but about thirteen thousand effective men ; while the enemy
was able to bring upon the field anywhere from seventeen to twenty
thousand, of all arms, and finely equipped.
Though it was not until late in the afternoon that the battle may
be said to have really opened, our entire force was disposed in order of
battle immediately upon the arrival of our Division, remaining in this
position throughout the day. This proved not only a wise precaution, to
guard against surprise, but also enabled the commanding officers to become
familiar with the field upon which some very important evolutions were

THE STORY' OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 93
made later in the day. With the enemy's infantry twenty miles away at
daylight, th^re was an absolute certainty that he could not put in an ap
pearance in force until late in the afternoon ; indeed, the prevailing opin
ion seemed to be that the battle was not likely to occur until the next day.
The now historic field of " Pleasant Hill " comprises an extensive
plain, or " clearing," of about a mile square in area. The " Hill " is more
or less imaginary, since the slight rise of ground which the Louisiana
people dignify with such characterization would hardly be recognized as
such in New England. The clearing had at some time been cultivated,
but now was barren and unfruitful. It is surrounded on all sides by ex
tensive tracts of woodland, with a gentle slope to the west. The main and
only road from Mansfield to Natchitoches divides this plain diagonally very
near the centre. Upon the borders are a number of scattered residences.
The heavy growth of timber skirting the field afforded an excellent oppor
tunity for shielding our batteries and lines of infantry from the enemy's
view, and also rendered good service in affording protection for the soldiers
during the unprecedently severe shower of iron and leaden missiles which
burst upon them during the afternoon.
The line of battle and its reserves occupied the entire clearing. As
first established Emory's three brigades constituted the front line of infan
try, with its cavalry and artillery suitably disposed; while Smith's corps,
constituting the reserves, was drawn up in three lines on the opposite side
of the clearing, on the left side of the road and considerably to the rear ;
being entirely secreted in a thick growth of timber bordering the open
plain. D wight's brigade held the right of the front line, McMillan's the
centre, and Benedict's the extreme left. A brigade of Gen. Smith's corps
was drawn up within easy supporting distance of the centre of our line,
near the road ; and later, when the enemy appeared to be manceuvering
towards the right, McMillan's brigade was dispatched to the support of the
extreme right flank, and the brigade of Smith's corps moved up to the front
line, constituting its centre at the time of the enemy's first assault. Later
McMillan's Brigade was ordered from the right to the reserve, occupying
a position on the right of the road in line with the reserves of Smith's corps,
(the latter being on the left of the road) while another of Smith's brig
ades was posted on the extreme left, in echelon, and to the rear of the left
main line. The line crossed the road, which pierced it near its centre — the
supposition being that the enemy could only approach by the road and at
tack at that point. The cavalry and several batteries of artillery held the
road, being judiciously posted on the infantry flanks and upon positions
commanding a full sweep of the public thoroughfare. In the afternoon, as
the enemy's plans became more fully developed, the front line was moved
from its position in the woods to a position in open ground, the left brigade

94 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
being in rear of a deep ditch near the buildings of the "village." Thus
" disposed," the infantry was allowed to " rest " near the line, to cook and
sip their coffee, and to lie at ease, awaiting developments.
Meanwhile the drizzling and monotonous cavalry skirmishing con
tinued unceasingly, without any perceptible increase or diminution, until
late in the afternoon. Indeed, at four o'clock it looked very much as if we
were to remain undisturbed for the night. The attack, all agreed, must
come upon the right when made ; and in that direction eager eyes were
constantly turned, very great care being taken to keep that portion of the
line, at least, well protected, on the alert, and properly supported. But as
there seemed no unusual movement in that direction there was good reason
to infer that the battle was to be at least postponed for another day.
Sad delusion ! In a measure the rebels had cunningly misled our
commanding generals. At a little past five the weary soldiers on the re
serves, no less than along the front line, were suddenly aroused from the
lethargy into which they had fallen, by the most unearthly " yell " which
ever fell upon mortal ears. It came from thousands of voices, so sudden,
so unexpected, as to be really appalling. All eyes were of course turned
in the direction from which this indescribable battle-cry emanated, only to
see a large force of rebel cavalry advancing at a slow trot, brandishing their
sabres, followed closely by three solid battle-lines of the enemy's infantry,
tlieir artillery belching from the woods its loud-mouthed summons to the
fray. The assault was upon our left and centre — its severest blow falling
upon the brigade of the 1 6th corps which had relieved McMillan's in the
morning, and that of Benedict on the extreme left, and extending to the
brigade of Dwight on the right. As their approach appeared to Gen.
Emory, who was at the front, " there emerged from the woods, on our ex
treme left, three or four heavy masses of the infantry of the enemy, charg
ing close to our left flank before firing a shot." The column moved ob
liquely, from left to right, striking the brigades of Shaw and Benedict al
most simultaneously, and with such force as to break their line and press
them back upon the reserves, leaving Dwight's brigade as the only portion
of the front line retaining its position. Col. Benedict, and many of our
leading officers, were killed at the first onset, in the very desperate strug
gle which ensued. The air was full of lead and iron hail ; the roar of mus
ketry and of artillery was deafening ; and the loss on both sides heavy.
Col. Shaw's brigade is said to have emptied the saddles of nearly an entire
cavalry regiment in the first charge, not more than ten escaping of a charg
ing party of from three to four hundred. The fire of our artillery was ter
rific, opening wide gaps in the lines of the assaulting rebels with their dead
ly vollies of grape and cannister ; the infantry line joining in the chorus
and putting in most heroic service. But the rebels far outnumbered our

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 95
troops engaged, and our entire centre and left crumbled back upon the re
serves. Taylor's Battery fell into the hands of the enemy, and was turned
against us, and for the moment the situation seemed extremely dubious.
Gen. Emory, however, decisively cautioned Dwight to hold his ground at
all hazards ; and riding to McMillan's Brigade — then in reserve — in great
haste, he brought it to Dwight's left just in season to constitute the con
necting line between the troops of Emory and of Smith in the gallant charge
which drove the rebels back across the plains and into the woods, and gave
us the victory. To use the terse yet graphic words of Gen. Emoiy : "I
went to my Second Brigade and brought it out and deployed it to the left
and rear of the First Brigade. They formed a line and charged and re
took a battery I had lost ; and at this moment I saw A. J. Smith's whole
command emerging from the woods on my left in line of battle. The
two lines charged abreast of each- other, Gen. Smith's line continually
throwing forward its left flank and enveloping the enemy, who were driv
en from the field." A gradual change in the direction of the entire line
was made during the final charge — a very skillful and successful movement.
In its general aspects the story of the fight is admirably sketched in
the appended extract from Gen. Banks' dispatches to Gen. Grant. *
The Fifteenth Maine was one of the regiments of McMillan's Brig
ade and participated in all the movements of that command, being actively
engaged from about half-past five to very near nine o'clock. Col. Dyer
was in command, efficiently aided by Lieut.-Col. Murray and the officers of
his staff. Though on the reserve when the first blow was struck, we were,
happily, in a position to render very valuable service at a critical juncture

At about 5 o'clock the enemy abandoned his manoeuvering and made a most desperate
attack upon the brigades of the left centre, commanded by Cols. Benedict and Shaw. The
line wavered at this point momentarily, but, supported by the 1st Vt. Battery, soon regained
its position and the enemy was repulsed ; finding the position so much stronger than anticipa
ted, or in pursuance of other plans, he gradually worked his way to the centre and right, where
the same desperate attacks were repeated upon our right flank. The whole force of the ene
my gradually concentrating upon our right, the brigades of McMillan and Dwight repelled ev
ery attack, and drove him back with terrible loss. The brigade commanded by Dwight had
been suddenly changed at the commencement of the action so as to cover the right of our cen
tre and a part of the right flank, and became, in the end, the pivot upon which the centre line
changed front to meet the altered plans of the enemy. The battle lasted until 9 o'clock in the
evening. The rebels had concentrated their whole strength in futile efforts to break the line
at different points. The most severe pressures occurred towards the close of the engagement
upon the front, occupied by Gen. Dwight's Brigade. The troops held in reserve moved for
ward at the critical moment, and maintained our position, from which the enemy was driven
precipitately and with terrible destruction of life. He fled to the woods upon the right and
was pursued with great energy by the whole of our forces, until it was impossible in the dark
ness to distinguish friend from foe. The losses were great on both sides, but that of the reb
els, as we could judge from the appearance of the battle-field, more than double our own.
Many valuable officers fell in leading their troops. The enemy we encountered numbered
from twenty-two to twenty-five thousand, embracing all the troops west ofthe Mississippi, ex
cepting a small force on the Texas coast, and a small portion of cavalry on the north side of
the river. Gen. Kirby Smith is said to have commanded in person on the 9th and was sup
ported by Price, Green, and the most distinguished generals of the rebel army. Gen. Mou
ton was killed and two officers commanding brigades. We have captured in the campaign
twenty-three guns and fifteen hundred prisoners who are now in our possession.

96 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
of the affair ; and although, in its general details, the battle has already
been sketched, it seems necessary to be somewhat more minute and specific
in chronicling the especial achievements :f our own regiment — which, al
though perhaps secondary in interest to the casual reader, is, from the
stand-point of our own regimental family, of supreme importance.
As has already been stated the Fifteenth's first position in line was
that which the enemy finally selected as the point of attack. It was with
drawn and sent to the right when the enemy seemed to be manceuvering
in that direction ; and at about noon it was ordered to the reserve fine on
an eminenee in rear of the right centre, on the right of the Mansfield road,
as our line was then faced. While the cavalry of both armies were amus
ing themselves in the long-protracted skirmish already referred to, our boys
gladly seized upon the opportunity afforded of utilizing the coffee -kettle,
partaking of a delicious draught of that exhilarating beverage, and then of
dropping upon the grassy knoll for a few minutes of much-needed slumber,
all the while keeping eye and ear poised in the direction of the picket-line,
and being frequently aroused by some change in the direction of the firing
and the flying reports as to the movements of the enemy's infantry. From
this easy-going, "place-rest " position, we were very suddenly called by the
tremendous uproar incident to the enemy's impetuous charge. We were
in brigade-line in the twinkling of an eye and marching by the right flank
towards the extreme right of our position ; while executing this movement
we had been re-called by one of Emory's couriers, and were marching by
the left flank down a narrow farm-road running parallel with the battle-line
at the moment the two brigades on left and centre were being pursued up
the sloping clearing — the Johnnies still shouting tlieir savage battle-cry and
the air lurid with the flame of cannon and of musketry, while minie-balls
and grape and canister were being scattered on either side of the open
plain with a recklessness calculated to create more or less anxiety for the
safety of one's cranium. Gen. Emory and staff, while looking sharply after
the brigades of his division already engaged, was also conducting "my sec
ond brigade" to its new position, and also superintending the change of
front of Dwight's brigade rendered necessary by the development ofthe en
emy's plans. When the Fifteenth reached a position where its line might
easily connect with Dwight's left, all was confusion, uproar, and uncertain
ty, as to the front-line. The two brigades had broken and were being rap
idly crowded back upon the reserves. Taylor's Battery had just been cap
tured, and the remaining batteries were being " limbered " in great haste
and taken to other positions in the rear. Cavalrymen and mounted offi
cers were precipitately " getting in out of the shower," and there were
some indications that another " masterly retreat " was on the programme.
Even the sturdy and heroic Gen. Emory seemed for a moment bewildered

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 97
and undecided as to whether the line should be ordered rearward or pushed
to the front. The brigade line -of-battle was hastily formed, under cover
of a board-fence in rear of some buildings of which the rebels had already
taken possession; our line being considerably strengthened by detach
ments of regiments from the brigades already driven in, including the well-
remembered Zouave regiment of another brigade. Col. Dyer, with his
characteristic " grit," was quick to perceive and meet the exigeneies of the
situation. He carefully formed the line ; and, cautioning his men to make
every shot count, opened a most galling and effective fire upon the rap
idly advancing rebels, in wliich the entire brigade and its new accessions
heartily joined. With the exception of the three companies on the left (A,
D, and F) our line was well-protected by the fence before mentioned,
which, happily, received the greater portion of the musket-balls sent in our
direction. The companies mentioned overlapped somewhat and were con
siderably exposed, especially as the rebel assault came from that direction.
A very spirited contest here ensued — it was, in fact, the pivotal point of
the engagement — and the firing was rapid and incessant and really terrific
on both sides. Gen. Emory was an eye-witness of the gallantry of our offi
cers and men, and ever after was enthusiastic in his praise of the " Old Fif
teenth," and its sturdy commander. After a most stubborn resistance, the
rebel fine wavered, and finally gave way, our regiment and brigade prompt
ly pursuing, and, in common with the entire line, making a gallant and he
roic charge across the plain, driving the rebels, "pell-mell," into the woods.
Gen. Emory followed closely, shouting, in his eccentric style, the savage
and profane battle-cry, " Give 'em hell, boys ! " " Give 'em hell ! " The
enemy made a very stubborn resistance, contesting every hillock and clump
of trees, and in the woods making a desperate effort to rally. The contest
here was hand-to-hand ; the musket being found quite as serviceable at the
butt as at the muzzle-end. For perhaps an hour or more this desultory
" bush- whacking " in the woods continued; and while it seems impracticable
to attempt to recount them, numerous exciting adventnres occurred. Many
on both sides were killed and wounded, and prisoners by scores and by hun
dreds were taken and carried to the rear. At one time, in the excitements of
the charge, three of our left companies pursued a group of rebels quite a dis
tance from our main line, considerably exposing themselves, and but for the
intervention of a staff-officer, they might have gone as far as Shreveport —
and to a Texas prison ! Five of our wounded men received their bruises
within as many minutes. A number of the wounded were not aware of the
mishap until apprised of the situation by some sympathetic comrade. The
details of the fight were of absorbing interest from the commencement to
the cessation of hostilities ; indeed, to many of us, that brief period was
among the most exciting and adventurous hours ever experienced. A lit-

98 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
tie before dark, and a few minutes prior to the demolition of the rebel
line, our regiment — and brigade — pursued the rebels a considerable dis
tance beyond the troops on either flank. The enemy, though retreating,
perceived our exposed condition, and made a desperate assault upon our
right, the outlook appearing a trifle dubious. But we quickly re-formed
our line, changing front, and after a brief yet severe contest the " Johnnies"
yielded to the inevitable and took to the woods, leaving us in undisputed
possession of the field, as victors in the very severe engagement ; but not un
til the coming of night had rendered it well-nigh impossible to distinguish
friend from foe. The rebels, however, were " upon the run," and all who
were able to do so made theh way a long distance from the battle-line be
fore venturing to go into camp.
It was nearly 9 o'clock when the Fifteenth filed out of the woods,
into the open plain, to " look over the score " and await developments.
Though the Fifteenth was in the thickest of the fight from its open
ing to the firing of the last shot, it was especially fortunate in the number
of its casualties. Not a single member of the regiment was killed, and only
twelve were wounded. A number of the latter died subsequently of
wounds received. Appended is a fist of the casualties. *
The tumult of battle having subsided, at a late hour the woods ad
jacent to the battle-field were illuminated with torches of pine, and the sad
duty of caring for the dead and wounded was as faithfully and carefully
performed as was possible under the circumstances. It was a ghastly spec
tacle, such as not even the most unsympathetic. nature could have witnessed
without emotion, and one which the changing scenes of more than a
quarter of a century have failed to efface from the memory of the survi
vors of that band of " Good Samaritans," who on that memorable April
night, roamed the Western Louisiana forests in search the bodies of their
comrades — the wounded, the dying and the dead. Every tree and shrub
seemed to be the shelter for some mangled form, and from every hillock
and ravine some poor fellow, wearing either the blue or the gray — there
was in that hour, happily, no distinction — might have been heard gasping
a piteous appeal for aid — a tender message for the loved ones at home — a
call for a draught of water with which to moisten the parched lip or soothe
the fevered brow — or, mayhap, an urgent call to the medical officers for
professional aid in staying the rapidly-flowing life-blood while earthly aid

Wounded. — Adjutant foseph A. Clark, in right arm ; Lieut. John R. Coates, (Co. A)
in leg ; Lieut. Patrick Neville, (Co. F) in ankle; First Sergeant Henry S. Rich, (Co. D)
in hip ; Private Jonathan Randall, (Co. A) in right leg, Private Hilton B. Wright, (Co. A)
in left arm ; Private Richard Ryan, (Co. A) in left leg ; Private James Roax, (Co. C) in left
side ; Private Alexander Graves, (Co. C) in right leg ; Private Albert Hatchinson, (Co. C) in
neck ; Private Wm. H. Ward, (Co. G) in right hip ; Private John C. Libby, (Co. H) in left
arm.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 99
might prove availing. The dead and maimed of both armies, strangely
commingled, lay in winrows all along the front of the line, and indeed in
all directions in the vicinity. As far as possible the wounded were taken
from the field and competent surgeons and assistants assiduously devoted
themselves to their welfare during the night ; and such scenes as the hos
pitals' presented where the large corps of operating surgeons pursued their
labors, it is hoped the reader may never be called upon to witness. Un
fortunately the medical supply-train, with the necessary and indispensable
appliances for surgical work, had gone to the rear in the morning — a stu
pendous blunder — and the physicians labored under very many disadvan
tages ; nevertheless they wrought faithfully, industriously, heroically, and
are deserving of very great credit for what they were able to accomplish.
One of the incidents of that dreary night which under other cir
cumstances might have been regarded as a trifle barbarous, was the search
of the well-filled haversacks of the rebel dead, by our hungry soldiers, and
the "confiscation" of the dainty morsels of biscuit and cold-meats found
therein — a donation, it was learned, from the rebel ladies of Shreveport and
Mansfield, who, doubtless, little dreamed that by their generosity they
were feeding the hungry and thirsty soldiers of the invading Yankee army,
as well as their rebel friends. Water was very scarce throughout that en
tire region, and it was found that the rebels had taken the precaution to
guard against this deprivation by carrying in their canteens a liquid which
it is not lawful even to look at in the dear old State of the Pine Tree. If
any were so reckless as to imbibe, therefore, they were careful to close at
least one eye while so doing.
As to the general balance sheet of the two days' battles, it is even
now difficult to make it up with accuracy. The prophet of old, who " said
in mine haste, all men are liars," might generally have said this with delib
eration, as to the eommanding generals of both armies, in making up their
list of losses. Exaggeration and underestimates was the rule As near
as can be stated, however, the Union loss at Sabine Cross Roads and Pleas
ant Grove, comprised one hundred and ninety-five in killed, nine hundred
in wounded and eighteen hundred in missing ; a total depletion of twen
ty-eight hundred and ninety-five. The Confederate loss is estimated at
three hundred in killed and twelve hundred and five in wounded ; a total
of fifteen hundred and five. In property we lost one hundred and fifty-
wagons loaded with forage, rations, ammunition, etc.; eight hundred horses
and mules ; the small arms left on the field ; and a large number of valuable
guns. At Pleasant Hill we recaptured enough of the guns and batteries
to render that part of the account about even, while our loss in killed is
stated at but one hundred, with six hundred and eighty wounded and three
hundred and eight missing ; the Confederate loss being three hundred in

100 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
killed, twelve hundred wounded, and twelve hundred prisoners. To re
capitulate: the total casualties of the Confederates figure up forty-five
hundred and five and the Unionists thirty-nine hundred and eighty-three ;
or, on both sides, eight hundred and ninety-five in killed and four thousand
and thirty in wounded. If the figures are correct it is only another illus
tration of the well-known fact, that in war, ancient and modern, an im
mense amount of powder is burned and vast quantities of lead and iron
hurled promiscuously through the air, without accomplishing the murder
ous results designed.
The soldiers — or, at least, those not otherwise engaged — were or
dered into a comfortless bivouac for the night, soon after ten o'clock. Not
withstanding they were cold, hungry, and excessively fatigued, no fires
were permitted anywhere on the line, no rations were accessible other than
those referred to in the preceding paragraph, and, on the whole, very little
of the refreshing repose so much desired, and which in fact seemed an ur
gent necessity, was extracted from the night's " lodgings " upon the cold,
damp, blood-stained field of " Pleasant Hill."
As to the wounded, and the very shabby treatment accorded them,
we shall speak in detail in a succeeding chapter, devoted entirely to that
subject.

CHAPTER XX.

THE ARMY, WITH UNDUE HASTE, FALLS BACK TO THE
LINE OF THE RED RIVER, AT GRAND ECORE.

Ov the Move, Before Day-Break, for Grand Ecore. — No Water or Food and
the Army Compelled to Fall Back Upon its Supplies. — Universal Amaze
ment and Indignation at Learning that our Wounded and Unburied Dead
had Been Left Within the Rebel Lines. — Army and Fleet Concentrate
at Grand Ecore, Fortify, and Lay By a Couple of Weeks. — The Navy and
Transports Roughly Used on the River, Above Grand Ecore. — Admiral
Porter and the Naval Vessels the "Jonahs" of the Expedition.

CMORY'S Division having handsomely repulsed the enemy at Pleas
ant Grove on the evening of the 8th, and, with the aid of A. J.
Smith's Division, won a substantial victory at Pleasant Hill on the
9th, it was natural to assume that the army's next movement would
be towards the enemy, wherever found, or Shreveport, at all events. Sure-

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 101
ly no one imagined that a hasty retreat was on the docket for the morning-
following our glorious victory at Pleasant Hill. But, alas ! it seems to
have been the logic of this decidedly illogical campaign to interpret victory
as a reverse and defeat as a brilliant success.
As a matter of fact, however, it was found, at midnight of the 9th,
an imperative military necessity that the army establish a eonnection with
its supplies, on the transport steamers on the river, at the earliest moment
practicable. The " larder " had become well-nigh empty. There was food
for neither man or beast. The horses had been without forage for thirty-
six hours ; there was no water to quench the thirst of the famishing beasts ;
and, to increase our grievous burdens, much of our transportation, in the
shape of army wagons, had fallen into the hands of the enemy. It was in
view of these exigencies — as well as to keep them out of the way during
the fight — that the wagons remaining in our possession were dispatched to
Grand Ecore, well-guarded, on the morning of the 9th ; and that the en
tire army was put in motion in the same direction early on the morning of
the 10th. Couriers were also dispatched, at the same time, across the coun
try, to Red River, with directions for the fleet and the military forces ac
companying the vessels, to join the army at Grand Ecore.
The entire command was on the move as early as 4 o'clock, no pre
vious notice having been given, and no opportunity afforded even for in
quiring into the condition, or learning the whereabouts, of our wounded
comrades ; the tidings first reaching us, on the march, that the poor fellows
had been left within the rebel lines, though in charge of some of our medi
cal officers detailed to remain with them. Lieut. Neville of Co. F, though
badly wounded, nevertheless pluckily beat a retreat from the hospital,
mounting a stray cavalry horse and following our rear-guard within the
Union lines. The soldiers were amazed and indignant at the apparently
unnecessary abandonment of the wounded, and some of the expressions in
dulged in savored strongly of those sometimes construed as tending " to the
prejudice of good order and military discipline," in which it was deemed
very imprudent for soldiers to indulge.
The column continued its march leisurely, and without notable in
cident, going into camp at noon. The next day the march was renewed,
the army reaching Grand Ecore at about noon. The distance from Pleas
ant Hill is from thirty-five to forty miles. Here our regimental teams and
supply-trains awaited us, and the boys were very glad of the opportunity to
draw rations, pitch tents, and prepare for a night of refreshing, undisturbed
slumber — a luxury in which we had not before indulged since the night of
the 6th. The five days and nights intervening, as some may remember,
had not been entirely devoid of stirring incident and exciting events in the
annals of the veterans of Emory's Division ! We here remained quietly in

102 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
camp for a couple of weeks, surrounded by all the troops of the expedition
excepting Kilby Smith's Division, which was still exercising a military pro
tectorate over the naval vessels and transports a few miles up the river.
We were the recognized masters of the situation save in one very essential
particular — the waters of the Red River still stubbornly refused to indulge
in the annual spring freshet. The rebels had diverted important sources of
supply of this river to other channels, and for the first time in twenty years
the stream was unnavigable above Alexandria. The army might at any time
have taken possession of Shreveport — that is, the army as a whole, its vari
ous detachments within supporting distance of each other — -but to have done
so with the naval vessels aground would have been at the risk of surren
dering to the enemy a fleet of vessels constituting the bulk of Admiral Por
ter's Mississippi squadron, and much relied upon in that important section
of military and naval operations. Useless and even burdensome as the ves
sels had all along been to us, there seemed very little disposition to encum
ber the rebels with any of them, they being supposed to have a sufficiency
of troubles of their owm !
And speaking of the Navy, what of that portion of it which ascend
ed the river in conjunction with the military movement against Shreve
port ? Like the army they found " the Red " a hard road to travel. Gen.
T. K. Smith, with about two thousand soldiers, had taken charge of the
river transportation, with directions to conduct it up the Red River to the
mouth of Loggy Bayou, opposite Springfield, at which point Gen. Banks
expected to be able to connect with the boats and obtain necessary supplies,
overland from Mansfield. There were twenty-six large vessels, most of
them drawing six and a half feet of water, loaded with supplies, fixed and
loose ammunition, siege guns, etc., besides the smaller vessels and the naval
convoy, the whole constituting a very large, a very unwieldy and yet a very
valuable "caravan." The fleet moved slowly up the river April 7th, en
countering snags in the river innumerable, and frequently debarking troops
to drive away detachments of rebels on shore. They reached Loggy Bay
ou April 10th ; debarked the troops, making a reconnoisance towards Spring
field; and were moving to secure an important bridge at Bayou Pierre at
the moment when the courier arrived with tidings of Gen. Banks' Sabine
Cross Roads disaster and his orders to fall back upon Grand Ecore. The
rebels had seriously obstructed the river just above, sinking a large steamer
across the channel, rendering the river impassable. The vessels at once
commenced moving down the river. But very soon the rebel troops and
batteries commenced to appear upon either bank of the river, opening upon
the boats with musketry and artillery. On the 12th a force of 2500 men
and a battery appeared upon one shore, while on the other, and near at
hand, was most of the force which had fought, us at Pleasant Hill. While a

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 103
number of our steamers were aground a rebel cavalry brigade, (Gen. Jack
Green's, from Texas) with a four-gun battery, formed upon the bank and
put their pieces in battery within point-blank range of one of our boats,
and opened fire. The boat quickly moved out of range, and with the guns
of several of our light batteries and the siege guns from the decks of a
number of vessels, Smith opened a terrific fire upon the rebels. The battery-
horses of the enemy were speedily killed, but the position of the pieces was
changed by hand, the rebel sharpshooters deployed behind the timber lining
the banks, and a most incessant fire was continued. Our soldiers were
upon the hurricane decks, protected by cotton bales, bales of hay and sacks
of oats, covered by soldiers' blankets kept constantly wet with the hose of
the steamboats, which furnished adequate foil against rifle bullets. The gun
boats soon came up and took a hand in the fray. The enemy's batteries
were quickly silenced, and the entire force beat a precipitate retreat. The
rebels had a reserve force of four or five thousand three-fourths of a mile
away, which was reached by our heavy guns, and many were killed at that
distance. The rebel loss is believed to be seven hundred. The rebel
commander, Gen. Green, had his head blown off in the fight. Gen. Smith's
loss was less than fifty. The next day, a few miles further down the river,
the rebels opened upon the fleet from a two-gun battery, and, a number of
the vessels being aground, the boats were under shell about five hours.
Reinforcements were on the march from Grand Ecore, however, and the
rebels soon moved away. Gen. Smith was able, therefore, on the 15th of
April, to report his valuable charge to Gen. Banks, in tolerably fair con
dition — his only loss being in men ; and as men were no longer " property,"
that, in some quarters, was regard as of but trifling importance.
The army tarried at Grand Ecore about a week after the arrival of
the transports, seemingly undetermined in which direction to move ; or, at
all events, very careful to so dispose its forces as to give the enemy the im
pression that the Shreveport plan had by no means been abandoned. By
a singular coincidence the army commenced the construction of fortifica
tions about Grand Ecore upon the same day that the gunboats and trans
ports reached us — a branch of industry which was energetically pursued
for several days. Whether the object was in the line of rebel mystifica
tion, or through fear that Admiral Porter, in his wrath at the adverse crit
icisms to which he was constantly subjected, might turn his guns in our
direction, did not appear. At all events there seemed to be no reason for
any apprehensions of an attack from any other source. The enemy were
in force all about us, but, nevertheless, they were sufficiently discreet to
avoid precipitating an engagement in any position where they were likely
to encounter our entire army, as would have been the case here.
During the week following the arrival of the fleet the army was in

104 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
line of battle nearly every day ; and for several days preceding the evacu
ation of Grand Ecore the command was under marching orders — but
whether for front or rear, was entirely enveloped in mystery.
Adjutant Clark was, unfortunately, among our wounded left in the
hands of the enemy at Pleasant Hill, and was a prisoner-of-war for several
months. Lieut. H. A. Shorey (Co. B) was appointed Acting Adjutant,
serving in that capacity until September, 1864.

CHAPTER XXI.

FIFTEENTH BOYS AS PRISONERS OF WAR— AT PLEA8ANT
HILL HOSPITAL AND IN A TEXAS STOCKADE.

A Digression to Look After the Poor Fellows Left Within the Rebel Lines. —
The Desertion of the Wounded at Pleasant Hill Wholly Inexcusable. —
Assistant Surgeon Higgins' Hospital. — The Genial Doctor Takes a Hand
at "Blind-Man's Buff" with the Rebels. — The Detachment at Tyler, in
Texas. — They Eke Out Thirteen Monti-is of a Miserable Existence in a
Prison-Pen.— A Narrative of their Prison Experience.

EFORE leaving Grand Ecore — through the medium of special mes
sengers, under the protection of flags of truce, and through various
other sources — some information was obtained concerning the fate
of our men left within the rebel lines ; and, in the case of those at
Pleasant Hill, of contributing in some measure to their relief. In the light
of the intelligence thus obtained, the desertion of these poor fellows can be
characterized as nothing less than criminal neglect. There appears to have
been a reasonable excuse for leaving the wounded behind, inasmuch as
there was absolutely no transportation by which they could be conveyed
forty miles, over a rough road, without imperilling life ; but their heartless
abandonment without timely notice or necessary provision for their care and
comfort, was so cruel, and even culpable, that under our civil code, the
crime of manslaughter might easily have been sustained. As the rebels
were then in full retreat, there appears to have been no occasion for haste in
falling back upon Grand Ecore; indeed, with our right well-covered by
the gunboats on the Red River, the left of the line might easily have sus
tained a hospital protectorate at Pleasant Hill for a few days, or at least
until the dead had been decently interred and the wounded conveyed to

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I Capt. J. B. Nickels, Co. H
2 Capt. J. B. Wilson, Co. H
3 Capt. Alonzo Coan, Co. H
4 Lt H. G. Prescott, Co. H

5 Lt. T. H. Wentworth, Co. H 9 Capt. J. E. Callaghan, Co. I
6 Lt. W. H. Carr, Co. H 10 Capt. M. Boyce, Co. I
7 Lt. Peter F. McCann, Co. H 11 Capt. VV. H. Boyce, Co. I
8 Lt. T. A. E. McClusky, Co. I 12 Lt. James Story, Co. I
17 Lt. S. C. Wilson, Co. K

13 Lt. W. H. Morey, Co. K
14 Lt. Geo. Capen, Co. K
15 Capt. Z. Washburn, Co. K
16 Lt. E. A. Berry, Co. K

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 105
the rear. Viewed in the most charitable light imaginable, this seems to
have been the champion blunder of a blundering campaign.
About half of the wounded at Sabine Cross Roads were brought off,
but of those maimed at Pleasant Hill only such as could walk away. The
medical officers were busy all night in caring for the wounded, but had ta
ken the utmost precaution to ascertain the contemplated movements of the
army; despite which, between six and seven o'clock on the morning of
the 10th, they were surprised to see drawn up in front of the hospital a
squad of cavalry, whose commander informed Medical Director Sanger
that it was the rear-guard of our army, about leaving the place ! Gen.
Franklin and Gen. Banks' adjutant-general had both given positive assur
ances not only to keep the medical officers posted, but also that the medi
cal supply train should be ordered back to the hospital with all possible
dispatch. Dr. Sanger could only hurriedly voice his amazement and indig
nation, give a few hasty instructions to Assistant Surgeon Higgins, of the
Fifteenth Maine — who was left in charge — mount a horse and ride away,
in the wake of the retreating army. He was able subsequently to return,
under flag of truce, with some supplies and surgical implements very much
needed. Besides the genial and skillful Assistant Surgeon Higgins, in medi
cal charge, the Fifteenth was represented at this Union hospital within the
rebel lines by Adjutant Joseph A. Clark, Lieut. John R. Coates, and Pri
vate Libby, of Co. H., all severely wounded. The entire number of the
wounded left behind, in hospital and on the field, was about one hundred
and seventy -five. The reports received represented that neither rations,
medical supplies, or any of the furnishings of a hospital, were at hand ;
such being improvised as could be supplied by foraging parties made up by
the surgeon and his attendants. They found themselves, for awhile at
least, in supreme control. Both armies were running away ! During the
forenoon tidings were sent to the rebel clans on the Mansfield road of the
situation, and in the afternoon a rebel cavalry force occupied the place, ap
parently very much surprised to find Pleasant Hill garrisoned by a solitary
assistant-surgeon, the wounded, and the unburied dead of both armies still
lying exposed upon the battle-field of the day before ! Col. Jack Green's
Texas cavalry first entered the place, tarried several hours, and then struck
out for the Red River, to harrass the gunboats and transports ; a large
force of rebel infantry following during the night. But it was not until
late at night of the 11th, that a relief party from Mansfield put in an ap
pearance, bringing provisions and necessary assistance. Early on the morn
ing of the 12th the work of gathering the wounded from the battle-field
was undertaken. The wounded of the Union army were placed in the two
large brick buildings on the left of the battle-field, the Confederates occu-

106 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
pying the buildings to the right, nearly in front of the fence from the rear
of which the Fifteenth made its gallant fight on the evening of the 9th.
Among the poor fellows brought in near night of the 12th was
Private John C. Libby, of Co. H, Fifteenth Maine. His right arm was
terribly shattered, and was successfully amputated by Dr. Higgins, on the
13th, at the shoulder. He died of diarrhoea and exhaustion on board a
rebel steamer going down the Red River, ten weeks later, when within but
a day's journey of the Union lines. Three dreary nights and days of a
lingering death upon the battle-field, supplemented by the privations of
hospital life, with its lack of nourishing diet for the debilitated patient, was
a severe strain upon the constitution even of those in robust health.
About the 13th — the fourth day after the battle — the Union hos
pital may be said to have been placed in fair working order. The surgical
force was increased by the addition of two surgeons and an assistant sur
geon, who were duly installed as medical and surgical staff, ward-masters,
hospital nurses, cooks, burial squad, etc. The diet comprised musty corn-
meal, and salt and very rotten bacon. Three tin plates, picked up on the
battle-field, were the only cooking utensils. The physicians, under parole,
were given the liberty of the town, and the wounded the freedom of the
hospital grounds — when the poor fellows had sufficient strength to crawl so
far. During the t:n clays succeeding the battle a large number died ; in
deed, it was found well-nigh impossible to sustain the lives of the severely-
wounded on the fare afforded. Of medical and surgical stoics there were
virtually none to be obtained. Happily, however, at about this time a ray
of sunshine enlivened the hitherto gloomy horizon overshadowing the un
fortunate sufferers, in the form of an incident which is graphically sketched
in a private letter to the author, from an inmate of the hospital, an extract
from which is here appended. *
The wounded — or at least such as survived — remained at Pleasant
Hill until about the 20th of June, when those able to endure the journey
were transferred to army wagons, jostled over the rough roads a distance of
eighteen miles, placed on board a steamer at Blair's Landing, and trans
ported to the Mississippi River. But, alas ! the company was very small as
compared with the roll at the date of establishing the hospital ! More

" About the 23th of April a Confederate Lieutenant, with two privates, all comforta
bly mounted and leading a spare horse, made their appearance at the hospital, and inquired
for Dr. Higgins, of the Fifteenth Maine. The Doctor quickly made his appearance, when he
was informed that four army wagons, loaded with supplies, would be at the Union picket-lines
at Grand Ecore at daylight the next morning, for the prisoners at Pleasant Hill and'Mansfield ;
and the Doctor was to accompany them back, to report to Gen. Banks, under flag of truce, of
their distribution. The Doctor was at the same time informed that he was to mount the spare
horse, be securely blind-folded, and that all would go well provided the bandage was kept on
his eyes until the picket-lines were reached ; but if he raised the bandage or attempted to es
cape, death was the penalty ! The Doctor readily assented to these conditions, and mounted
the horse, blind-folded. The horse was taken by the bridle by one of the guard, and the pair
started on the thirty miles" journey towards the Union picket-lines, where they arrived safely

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 107
than one-half of the one-hundred and seventy -five poor fellows left at Pleas
ant Hill by our retreating army found their last earthly resting-place in the
lonely burial ground at the rear of the brick building which had been util
ized for hospital purposes. The graves were rudely marked, with name
and regiment of deceased, and the spot rendered sacred as one to which
many a sad heart will involuntarily revert upon the recurrence of the an
nual Memorial Day, when the graves of our soldier-dead are being bestrew
ed with those beautiful and expressive floral offerings — symbols of the Glo
rious Resurrection, assurances of which a Loving Father hath written in
every leaf of spring-time.
The representatives of the Fifteenth in the party reached the regi
ment at Marganza Bend June 25th — the. wounded en route for the parole
camp at New Orleans, and Assistant Surgeon Higgins to return to duty.
But the record would be inexcusably incomplete were a brief nar
rative of the privations suffered by the " wounded and missing " at Pleas
ant Grove not to appear. It will be remembered that our line fell back
during the night of the 8th, leaving a strong picket-line unrelieved. A
number of these fell into the hands of the enemy and suffered untold mis
eries for a long term, in the filthy and overcrowded prison-stockade at Ty
ler, Texas. Remaining- on picket-duty until daylight they were ordered to
rejoin their regiments, and, not overtaking them on the road, they were cap
tured by the rebel cavalry about half-way between Pleasant Grove and Pleas
ant Hill. Taken to Mansfield, they were confined in the Court House four
days, and then, a party of five hundred, they were marched to Tyler, Texas,
a distance of one hundred and twenty-five miles. After a weary march, with
miserable fare — many falling out by the way and never being heard of af
terwards — the prisoners were corraled in a ten-acre enclosure, or " stock
ade," in which, at one time, were grouped between four and five thous
and prisoners. The water was good, and plenty of it, but the fare very
unsatisfactory, for a regular diet. The number of prisoners was gradually
decreased, by exchange, but the Fifteenth boys, with eighteen hundred of
their comrades, eked out a miserable existence in the weary watchings for
the daily anticipated order for exchange, for thirteen long and dreary
months. Up to the first of November they were absolutely without shel-
at about six o'clock the next morning. The Doctor found everything here as promised. The
supplies were in charge of an Assistant Surgeon, who turned them over to Dr. Higgins ; also
an unsea.ed letter from Col. Dyer, of the loved Fifteenth Maine, with fifty dollars enclosed,
for himself and Adjulant Clark. This was the first bright spot that had appeared in the Doc
tor's life for two long weeks. He was allowed to converse .freely with the ' boys in blue ' for
thirty minutes or more, when the order came for the guard and drivers to retire back within
their lines. Rebel guard and drivers quickly took their places, and the train started for Pleas
ant Hill. The Doctor had the use of his eyes on the return trip, and was enabled to take a
view of the rebel troops which were giving Gen. Banks so much trouble. The train reached
Pleasant HiU before daylight the next morning ; soon after which the boys luxuriated in a de
licious cup of coffee, the first they had imbibed for more than two weeks. From this on our
death-rate diminished."

108 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
ter ; then they were allowed to cut timber and build log huts, which they
occupied during the winter. The hardships endured by these poor fel
lows during those anxious months may be imagined ; they cannot be ad
equately described. Three hundred and sixty-five of the inmates of the
prison-stockade were buried during the term of confinement. The party
started for the Union lines — an overland march of over a hundred miles —
May 1st, 1865, being exchanged, at the mouth of Red River, May' 26 —
the term of imprisonment covering a period of thirteen months and seven
teen days. The entire party was discharged from the service immediately
upon reaching Augusta, with the extra pay and allowances to which they
were entitled as prisoners of war.
The party comprised : John F. Leighton and Angus McGilvery,
Co. A; Leemon H. Bard, John H. Hayden and Page F. Grover, Co. B ;
Albert H. Hutchinson, Co. C ; John Houston, Co. D ; Stephen J. Bailey,
Co. F; Frank Russell and James Brennan, Co. I; and Thomas H. Mc
Donald and George Morrison, Co. K. Angus McGilvery died in the
stockade. John H. Hayden escaped by a shrewd Yankee triek, answer
ing to the name of a poor fellow called for exchange, but who died the
night before the party left the prison. Hayden, by a very circuitous route,
made his way to the regiment while it was in the Shenandoah Valley, in
the spring of 1865.

CHAPTER XXII.

FROM GRAND ECORE TO ALEXANDRIA, IN " POST HASTE."

Armv and Navy Retire to Alexandria, Fighting all the Way. — A "Neck and
Neck Race" with the Rebels for Right of Way. — A Desperate Battle at
"Cane Crossing," in which the Rebels are Repulsed. —The Smiths Skir
mishing Every Day. — Very Serious Tbouble for the Navy. — They Lose
one of their Finest Vessels, and Gallantly Fight their Way through a
Line of Rebel Batteries which Studded the River's Banks. — Their Losses
Very Severe.

/^-On S late as the 17th of April there appears to have been no settled
purpose on the part of the military authorities to abandon the Red
River Expedition. On the contrary, orders had been dispatched
to New Orleans for additional troops, and Gen. Steele, in Arkansas,
was urged, by special courier, to make a desperate effort to co-operate with
our forces in the movement against Shreveport. The naval authorities,

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 109
also, had been directed to keep their vessels headed up stream, with a view
of operating in that direction. Nevertheless, inexplicable as it may ap
pear, a day or so later the programme was radically changed ; and April
21st orders were issued involving a " masterly advance" rearward, if not a
disorderly retreat.
When the nlovement to the rear had been determined upon, the
commanding general very fully realized that he had not only assumed the
odium inevitably attaching to the failure of an elaborate military campaign,
but likewise the innumerable perils involved in a forced march of over
three hundred miles through an enemy's country, enveloped on all sides by
a powerful rebel army divided into detachments through a region with
which they were entirely familiar, handicapped by a large and costly fleet
whose vessels were then aground, and encumbered with immense quanti
ties of public stores, whose loss to the government must have proved a
national calamity. To successfully conduct such a movement was a task
calling into requisition the highest type of generalship and of executive
ability. It was, in fact, a " neck-and-neck race " between Gen. Banks and
the rebel commanders — the prizes contended for being the possession of our
base of supplies at Alexandria in the first instance, and, secondly, the ave
nues of approach to the Mississippi below that point. Should Kirby Smith
succeed in first reaching Alexandria — with either Taylor's Louisiana or
Magruder's Texas army — and of effecting a strong lodgement at Fort De
Russy and salient points on the Atchafalaya, the chances of the capture of
our fleet, its immense quantities of public property, and even of the bulk
of our army, were so promising as to stimulate the rebel commanders to
most desperate efforts in accomplishing a desideratum so alluring. That
this was the plan contemplated is evinced by the disposition of the rebel
forces. Their army operated in detachments, within easy supporting dis
tance, along the banks of the river, on the rear, flanks and front of our
army, as well as devoting themselves to the blockade of the river below and
the destruction of our supply steamers on the river, between Alexandria
and the Mississippi.
Our army finally commenced its movement rearward April 22d ;
though for a number of days diversions had been made in various direc
tions, with the view of misleading the enemy as to our real intentions.
The divisions of Gens. A. J. and T. K. Smith, with most of the cavalry
and artillery, were given the rear; the 13th corps the centre, covering the
wagon trains ; and the 19th corps the front. The enemy was in consid
erable force, with cavalry, artillery and infantry, six miles away, and every
movement was made with the expectation of being called into line-of-battle
at any moment ; as, indeed, we were several times during the day.
The first day out from Grand Ecore a very severe march was made

110 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
— some thirty-five miles. Gen. Banks had learned that the enemy was
endeavoring to concentrate a large force on the high bluffs commanding
the only available crossing of the river, with the purpose of there engaging
our front while another force should operate upon our rear. The gaining
of a day's time in the march would give the enemy very limited time for
fortifying what might have been made a well-nigh impregnable position.
There was considerable skirmishing in the rear and some in front during
the day, but nothing transpired of a very serious nature. The army went
into camp at about 8 p. in., near Cloutierville, some eight miles from " Cane
Crossing." Early on the morning of the 23d — 6 a. m. — the army was again
on the road, moving towards the Crossing, well understanding that the en
emy was there in force, oceupying a very strong position. Gen. Frank
lin had relinquished the command to Gen. Emory, who directed the move
ments of all the troops, and took considerable pride in announcing himself
as " the general commanding." Emory's Division (Gen. McMillan com
manding) with a brigade of cavalry and a large force of artillery, had the
lead, with Cameron's Thirteenth Corps and a detachment of Grover's Di
vision of the Nineteenth Corps (under Gen. H. W. Birge) within easy sup
porting distance. The Smiths, as before, brought up the rear. Three
miles out the cavalry of the enemy was encountered and quicldy driven to
the river and across. Closson's Artillery was at once pushed forward to
batter the enemy's position, and in an inconceivably short space of time a
brisk artillery fire was opened and continued for some time. It was soon
discovered that we had in our front the rebel Gen. Bee, with about eight
thousand men and considerable artillery, posted on bluffs something like
one hundred feet higher than the land adjacent, his heavy guns effectively
commanding the ferry and its approaches. Some of his artillery was of
very heavy calibre and capable of doing considerable mischief. After care
fully looking the matter over Gen. Emory concluded not to risk an assault
in front, and brought up his batteries to engage the enemy's attention
while he organized a little diversion in the way of a flank movement. Our
infantry was drawn up in line to support the batteries. We occupied a
clearing on the left of the road, well-surrounded by timber, and in range
of the enemy's artillery. The river was shallow, narrow and treacherous,
and could only be forded at great risk. The enemy's guns were well pro
tected, both his artillery and infantry support being practically out of harm's
way. Our division " stacked arms " in the clearing, and " rested in place "
several hours, idle yet not disinterested spectators of the progress of the
very lively artillery duel which, on our side of the river, was the only en
tertainment afforded. It was entirely " musical," with little to- break the
monotony other than the desperate attempts of some of the soldiers at

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. Ill
" dodging " the dangerous missiles constantly ploughing the air. Whiz !
whiz ! a sharp buzzing sound ! now resembling the roar of the whirlwind
and again the snorting of the most powerful steam locomotive ! You lo
cate the trail of the huge engine of death high in the air ! Now it de
scends, with the circumlocution of a falling rocket, and you imagine that
you stand in its pathway ! You involuntarily shrink to permit the iron mis
sile to pass your head ! and, lo ! you follow its track and note that it has
buried itself in the earth perhaps half a mile from you ! A peculiar sound,
producing most indescribable sensations, is that of such terrific artillery-
firing as this ! The shell and solid shot dropped all about us, a number
within fifteen and twenty feet of our regimental line. Under the pressure
of such an experience, continued for hours, the '¦ dodging " art is reduced
to a science. The infantry of our division was not called into action dur
ing the day.
Not so on the other side of the stream, however. Gen. H. W.
Birge — with Cameron and the 13th corps detachment ; Col. Frank Fes-
senden's brigade of Emory's Division ; a detachment from Grover's Divis
ion ofthe 19th corps ; and a strong cavalry force — had been started dur
ing the forenoon on an expedition designed to turn the enemy's, left flank.
The force encountered bayous, swamps, and well-nigh impenetrable woods,
but proved equal to every emergency. Fording the stream. with great dif
ficulty three miles below the ferry, Birge reached his position late in the
afternoon. A strong skirmish line was thrown out and the rebel pickets
easily pushed from two apparently strong positions, when the enemy was
discovered in force, on the crest of a hill, concealed in a belt of timber,
commanding an open field, across which our troops must pass in making an
assault. But, undismayed, Fessenden's brigade, (in which was the 30th
Maine) led by that gallant officer, pushed forward in a heroic charge, as
saulting the enemy directly in front. It was necessary for our troops to
leap a high fence, under fire, cross an open field, scale another fence, and
advance up a hill where the enemy was formed ; all in face * of the most
galling musketry fire imaginable. But the sturdy veterans followed the
skirmishers closely in a solid line of battle, pushing across the opening,
over the fences, and up the slopes, with such impetuosity as to drive the
rebels before them, after a gallant resistance. They soon rallied, however,
taking position upon another hill ; but Fessenden's brigade moved steadily
forward, and while charging the second position had the satisfaction of see
ing the enemy's lines crumbling away, the entire force joining in precipi
tate retreat over a road leading to Texas. The heights were carried and
the victory was ours. In the assault the gallant Fessenden was severely
wounded. Our entire loss was about two hundred and fifty, nearly half of
which was sustained by the 30th Maine. The enemy was able to get away,

112 THE STOEY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
with his artillery, the Smiths not having succeeded in effectually closing
that road to public travel. The pontoons were stretched across the river
at about dark and the army, with its immense supply train, passed over
during the night. Both Gen. A. J. and T. K. Smith were conspicuous in
the fight, though on the other end of the line. They were skirmishing
with the enemy during the entire day, inflicting and receiving considerable
loss. Some portion of their force was engaged nearly all the time.
The enemy had undoubtedly contemplated a combined attack on the morn
ing of the 24th, front, rear, and along the flanks, and signals were given
that morning as early as 3 o'clock evidently designed to precipitate the con
test. But Gen. Banks' forced march from Grand Ecore and the carrying
of the heights at " Cane Crossing " the day before, seems to have frustra
ted the rebel plans. The signal referred to was responded to by the Smiths
and Gen. Kilby Smith fought a sharp engagement on that morning, (the
day following the battle at Cane Crossing) driving the rebels away, but
losing fifty men in the fight. Emory's Division camped for the night on
the heights, on the Alexandria side of the river.
The army continued its march to Alexandria on the morning of the 24th,
and, without further exciting incident, reached that city on the 25th. The
Fifteenth, with its brigade, went into camp on the upper side of the city,
above the Bayou Rapids.
The Navy, in dropping down the river, had a most thrilling expe
rience. Though the vessels were all afloat before Gen. Banks issued his
final marching orders, the Eastport, the finest iron-clad of the fleet, moved
but a few miles away before being disabled by a torpedo. Herculean ef
forts, extending over a period of six days and nights of incessant labor,
were put forth in the hope that she might be saved. Finally, on the 26th,
it was determined that she must be sacrificed, and the necessary prepara
tions were made to destroy her by explosion, a ton of powder and other
combustibles being distributed about the vessel. Just before the fuse was
lighted gangs of guerrilas commenced to line the river banks and a large
rebel force appeared on the right bank and made an attack upon the boats.
Twelve hundred muskets suddenly opened upon the squadron, and made a
rush for Admiral Porter's flag-ship ; which, dropping out from under the
bank, opened an effective fire with grape and canister. The other vessels
aided by a heavy cross-fire, and the rebels were soon driven away. The
Eastport was then fired and completely destroyed, seven successive explo
sions effectually riddling the fine vessel to atoms, her iron-plating soon
dropping to the river's bottom. The delay, in futile attempts to save the
Eastport, had placed the fleet a long distance in rear of the army, and they
found themselves enveloped on all sides by the rebel forces, intent upon
the capture or destruction of the vessels. Fortunately the transports and

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 113
the heavy-draught naval vessels had dropped down to Alexandria earlier,
only half a dozen of those drawing but little water having lingered with the
party engaged in the effort to reheve the Eastport. Immediately following
the Eastport's destruction the fleet again commenced working its way down
the river. Twenty miles below a strong rebel force was encountered, with
eighteen pieces of artillery, commanding a range of the river for a consid
erable distance. The vessels, in close order and ready for action, opened
fire ; which was briskly returned by a pelting shower of shot and shell con
centrated upon the httle squadron. The Cricket, upon which was Admi
ral Porter's headquarters, was struck no less than thirty-eight times with
shot and shell, the other vessels faring but little better. The Cricket's
decks were cleared in a moment. Her after-gun was disabled and every
man about it killed or wounded ; the crew from her forward-gun was swept
away and the men in the fire-room wounded. A gun's-crew of contra
bands was made up, who gallantly worked the gun during the fight. The
engineer was killed and the pilot wounded. Some of the vessels soon be
came more or less helpless and were taken in tow by those more fortunate.
In this critical emergency Admiral Porter took charge of the Cricket, and,
closely followed by the other vessels, heroically " run the batteries," under
one of the most galling storms of fiery flame and iron and leaden hail ever
experienced. The gunboats responded to the rebel fire as best they could,
but they were at a very great disadvantage. Wheel-ropes were cut away,
the vessels disabled in hull and machinery, some driven aground, and at
least one-half of the crew of each of the vessels killed or wounded. But
the plucky little squadron succeeded in "weathering the storm " and pass
ing the batteries, only to find themselves harassed by sharpshooters, on
either bank of the river — an entertainment which was continued until the
vessels reached the vicinity of Alexandria — on the 28th, some three days
after the arrival of the army. Other gunboats were engaged with the en
emy at the same time a few miles below, but were not as roughly handled.
The vessels were all injured more or less, and it is a marvel that any of
them reached Alexandria. The casualties, in killed and wounded, are re
ported at from fifty to sixty. Of these, the Cricket alone lost twenty-five
and the Joliet fifteen. Officers and men on the naval vessels endured great
privation and toiled night and day in their efforts to extricate the gunboats
from their perilous situation. For their heroic conduct and noble, achieve
ments each and all are entitled to a nation's gratitude.
The naval vessels, at Alexandria, anchored above the Upper Rap
ids, a considerable distance from the city ; while the troops of the several
commands were judiciously posted at eligible points covering the various
approaches to the city. In and about the place, soon after our arrival,
was encamped an army numbering, of all arms, not less than thirty thous-

114 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
and men. These, with the naval vessels, transports, refugees, hangers-on,
cotton-speculators, etc., gave to the little city a very Kvely aspect, and
served to render its post commissary a department of more than ordinary-
importance.

CHAPTER XXIII.

THREE WEEKS AT ALEXANDRIA BUSILY ENGAGED IN
"DAMMING" FOR THE NAVY'S RELIEF!

The Naval Vessels High and Dry Above the Rapids. — Army and Navy Envi
roned by the Rebel Forces. — Gen. "Dick Taylor" Reinforced. — Perpetual
Foraging, Skirmishing, etc — An Ingenious Feat of Engineering Raises the
Waters of Red River and Permits the Naval Vessels to Pass the Rapids. —
Details of the Construction of the Remarkable Dam. — Naval Vessels and
Transports Savagely Attacked on the River Below Alexandria with Dis
astrous Results.

T Alexandria both army and navy were effectually environed and
blockaded for three weeks. The naval vessels were high and dry
above the Upper Rapids, with hardly water enough in the river's
channel to float a skiff; and the army was of course required to
hover near to see that no harm befell the defenceless iron-clads. Further
more, the rebel army had been reinforced by three fresh divisions, from
Arkansas, which gave Taylor a force sufficient not only to constantly har
ass our rear, but also to pass around our lines and establish batteries and a
strong position thirty miles below Alexandria, on the river's banks, thus
rendering navigation between our base of supplies and the Mississippi ex
tremely hazardous. Every day and every hour of the day and night
constant watchfulness was required, the troops being frequently called into
line of battle. Reconnoitering parties were daily scouring the adjacent
country, the cavalry, especially being very actively employed. Foraging
expeditions were also numerous ; and, on the whole, the tarry at Alexan
dria was not entirely uneventful. Our troops were reinforced while here
by the 13th corps detachment which had occupied the Texas coast, Gen.
McClernand commanding. A portion of this force, under Gen. Fitz Hen
ry Warren, was unable to ascend the river, on account of the rebel block
ade, but fortunately effected a landing at Ft. DeRussy in season to prevent
the enemy from obtaining a foot-hold at that strongly fortified position.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 115
The reason of the long delay at Alexandria was the determined
effort to relieve the utterly helpless naval vessels. A dozen of the finest
iron-clads of Porter's fleet lay above the Upper Rapids, only to be rescued
by some miraculous intervention ; and this, happily, was suggested by a
Wisconsin lumberman — Lieut. Col. Bailey — through whose skill and indus
try a remarkable engineering feat was proposed and pushed to a successful
completion. The " Rapids," or falls, nearly opposite Alexandria, comprise
a craggy, rocky reef a mile or more in extent, composed of rugged, ugly-
shaped boulders, which, protruding from the bottom of the river's bed like
an immense cluster of granite icicles, seemed an insurmountable obstacle to
navigation when the water was very low, with a rapid current running
down stream, at this time at the rate of nine miles an hour. Bailey's plan
was to dam the river — not as it had been " damned " ever since the navy
undertook its ascent, but in the more practical manner with which our
Maine lumbermen have long been familiar. A tree-dam, made of logs of
huge proportions, brush, brick, stone, etc., cross-tied with heavy timber,
and strengthened by various ingenious devices, was run out three hundred
feet into the river, with four large coal barges, filled with brick, sunk at the
end ; this was met, from the opposite shore, by cribs, filled with stone, built
out to meet the barges. It was a gigantic undertaking, involving days and
nights of ceaseless activity. Three thousand men and from two to three
hundred mule-teams were constantly employed. Several of the Maine
regiments were put at work felling trees ; neighboring steam-mills were
torn down for material ; teams were bringing in brick and stone from all
directions ; quarries were opened ; flatboats transported granite by the riv
er ; and, in brief, for two weeks " dam-building " was the all-absorbing
duty of the day and night, and upon this work everybody's attention was
concentrated. For more than a week the labor progressed with at least
one-half of the thirty thousand men standing by utterly incredulous as to
beneficial results ; but about the seventh or eighth day the glad tidings ran
along the lines that the water was surely rising, and the " dam-builders "
worked more energetically than before, if that were possible. 0 ! those
anxious days and nights ! The writer very vividly recalls that eventful,
exciting period, in which thousands of men thronged the river's bank ea
gerly watching for the slightest indication of an increase of the depth of
water in the channel. One night, especially, as the dam approached com
pletion, and when rumors were afloat to the effect that a very perceptible
rise had been noted, he lingered by the river's bank until a very late hour.
While sitting astride his horse noting every movement of the busy workers
a lone horseman rode up, and in a rich, clear, familiar yet trembling voice,
inquired : "Do you notice the slightest indication of a rise ?" The anxious,
heavy-hearted interlocutor was none other than Gen. Banks, the command-

116 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
in°- general, who, night and day, with an ever-abiding faith, had watched
the work with an interest so intense that failure must have produced a fear
ful shock. At the moment one of the crack bands of Emory's Division
was discoursing enchanting music at headquarters, but the chief of the offi
cial galaxy was vastly more interested in the music of the ax and hammer,
at the river's bank, at that critical moment so fraught with very great re
sponsibility to the commander of the Expedition. Had the naval com
mander been equally interested and on the alert, the work would sooner
have reached its successful completion.
By the afternoon of the 8th of May the structure was well-nigh
complete. For a mile and a quarter in extent the water had been raised
seven feet. There was a descent of six feet below the falls, giving a pre
cipitation of thirteen feet above and below the falls. The pressure was
tremendous ! Whatever was to be done must be done quickly ! But the
Navy was listless, and inexcusably indolent. True, three of the lighter-
draught vessels had been made ready to run the gauntlet, and moved down
to the vicinity of the dam, but all the others remained serenely and pro-
vokingly undisturbed, at anchor above the Upper Rapids. At about
midnight Gen. Banks went over the works, and was much impressed with
the conviction that the dam could withstand the pressure but a few hours.
He was, of course, very strenuous that the vessels make the passage at the
earliest moment possible. He rode, post-haste, to where the fleet was an
chored, a mile or more above, only to find the vessels enshrouded in dark
ness, with scarcely a man anywhere to be seen ! He aroused Admiral
Porter, sent a staff officer on board to apprise him of the situation and urge
him to make ready ; and three hours later — -at 5 a. m. of the 9th — a con
siderable portion of the dam was swept away. Two of the stone-laden
barges had swung in below the dam on one side, allowing the water to es
cape in torrents. Porter, seeing the catastrophe, rode up to the vessels
above the Upper Falls and ordered the Lexington to attempt to make the
passage. She passed the Upper Falls just in season, the water falling very
rapidly. The water was rushing through the opening in a furious torrent ;
nevertheless the vessel made for the narrow aperture — and thousands of
men lining the river's banks held their breath and anxiously awaited the
result ! Entering the gap under a full head of steam, she pitched down
the roaring torrent, made two or three spasmodic rolls, lingered a moment
on the rocks below as if to gather courage for the final effort, and then safe
ly leaped into deep water and the current below, and was soon moored by
the river's bank ! Did anybody cheer? Well, the boys now living who
were lookers-on very well remember ! The Lexington was soon followed
by the three vessels that had early come over the Upper Falls. The Neo
sho's pilot lost courage as she approached the abyss and stopped his engine.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 117
The hull of the vessel was entirely submerged under water, and all sup
posed that she was hopelessly wrecked. She soon showed herself above
water, however, jumped over the rocks, irresistably swept by the current,
and escaped with only slight bruises. The other two followed quickly and
successfully — and the gunboats were rescued. The stone -barges swept
away had fortunately so swung around as to form a cushion against which
the vessels might strike, preventing them from rushing to certain destruc
tion upon the rocks on the river's bank. But the water had now all passed
out, the rocks were again bare, and six of the most valuable gunboats, and
two tugs, were still above the Upper Rapids ! And up. to the hour of the
carrying away of the dam no effort had been made to lighten the vessels,
either in the way of the removal of cargo, armament, or iron-plating.
There was no alternative but to make a second experiment. Engineer
Bailey was by no means disheartened, and he renewed his exertions with
redoubled energy. In the re-building the plan was changed ; instead of a
continuous dam of six hundred feet across the river, the gap in the old dam
was but partially closed and a series of eight or ten wing-dams constructed
at the Upper Falls, on either bank of the river. This plan turned the cur
rent of water directly upon the channel, raising it at different points suffi
ciently to allow the vessels to pass, and work their way to the chute in the
dam, fifty -five feet wide. Three days were occupied in the construction of
the second dam. On the 12th of May all the vessels worked their way
over the Upper Falls, and two of them through the opening in the dam ;
and by 9 o'clock on the morning of the 13th all the vessels had safely pass
ed to deep water below. The ingenious engineering feat of a Yankee lum
berman had proved a grand success, and had saved to the government a
fleet of naval vessels valued at more than two millions of dollars.
, While the work upon the dam was in progress the rebel Gen. Pol-
ignac was waging savage warfare upon our navigation, on the stream below,
effectually blockading the river from the 4th of May until army and navy
had passed below. Two gunboats, convoying a transport steamer upon
which was from four to five hundred soldiers, bound down the river, were
compelled to run the gauntlet of a very severe fire, from infantry and bat
teries, for many miles, the vessels being completely riddled with shot and
shell, disabled, and rendered helpless. From four to five thousand infantry
were in the attacking party. One gunboat was abandoned and burned ;
the other, and the transport, surrendered to the enemy. Our poor -boys
were exposed to this barbarous warfare for five hours. Many were scalded
to death ; some were drowned ; and others met with death in various tragic
modes. Of the four hundred or more soldiers over one hundred were
killed and wounded and one hundred and fifty captured ; the residue took
to the shore and escaped — a party of them making their way to Alexan-

118 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
dria, pursued to within ten miles of the city by the enemy's cavalry.
Another vessel coming up the river, with an Ohio regiment on board, was
most cruelly assailed, only two hundred out of a party of four hundred and
fifty escaping. The second shot from the enemy's batteries cut the steam
er's smoke-stack, filling the vessel with steam and smoke, and placing all
on board completely at the mercy of the rebels on shore. Half of those
on board were either shot down, burned to death by the escaping steam,
or found a watery grave in the river, into which they had jumped as the
only avenue of escape. Three Ohio Colonels were killed outright. The
annals of the war may be searched in vain for more tragic incidents than
those experienced on the naval vessels and transports along the line of this
river, while the rebels were holding high carnival along its banks.

CHAPTER XXIV.

FROM ALEXANDRIA TO THE MISSISSIPPI AND "THE END
OF AN EVER-MEMORABLE CAMPAIGN.

The Imprisoned Gunboats Released and Army and Navy Strike Out for the
Mississippi. — The Evacuation and Burning of Alexandria.— Skirmishing in
Front. — The Rebels Make a Spirited Stand at Marksville and Again on
the Plains of Mansura. — Our Entire Army Exhibited on the Plains. — A
Novel Bridge Across the Atchafalaya. — Smith and Polignac Wrestle at
Yellow Bayou. — End of the Red River Expedition. — The Campaign and its
Blunders. — The Creditable Part in the Drama Played by Emory's Division.

#0 sooner had the last of 'the imprisoned gunboats been released than
the entire army was put upon the move for the Mississippi, on the
river-road — the naval vessels and transports keeping us company>
The head ofthe column marched out of Alexandria May 12th ; the
entire command following during the next day. A cavalry brigade and
the 19th corps took the right; the trains, guarded by the 13th corps, the
centre; the 16th and 17th corps, with cavalry and artillery, bringing up
the rear. Before the rear-guard had left the city — early in the morning —
fire broke out in a building within a few yards of a depot of ammunition
on the wharf, and contiguous to the transports laden with ordnance and
ammunition. The soldiers were able to rescue the ammunition by some
very lively work, and the steamers by hurriedly pushing them away from
the levee ; but, unfortunately, a high wind prevailed, and a considerable

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 119
portion of the town was destroyed before the flames were subdued. Soon
after the column was well under way cavalry skirmishing became quite
brisk ; the gunboats frequently " lending a hand " by tossing ten-inch shell
into the woods, on either side of the river, to scatter any of the " Johnnies "
within reach. Abandoned earth- works and batteries, constructed by the
rebels, were frequently passed ; and at one point a huge mass of mail mat
ter was found in the road, the letters torn into shreds — the pile being the
ruins of a mail captured by the rebels from some of our vessels. No inci
dent of i mportance transpired until the afternoon of the 15th, when near
the town of Marksville. The cavalry skirmishing had increased in inten
sity and some infantry support was thrown forward. A vast, level plain,
was reached, beyond which, in a belt of woods, the enemy made a decided
stand, and for awhile disputed our passage. Our army was formed in bat
tle-array, in column of regiments, making four distinct lines of infantry,
besides the cavalry and artillery. It presented a very pretty spectacle.
After a little manceuvering and some sharp work between the cavalry and
artillery of the two armies, the enemy retired beyond the village of Marks
ville, Gen. Banks making his headquarters at that place during the night.
On the 16th, however, after passing through the town, the enemy was dis
covered in force on the outskirts of the village, with cavalry and infantry,
and considerable artillery in position. Our line was formed on a vast plain
fully ten miles in extent, slightly undulating, and seemingly especially de
signed for the purposes of a military pageant. At all events Gen. Banks
could not resist the temptation to put his entire force into position, thus
forming one of the most attractive military spectacles ever witnessed. Here,
in the extreme front, was a strong cavalry skirmish line, extending across
the entire clearing, and also encircling either flank ; then came a line of
artillery, posted along the front and flanks. In the rear of the artillery
line was Grover's infantry, forming the artillery support and the first line
of infantry. Five hundred yards in rear of this was Emory's Division,
with its artillery. On the right flank was the 13th corps; while on the
left were the commands of the two Smiths. The various " headquarters "
flags were conspicuously posted ; while across the plain, in the edge of the
timber, was to be seen the curling smoke emanating from hostile cannon,
briskly responded to by a number of pieces of our own artillery. When
all the dispositions had been made our whole line — deployed nearly the en
tire width of the vast plain — slowly advanced in order- of-battle, gradually
pushing the rebels from our front, skirmishing across the prairie, and soon
taking possession of the three roads so spiritedly contested by the enemy,
and especially valuable as points of divergence from Mansura to the Atch-
afalaya. The " engagement " will be chiefly remembered as a most bril
liant military pageant. The entire field was in full view ; the movements

120 THE STORY- OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
of the rebel as well as of our own troops easily discernible ; and in all re
spects the spectacle was beautifully impressive. Though the artillery-firing
was sharp and incessant for three hours or more, but trifling damage was
inflicted on either side. The infantry on the flanks, by adroit manoeuvring,
early got possession of the woods, and the enemy soon after " dusted," in
the direction of Cheneyville. We captured quite a good many prisoners,
and also re-captured quite a number of our own men taken by the rebels
on the river. The loss was not large on either side.
At the little village of Mansura our boys " inspected " the dwellings
of some of the inhabitants, and were so fortunate as to obtain choice mor
sels of meats and other dainties, from heavily-laden tables evidently spread
as a royal feast for the rebel officers, who, at a late hour, concluded to dine
elsewhere. The Yankee soldiers were not at all backward in partaking of
the repast, even though the host was not in all cases especially agreeable.
Pushing on, through Moreauville, crossing the bayou on pontoons,
encamping early to await the arrival of the teams, and resuming in the
morning, the army's advance reached Simmsport, on the Atchafalaya, on
the afternoon of the 17th. Here another ingenious engineering feat was
made available. The river was six hundred yards wide, and no bridge-
material at hand. Engineer Bailey promptly met the emergency by lash
ing a sufficient number of the steamers side bv side to extend across the
river, upon which wagon-trains, artillery, and troops, safely crossed.
While the army was crossing the river — a slow, tedious process —
Gen. Polignac savagely attacked Gen. Smith's troops at Yellow Bayou.
The engagement continued several hours. Smith lost one hundred and
fifty men. The enemy's loss was much greater; and we captured a good
many prisoners, three hundred or more. During the fight Smith's men
charged the enemy across the bayou several times, driving him back three
miles from the pontoons. Nine infantry regiments, with cavalry and ar
tillery, were engaged on our side. The ambulances brought in a large
number of frightfully wounded men. We were delayed three days at
Simmsport; renewing the march on the morning of May 20th; reaching
the Mississippi on the afternoon of the 21st ; and going into camp at Mor-
ganzia Bend, May 22d — thus completing our period of " wanderings " in
the " Red River Wilderness," which covered a period of seventy-seven
days, during which we had " tramped " not less than eight hundred miles !
At the junction of the Atchafalaya and Red Rivers, near Simms
port, we parted company with the troops of Gens. A. J. and T. K. Smith,
and also with the large fleet of naval vessels and transports. The West
ern troops and the naval vessels proceeded up the Mississippi River to re
join the Army of the Tennessee; and the forces of the Gulf Department
returned to the Defenses of Orleans and the Mississippi. Gen. N. P.

THE 'STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 121
Banks, also, was relieved at about this time, Maj. Gen. E. R. S. Canby
having arrived to take command of the troops, as a portion of the new
Military Division of West Mississippi, to which he had been assigned.
Before entirely parting company with the ever-to-be-remembered
Red River Expedition, it seems proper to briefly consider its purposes, its
accomplishments and its failures, with the view of fixing the responsibility
for the numerous misfortunes attending it, and which seem to have given
the Expedition an undisputed claim to be characterized as " a campaign of
blunders." It should be said, at the outset, that the Expedition's first and most
inexcusable blunder was in being born. It never should have been. Suc
cess was never among the possibilities, under the conditions — at least with
anything like the, force placed at the disposal of Gen. Banks. The cam
paign was of Gen. Halleck's conception. He had formed a plan, as he
evidently supposed, by which he was to concentrate from forty to fifty
thousand troops at Shreveport, in a combined movement, from the armies
of Steele in Arkansas, Sherman at Vicksburg, and Banks at New Orleans ;
the ostensible object being to open up to commerce the fertile region west
of the Mississippi, and at the same time deprive the rebels of its advan
tages as a source of supply for their armies. The permanent occupation of
both Western Louisiana and Texas was involved in the scheme. The
success of the undertaking depended mainly upon such a combined move
ment, unheralded and unannounced — which, as Gen. Sherman expressed
the idea—" should be made rapidly by simultaneous movements from Little
Rock on Shreveport, from Opelousas on Alexandria, and a combined force
of gunboats and transports driving up Red River — the whole to appear at
Shreveport at about a day appointed." That was the programme which
Gen. Banks undertook to carry out, but only as general manager and one
of the performers. But after the audience had gathered and the curtain
had been " rung up," the much-advertised star, " Steele from Little Rock,"
failed to materialize. Sherman's troops, only about half the number prom
ised, came as an independent side-show ; while the naval appendage really
proved an embarrassment rather than an efficient aid, on account of the
heavy draught of the vessels and an insufficient supply of water to float
them. The tardiness of the navel vessels in ascending the river gave the
rebels abundant opportunity to concentrate their forces and . interpose ob
structions well-nigh impossible to overcome. In a severe criticism of this
arrangement Gen. Banks utterly disclaimed all responsibility, protesting —
" had it been left to my discretion, I should have reluctantly undertaken,
in a campaign requiring but eight or ten light draught gunboats, to force
twenty heavy iron-clads four hundred and ninety miles upon a river pro
verbially as treacherous as the rebels who defended it, and which had given

1;»;2 I'll]- STOKY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
notice of its character by steadily falling, when, as the Admiral reports, all
other rivers were booming." Clearly, when Admiral Porter found no
water in the river at Alexandria — even though a rise was confidently ex
pected — he should have possessed the nerve and the discretion to decline
further attempts at its ascent ; just as Gen Banks should have protested
against embarking upon the campaign with an inadequate force, without
more positive assurances of aid from the commanders beyond his reach.
In his justification, however, Gen. Banks urges that even as late as the day
of the battle of Pleasant Hill, Gen. Sherman had dispatched the message
that Steele and his entire force (from Arkansas) had been ordered to co
operate with him (Banks) and the navy in a movement upon Shreveport ;
and that he (Banks; confidently expected to form a junction with that
force, somewhere in the Red River region, even as late as his concentration
upon Grand Ecore. Nevertheless, the upshot of the matter seems to have
been, that instead of the force of forty-two thousand men, as promised, we
were at no time able to bring twenty thousand effective men against the
enemy; not to mention the utter uselessness of the naval fleet which Ad
miral Porter had brought to Alexandria, and wliich he undertook to haul
over the shoals and mud-flats, where a sensible turtle would hardly have
undertaken to navigate.
But, the Expedition having indiscreetly been entered upon, the
most serious and reprehensible blunder of the entire campaign was that of
fighting the battle of Sabine Cross Roads. To the uninitiated it may seem
strange that a soldier, whose business it is supposed to be to fight always,
should ever be censured for engaging an enemy whom he finds in his
path-way ; nevertheless it is a well-recognized truth that to engage in bat
tle with the troops so illy prepared to fight that defeat seems inev
itable, is a most stupendous blunder, if the wager of battle can honorably
be declined. Gen. Banks' command had not planned to fight at Sabine
Cross Roads, was in no condition to do so, and the bringing on of a general
engagement, under all the circumstances, was wholly inexcusable. The
battle might easily have been avoided, had the cavalry commander been a
competent officer ; indeed, it would have been had he implicitly obeyed the
instructions of Franklin, — " attack the enemy, wherever found, but do not
bring on a general engagement. " That of course involved the retreat as
well as the advance — the withdrawal of the cavalry skirmishers when the
enemy stubbornly refused to give way. Instead of this — and with our in
fantry scattered over a single road for a distance of from forty to fifty miles,
leisurely preparing for a much- needed rest — infantry support, brigade after
brigade, was ordered into the fight, a general engagement brought on, the
army in front whipped in detail and by detachments, and the first and only
reverse of the campaign, on the battle-field, sustained. The responsibility

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 123
for this unfortunate blunder has been charged both upon Franklin and
Banks ; but, clearly, Gen. Banks seems to have been the responsible party.
It was he who ordered forward the infantry support after Franklin had re
peatedly declined so to do ; and not only this, but he at the same time neg
lected the necessary precautionary measures for bringing the troops in rear
within supporting distance, until too late to avoid the disaster which seemed
inevitable as early as noon. The situation of the cavalry wagon-trains
proved a serious impediment, to be sure, but they would not have been
found at all troublesome had no general engagement been fought that day.
The loose talk of Banks' " charging the enemy with a wagon-train," will be
seen to be meaningless, if it be remembered that the rebels were doing
the " charging " upon that occasion, and that the wagon-blockade was not
reached until our battle-line had been broken and our demoralized troops
driven back a distance of anywhere from two to three miles. With our
army compactly " closed-up," as was the plan for the following day, the
Sabine Cross Roads stampede never could have occurred ; hence the cav
alry wagon-trains would have been found just where they were needed.
The retreat of the army from Pleasant Grove to Pleasant Hill
seems to have been a necessity ; and perhaps the cruel desertion of our
dead and wounded, already commented upon, was Pleasant Hill's only con
spicuous blunder. The abandonment of the campaign — not fully deter
mined upon until about the time of the departure from Grand Ecore —
seems to have been forced upon Gen. Banks not so much on account of
the unfortunate condition of our army or navy, as by instructions from
Washington, inspired by Lieut. -Gan. Grant's determination to concentrate
every available soldier of the Union army in a position to be serviceable
in the campaigns soon to open on the Potomac and the James. True, af
ter the army's concentration about Alexandria, with the naval vessels high
and dry on the rocks, permission was given to renew the movement against
Shreveport, but then, under existing conditions, it was found wholly im
practicable, and even impossible, to have made such an attempt. Indeed,
the chances are that had there been no interference from Washington, the
disasters of the campaign would have proved much more serious than they
were. The Expedition, from first to last, was a disjointed, incongruous,
and an entirely illogical combination. Admiral Porter and the Navy, in
conjunction with the officers and troops "loaned " by Gen. Sherman " for
thirty days," seem to have conspired to render the duties devolving upon
the commanding general much more difficult than they might otherwise
have been. The Smiths arrogated to themselves the prerogatives of inde
pendent commanders, while Admiral Porter and many of his subordinates
seemed much more concerned as to the matter of cotton-gathering than for

124 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
the success of the campaign. The western troops were jealous of the
officers and soldiers from the eastern states — claimed to have done all the
fio-hting — and, in short, contrived to render themselves excessively disa
greeable — in some instances closely bordering upon decidedly unmilitary
acts and expressions. Especially was this true of Gen. A. J. Smith, who,
had he received his just deserts, would have gone to the rear in arrest.
In justice to Gen. Banks it should be said, that barring the errors
of judgment in the instances attributed to him, he proved himself a wise
and sagacious commander, extricating the army and navy and vast stores of
public property from a most perilous situation, with a skill rarely excelled
in any campaign of the war. In battle he was ever cool and brave even
to rashness, and his rare executive ability served the country an excellent
purpose in the management of a campaign in which such diversified inter
ests were involved. For the failure of the Expedition — due in a large
measure to circumstances entirely beyond his control — he must of course
ever be held responsible, and be criticised quite as severely for the faults of
others as for those justly chargeable to himself. Nevertheless, much as
he has been maligned, Gen. Banks is deserving of the councry's gratitude
for the substantial services rendered the government in the management of
this unfortunate campaign.
It is but just to add, in closing, that while the average judgment
of the country insists upon a verdict of " failure " as to the Red River
Expedition — and for the quite sufficient reason that a great and costly ex
pedition, fitted out and organized for a special purpose, had signally failed
to accomplish its object — the disaster was rather iu the matter of prestige
and sentiment than in reality. In every battle of the campaign save one
our arms were victorious. We inflicted upon the enemy much greater loss
in. killed, wounded and prisoners, than he upon us. In the matter of ar
tillery and small arms captured the account is pretty evenly balanced. We
lost a large number of wagons an an immense amount of property in the
form of forage, rations, horses and mules, etc., but in the value of cotton
captured and turned over to the government — to say nothing of the rebel
impoverishment on account of the destruction of vast quantities of this
staple upon which the confederate authorities so much relied to provide the
" sinews of war" — the balance is very largely in our favor. However,
the decidedly impertinent rebel prisoner who pencilled upon the wall of
his guard-house at Alexandria the extremely tantalizing inquiry —
" Who skedaddled from Grand Ecore?
With Snith behind and Banks before —
As men never skedaddled before?" etc.,
undoubtedly voiced the average judgment of the country at the time ; and
the participants, with bowed heads and suffused cheeks, must gracefully
submit to what may have been, after all, an unrighteous verdict.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 125
As to the really brilliant services of the Division in which the Fif
teenth served in the Expedition, no special commendation is required, since
its heroic achievements are indelibly written upon the historic page. Nev
ertheless, the annexed congratulatory address is worthy of preservation ;
General Orders) Headquarters Nineteenth Army Corps, )
No. 4.8. ) Semmesport, La., May i8th, 1864. )
Soldiers of the First and Second Divisions Nineteenth Army Corps : — It is my duty to
express to you my high appreciation of your uniform good conduct throughout the late event
ful campaign. This duty is rendered the more imperative by the false reports of your opera
tions which have met you at this pcint.
On the 8th of April, at the first notice that our troops in front were engaged, the First
Division, the only troops of the Nineteenth Corps then present, marched in double-quick time
seven miles to the front, formed line of battle under fire of the enemy, checked him, and drove
him back, under circumstances the most trying that could befall troops. The whole advance,
composed of eight or ten thousand troops, were thrown back upon you in utter disorder and
confusion, pell-mell, with the enemy. You formed line of battle under his fire, and amidst
this frightful disorder, with the regularity of forming for parade, you drove the enemy from
before you, and held the ground until ordered to fall back.
The next day, at Pleasant Hill, you of the First Division bore the brunt of the enemy's
furiius attack ; and only one brigade — that on the left — gave way, because its left was unsup
ported, but this soon rallied and joined in the final charge which drove the enemy from the
field. On the 23d, at Cane River, you, supported by the Thirteenth Army Corps, found the
enemy strongly posted to dispute the crossing of the river. Led by the Third Brigade of the
First Division,- you turned his flank and drove him at the point of the bayonet from the hill he
occupied. At Alexandria, you contributed your labor, by day and night, for seventeen days, under
the engineering skill of Lieut. -Col. Bailey, to the great work which relieved the fleet from its
perilous situation above the falls, and restored it to the country.
At Mansura, on the 1st of May, you met the enemy on an open plain, and, supported
on your right by the Sixteenth Army Corps, drove him from the field.
This, in brief, is a summary of your services for the last two months, and I know, when
it becomes known to the country, the judgment will be that you, at least, have done your duty
faithfully. (Signed.) WM. H. EMORY, Brig. -General, Commanding.
Official : Duncan S. Walker, Asst. Adjt. General.

CHAPTER XXV.

ON THE MISSISSIPPI AND ON THE OCEAN WAVE ON THE
WAY TO THE POTOMAC AND THE JAMES.

At Morganzia Brnd. — A Few Weeks of Quiet Rest in Camp. — Down the River
to Algiers. — Another Ocean Voyage and a Long Farewell to the Crescent
City. — We Sail Northward and in Due Time Join the Army of the Potomac
and Later the Army of the Shenandoah. — The Fifteenth's "Right Wing"
with Butler, at Bermuda Hundreds, and its "Left Wing" Chasing Early
Up the Valley of the Shenandoah.

fi£J OON after reaching the Mississippi the Nineteenth Corps went into
camp at a point near the intersection of Red River with the Missis
sippi known as " Morganzia Bend," upon the banks of the river and
within full view of the steamers and shipping constantly passing to
and fro over that great commercial thoroughfare. It was a new experience

126 . THE STORY OF THE MAINE: FIFTEENTH.
to ¦ again find ourselves comparatively idle and we were very glad to settle
down to the monotonous routine of camp-life. As our soldiers again found
themselves within reach of the broad Mississippi, permitted to drink " at
will" of its refreshing waters — in pleasing contrast with the yellow, slimy,.
malaria-impregnated compound with which we had vainly endeavored to
quench the thirst during the campaign in Western Louisian asthey were
not slow to appreciate the very gratifying change. The transition seemed
a return to " God's country," after weary wanderings in a wilderness with
in the dominions of some other potentate.
The troops were for awhile commanded by Gen. J. J. Reynolds, but
hardly made his acquaintance. Our brigade, at Morganzia, comprised the
13th and 15th Me., 47th Pa., 12th Conn., and 8th Vt. — Col. Harry Rust,
13th Me., acting brigadier. Gen. McMillan commanded the division and
Gen. Emory the corps. There were a number of notable reviews, includ
ing one before Gen. Daniel E. Sickles. A number of reconnoitering parties
were also sent out, furnishing the boys some excitement and exercise, with
out encountering much in the way of a hostile force. One of these, in
which the Fifteenth participated, made a two days' march to the " Old
Mississippi " region, Gen. Frank S. Nickerson being the detachment com
mander. An expedition which went out on the Atchafalaya road encoun
tered a party of rebels running a saw-mill, and there was quite a lively
little skirmish, resulting in the loss on our side of one officer killed and
several enlisted men wounded.
While at Morganzia the Fifteenth boys were glad to welcome Maj.
F. M. Drew and party, on their return from a nine months' tour of duty
on detached service in Maine. Assistant Surgeon Higgins and others also
joined us from their enforced absence at Pleasant Hill ; while Lieut. John
B. Nickels, Adjutant Clark, Lieut. Coates, and others, prisoners of war on
parole, made us a flying visit, on the way to the parole camp at New Orleans.
Lieut. Nickels contracted small-pox on the steamer upon which he made
the passage from Grand Ecore to Alexandria, and was left at the latter
place, in hospital, when the army evacuated the Red River region. The
Paymaster also smiled upon us here, with the greenback-rations represent
ing six months' pay and an instalment of government bounty. A number
of our officers and soldiers made the trip to New Orleans, also, on business
or pleasure, during the sojourn here. Many of our men were sick in the
hospital in that city, and this fact, and various business matters, necessitated
as frequent communication as practicable.
But about the first week in July " sailing orders" were received for
the entire Nineteenth Corps, and the various regiments embarked on steam
ers for New Orleans as rapidly as transportation could be provided ; drop
ping down river, one after another, as ready, and disembarking on the Al-

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.

127

giers side of the river. The Fifteenth, with Gen. McMillan's headquarters,
the 165th N. Y., and a detachment of the 47th Pa., took passage on the
St. Marys, sailing July 3d and reaching Algiers the same afternoon. Most
of the troops of Emory's Division arrived within three or four days. We
were destined to remain here but a brief period ; a sufficient time, only, to
perfect arrangements for a more prolonged sea-voyage — as to the objective
point of which, however, all were in ignorance. Mobile was yet in the
hands of the rebels, and, very naturally, that was surmised to be the scene
of the pending campaign. Steamers in considerable numbers were being
rapidly assembled; ten days' rations for men and horses were provided; and
the preparatory work of the contemplated voyage was being briskly pushed
in all departments. Nevertheless the soldiers who were permitted to visit
New Orleans, call upon the sick comrades in hospital, and inspect their
treasures stored with surplus baggage in the government warehouses, little
realized that they were so soon to take a final leave of the Gulf Depart
ment. In the period of two and a half years that we had radiated about
the Cresent City it had become a very familiar haunt, and, as the chief
commercial centre of that region, was ever visited with pleasure by the
officers and soldiers of all the older regiments, and here many pleasant ac
quaintances had been formed. Here, also, all of the surplus baggage had
been stored at the commencement of the Texas campaign, an additional cause
of anxiety and interest.
The troops commenced to embark for the voyage July 5th. The
Fifteenth was so unfortunate as to be divided into two detachments — regi
mental headquarters, with Companies A, C, D, F, G and K, Col. Dyer
commanding, taking a small, awkward, incommodious low-pressure steamer
named the Exact; while Companies B, E, H and I, Lieut.-Col. Murray
commanding, found more comfortable quarters on the fine Morgan steamer
St. Marys. Major Drew and Assistant Surgeon Higgins were with Lieut.-
Col. Murray's detachment ; the Surgeon, Adjutant, Quartermaster, etc.,
being on the Exact. Both vessels sailed July 6th. The vessels were all
under sealed orders, endorsed " Not to be opened until after discharging
pilot at the mouth of the Mississippi." When well out from the Passes
and the pilot had gone ashore, the " seal " on the documents was eagerly
broken and our " destiny " ascertained. The order read : " You will pro
ceed direct to Fortress Monroe, Old Point Comfort, Va., reporting on your
arrival to Brig. -Gen. Emory, commanding detachment 19th army corps!"
Indeed ! And New Orleans, with its many associations, pleasant and oth
erwise, our sick in hospital, surplus baggage and stores, etc., far in the rear !
For the moment there were murmurings and keen regret ; and yet the
consciousness that the veterans of the old Nineteenth Corps were hence
forth to share the glories of eventful campaigns with the grand old Army

128 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
of the Potomac, served somewhat to counterbalance the score and induce
a praiseworthy degree of satisfaction with an order of exercises which
seemed to be imperative. But, alas ! how many of the poor fellows who
with us had ascended the Mississippi in the spring of 1862 had been left
behind, sad mementoes of the ravages of disease and death in the malaria-
infected region of Louisiana !
The passage across the Gulf and along the Atlantic coast to Chesa
peake Bay — speaking from the stand-point of the Exact, upon which the
writer had taken passage — occupied some ten days, and was quite monot
onous and uneventful. We were now becoming quite familiar with sea
faring life and acclimated to the eccentricities of ocean air and the sea's
ceaseless motion ; nevertheless, the dread scourge of sea- sickness was not
entirely unknown among us, and many of our passenger list were compelled
to seek the seclusion of state-room or bunk frequently during the voyage.
Indeed, heroic and plucky upon other fields, our commanding officer's ex
ample in this respect was not entirely free from criticism ! The Exact
sighted the northern coast of Cuba the third day out ; skirted the upper
extremity of the Florida shore the day following ; and soon espied the
glistening sand-banks of the Carolina coast, where all became eagerly ab
sorbed in noting the objects of interest along shore. Here were the Edisto
lights ; the famous federal batteries on Morris Island ; and, most interest
ing of all, a mass of battered and blackened masonry, lonely and isolated,
flying no ensign and yet feebly responding to the incessant cannonade con
centrated upon it from hundreds of guns on war-ships and batteries — none
other than Fort Sumter, the " cradle of the rebellion." Running suffi
ciently near the coast to enable us to view the fortress through field-glasses,
a very interesting spectacle was afforded. The large blockading squadron,
too — some of the vessels running out to exchange compliments with what
some of the naval officers took to be a blockade-runner — rendered the scene
quite lively and entertaining. When off Hatteras — on the I4th — the Ex
act encountered a violent gale, which continued to hold high carnival two
days and nights. The tempestuous waves dashed about the vessel furious
ly, swooping over the decks, and creating considerable consternation. The
steamer had no chart, was short of coal, and for awhile was really in a
perilous situation. Happily the gale abated somewhat on the afternoon of
the 16th; and, by the liberal expenditure of a number of whole barrels
of salt pork, as a substitute for coal, in spurring the engine of the steamer
to more energetic endeavor, we succeeded in gallantly rounding Cape Hen
ry before dark. By 9 o'clock we had entered Chesapeake Bay ; and at
midnight the Exact dropped anchor off Fortress Monroe.
Upon reporting, next morning, Col. Dyer learned that the Exact
was some four days behind the St. Marys and other steamers leaving New

.THE.. STORY OF .THE:. MAINE FIFTEENTH. 129
Orleans at about the same time ; and- furthermore, that these steamers had
all been ordered to Washington, with their, troops, to defend the national
capital against an impending rebel raid. Gen. Emory was of the party
ordered to Washington ; and we were directed to report for orders to the
Lieut.-General commanding, at City Point. Accordingly, after taking coal
and looking about Fortress Monroe and other objects of interest, we leisurely
steamed to the point designated, where Col, Dyer went ashore to pay his
respects to the noted little man whom some of us had seen thrown from his
spirited charger at Carrolton a year previous, but who had not only recov
ered from his bruises but within the year had made such rapid strides as a
military commander as to have reached the summit of position and honor
— U. S. Grant, Lieut.-General, commanding the armies of the United
States. The General's headquarters were in full view — a row of unpre
tentious wall-tents, utterly destitute of ostentation, surrounded on all sides
by immense piles of commissary and ordnance stores, and in the offing, a
large fleet of vessels of all descriptions, indicating that the base of supplies
of the great army now besieging Richmond and Petersburg, is a place of
importance as well as of ceaseless activity. The Exact, it was found, con
tained the advance-guard of the Nineteenth Corps detachment to arrive at
army headquarters, and we were directed to proceed to Bermuda Hundreds,
reporting to a well-remembered commander of two years before — Gen. B.
F. Butler, commanding the right wing of Grant's army, on the James River.
Here we were glad to find a resting place upon terra firma, disembarking
and going into camp on the afternoon of July 18th, having passed thirteen
weary days upon the little steamer. Two days later the third brigade of
our division arrived, followed soon after by other troops from New Orleans
and some of those which had been ordered to Washington. By the 25th
of July a considerable proportion of both divisions of our corps was en
camped at Bermuda Hundreds.
Our four left-wing companies — B, E, H and I — found the St. Marys
a very rapid sailing craft and eminently sea-worthy. Leaving New Or
leans at 7 p. m. of July 5th and steering clear of the Hatteras gales which
the Exact had encountered, she reached Fortress Monroe on the afternoon
of the 12th — some four days in advance of that vessel. Besides the four
companies of the Fifteenth the St. Marys transported the 8th Vermont,
Col. Thomas commanding. At Fortress Monroe the vessel was intercepted
by orders to proceed at once to Washington for the defense of the national
capital. The steamer sailed for that place the same evening ; and on the
morning of the 13th the troops found themselves coursing up the historic
and beautiful Potomac River and noting with eagerness the objects of in
terest along shore. Mount Vernon, the tomb of him who was " first in war,
first iri peace and fjrst in the hearts pf his countrymen/% — in the remote

130 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
age in which he lived, at all events, — was very appropriately signalized by
tolling bells, as a sacred spot only to be passed with reverence by patriotic
Americans. The St. Marys reached Washington at noon of the 13th —
the day following Early's attack in front of Fort Stevens — the troops at
once disembarking at the foot of Seventh street; and, as may well be
imagined, finding the city in a state of intense excitement, owing to the
close proximity of the rebel forces to the national seat of government.

CHAPTER XXVI.

THE FIFTEENTH WITH THE ARMY OF THE POTOMAC AND
CHASING EARLY UP THE SHENANDOAH VALLEY.

A Brief Glance at the Military Situation Along the Potomac and the James
and Also in the Valley of the Shenandoah. — The Jubal Early Raid Upon
Washington. — The Fifteenth's Left Wing Takes a Hand and Joins in the
Chase. — An Exciting and Adventurous Campaign. — The Right Wing Pro
ceeds to Washington and the Regiment is Re-united, at Monocacy, Md.

UT in giving an intelligible narrative of the Fifteenth's career after
its arrival in Virginia, it seems proper to place upon record a brief
statement of the military situation in that region at the date of our
arrival — the middle of July, 1864.
Lieut. -Gen. Grant had then commanded all the armies of the Uni
ted States for a period of about five months, and was most energetically
pushing his campaigns in various quarters, with the determined purpose of
depleting the rebel armies and exhausting their resources through his favor
ite method of incessant " hammering away " at the military power of the
rebellion, wherever concentrated. With this object constantly in view he
had made his plans carefully and deliberately, called about him the lieu
tenants most fully sharing his confidence, gathered an army numbering not
less than one hundred thousand men in front of the principal armies of the
confederacy; and, early in May, had " started in " with the avowed pur
pose of " fighting it out on this line if it takes all summer ! " Gen. Grant
commenced manceuvering for position the first week in May, when the
Rapidan was successfully crossed. Being attacked he was compelled im
mediately to fight the fearfully disastrous series of battles, covering an en
tire week, known in history as the battles of "The Wilderness," in which
no less than fifteen thousand brave men were butchered on each aider

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 131
These battles were followed in quick succession by the series of bloody
contests of Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor, the North Anna, on the banks of
the James, about the Chickahominy, etc., frightfully disastrous, yet so far
successful as to secure the establishment of a federal line of battle sub
stantially encircling on three sides the rebel strongholds of Richmond and
Petersburg, about which, strongly intrenched, were gathered the principal
armies of the confederacy, commanded by its ablest military chieftain.
The right of Grant's line, commanded by Butler, rested upon the north
side of the James River, with connections, under other commanders, ex
tending to the left fully fifteen miles, strongly fortified the entire distance,
and at several points running so close to the rebel works as to be within
speaking distance, and very near the limits of the city of Petersburg on
the extreme left. In the successive battles which had resulted in the oc
cupation of the position now held, no less than seventy thousand men had
been sacrificed on our side alone in two months of incessant fighting ; nev
ertheless every day of this period witnessed the tightening of Grant's tena
cious grip upon the throat of Lee's army, with not the slighest indication
of relaxation, whatever the cost. While our frightful losses were being
made good by the constant arrival of reinforcements, the enemys casualties,
if not so numerous, were far more serious, since his recruiting ground was
much more circumscribed than ours ; hence the advantage was clearly with
the Union cause. The campaign could only end in the gradual melting
away of one or the other of the confronting armies, and it was very easy
to discern which of the commanders must soonest yield to the inevitable.
And so, all through that eventful summer, there occurred the continuous
assaults, daring and destructive cavalry raids, subterranean mine explosions,
constant artillery bombardment, and incessant fighting all along the line, by
the pickets, sharpshooters, and infantry. Just now the extreme right of
the line was being reinforced for a contemplated movement from the banks
of the James, at Deep Bottom, and to aid in this campaign the Nineteenth
Corps had been ordered to Bermuda Hundreds, and brigade after brigade
was being placed in position as they arrived, disembarked, and had gathered
up the fragments of the regiments and brigades which had become so
widely scattered during the sea-voyage.
But there was still another section of the vast chain of shotted guns
which Grant was so adroitly weaving about the armies of the confederacy.
Not only were the commanders in the South and West dispatched upon
important missions, designed to occupy the attention of the rebel troops in
those sections, but Grant was taking very great pains to prevent the escape
of Lee's army northward through any link of the chain which might be
come broken through undue pressure at any given point. The section of
this environment represented by the Shenandoah Valley avenue of approach

.1*3.2 THE: '. STORY QSLTHJE .-.MAINE FIETHENTH.
to Lynchburg, Petersburg and Richmond, on the one end, and Baltimore,
Washington, and fertile regions in Maryland and Pennsylvania, at the oth
er extreme, was a source of constant anxiety to the Union commander as
well as to the Washington authorities, since the ever-threatened rebel raids
through the Valley were mischievous and disastrous in many respects.
Accordingly, when Grant pushed across the Rapidan he organized a num
ber of expeditions for campaigning up the Valley, over various routes,
with the view of effectually covering the mountain passes, and also of co
operating with the armies besieging Lee on the other side of the circle.
For some time previously the Union and Confederate forces had been racing
up and down the Valley without substantial results, the honors being about
equally divided. About the middle of June Gen. Hunter, the Union com
mander, had worked his way very near to the rear of Lynchburg, but was
so suddenly pounced upon by rebel troops hurriedly concentrated by rail
from Petersburg, that he was soon overpowered, and forced to retreat in
disorder by a route other than the one over which he had approached, leav
ing uncovered an important thoroughfare to Maryland and Pennsylvania.
Lee was very ready to seize upon the opportunity to work mischief, and,
promptly moving Gen. Jubal Early into the "king's row" — to use the
nomenclature of the checker-player — with a large force, he dispatched him
upon a destructive raid through the Valley, northward, hoping thereby not
only to " despoil the (Northern) Egyptians " and obtain much-needed sup
plies for his starving soldiers and horses, but, more important than all, to
compel Grant to turn his attention in the direction of the national capital,
to the abandonment of the Richmond-Petersburg siege. Early moved
rapidly down the Valley the first week in July, crossing the Potomac, and
audaciously levying contributions of money, cattle, forage, etc., upon Mary
land and Pennsylvania villages, inflicting much damage and creating a
flutter of consternation in Washington and throughout the North. Gen.
Lew. Wallace, with a small force of Union troops, was able to move out
from Baltimore and give battle to a portion of Early's troops at Monocacy
Junction, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad, but at a loss of nearly fifteen
hundred men in killed, wounded and prisoners. The rebel cavalry swooped
down upon Maryland and Pennsylvania towns, stopped and robbed railroad
trains, burned villages, railroad bridges, etc., while the main column headed
directly for Washington. Early's infantry advance pushed within six or
seven miles of the outer defenses of Washington July 11th, and on the
12th actually menaced that city. A column of one-hundred days' men,
home-guards, etc., under Gen. Augur, left the fortifications and heroically
marched out to repel the invaders,- giving battle, and losing, in the very
brisk little engagement, some two hundred and eighty in killed and wound
ed, alinost within rifle-range of the national capitol. But Early, learning

THE STORY' OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 133
of the coming of reinforcements, very wisely concluded not to venture
nearer Washington just then — though, as a matter of fact, he might easily
have made the entrance if not so successful an exit.
It was at this very critical juncture that the Nineteenth Corps de
tachment, preceded by a few hours by the Sixth Corps, opportunely reached
Washington ; for though the reports of Early's guns were no longer heard
reverberating through the streets of the city — in the skirmish of the day
before with Augur's hastily colleeted forces — a renewal of the attack, with
increased force, was hourly anticipated. Wright, of the Sixth Corps, was
assigned to the command; and the arrival of these two corps of veterans
gave gratifying assurance that " the government at Washington still lives."
Immediately upon disembarking — from the steamer — the brigade
of the Nineteenth Corps, under the gallant Emory, took up the line of
inarch through Pennsylvania Avenue, in the direction of Tenallytown.
As may well be imagined, Washington was feverish with excitement, and
in a condition to very fully appreciate the coming of the newly- arrived
troops. The " boys in blue " had not then become " treasury wreckers,"
and the anxious populace were glad to throw open the doors and windows
of their residences to extend cordial greetings in lusty cheers, waving
handkerchiefs, jubilant shouts, etc. The tall form and anxious face of
President Lincoln was discerned at the eastern gate fronting the White
House, and enthusiastically cheered by the rapidly-marching veterans.
The brigade in which was Lieut.-Col. Murray's detachment of the Fif
teenth — Col. Thomas, 8th Vt., commanding — bivouacked for the night
near the Catholic College, and the next morning the regimental detach
ment was detailed in charge of the division and corps property. The
other troops were ordered across the Potomac in pursuit of Early. Before
the column got well under way on the march, however, Gen. Emory di
rected Lieut.-Col. Murray to rejoin the brigade, being apprehensive that
a great battle was imminent, in which every soldier would be needed at
the front. Just here — and the fact is not generally known — the Wash
ington authorities were only prevented by accident from perpetrating a
stupid blunder in the displacement of Gen. Emory from the command of
the corps. Gen. Q. A. Gilmore had been designated, but, happily, — at
least from our stand-point ! — sprained his ankle while riding to assume the
command, thus leaving the hero of " Pleasant Grove " to lead the corps
and share in its renown and really brilliant achievements to the end of the
war. Gen. Emory, well-nigh heart-broken at the receipt of the order of
displacement, was highly elated upon being restored to the command, and,
with his troops, at once commenced making long, tedious marches, first on
the Maryland side of the river ; fording the Potomac on the afternoon of
the 17th ; and climbing the steep banks of " Ball's Bluff," rendered historic

134 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
as the field which, early in the war, was enriched by the life-blood of the
lamented Col. and U. S. Senator Baker.
From this point our forces engaged in a " neck-and-neck " race
with the rebel raiders, pursuing Early through Leesburg and Snicker's
Gap and the Shenandoah River, fording streams, fighting guerillas, climb
ing mountains, marching and countermarching, and enduring fatigues and
hardships rarely surpassed in so brief a campaign. The boys marched
night and day, over rocky roads, through mountain gorges, fording streams
and rivers, with feet wet and sore, until, unable further to endure, many
a weary soldier was compelled to fall out by the way, either to be cared
for by the ambulance corps or picked up by the guerillas constantly hov
ering about our rear and flanks. The route traversed led through Ten
allytown, Edwards' Ferry, Rockville, Frederick City, Harper's Ferry, etc.
A valuable train of wagons was in charge, constantly exposed to capture by
prowling rebel troopers, and was an object of deep solicitude on the part
of the officers and soldiers especially responsible for their safety. Some
very thrilling and adventurous incidents occurred all along the march.
During the campaign, while on the road, Lieut.-Col. Murray was
detailed upon the staff of Gen. Dwight, in the first instance, and later
upon that of Gen. Emory, commanding the corps detachment, and placed
in charge of the quartermaster's department, division and corps. Major
F. M. Drew succeeded to the command of the Fifteenth battalion. *
While fording the Shenandoah, at Snicker's Gap — the Eighth
Corps having crossed and Early being " on the run " up the Valley — the
rebel rear-guard suddenly and fiercely turned upon our advance, driving
them back across the river under a most galling fire of artillery and mus
ketry, and inflicting a loss in killed, wounded and prisoners, of not less than
five hundred. Our forces soon re-crossed the Shenandoah to continue the
chase, but were afterwards recalled to Leesburg, upon the supposition that
*  It was during this march that the Nineteenth Corps train, at that time under the care
of an inexperienced officer, had taken the wrong road and become separated from the army,
andthus exposed to dinger of capture or destruction. Lieut.-Col. Murray was sent, with that
portion of the Fifteenth then under his command, with orders to take charge of the train and
bring it back to the army as soon as possible. The train was long, being the entire Nineteenth
Corps wagon-train ; and the route over which it was to travel was both difficult and dangerous.
Lieut.-Col. Murray, on reaching the train, directed its course towards the army. Arriving at
the Potomac the river was forded at Edward's Ferry, the last wagon crossing at midnight.
Here information was obtained from friendly negroes that the army was then at Leesburg,
where it had halted for the night. By exercising the utmost energy and vigilance, and con
stantly fighting Mosby's guerillas, who were hovering upon both sides and rear of the ling
train, causing much annoyance to both men and animals, the party finally reached Leesburg,
bringing the train to the army at about daylight in the morning. When the Lieut.-Col., after
an absence of two days and nights, reportei his arrival to Gen. Emory, he was informed that
four officers, who had been sent out to meet him and advise him by what road to travel and the
point at which he might reach the army, had all bsen capture! By rare energy and fidelity the
army was thus spared a serious misfortune and loss. The officers and soldiers of the Fifteenth
detachment acquitted themselves most heroically, enduring great hardship and fatigue during
the tedious march.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 135
Early was returning to Lee in front of Richmond, and Grant was anxious
to use both the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps in the contemplated movement
from the south side of the James, at Deep Bottom. But later develop
ments demonstrated that Early was simply " playing possum," and a radi
cal change of programme was ordered. Though not actively engaged, the
Fifteenth battalion was in the immediate vicinity of the desperately bloody
fight at the crossing of the Shenandoah on the 19th of July, encamping for
the night on a beautiful spur of the Blue Ridge overlooking the field of car
nage. With the other troops they re-crossed the Shenandoah, and made
their way through Leesburg, via Goose Creek and Long Bridge, to Wash
ington, going into camp, near Chain Bridge, the 23d. On the 26th the
battalion again started " on the tramp " for Harper's Ferry, reaching that
historic spot — from which the soul of " Old John Brown " set out upon its
ceaseless " marching on " — after a hard three day's march, on the 29th.
Next day, the race up the Valley is continued ; but, diverted by further
intelligence as to Early's movements, the command retraces its steps, by
another route, towards Washington, going into camp a few miles beyond
Frederick City on the 31st. August 2d the troops again move in the direc
tion of Washington, but are halted at Monocacy Junction, where the three
weeks' game of " hide and seek " is terminated by a re-union with that
portion of the Nineteenth Corps — including the six companies of the Fif
teenth's right wing, Col. Dyer commanding — :which had been so fortunate
as to escape the " Snicker's Gap Campaign," by rigidly adhering to sailing
orders, and "proceeding" to Fortress Monroe, rather than Washington.
One of the incidents of the three weeks' march up and down the
Valley most gratifying to our soldiers, was the opportunity afforded the old
Nineteenth Corps to test its powers of endurance on the march with the
veterans of the Army of the Potomac. One fearfully hot day the Nine
teenth Corps, which had the lead on the march, changed places with the
Sixth Corps. As the Sixth Corps soldiers marched by, their men shouted
On another occasion, after our troops had succeeded in fording the Shenandoah River,
which was quite broad at the place of crossing — though then only about four feet deep — Lieut.-
Col. Murray rode forward, with Gen. Dwight and^ staff, in advance of the army, for the pur
pose of noting the movements of the enemy. A force of rebel cavalry, which was partly con
cealed in the woods not far away, was discovered, and Col. Murray was requested by Gen.
Dwight to ride around to the left, and Capt. Underhill, of the staff, to ride around to the right.
for the purpose of making an estimate, if possible, of the re'-'el force then immediately in front.
As the two officers were about starting on their tour of observation. Col. Murray's field-glasses
were generously loaned to Capt. U., and the "two solitary horsemen " rode away, in opposite
directions. They rode so far as to be exposed to the danger of capture, and two small bcdies
of rebel troopers dashed out of the woods, headed in opposite directions, for the purpose of
cutting off retreat and effecting their capture. Underhill, after a short race, was taken prisoner ;
but Murray, more accurately estimating the chances of escape, made a long detour to the left,
leading his pursuers farther and farther away from the rebel army, until they abandoned the
pursuit, and he returned uninjured. Capt. Underhill was taken to Libby Prison, but six
months later returned the field-glasses by an officer who had been duly exchanged. And this
is how it happened that Col. Murray's glasses were "taken prisoner" and the Colonel himself
escaped.

136 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
derisively, " Good bye, Nineteenth !" " We'll now show you an Army of
the Potomoc march !" etc. Both corps marched nearly all night. The
heat and fatigue very seriously affected the Sixth Corps boys. There were
many stragglers ; a number of cases of sun-stroke; all the ambulances were
full ; and every variety of vehicle was pressed into the service for carrying
their men who had given out on the march. The next day the Nineteenth
Corps boys took the lead. Though the weather was very hot for the Vir
ginia climate, the clear air, pure water, and radical change of surroundings
from the Louisiana region, seemed to inspire our men to their best en
deavors. The march of the day seemed to them like boy's play in contrast
with some of their Texas and Louisiana tramps, and before night-fall they
in turn pass the Sixth Corps boys on the road, with well-closed ranks, and,
taking the lead, good-naturedly return the "Good bye, boys!" having by
their achievements during the day fully established a reputation for first-
class marching qualities, which was always respected in subsequent cam
paigning with the veterans of the Army of the Potomac as associates.
The re- uniting of the two wings of the Fifteenth — after over a
month's separation — was of course a very gratifying incident, furnishing
the boys an excellent opportunity to rehearse their experiences and " swap
lies " with their comrades, — a very agreeable recreation during as well as
since the war-period !
But by the last of July, Gen. Grant had become convinced that
more radical measures were necessary to rid the Valley of the rebel raid
ers, and he determined to cease further trifling and make thorough work
of the matter! Early had given great provocation for this conclusion by
again moving down the Valley at about this time, sending a party of
cavalry raiders on the oOth, which, extorting princely sums as ransom in
some towns and burning others, was the cause of great uneasiness in Wash
ington and at the North. Our Gen. Kelley had given the rebels battle at
Cumberland and driven the raiding detachment into the mountains of
West Virginia, but Early's main force still lingered and seemed to be con
centrating in the region of Winchester. The exigencies of the service
seemed more critical in the Shenandoah than on the James. Grant there
fore organized a separate military department for the defense of the Valley,
with that intrepid and dashing cavalry officer, Gen. Phil. Sheridan, in com
mand. Withdrawing the Sixth and Nineteenth Corps from the Army of
the James and assigning them to the Army of the Shenandoah, he speedily
collected a considerable army at Monocacy Junction. In pursuance of this
arrangement the Fifteenth's six companies — in common with other troops
of the corps — -left Bermuda Hundreds by steamer July 27 ; reached Wash
ington next day ; and, making various marches and countermarches, trav
elling on foot and by rail, finally reached Monocacv, Md., Aug. 1st, where

TS%

c^ a

d&

i Segt. Wright, A
2 Segt. Smith, '
3 G. F. Vose, "
4 Segt. Lancaster,
5 Segt. Shorey.

Cop. True, B.
Cop. Merryman, B.
Cop. Higgins, B.
Q. M. Segt. Lewis.
W. W. Bm-rill, B.

n M. T. Gilmore, B.
12 Cop. B. H. Pushard, B.
13 Cop. L. O. Pushard, B.
14 L. H. Bard, B.
IS Robert Breckinridge, B.

20 Segt. Sutter, C.

J. H. Hayden, B.
W. H. Megguier, B.
Segt. Johnston, C.
Segt. Shaw, C.
S. S. Rideout, C.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 137
the general corps re-union already mentioned was effected. At about the
same time Gen. Sheridan came down and assumed command of the army
at whose head he was destined to win imperishable renown in the near
future. Gen. Grant also " ran over " from City Point to confer with
" Little Phil.," but, examining the new commanders's plans, felt entirely
justified in leaving Sheridan in supreme control, with no other orders than
the simple yet expressive injunction — " Go lh .'" The manner in which
Sheridan executed this trust is indelibly recorded upon the historic page
as among the most brilliant exploits of the war.

CHAPTER XXVII.

THE FIFTEENTH'S "VETERANS" TAKE IN THE LONG-
PROMISED "VETERAN FURLOUGH," IN MAINE.

From the Valley of the Shenandoah to the Valley of the Kennebec — The
Non-Re-enlisted Men Temporarily Transferred to the Thirtieth Maine
and First Maine Battery. — The Re-enlisted Men Take Train at Monocacy
August $th and Reach Augusta, Me., Aug. iotii. — A Month and a Half of
Holiday Recreation. — We Re-assemble at Augusta and Leave for the
Seat of War, Sept. 27TH. — At Baltimore, thence to Martinsburg, Va.

UT before " taking a hand " with " Little Phil." in the extermin
ation of the rebels from the Valley of the Shenandoah, the boys of
the Fifteenth Maine have in view a long-contemplated campaign to
the Northward, upon which the soldiers interested had fondly set
their hearts, and which, in fact, could not well be longer postponed.
When, something like six months before, upon the bleak and desolate sand
hills of far-away Texas coast, the Fifteenth's members so promptly and en
thusiastically responded to "Father Abraham's " urgent call, and re-enlisted
for an additional three years — or, " during the war, if sooner ended " —
one of the alluring inducements was the promise that the regiment should
receive a thirty days' leave of absence in the dear old State of Maine, at
the earliest moment practicable after re-enlistment. With patriotic ardor
and commendable patience the re-enlisted men had endured the rigors of
the Southern Texas campaign to its completion, followed closely by the ad
venturous and laborious Red River campaign ; and these, supplemented by
the brief campaigns sketched in the preceding chapter, had comprised a
period of deferred hope which seemed the extreme limit of human en-

138 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
durance. The military authorities were very ready to concede the justice
of our claim, when presented, and it was arranged that the Maine boys
should receive their long-delayed Veteran Furlough before the opening of
the Valley campaign. An order was therefore issued, early in August,
directing the Thirteenth and Fifteenth Maine regiments to proceed at once
to Augusta, Maine, as organizations, for this purpose ; the non-re-enlisted
men being first temporarily transferred to the Thirtieth Maine to serve dur
ing the regiment's absence. Later a number of these were transferred to
the First Maine Battery. About one hundred of our men were thus tem
porarily transferred ; a detachment sufficiently formidable to creditably rep
resent the "Old Fifteenth" in any service that might be required and com
prising nearly one-third of our membership present for duty. In addition
to these, our Lieut. F. 0. S. Howe, A. D. C. on the staff of Gen. McMil
lan, volunteered to remain in the field, and rendered gallant and arduous
service throughout the Valley campaigns. A number of commissioned
officers of the regiment remained "with the detachment of. non-re-enlisted
men, including Lieutenants John E. Callaghan, B. F. Brown, and Patrick
Neville. Also, of the non-commissioned staff, Q. M. Segt. B. F. True
and Com. Segt. Fred. W. Elder.
The re-enlisted men, to the number of about two hundred, and
accompanied by nearly all the officers of the regiment, took the train at
Monocacy, for Maine, Aug. 5th. Owing to numerous vexatious disap
pointments in the matter of railroad transportation, etc., the trip occupied
nearly a week We tarried at Philadelphia to take dinner at the famous
Union restaurant, which was the crowning glory of the " City of Brotherly-
Love " during the war-period ; reached New York on the 7th ; Boston
the 9th ; and Augusta, Maine, on the evening of the 10th — some two and
a half years from the date of our first departure for the seat of war.
At Augusta both regiments went into barracks on the State House
Grounds and tarried until arrangements for the individual furloughs could
be effected. The Acting Adjutant of the Fifteenth — Lieut. Shorey — was
detained at Augusta in charge of the regimental property and routine busi
ness of the two organizations, during the vacation period ; and, all the ar
rangements being completed, the boys gleefully sallied out of camp and
started for their respective homes, by various means of conveyance, on the
11th. But that must indeed be an inspired pen which should essay to
chronicle the exploits of the Fifteenth boys during that happy month,
passed with the dear ones up and down the hills and valleys of our goodly
State. To those weary, war-worn veterans, the month's " outing " was in
deed " a feast of fat things." Suffice it to say, every golden moment was
utilized in merry-making and the sweet commingling of kindred spirits.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 139
The restraints of military life were gladly laid aside for the time being, in
cluding, in many instances, the "old blue coat;" and the soldiers very keen
ly enjoyed the privileges and immunities of citizenship — this transition, of
itself, being in its way a most agreeable novelty.
While in Maine a goodly number of the Fifteenth boys seized upon
the occasion of this brief respite from military restraints and duties to as
sume the responsible if not irksome relations pertaining to marital life, the
festivities of the honeymoon period serving to so happily round out the va
cation season, that an immediate renewal of the duties of the soldier's life,
with its inevitable hard-tack and salt-beef diet, seemed so harsh and abrupt
as to smack very strongly of an unseemly intermingling of the celestial and
the terrestrial. Possibly, with this view, it was not so remarkable that some
ofthe " victims" failed to put in an appearance at the time designatedfor
re-assembling, or that the government, proverbially of stony heart, was in
this case so benevolently inclined towards the veterans as to be quite willing
to grant an extension of the " leave " upon a simple representation of the
facts. But even then, we regret to be compelled to add, a number of the
re-enlisted men turned up missing, especially from those companies which
were recruited1 along the Canada and New Brunswick border. The list of
" dropped by reason of desertion," in 1864-5, in the Appendix, gives all
the details necessary as to this very unpleasant reference.
The soldiers of the two regiments, agreeably to orders, re-assembled
at Augusta Sept. 26th, and left for the seat of war on the day following.
As may well be imagined, there were a number of stragglers belonging to
both of the regiments; and these were sent on later. Acting Adjutant
Shorey, who had been on duty at the Augusta headquarters during the va
cation-period, and who was now granted his leave of absence, was enabled
to relieve some of these comrades from a very unpleasant predicament, a
week or two later, by volunteering to take to the front a large squad of sol
diers, who, delayed from one reason and another, had been incarcerated in
the Augusta jail, upon the charge of desertion ! In the party were repre
sentatives of nearly all of the Maine regiments then in the field, as well as
of other New England regiments. Lieut. Lester Dwinal, of Co. G, was ap
pointed Acting Adjutant upon the return of the regiment to the front.
Without incident worthy of record the Fifteenth reached Baltimore,
on its return, Sept. 30th ; taking up the line of march up the Valley Oct.
5th; and encamping at Martinsburg, West Virginia, the same evening.
Affairs in the Valley were then in such a chaotic state as to render it quite
impracticable to re-unite with the troops of the old brigade, division and
corpS — a matter of very keen regret — and both of the Maine regiments
were assigned to duty at Martinsburg and vicinity, then the base of sup
plies of the Army of the Shenandoah.

1 40 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

THE FALL AND WINTER OF 1864-5 WITH THE ARMY OF
THE SHENANDOAH.

The Military Situation in the Shenandoah Valley. — " Winchester," " Fisher's
Hill," " Cedar Creek."— The Fifteenth at Martinsburg Looking After
Mosby's Guerillas.— The Fifteenth Ably Represented at The Front by its
Detachment of Non-Re-Enlisted Men Serving in First Maine Battery.—
A Sketch of the Heroic Services of These Men.— The Fifteenth Moves
to Stevenson's Depot, Va., and Goes Into Winter Quarters.

r^\ T the time of the return of the Fifteenth to the Army of the Shen-
J^l andoah, Sheridan's main army, thirty thousand strong, confronted by
XI a rebel force of great strength, was in the vicinity of Winchester, in
which region there had been some very severe fighting just prior to
our arrival. The army had remained practically inactive during August
and the first half of September, at which time Sheridan had commenced
manoeuvering for position and had planted a strong line along the Opequan
Creek, covering the more important thoroughfares leading down the Valley.
The third week in September — about a week prior to our return — the des
perately contested battle of the Opequan — " Winchester " — was fought, in
which both divisions of the Nineteenth Corps were actively and gallantly
engaged. The battle was one of the most terrific of the war, considering
the numbers engaged. The brunt ofthe fight fell upon the old Nineteenth
Corps; and in its annals the names of Emory, Grover, Dwight, McMillan,
Birge, etc., occupy a conspicuous place. In a total loss of three thousand
on the Union side fully two thousand of the killed, wounded and prisoners,
were from the Nineteenth Corps. The battle continued through the after
noon, terminating in a glorious but dearly-purchased victory for our troops.
The rebels were put upon the run, our soldiers pressing closely upon their
rear and flanks, following them through Winchester and beyond, and, with
cavalry, artillery and infantry, inflicting most severe punishment upon the
enemy while he was yet in full retreat. Nearly three thousand of the en
emy's dead and wounded were left upon the field, and in the streets,
courts, stores, and private residences of Winchester, while twenty-two hun
dred prisoners, five thousand stand of arms, much artillery and other prop
erty, fell into our hands. Early gathered up his shattered lines at Fisher's
Hill, eight miles south of Winchester, for another stand, where, two days
later, Sheridan again attacked, inflicting great loss, capturing many pris-

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.

141

oners and guns, and driving the rebels into the mountains. Then, in ac
cordance with Grant's deliberate plan, the work of devastation was inaugu
rated, with the view of rendering the Valley uninviting as pasturage for the
rebel armies. Over two thousand barns filled with hay and wheat, seventy
flour mills well-stocked, four thousand head of cattle, etc., were either cap
tured or destroyed. The entire Upper Valley was laid waste. The record
of the month is one of long, weary, fatiguing marches, sharp skirmishes,
and desperately contested engagements.
All this while the base of supplies of Sheridan's Army was at Mar
tinsburg, the nearest reliable railroad depot ; and, by reason of its location
and facilities for communication with Baltimore and Washington, it became
a very important centre, and its avenues of approach a most attractive
scene of operations for Mosby's guerillas. Most of the forage for the horses
and all the provisions and other supplies for the army, were transported by
wagon trains a distance of from twenty to thirty miles, through a guerilla-
infested region. The trains were very long — at times comprising over a
thousand wagons, occupying a long extent of road, and drawn by stubborn
mules in charge of treacherous drivers. They were, as may well be imag
ined, a source of constant anxiety. It was to the escort and protection of
these trains, that the Fifteenth was assigned upon its return from Maine,
serving in this capacity through the months of October, November and
December. The duty was arduous, exciting, and often adventurous, in
volving hard marches in various directions, including frequent trips from
Martinsburg to Winchester, aud return, with valuable wagon trains, etc.,
during which contests with Mosby's guerrillas were by no means rare.
On the 20th of November the regiment started on an expedition to Cum
berland City, Md., where an attack seemed imminent, but after a fatiguing
journey, covering a period of nearly two weeks, it returned to Martins
burg (December 3d) without exciting adventure. Among other responsi
ble duties of this period was the escort and safe delivery, from Martinsburg
to Winchester, of a poultry dinner for the Army of the Shenandoah, dona
ted by the State of New York as a Thanksgiving offering for the gallant
soldiers of Sheridan's command. There were thirty thousand pounds of
poultry on the train ; and to safely navigate this important cargo through
the quick-sands of Mosby's favorite stamping-ground, was no mere holiday
recreation — especially as the reckless guerrilla chief was reported to have
made adroit plans for the capture of a portion of the coveted Thanksgiv
ing train in the vicinity of Bunker's Hill. At the front, after the battle of
Fisher's Hill, little of moment transpired until the memorable battles of Oct.
15th, now familiar to every schoolboy as the scene of Sheridan's famous ride —
 "to save the day,
From Winchester, twenty miles away,''

142 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
and which has been immortalized in song and story, as one of the war's
most brilliant exploits. This famous battle — " Cedar Creek" — was precip
itated in a wonderfully adroit piece of rebel strategy, in which our com
manders were most completely surprised. Gen. Early, the Confederate
commander, had been supposed to be a considerable distance away, with no
thought of further aggressive campaigns in the Valley. Sheridan had
started on a hurried trip to Washington, leaving Wright, of the Sixth
Corps, in command. Very early in the morning, screened by the dark
ness and a heavy fog, the rebels stealthily approached our lines. They
avoided the usual thoroughfares, creeping through the woods, around the
base of the mountains, etc., and succeeded in reaching our camps practic
ally undiscovered. Their first signal of approach was a most galling mus
ketry fire opened upon our pickets and hastily formed lines, which was
quickly followed by an impetuous charge, while many of our men were
still rolled in their blankets in their tents. In fifteen minutes from the
first alarm, Crook's West Virginia troops were overpowered, with a loss of
one hundred in killed and seven hundred prisoners. Half a mile further
back was the Nineteenth Corps line. Towards this, elated with vic
tory, and without the slightest consideration, the " Johnnies " came with
a rush. They swarmed in front, on both flanks, and even in the rear.
Gen. Emory hastily dispatched McMillan's brigade to attempt to stem the
tide, and in the desperate encounter that ensued one-third of the men of
that gallant brigade were swept away, in killed, wounded and prisoners.
The Sixth Corps, still half a mile further to the rear, was soon reached,
flanked off the turnpike in the twinkling of an eye, and well-nigh surround
ed and cut off from any support. Our army had been overpowered and
was in full retreat, leaving behind the camps, equipage, artillery, the dead
and wounded, and from ten to twelve hundred of their men as prisoners of
war. Happily, by this time, the " Johnnies " were a little fatigued, and
stopped to plunder the Union camps, giving our retreating forces a little
opportunity for leisurely gathering up the fragments and looking over the
situation. It was at this juncture of affairs that the gallant Sheridan's
arrival was announced, bringing words of cheer and encouragement, and
effectually stopping the stampede. The intrepid cavalry leader, idolized by
his soldiers, greeted his shattered and demoralized battalions gleefully and
without a word of reproach. He eagerly inquired the details and patiently
listened to his officers ; rode along the lines an hour or more endeavoring to
allay the excitement ; ordered, "face the other way, boys," followed with
the emphatic declaration, " we are going back to our camps," " we'll lick
them out of their boots, " etc, ; and, after carefully superintending the
formation of a new line, he was ready to assume the offensive at a little past
noon. Emory's line was attacked feebly at that hour and the enemy was

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.

143

handsomely repulsed ; and, at 3 o'clock, a general advance was ordered.
The boys went in as if no disaster had occurred ; and, amid the rattle of
musketry, the clanging of sabres, and the scream of shells, the Sixth and
Nineteenth Corps struck out and quickly carried the rebel front line, turn
ing his left flank, and crowding him upon the turnpike for a neck-and-
neck race. Then a second charge was made, with cavalry and infantry,
before which the rebel line quickly gave way. Our cavalry force judi
ciously followed up the advantage, quickly putting the rebels upon the run,
and driving them pell mell through the village of Strasburg and beyond.
Before night we had recovered our camps of the morning and our small
arms and artillery, an immense number of prisoners, as well as having re
taken most of our soldiers whom the rebels had captured in the morning
assault. Early's force became utterly demoralized and crushed. Our loss
was about three thousand ; that of the enemy much heavier. This was the
final and decisive battle of the Valley campaign ; and, Early's army being
completely broken up, there was nothing further to fear in that direction.
" Little Phil., " by his timely arrival and gallant conduct at a most critical
juncture, had proved more potent and effective in " saving the day" than
a twenty thousand reinforcing army could have done.
As has before been intimated, the Fifteenth, though not in either-
of these engagements as an organization, was ably represented by a con
siderable detachment of our non-re-enlisted men, who had volunteere I for
service in the campaign in the First Maine Battery. All the non-re-enlist
ed men, to the number of one hundred or more, had been assigned to the
Thirtieth Maine, as a separate detachment, under the command of Lieut.
John E. Callaghan. These served in connection with the Thirtieth at
Martinsburg and on the road between Martinsburg and Winchester, for
about four months, with the exception of a detachment of thirty-six who
were later temporarily attached to the First Maine Battery. Their heroic
and arduous services render it proper that a somewhat extended sketch of
their movements be given in this volume.
While at Bolivar Heights, soon after the regiment had left for
Maine, a rumor spread over the camp to the effect that the Fifteenth de
tachment was to be permanently consolidated with the Thirtieth, an ar
rangement not very keenly relished by the Fifteenth boys. They had
become too much attached to the talismanic " 15th" worn upon their caps
during nearly three years of arduous and honorable service, to readily con
sent to lose their regimental identy on the eve of muster-out ; and so some
of them started out on a prospecting tour, to see if the calamity might not
be averted. Strolling over to the camp of the First Maine Battery they
learned that this gallant artillery corps — the pride of Emory's old Division —
was about being reduced to a four-gun battery, on account of depleted

144 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
ranks. Upon conference with Capt. A. W. Bradbury an arrangement was
soon effected for the transfer of a limited number to the Battery. Thirty-
six Fifteenth boys volunteered and two from the Thirteenth ; and a regular
detail was soon issued from headquarters. The names of the detachment
serving with the Battery, are here appended. *
The transfer was effected at Bolivar Heights, (Aug. 8th) where the
detachment remained in camp, with the Battery, till Aug. 28th. It then
proceeded to Berryville, from which point it moved, early on the morning
of Sept. 19th, to take part in the memorable battle of that day — the battle
of " Winchester " — in which it bore a conspicuous part. As soon as the
battle became general, late in the forenoon, the First Maine went into po
sition in a narrow belt of woods, and, with four pieces, opened fire upon the
enemy, eight hundred yards away. Soon our infantry line in front gave
wav and another section was put in, doing most excellent execution. The
Battery was here exposed to a heavy fire from sharpshooters, from a rebel
battery in front, and from an enfilading battery upon the right, concealed
in the woods. The atmosphere was exceedingly " warm. " One of the
lieutenants of the Battery was seriously wounded, many horses disabled,
and there were numerous hair-breadth escapes. Later, when the enemy
fled, after a most stubborn resistance, the Battery joined in pursuit, spring
ing "into battery" at every accessible point, and shelling the enemy so long
as he was within reach, following the retreating army (on the 20th) through
Winchester to Strasburg. On the 22d, in the renewed attack upon Early's
forces — "Fisher's Hill" — the Battery was in position and engaged in desul
tory firing during the forenoon, and at noon, in the general advance, vig
orously shelled the enemy's lines for half an hour or more — following him
in the retreat until the morning of the 23d — resting at Woodstock, and
next day pressing on beyond Newmarket and Harrisonburg. The Battery
lost two men in killed and seven in wounded. It also had five horses kill
ed and three disabled. The Battery moved from Harrisonburg Oct. 6th,
reaching Cedar Creek on the 10th, and remaining quietly in camp until
the famous battle of "Cedar Creek," Oct. 19. Here the gallant First
Maine did heroic service. Capt. Bradbury had been promoted to Major
and Colonel of Artillery and made chief of artillery of the Nineteenth

?Privates Thomas Hollins, Wm. H. Hay and Robert Sherrard, Co. A ; Private Robert
Breckinridge, Co. B. ; Corporals Samuel Place and Solomon C. Bolier; Privates Andrew
Dcughei-ty, Enoch D. Wessenger, Luther C. Hall, John Madden, Wm. J. Knight, Wm. C.
Condon, Sylvester Rideout, Lyman Everett, Nathaniel Brown, Alexander McFayden, Co. C ;
Segt. Wm. A.. Welch, Co. D ; Corporal Malry Kearney and Private J. W. Pickles (Johnson)
and Wm. Embleton, Co. E ; Segts. Lorenzo D. Small and Henry W. Hammond and Pri
vates Michael Quigley, John Coffin, and John Lubee, Co. F. ; Privates, Alonzo J. Eaton and
Patrick McManus. Co. G; Privates Wm. H. Cain, Ansel Harmon, John McPhail, Frank V.
Rollins, and John N. White, Co. H; Private Charles Connors, Co. I ; Segt. Frederick S.
Barnard an.l Privates Timothy C. Libby and Samuel Cochrane, Co. K.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 145
corps. Capt. Edw. Haley, the commander of the battery, was wounded
early in the fight, and the command during the day devolved upon Lieut.
John S. Snow. The battery was in position as early as 4 a. m., on the
right of the turnpike, and briskly opened fire the moment the enemy ap
peared upon the hill in the rear of the original position of Crook's corps.
The. rebels at once levelled their batteries upon the First Maine, right and
front, completely enfilading its position. Several of the shells from the en
emy's guns burst immediately between the First Maine's pieces, scat
tering consternation and death among its horses and men. It is safe
to say that no battery was ever subjected to a more galling, withering, de
structive cannonade. Soon the enemy secured position on its left and rear,
on the crest of the hill, and a section of the First Maine was then posted to
the left and rear to contest the enemy's advance, firing directly across the
pike at a very short range. This section had no infantry support, and
when the enemy charged to get possession of the pike, one piece, with the
drivers, was captured. The battery stubbornly resisted the rebel advance,
falling back so very moderately that several pieces, with their drivers, fell into
the hands of the enemy. In the afternoon, when, under the impetus of
the coming of "Little Phil," the tide of battle had turned, the battery joined
the infantry in its advance movement, closely pursuing the rebels, though
not engaged in action, and resting for the night in the camp from which it
was driven in the morning. The battery's casualties included one officer
and two enlisted men killed, seventeen wounded, and eight men taken
prisoners. Forty -nine horses were killed in harness and eleven disabled.
Besides these losses, sustained within a period of thirty minute's time, five
guns and four cassions were captured. Decidedly hot was that eventful
half hour ! In this, and all the engagements, the thirty-six infantry-artiL
lerists of the Fifteenth Maine detachment most creditably acquitted them
selves and materially aided in winning additional laurels for the First
Maine. Unfortunately, from lack of reliable data, the minute details are
not attainable. It is learned, however, that our John Coffin of Co. F was
the only driver to stand by the fourth piece in the terrible storm of iron
hail poured upon the battery at Cedar Creek. Private Robert Breckin
ridge of Co. B, Corporal Mal'ry Kearney of Co. E, and Sylvester Rideout
of Co. C, are also reported as winning special distinction. The latter was
twice wounded and was at one time within the enemy's lines, but was re
captured later in the day. Alexander McFayden was seen to fall in the
heat ofthe contest, but pluckily jumped up and went . heroically at work
again, his face besmeared with blood. Pickles (Johnson) of Co. E came
within an ace of losing his precious head, his saddle-horse receiving a bul
let in the neck at a point where, a minute previously, his head had been
resting, while affectionately endeavoring: to quiet the restiveness of the ex-

146 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
asperated steed, by stroking its mane and lovingly patting its neck. Every
one of our boys acquitted themselves like heroes in this trying emergency
and were warmly commended by the officers of the battery.
The battery remained in the vicinity of Cedar Creek until Nov.
19th; then moved to within a few miles of Winchester. The men ofthe
Fifteenth, with those serving with the Thirtieth Maine, rejoined our regi
ment Dec. 30th, having been detached nearly five months.
Among the officers serving on detached service for a portion of the
fall and winter were Lieut. Col. Murray and Lieut. F. O. S. Howe. Lieut.
Howe was A. D. C. on the staff of Gen. McMillan, and was in all the bat
tles of the campaign, winning distinction and the highest commendation
for gallant and heroic services. Col. Murray was called from his bed at
midnight — while the regiment was at Martinsburg — and, by order of Gen.
Seward, assigned to the command of the post of KearneysviUe. This was
a favorite retreat of Mosby's guerrillas, and they had been perpetrating
more or less mischief, including the capture of a U. S. Paymaster's train,
upon which was a large supply of greenbacks. The point was midway be
tween Martinsburg and Winchester, on the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad,
then a dividing line between federal and confederate jurisdiction. The
troops at the post comprised three regiments of infantry and a detachment
of cavalry ; the line occupied covering some nine miles of the railroad.
Valuable trains were constantly traversing this line, and ceaseless vigilance,
by night and day, was required to keep the road open. The service was
active and arduous, and the responsibility so great that the commanding
officer was required to be constantly on the alert. Many a spirited con
test occurred, and frequently our men on picket were brought in, some
times at dead of night, frightfully maimed, having received their wounds
while standing upon their posts. Confederate raiders and scouting par
ties were constantly hovering about the vicinity, they apparently being fa
miliar with every bridle or foot path traversing the woods. The Colonel
slept not upon " downy beds of ease " in those days, or even took the pre
caution to disrobe when committing himself to the care of the Goddess of
Sleep for a brief season. Eternal vigilance was the order of the hour.
But our Lieut.-Col. gallantly " held the fort, '" remaining in command until
the regiment was ordered to Stevenson's Depot.
Soon after the battle of Cedar Creek considerable of our cavalry
and a corps or more of infantry, were withdrawn from the Valley and dis
patched to other localities ; and, Jubal Early having received his quietus,
an era of peace and indolence was again restored to the Valley of the
Shenandoah. The Fifteenth remained in the vicinity of Martinsburg until the
Virginia winter had set in; and, unlike the atmosphere ofthe fall and win-

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 147
ter months of the Gulf States, had admonished us to prepare for cold weather.
Some huts were constructed at Martinsburg ; but early in January the
railroad repairs had been pushed nearer to Winchester, and the bulk of
the army was ordered into winter quarters at a point known, as Ste
venson's Depot, some four miles north of Winchester. Sheridan's head
quarters were at the latter place, and a portion of his army, located two or
three miles beyond, encamped upon either side of the turnpike leading up
the Valley. The Fifteenth left Martinsburg for its new location Jan. 5th,
1865. Comfortable and in some instances capacious log huts were provid
ed, with open-fire conveniences, and the soldiers were enabled to pass the
succeeding three or four months here very pleasantly. The chief duty was
to endeavor to " keep comfortable " — to " eat, drink (hot coffee) and be
merry;" and it is just to say that in this laudable work the Fifteenth boys,
rich with the experience of three full years of campaigning " all along
shore," from Maine to Texas and back homeward as far as Virginia, were
able very creditably to acquit themselves, making fearful inroads upon the
Virginia forests in seeking an adequate supply of fuel, and upon the com
missary department for the requisite provender. The camp at Stevenson's
was occupied until the opening of the spring, campaign, in April.

CHAPTER XXIX.

THE FIFTEENTH COMPLETES ITS FIRST THREE YEARS'
TERM OF ENLISTMENT.

The Muster-Out of the Non-Re-Enlisted Men.— Their Memorable Expedition to
Maine as a Detachment of Ex-Soldiers.— A Few Facts and Figures Relative
to our Regimental History.— We Barely Escape Consolidation.— How the
"Old Fifteenth " Managed to " Hold the Fort. "—Lieut.-Col. Murray's
Efficient Recruiting Services. — The First Maine Battalion.

HILE in winter quarters at Stevenson's Depot (Virginia) the
Maine Fifteenth was called upon to part company with a large
number of its original members — the men who had failed to re-
enlist as " Veteran Volunteers," and, having completed their full
three years' term, were to be mustered out of the service, " by reason of
expiration of term of service. " The detachment constituted a goodly pro-

148 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
portion of " the cream " of the old organization — dearly .beloved old com
rades and mess-mates who had followed the fortunes and vicissitudes of
the " Old Fifteenth " through its entire history, to the date of their muster-
out, and whose departure seemed to those who remained very much like
the severing of the most sacred of the ties of family or kindred. But
their contract with the government had been faithfully and honorably per
formed, in all its requirements. Three long years of varied, arduous, and
hazardous service, had been given to the government ; and these veterans
of eventful campaigns had richly earned the right to retire to their several
homes to enjoy the fruits of these self-sacrificing labors, in the confident
expectation of soon witnessing the termination of the war and an ushering
in of an era of peace and of national prosperity in a country for whose
preservation and disenthrallment they had risked life, health and limb, for
a period covering the best years of their lives.
The number of the " mustered-out by reason of expiration of term, "
aggregated about one hundred and twenty-seven; though as some were
absent, as prisoners of war, sick in hospital, on detached service, etc., it is
impossible to accurately state the number. The names are given in the
Appendix, in the several company subdivisions, under the classification,
" Muste'red-Out by Reason of Expiration of Term — January, 1865. " The
date of the muster-out was was Jan. 18th, the discharge taking effect Jan.
25th. The men were really mustered out of the service before leaving
Stevenson's, but for some reason not apparent it was found impracticable
to pay thein off in Virginia, and they were compelled to make a weary
pilgrimage to Maine as a detachment, where they were finally paid off and
discharged. The special order directing- them to proceed to Maine as a
detachment assigned Capt. Laurens J. Joyce and First Lieutenant John
Mead to the escort of the detachment; and also directed the turnin°; over
of their arms and equipments to the proper officers at Harper's Ferry.
At about the same time — or within a period of two or three months
of the departure of the non-re-enlisted men — a large number of the
commissioned officers of the regiment retired for one reason and another ;
most of them on account of expiration of term of service or commission.
Among them were : Major Franklin M. Drew ; Surgeon Jotham Donnell ;
Assistant Surgeon Lorenzo Dodge ; Capt. William K. Rich, Co. A ; Capt.
John H. Hasty and Lieut. Warren C. Plummer, Co. C ; Capt. C. S. Illsley
and Lieuts. John Mead and Chas. F. Jordan, Co. D ; Capt. Laurens J. Joyce
and Lieut. Patrick Neville, Co. F; Lieut. Benj. F. Brown, Co. G; Capt.
John B. Nickels and Lieut. Thomas H. Wentworth, Co. H ; Capt. Michael
Boyce and Lieut. W. H. Boyce, Co. I ; and Lieut. Geo. W. Capen, Co.
H. Of these Capt. Michael Boyce soon after returned as Captain of Co.
H, and Lieut. W. II. Boyce was promoted to the Captaincy of Co. I.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 149
The journey of the non-re-enlisted men to Maine was a somewhat
eventful and adventurous expedition ; which, properly " written up," would
form an interesting chapter of this narrative, especially enjoyable to the
participators at least. Unfortunately the minute details are not accessible.
It was a veritable "go-as-you-please" expedition, and pleasurable only so
far as relates to its terminus — " the dear old home." The boys had but just
thrown off the irksome restraints of military life, with its discomforts and
its stern and rigid discipline, and were naturally eager to don the garmen ts
as well as the manners and customs of full-fledged citizens, and, after their
muster-out, were rather reluctant longer to " train as soldiers," or to submit
gracefully to the shabby accommodations provided. Nevertheless, though
mustered out at Stevenson's, they were doomed to make the trip to Maine
after the manner of " a squad of soldiers," with no rights and privileges
which " white men are bound to respect ;" the final payment and settlement
with the government being made in Maine rather than in Virginia.
And so, " getting into two straight lines like the reg'lars," the ex-
soldiers formed a detachment, bade adieu to the old comrades, and, under
the command of Capt. Joyce, ably assisted by Lieut. Mead, they took the
train for Harper's Ferry, to surrender the trusty muskets and accoutrements
which had so long been their constant companions. After tedious delay for
lack of transportation, and innumerable trials and tribulations, they were
packed into dreary box-cars without seats, windows, or any of the accom
modations usually pertaining even to a cattle-train, and, only illuminated
with a feebly burning " tallow-dip," the train slowly rolled out of the Valley,
northward. It was a motley " procession." Some of the field-officers re
maining in service had seized upon the opportunity afforded by a special
train oi pull-man cars from the seat of war to Maine, to forward home surplus
baggage, horses, forage, etc., and, in one way and another, a train was made
up quite as formidable and picturesque as that usually accompanying the
rear -guard of an army emerging from a raid in a section where " milk and
honey " are easily attainable. There were bags and boxes and barrels ;
crates of live stock, including cackling fowl ; and a variety of chattels well-
nigh as diversified as those littering the floors and shelves of Dickens' " Old
Curiosity Shop." To add to the unpleasant features of the trip, a few
members of the party were so unfortunate as to have contracted, during
their term of service, a love for the fiery liquid so certain to breed commotion
and turbulence among even those otherwise inclined to demean them
selves as gentlemen ; and these, having procured a supply, were at times
extremely boisterous and pugnacious. From these and other considerations
 Note.
On preceding page, (148) in two last lines, by a typographical blunder, Co. H is used
where K was intended. Lieut. Capen retired from Co. K and was succeeded by Capt. Boyce,
rather than H, as there appears.

150 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
the entire trip proved a wretched experience. There were frequent de
lays all along the route, together with occasional outbreaks requiring the
intervention of the officers in charge, and of Capt. Michael Boyce, who had
joined the party at Harper's Ferry. The cars containing horses and forage
were several times " side-tracked," occasioning delay and affording oppor
tunity for the characteristic diplomacy of the commander of the expedition ;
though even this did not suffice to ensure the continued orderly moving of
the train or preserve the connecting link between the several subdivisions of
the " caravan." But finally Baltimore was passed ; New York, after a
protracted tarry, was cleared ; and Boston was reached — at least by all save
the " rear-car ," in which were the officers, horses, and their attendants !
This had been " switched off " during the night. But the soldiers, eager
to reach home, could not be persuaded to "wait for the wagon," so they
pushed on and reached Maine at last one train ahead of those in the stranded
car ! But Lieut. Mead, early discovering the situation, energetically pushed
on through Boston and reached Augusta only a few hours later than the
" advance " of the party, and in season to superintend the procurement of
the rolls and all necessary arrangements for the final muster and payment
of the detachment. The boys separated, as happy mortals as ever went
out from Augusta, the day following the final settlement of scores with
their •' Uncle Samuel." Lieut. Mead, after a brief yet very pleasant visit
with his family, rejoined his regiment at Stevenson's ; but soon after
resigned, and was mustered out in March, 1865.
The muster-out of the non-re-enlisted men and the ordinary casual
ties of the service left the " Old Fifteenth " a mere skeleton of its former
self. Two months previous to this event its aggregate " present and absent "
was but four hundred and sixty-two, with three hundred and twelve present
for duty. In fact when the lines were formed preliminary to the separation,
it seemed very much as if those to be mustered out were in the majority.
Very fortunately a considerable body of recruits had joined us some two
weeks before — Jan. 2d, 1865 — else our depleted condition must have been
so conspicuous as to have necessitated immediate consolidation with some
other Maine regiment similarly situated. But as the recruits had but
barely reached camp when the non-re-enlisted men left for home, it seems
proper to leave them entirely out of the account in briefly reviewing the
gradual melting away of the stalwart body of men organized as the Maine
Fifteenth Regiment in the winter of 1861-2, and which had now completed
its original three-years' term of enlistment.
By a careful analysis of the " Roster," in the Appendix, it will be
found that the entire number of names on our original muster-rolls aggregate
one thousand and forty-four. Ofthese, fifty-six are classed as " non-effect
ives," cutting down the effective regimental membership to nine hundred

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 151
and eighty-eight. During the years 1862, 1863 and 1864, small squads
of recruits joined us, to the total number, in the three years, of some sixty-
eight, more than half of this number coming in the summer of 1864, and
serving for less than one year. But as these men must be included in the
aggregate, it swells the membership of the old organization to about one
thousaud and fifty-six.
The casualties for this period, as reported in the Appendix, are as
follows :
Died of Disease, killed in action, or died of wounds, etc., 1861-2-3-4  240 1056
Discharged for Disability, resignation of officers, etc.,  231
Transferred for promotion and to other branches of service,  42
Discharged by order for various reasons,  23
Dropped by reason of desertion,  76
Mustered-Out by Reason of Expiration of Term,  127
Total Casualties  739
Leaving (apparently) still on Rolls  317
 1056
But accuracy of statement in these matters is well-nigh impossible.
The rolls and all accessible data are incomplete and misleading. Many of the
men were held on the rolls long after they were discharged or had in some
way ceased to be members of the regiment. As careful analysis as we are
able to make reveals the fact that after the departure of the non-veterans
— leaving the 1865 recruits entirely out of the account — we had about
three hundred and seventeen names on the regimental roll, and that of this
number two hundred and sixty-seven were among the original members of
the regiment, had served the full three years' term, and had re-enlisted
for an additional three years' term, or " during the war, if sooner ended."
Very many of these, however, were absent from the regiment, a goodly
number of them never again serving with it. In the absence of reliable
data it is fair to assume that not more than two hundred of the three hun
dred and seventeen on the rolls were present for duty. For quite a period
there was hardly an average of one commissioned officer to a company,
and, to increase the difficulties, the army regulations did not permit such
officers as had been commissioned to be " mustered," the regiment not
containing the requisite number of men to entitle it to enjoy all the privileges
and immunities of a full-fledged regimental organization. This condition
of affairs continued for nearly five months (from January to May, 1865)
most of the companies being commanded by lieutenants and some of them
by sergeants ; and the outlook for a continuance of the regimental name
and organization seemed extremely dubious.
It was in the earnest effort to avert the much-dreaded consolidation
and dismemberment of the "Old Fifteenth," which seemed imminent,
that persistent plans were inaugurated to secure an assignment to the

152 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
regiment of a sufficient number of recruits from Maine recruiting stations
to swell our membership to such extent as would warrant the continued
preservation of the original regimental organization. Urgent appeals were
made to the War Department, to the Governor of Maine, etc., but appar
ently to no purpose. Col. Dyer visited Maine and personally pressed the
matter upon the State authorities, but without substantial results. Upon
Col. Dyer's return it was arranged that Lieut.-Col. Murray should make
a determined effort to raise the needed reinforcements by a tour of recruit
ing service in Maine. Some understanding, or agreement, is said to have
been entered into between the Colonel and Lieut.-Colonel, involving, in
certain contingencies, the retirement of the former and the promotion of
the latter to the full grade of Colonel and the command of the regiment.
By Col. Dyer and those of his more intimate friends cognizant of the affair,
it is claimed that the conditions of this arrangement required that the recruits
be assigned to existing companies and that the official vacancies in the sev
eral companies be filled by the promotion of deserving non-commissioned
officers of the regiment ; by Lieut.-Colonel Murray and his friends,
that the Lieut.-Col. was to endeavor to secure recruits for assignment to
existing companies if possible, but, failing in this, new companies were to
be raised, officered upon his recommendation, and, by the consolidation of
the old company organizations, to make place for the admission of four or
five entirely new companies, if recruited. With this general understand
ing Lieut.-Col. Murray obtained leave of absence, proceeded to Maine, and
industriously entered upon the work. Gov. Cony and Provost Marshal
Littler gave assurances of co-operation and assistance ; but advised the
raising of new companies as the more promising plan; which, after
carefully looking the matter over, Lieut.-Col. Murray decided to adopt
as the only practical solution of the difficulty. Visiting Portland, Lewiston,
Bangor, Pembroke, Calais, Eastport, etc., he interested persons in the re
cruiting service, offering commissions to worthy persons who might engage
heartily in the work, and pushing the recruiting service with his charac
teristic shrewdness and untiring energy. He succeeded in raising four
full companies — wliich were officered and duly mustered into the service
as companies of Unassigned Infantry — and the organization of the fifth
was well under way when Col. Murray returned to his regiment. The
travelling and other necessary expenses of this officer, incurred in this ser
vice, and for which he was never reimbursed, are said to have exceeded six
hundred dollars.
While this work was in progress in Maine, however, a very decided
aversion to consjlidationno less than to the retirement of Col. Dyer was be
ing developed among the officers and enlisted men of the Fifteenth, and con
siderable pressure was made upon the Colonel to reconsider his plans and

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 153
to at least remain until the expiration of the three years' term of his com
mission as Colonel. This sentiment found fitting expression in the pres
entation of an elegant sword and belt, by the enlisted men, the exercises
being especially flattering to " Old Battalion." This episode was supple
mented by an appeal to Gen. Emory by the officers of the regiment and
brigade, for aid in the matter of obtaining recruits, and it was upon the
urgent solicitation of that officer — who had never forgotten the gallant
services of the Old Fifteenth and its commander at Pleasant Hill — that
the War Department speedily came to the rescue with something like four
hundred newly enlisted recruits, drafted men, substitutes, etc., whereat
there was very general rejoicing. This assignment filled the regiment to
the maximum and entitled the companies to their full complement of officers
and the regiment to the prescribed number of field and staff officers. Fur
thermore it rendered the proposed consolidation of companies unnecessary
and impracticable, and ensured the retention of the cherished company and
regimental designations which we had been able to preserve for more than
three years, and which we were destined to hold until the final muster-out,
a year and a half later.
WThile stationed at Stevenson's the Fifteenth was reinforced by the
arrival of the two strong detachments of recruits already referred to above ;
the first levy coming Jan. 2d, and the second, March 20th. The names
of the new-comers will be found in the Roster, in the Appendix. The
old regiment, with this formidable acquisition, was rendered unusually
strong numerically for that period in the progress of the war, every com
pany being filled to the maximum requirement of the Army Regulations.
The large number of vacancies in the list of commissioned officers were
promptly filled by promotion in line and from the ranks, and scores of
worthy enlisted men were honored with the chevrons of the non-commis
sioned officer which they had so richly earned. Indeed, so radical a change
was made necessary in this respect that the " old guard " had almost en
tirely disappeared from the ranks of the company officers, giving place to
those who had gradually, and by meritorious services, worked their way up
from the ranks. These changes are so clearly set forth in the historic
record of the several companies in the Appendix, that it seems unnecessary
to reproduce the names in this connection. Nevertheless, notwithstanding
the fact that more than two-thirds of its membership had but recently
donned " the army blue," the Fifteenth was by no means lax in drill or
discipline at the opening of the spring campaign.
The companies brought into the service through the industrious and
patriotic efforts of Lieut.-Col. Murray were of course never admitted to the
Fifteenth. They joined us at Stevenson's in the early spring, and, upon
recommendation of Col. Murray, were organized as the " First Maine Bat-

154 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
talion," under the command of a Lieut.-Colonel. They remained in service
until Apr., 1866, when they were mustered out agreeably to general orders.
The fifth unassigned company was well under way at the time of the close
of the war in March, but was disbanded by the order to stop all recruiting.
It was to have been commanded by Capt. Otis Gilmore, the well-remem
bered orderly sergeant of Co. I ; his First Lieutenant being Sergeant Charles
R. Rice. Both of these officers had served three full years as non-com
missioned officers in the Fifteenth. Both are now deceased.

CHAPTER XXX.

THE EVENTFUL CAMPAIGNS OF THE SPRING OF 1865.

The Fifteenth, With the Army of the Shenandoah, in Winter Quarters. —
The Military Situation. — The Opening and Glorious Termination of
the Spring Campaign of 1865. — The Fifteenth Takes a Hand by Moving
upon Lynchburg. — The Surrender of Lee. — Ordered to Washington. — The
Sad Tidings of the Assassination of Abraham Lincoln. — The Fifteenth
Sadly and Reverentially Salutes the Remains as they Pass on the Road.

HE Maine Fifteenth remained comfortably domicilled in log huts
at Stevenson's during the winter. Like the entire army we were

'5

my

in " winter quarters," leisurely " resting upon our oars," and eagerly
awaiting the opening of what all well understood to be an eventful
spring campaign, to be inaugurated and aggressively pushed at the earliest
moment possible after the condition of the roads warranted the movement
of artillery, wagons and supplies, on an extended scale. And thus we
lingered listlessly through the months of January, February, March, and
a portion of April.
The Army of the James and the Potomac, like the Army of the
Shenandoah, remained comparatively quiet during the winter, very few im
portant military movements being undertaken. Not so, however, along
the lines of our armies farther South. Here the rebels were being severely
punished in all directions. Sherman and his gallant soldiers had success
fully made that memorable " March to the Sea," cutting through the shell
of the confederacy and revealing its hollo wness by moving entirely through
its centre and emerging on the outer side ; while, on land and sea, victory
everywhere perched upon our banners, bringing gratifying assurances that

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 155
" this cruel war " was very near its end. The spring campaign would
surely " wind it up."
About the middle of February Gen. W. S. Hancock relieved Sher
idan in command of the troops in the Valley ; who, with a cavalry force
of ten thousand men, went whirling through the Shenandoah on a destruc
tive raid, towards Lynchburg. Pouncing upon Early at Staunton and
Waynesboro, he captured sixteen hundred prisoners and an immense
amount of property ; destroyed railroads, canals, etc. ; burned up every
thing valuable he could not bring away ; and, after working havoc for
three weeks in the heart of the enemy's country, he reported "for duty,"
on the Pamunkey River, March 19,th. Five days later he had formed a
junction with the Army of the Potomac, near Petersburg, and, as was his
habit, was "just in the nick of time " to take a hand in the contemplated
" effective twist " upon the neck and tail of the Army of Northern Vir
ginia. Lee was not slow to see the trap being prepared for him, and made
a desperate effort to escape, in the general assault upon Fort Steadman,
March 25th. The rebels were repulsed, with double the loss they were
able to inflict. And, just here, Grant concluded to " open the ball " and
keep it " humming." The troops were at once moved upon Dinwiddie
Court House, and later, upon historic "Five Forks," a strategic point
strongly fortified and regarded by the rebels as of supreme importance.
Five Forks, as every student of history well knows, was gallantly carried
by Sheridan April 1st. The enemy was completely routed and driven six
miles, with a loss of many in killed and wounded, and as many as six
thousand prisoners. Immediately the combined and general assault upon
the enemy's lines and works was opened and incessantly continued, night
and day, until the final end was reached. Soon it became apparent that
Lee must abandon Richmond and Petersburg. Just where he would go
was not so clear ; but Lynchburg was thought to be one of the points he
had in view; and this very general impression opened up the way for a
very slight participation in the closing campaign by the Army of the Shen
andoah, and with it the Fifteenth Maine.
The Fifteenth, with Gen. Hancock's entire command, was put upon
the road April 4th, and started upon a lively march through Winchester,
in the direction of Lynchburg, some eighty miles away. But only a day's
march was accomplished ; as, meeting us on the way, came the joyful tidings
that Richmond and Petersburg were ours ; and a little later that Lee and
Grant were in correspondence relative to the terms upon which the surren
der of Lee's army would be accepted.
As is now well known, the Union army occupied Richmond April
3d ; the very day upon which the Fifteenth received its orders to move upon
Lynchburg. Four days later Grant addressed that historic epistle to Lee,

156 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
which culminated in the formal surrender of the Army of Northern Virginia
April 9th. That Lee had been apprised of the close proximity to his lines
of the old Nineteenth Corps is not a matter of record ; nevertheless, that,
like Zaccheus of old, he " made haste to come down " very soon after we had
taken up the line of march in his direction, is now conceded to have been
vastly more discreet than stubborn resistance would have been ! Though
the surrender of Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia was by no means
the closing event of the war, it was clearly the " beginning of the end."
The " king's row " had been broken at a vital point, and every subsequent
movement upon the military checker-board was made with the full assur
ance that the " game was up " with the confederacy, and the final clearing
of the boards was but a question of time. Lee's surrender, found Sherman
vigorously pressing the rebel Gen. Joe Johnston, in North Carolina. When
the news of the disaster to Lee reached Johnston, (Apr. 14th) Sherman had
driven him through Raleigh, and some distance beyond. Correspondence
was at once opened which resulted in the immediate cessation of hostilities,
though the formal surrender was not made until April 26th. The terms
accepted by Sherman were not satisfactory in Washington, and, they being
set aside, Sherman, under instructions, exacted and obtained the same terms
given by Grant to Lee. At about the same time the movement from New
Orleans and Pensacola against Mobile had culminated in the capture of the
forts and the occupation of the harbor and city. Other minor expeditions
had met with like success, and as early as May 4th our old foeman of the
Red River country — Gen. Dick Taylor — was left as the senior officer com
manding confederate troops east of the Mississippi. He surrendered on
that date. A week later Jefferson Davis was captured while attempting
to escape from the country. Gen. Kirby Smith, on the Rio Grande and
along the Texas coast alone remained with armed troops to defy the national
authority ; and it was not until May 26th that this haughty Southron was
brought into subjection. Indeed, so tardy was Smith in accepting the
inevitable, that it was found necessary to organize an expedition comprising
fifty-three thousand men, under Sheridan, with Weitzel, Logan, etc., as
subordinates, and dispatch them to Texas by the coast, and also to Shreve
port and Little Rock, Ark., the fear being that the rebels intended an
alliance with Mexican desperadoes, to prolong the war indefinitely. The
last actual armed conflict between Confederate and Union troops occurred
near Brazos Santiago, on the Texas coast, May 13th, not far from the spot
where the Fifteenth landed during the Texas expedition, in the fall of
1863. Texas, very appropriately, proved to be '• the last ditch," thus con
firming our early prejudices as to that "God-forsaken" section of our
common country !
The Fifteenth, with its corps, was speedily halted at the reception

K-5 '

i Lt. Owen, C.
2 Cop. Hanson, D.
3 Cop. Winslow, D.
4 Lt. Orcutt, C.
5 Chas. Cunningham, E.

6 Cop. Bennett, E.
7 J. W. Pickles, E.
8 A. H. W. Long, E.
9 Segt. R. Corbett, F.
10 Cop. J, S. Marsh, G.

n Pv. Grass, G.
iz Seg. Russell, H.
13 Mel Tibbetts, H.
14 Seg. J. W. Skillin, H.

t5 Seg. L. V. Gilmore, I.
16 Cop. Harrington, I.
17 Seg. Sprague, K.
18 Hos. Stew. Holmes.

Group:— Bryant, Walker, Mead, Nichols, Coan, Capen, Cobb, Shorey, Whitmore, Murray, Dyer, Washburn, Pattee, Rolfe.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 157
of the glorious news, and, as the reports were confirmed, we returned to
Winchester. The wildest enthusiasm everywhere prevailed ; and, amidst
demonstrations of joy of every description imaginable, we retraced our steps
to Winchester, followed hourly by messages and rumors detailing the
eventful drama being enacted at Appomattox, only a few miles away.
The Fifteenth, with its corps, tarried about Winchester until April
19th; when, with nearly all the troops in the Valley, we were ordered to
Washington. It was while moving in that direction — at Harper's Ferry —
that the shocking tidings reached us of the tragic and dastardly murder of
our idolized chief magistrate — -Abraham Lincoln — and the atrocious
attempt, by the blood-red hand of the assassin, at the overthrow of the
government at Washington. We cannot describe — but no surviving com
rade will fail to recall — the poignant grief which enshrouded the entire
army at the appalling tidings, following so closely upon the jubilations at
the joyful tidings which had reached us but a few days before. It is to
the infinite credit of the American soldiery that those angry mutterings,
between clenched teeth, on the part of the more thoughtless, was not per
mitted to assume form in some demonstration calculated to summarily
avenge so atrocious a crime. When nearing the Relay House, at Annapo
lis, it was the mournful privilege of the members of the Fifteenth to alight
from the train, and, forming in line, to stand with uncovered head and in
reverential awe, while the funeral train bearing the remains of the martyred
President slowly rolled by, on the way to the final resting place, at Spring
field, Illinois.

CHAPTER XXXI.

SIX WEEKS AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL, WHERE THE
FIFTEENTH TAKES IN THE GREAT REVIEW.

The Military Hosts Gather About the National Capital. — Washington Liter
ally Swarming With Veteran Soldiers. — The Grand Review of the Union
Armies on the Eve of Muster-Out. — But Fifteenth "Johnnies" Don't go
"Marching Home" Just Now. — Dwight's Division Again Ordered South. —
Muster-Out of the Fifteenth's One-Year Recruits, of 1864.

HILE the closing scenes of the Great War Drama were being
enacted upon remote fields, the military hosts in Virginia and at
adjacent stations were concentrated about the national capital ;
not, happily, for its defence, but to join in celebrating the dawn
of Peace. Immediately following the surrender of Lee orders to that effect
had been issued to the Army of the Potomac ; and to Sherman's Army, in
North Carolina, when the terms of surrender of Johnston's Army had

158 the story OF THE MAINE fifteenth.
finally been agreed upon. The Army of the Shenandoah, with the Fifteenth
and the Division of the Nineteenth Corps with which it was serving,
reached Washington April 21st; encamping at Tennallytown, some three
miles from the Capitol Building. The troops made several changes of
camp-ground while about Washington, by way of variety. Gen. Dwight
was the commander, and managed to change our designation to that of
" Dwight's Division." Brave old Emory, so long our Division commander,
parted company with us in the Valley, much to our regret. By the latter
part of April, or the first week in May, Washington was literally swarming
with troops, the great armies of Meade, Hancock, Sherman, and other
smaller commands, all being encamped about the city.
It was truly a magnificent spectacle — such as has rarely been wit
nessed in the life-time of the average citizen. Happy the veteran soldier,
who, having patiently endured the hardships and privations of three-and-
a-half years of war, was now, at its close, spared to be an actor in these
exhilarating events, and a partaker of the cordial greetings of the assembled
multitudes ; who, with cheery words, mottoes, bunting, and floral offerings
of exquisite device and expressiveness, had come out to welcome the soldier-
boys as they returned from the wars, and to enthrone them, as they justly
deserved to be, as " the saviours of the republic." Verily, as was said
anciently as to Pisgah's Mount, " it was good to be there."
Arriving early upon the ground and tarrying about six weeks, the
Fifteenth boys were thus given a veritable " pic-nic." The military duty
was light and varied and for the most part very congenial. The trial of the
conspirators implicated in the atrocious crime of the assassination of Lincoln,
was in progress while we were in the city, calling for more or less guard,
patrol and "salutation" duty; but this was far from irksome, since a
" detail for guard " anywhere along the approaches to the building in which
the trial of the conspirators was being held, afforded opportunities for
catching a glimpse of distinguished no less than disreputable people, which
of itself was adequate compensation for any drudgery attaching to the
service. It was quite an honor to " salute " the distinguished generals
comprising the court, and none the less so to frown upon the wretched
vagabonds attending under compulsion as witnesses and prisoners — all of
whom, as a rule, were in exceedingly bad odor with the Union soldier and
loyal people everywhere. Then the numerous opportunities afforded of
visiting the public buildings and grounds and the thousand and one attrac
tions in and about the city, and of meeting with people of note in both
military and civil life, were privileges very keenly prized.
But the all-absorbing event of this period was the Grand Review
of the Union Armies, on the eve of their disbandment, at the practical
close of the war. It was the crowning event of that, eventful period ; and

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 159
thousands, from all sections of the North and West, had flocked to Wash
ington to witness a spectacle at once so grand in itself and so expressive in
its import. The Review occupied two full days, and it is estimated tha't
no less than two hundred thousand veteran soldiers participated. The
President and Cabinet, Lieut. -Gen. Grant, and all the notable people of
every grade of civil and military life, were upon the various platforms, the
stand of the reviewing officers being upon the grounds immediately fronting
the presidential mansion. The Army of the Potomac held the boards the
first day (May 23d) and from early morning to late in the afternoon the
veteran troops moved down Pennsylvania Avenue and by the reviewing
stand, receiving, on all hands, the enthusiastic plaudits of the people. The
broad avenue, and every house-top, door, window, and nook and corner of
the adjacent grounds, were literally teeming with humanity clad in its
holiday garb, while profuse and appropriate decorations lined the way, all
combining to produce a festal picture such as Washington has rarely wit
nessed, before or since. Gen. Meade, of the Army of the Potomac, com
manded on the first day, and Gen. Sherman on the second. The troops
were formed with their several distinctive corps of artillery, cavalry, in
fantry, engineers, signal brigades, etc., presenting thoroughly organized
armies, fully equipped for active field service. The troops marched in
column by company, very closely massed, thus crowding a very large body
of soldiers into a comparatively small area of territory. The Fifteenth, in
Dwight's Division, was an annex of the Ninth Corps, marching well up to
the right of the infantry line, and at least preceding the Sixth, Fifth and
Second Corps. The column was some six hours in passing the reviewing
stand ; the route being from the Capitol Building to the White House.
Every inch of the route presented some pleasing spectacle calculated to
divert the attention and subject rigid military discipline to a severe test.
Filing around the Capitol Building, at the commencement of the inarch,
those soul-inspiring and expressive mottoes of welcome met the gaze ; then
the little angelic army of two thousand daintily-clad school-children, on the
steps of the Capitol, chanting melodies of cordial greeting ; supplemented
by the array of silver-haired men and matrons, ingeniously arranged into
striking tableaux — these, and innumerable other attractions, rendered very
difficult of observance the familiar tactical routine, " head erect, eyes to the
front" especially when it was known that President Johnson, Gen. Grant,
Gen. Parker, his full-blood Indian chief of staff, and other notables whom
the boys were extremely anxious to see, happened to be located in an en
tirely different direction.
The Fifteenth, of course, " did itself proud" upon this great occasion,
and, assuredly, proved no discredit to the Old Nineteenth Corps, of which
it was the distinguished representative. Every officer and enlisted man

160 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
appeared at his best, and exhibited to good advantage the soldierly bear
ing and superb marching qualities which had ever characterized the old
regiment. On the following day the veteran army of Sherman was reviewed.
It was substantially a continuation of the programme of the preceding day,
somewhat diversified by the manners and customs of the Western soldier
as contrasted with those from the East. The " free and easy " order of
march was a distinguishing characteristic. The " bummer " feature, too,
was everywhere conspicuous, the " confiscated " pigs, turkeys, chickens,
etc., with the inevitable "contraband" in family groups, being ingeniously
sandwiched among the troops in a manner strikingly suggestive of the
inarch of an army through an enemy's country. The battle-scarred vet
erans, the banners tattered and torn in storms of leaden hail, illustrious
generals and corps and detachments which had made a national reputation
on account of especially meritorious services, all received special recognition
from the multitudes thronging the line of march from morning until even
ing. The dramatic scene upon the reviewing stand, where Gen. Sherman,
in the presence of his army and of the assembled thousands, haughtily
withdrew his hand from the proffered courteous greeting of Secretary of
War Stanton — his superior officer, and against whom he had a grievance,
not wholly without reason — was one of the decided sensations of the occa
sion, in tiiewvicinity of the reviewing stand.
The : Great Review was in all respects a grand success; and the
Fifteenth's historian has ever taken great pride in the fact that the dear
old regiment " was in it."
But, " After the Great Review, What? " Ah ! that was not quite
so satisfactory. The Review was typical of " the close of the war," to be
sure, and the boys had already been chanting the sweet refrain, " When
Johnnie Goes Marching Home ; " but, somehow, the Fifteenth " Johnnies "
didn't seem to march in that direction. In one sense the war was at an
end and our contract with the government had been fully discharged ; but
in another, and a vital one, " the end was not yet." And while of the
nearly one million soldiers borne upon the rolls of the army at the close of
actual hostilities, a very large proportion were at once mustered out of ser
vice, or dispatched to their several States for that purpose, it was reserved
for the Maine Fifteenth and a number of other regiments of the Old Nine
teenth Corps, to return to the Far South, and take a hand in the solution
of that difficult and intricate problem, " Reconstruction." Yes ! there was
murmuring, and a deal of it, too ; but, all the same, there seemed no other
course than to patiently submit to the inevitable, and, like good soldiers, to
obey orders as cheerfully as possible, under the circumstances. We had put
in three years or so of good service in the Gulf States, and were probably

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 161
good for an additional three years if the government really required it.
Towards the latter part of May a general order was issued instruct
ing the immediate muster-out of all enlisted men whose term of service
expired prior to October 1st, 1865 ; and these were the only members of
the Fifteenth which seem to have been favorably affected by the much-her
alded " close of the war." The men thus discharged were the 1864 one-
year's recruits. They had enlisted in August and September for the most
part, and, but for the generosity of the government, might have been re
tained three and four months longer. About one hundred and eleven were
mustered out in this detachment, materially decreasing the membership of.
our regimental family and depriving us of the company of some " right
down good fellows" on our Southern expedition.

CHAPTER XXXII.

THE FIFTEENTH SPENDS A YEAR IN SOUTH CAROLINA.

The Fifteenth Takes the North Star but Sails Southward. — At Savannah, Ga. —
Thence to Georgetown, South Carolina. — A Unique Situation and Very Pe
culiar Service Devolving upon the Military. — Various Exciting Incidents. —
The Fifteenth Moves from Point to Point and Covers a Goodly Portion of
the Palmetto State. — Very Exciting Incidents in Western South Carolina. —
The Thrilling Story Given only in Outline. — The Muster-out of the 1865
One-Year Recruits.— The Fifteenth Ordered to Charleston, S. C, for
Final Muster-out.

y~"W NLIKE almost any other volunteer regiment of the Union Army,
J . I the Maine Fifteenth boasts an exceedingly rich experience in the
J^ ^M Far South during an entire year following the close of the war — so
varied, so adventurous, and at times so exciting, that it seems more
like a thrilling romanee than an unvarnished record of regimental history.
We are able only to present a brief sketch of the more salient events of
the year's experiences.
The Southern expedition only comprised two brigades, having no
connection with each other. The First Separate Brigade was commanded
by Gen. Geo. L. Beal, and comprised the 15th and 29th Me., 1st Me.
Battalion, and the 30th Mass. In the Second Separate Brigade, moving
South at the same time, was the 30th Maine, with which had been merged
the re-enlisted men of the 13th Maine. Old corps and division designa
tions had been broken up, and nearly all the old regiments ordered home
for final muster-out. The two brigades left Washington June 1st, with

162 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
orders to proceed to Savannah, Ga., reporting to Maj. Gen. Q. A. Gilmore,
commanding the Department of the South ; the Fifteenth embarking on
steamer North Star. After an uneventful voyage the troops concentrated
at Savannah and disembarked. The Second Brigade was distributed
about Georgia; while after tarrying a week or ten days, the First Brigade
was dispatched to Eastern South Carolina, Georgetown being the point of
debarkation — where the Fifteenth arrived, by steamer Ariel, June 15th.
The city of Georgetown was a most uninviting and dilapidated ap
pearing place, situated on Sampit Creek, some dozen or fifteen miles in
land from the sea. Though a thrifty lumber business centered here, the
general surroundings savored of poverty and desolation, and were so sug
gestive of " the fever and shakes" that even the buildings gave evidence of
having partaken of the epidemic — having " shaken " themselves entirely
free of paint, clap-boards and shingles.
Gen. Beal had come clothed with authority as commander of the
"Military District of Eastern South Carolina," as well as of his "First
Separate Brigade. " His command embraced all the territory of the nine
eastern counties of the State, with headquarters at Darlington, over two
hundred miles distant from Georgetown. To effectually cover this vast
territory with one small brigade of troops, necessitated not only a very
" thin spreading " of the soldiers but considerable tact in the assignment of
officers. The Fifteenth was given the populous counties of Georgetown and
Horry, which comprised a separate Sub-district, with Col. Dyer as com
manding officer ; headquarters at Georgetown. Gen. Beal, as soon as the
assignments had been made, moved on up the Pedee River, with all the
other troops ; and also taking along with him Lieut.-Col. Murray as Prov
ost Marshal General of the District.
The territory occupied by the Fifteenth was a populous rice-grow
ing region, the negroes outnumbering the whites three to one in George
town District ; while in the adjoining county of Horry the " poor-whites, "
or " Crackers, " largely predominated. The aggregate population was not
far from forty thousand — ignorant and vicious as a general rule — the in
telligent element of property holders numbering not much over one thous
and ; and this thickly-settled population was absolutely without the protec
tion of law, save as it was provided by the military authorities. Civil
law and all the ordinary machinery of civil government had gone down
with the rebellion, and could only be re-established by the organization of
state governments, under the supervision of the authorities at Washington.
It was a very peculiar situation, and but for the intervention of the military
chaos mnst have held high carnival.
We had hardly arrived at Georgetown — and this was but six weeks
after the surrender of Gen. Joe Johnston's rebel army — when a lar°-e dele-

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 163
gation of rice-planters came to the commanding officer at Georgetown, in
great consternation, to beg for military protection. They represented that
property, life, and family-security, were in jeopardy in the interior, on ac
count of an impending up-rising among the negroes on the great planta
tions along the river. The freed people, they claimed, were thoroughly
imbued with the idea that, under the new order of things, " the earth be
longed to the saints — and they were the saints. " The lands and property
of the whites were to be taken possession of and equitably divided among
the negroes. The head of each negro family was to have a one-hundred-
and-sixty-acre farm, a house, a pair of mules, and necessary seed and farm
ing implements. Secret meetings were being held, these doctrines freely
discussed, and plans consummated for " dividing the spoils." The matter
was investigated, and it was found that there really was some occasion for
alarm ; so much so that it was deemed necessary to send a special messen
ger to the scene of the difficulty before the troops took up their stations,
with the purpose of dissuading the negroes from any attempt to take the
law into their own hands. The writer was detailed upon this delicate mis
sion. Taking with him two trusty non-commissioned officers, he canvassed
the entire cluster of great rice-plantations on the river, spending nearly a
week upon the tour. It was an exceedingly rich experience ! The whites
had fled in consternation and the negroes possessed the land, plantation-
houses and all. Rich furniture, clothing, books from the. library, etc.,
adorned the negro cabins, with marble-slabs from the centre tables in use
as door-steps in front of the quarters of the colored people. It was a pic
ture of desolation — sad yet so flavored with the ridiculous as to excite lev
ity. The " missionaries " were received with very great consideration, giv
en a royal reception, courteously listened to, questioned, and implicitly be
lieved in as the bearers of the genuine message as to the meaning of Eman
cipation. The negroes had been cruelly deceived and shuddered some
what at the demolition of their air-castles, but shouted joyously and enthu
siastically as they were assured that the relation of master and slave no
longer existed in this country. When the speaker went from one planta
tion to another, the negroes followed in crowds, " cutting across lots," giv
ing the missionaries some very large congregations further down the river.
Such shouting, singing, and joyful demonstrations, are rarely listened to.
There was, it is needless to say, no " uprising " or " insurrection," the col
ored people implicitly obeying every order issued by the military authori
ties. And this could hardly be said of all of their former masters.
Very soon after the incident above recorded Co. B was stationed
permanently at Plantersville, covering this vast negro population, its quar
ters being in a house in the " piney woods " settlement. Co. A was sent
to Conwaysboro', in Horry District ; Co. E to the Waccamaw sea-shore ;

164 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
Co. G to McLeUansville ; the remaining companies going into camp some
four miles out of Georgetown village, under the immediate command of
Maj. J. H. Whitmore.
The duty devolving upon both officers and soldiers was unique,
adventurous, and oft-times quite exciting, and so diversified that it was
difficult to determine whether we were civil or military rulers. We were
as absolute in power as Russia's Czar, though always tempering justice with
mercy. At first law and equity were administered off-hand, without the
aid of judge or jury; later provost courts, with their judges and marshals,
were established, with military commissions to try the higher grade of of
fences ; when at least the semblance of legal forms was maintained, though
justice was meted out with tolerable celerity and certainty all the same.
Nearly all of our officers, first and last, became judges, marshals, etc., and
so familiar with the legal forms and procedure of the courts that almost
any of them might easily have gained admission to the " bar " upon their
return home. Included in the scope of our work were the administering
of the amnesty-oath-of-allegiance to (un)repentant rebels who were allowed
to subscribe to it — and these embraced the entire white populace, with
few exceptions ; the supervision of all contracts made between the whites
and colored people for working the plantations, generally " on shares ;"
the adjudication of all disputes of whatever nature ; the supervision of the
laborers and the enforcement of a " fair deal " between employer and em
ployed ; the equitable division of the crops, when harvested ; and, in short,
every conceivable duty growing out of this peculiar situation. Among the
most amusing and ridiculous of these was the attempt to establish a code of
marriage and divorce laws among a people who had hitherto known as lit
tle ofthe existence of such relations as the cattle in the planter's stock-yard.
By general order all colored people living together as man and wife at a
date specified, were declared to be man and wife as fully and lawfully as if
regularly married ; and a system of complicated divorce regulations were
prescribed, which the provost marshals were required to administer. This
involved the very delicate and intricate problems of classification and
gathering into family groups of offspring ; the custody of children in case of
separation, etc. Of an entirely different character was the disagreeable
task thrust upon one of our officers in his capacity as provost marshal — that
of erecting a gallows and publicly hanging two men convicted of conspiracy
and murder by a military commission. True Grover Cleveland once had
a similar experience, yet it was a revolting duty nevertheless. But to
enumerate a tithe ofthese experiences would require a volume double the
size of this ; which has already grown to unseemly proportions.
No material change was made in the location of the several com
panies until the first of August ; when D, H and I, were moved two hundred

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 165
miles up river and located,, respectively, at Cheraw and Chesterfield in
Chesterfield District and at Bennetts ville in Marlboro' District; Asst. Sur
geon Holmes accompanying in medical charge. At about this time Col.
Dyer succeeded Gen. Beal in command ofthe Military District of Eastern
South Carolina, headquarters at Darlington. With the exception of D, H,
and I, all the Fifteenth companies remained in and about Georgetown
District until the latter part of October.
While at Georgetown the Fifteenth was compelled to part company
with one of its most popular officers of the old line, and more recently pro
moted to the field — Maj. James H. Whitmore. By reason of impaired
health, incident to his long service in malarial sections, he was compelled
to tender his resignation, and was discharged in July, (1865.) Maj. Whit
more had been with us as a commissioned officer from the earliest organi
zation, serving faithfully and gallantly for three and a half years, in the
various grades of lieutenant, captain and major, and performing considera
ble staff duty, as acting adjutant, assist, adjutant gen., etc. "Little Whit."
was a universal favorite, and his old associates parted with him with very
keen regret. Maj. Whitmore was succeeded by Capt. John R. Coates,
who was mustered as major Sept. 29th, 1865.
During the earlier period of the Fifteenth's service in Eastern
South Carolina the ex- Confederates —more especially the soldier element —
were on their good behavior, and, as a rule, cheerfully co-operated with
the military in the preservation of order. The rebel soldiers had but just
reached home and were very modest in demanding any rights and privi
leges except those stipulated in their paroles. They freely fraternized with
the Union soldiers, and, generally, rendered themselves exceedingly agree
able. The author recalls one noble fellow— a captain of cavalry in the rebel,
army and a chivalrous gentleman everywhere — who extended many cour
tesies to our officers in Georgetown District and who even lost his life while
generously contributing to our entertainment, by means of a typical South
Carolina deer hunt, with trained hounds, drivers, unique hunting calls, etc.
The poor fellow — who was master of ceremonies — was thrown from his
horse while riding close by the writer's side, and never spoke after he fell.
But, as will appear later on, the demeanor of the people was considerably
changed upon the gradual development of President Johnson's unfortunate
reconstruction policy.
From a sanitary stand-point the Fifteenth's summer sojourn amid
the Georgetown marshes was extremely unfortunate. Our soldiers — more
especially the unacclimated recruits — wilted under the depressing heat and
malaria-impregnated atmosphere, like grain before the sickle. The debil
itating effects of the climate, with an unusually pestiferous crop of annoy
ing insects, served to render life a burden ; and woe betide he compelled to

166 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
make a trip for any purpose after night-fall, during the season of the flow-
age of the rice-fields. Poison was in the air, and to inhale it was perilous.
Quinine, with its inevitable whiskey accompaniment, was prescribed in
allopathic doses, even the well regarding it necessary to regularly partake of
the vile compound as a precautionary measure. The sick list was excep
tionally large. Many deaths occurred and numerous disability discharges
were rendered necessary. We had brought South with us (June, 1865)
about five hundred and forty-four men — over three hundred of the aggre
gate " present and absent " on the regimental rolls (849) being absent, sick,
prisoners of war, or on detached service. Of the total present there were
at one time, at Georgetown alone, over three hundred down with malarial
fever of a severe type, while from sixty to seventy-five deaths are reported
during the summer months. The Fifteenth's medical corps at this time
comprised Surgeon Higgins and Assistant Surgeon A. A. Holmes ; the last
mentioned officer having joined us just prior to our departure for South
Carolina, at Washington. This medical corps were required to attend the
several detached companies, as well as those at Georgetown, and their la
bors were severe and arduous. At one time, when very much needed,
the quinine-supply was exhausted, and, upon urgent personal entreaty, af
ter a trip of two hundred miles for that purpose, Surgeon Higgins was able
to procure only two ounces of the precious drug, though a little later his
requisitions were more promptly filled, and with decidedly beneficial re
sults. Of about one hundred deaths and seventy disability discharges in
1865-6, a very large proportion are to be attributed to the atmospherical
conditions in and about Georgetown District. Rarely, during its entire
term of service, was the Fifteenth so unfavorably located. The three com
panies which left for Chesterfield and Marlboro', in August, found a deci
ded improvement as to climatic conditions. Co. A, at Conwaysboro, and
Co. B, at Plantersville, was somewhat less exposed than other companies.
About the middle of September the Old Fifteenth sustained a sore
affliction in the departure of its idolized commander, Col. Isaac Dyer — the
" father of the regiment " for nearly the entire period of its history, to the
date of discharge. The three years' term of his commission as Colonel had
expired, and, the regiment's ranks having again become so depleted as not
to admit of the re-muster of an officer of so high grade as Colonel, there
was no alternative but for him to retire. There is no need to reproduce
the Colonel's record, inasmuch as it runs parallel with the history of the
old regiment from the date he assumed command as Lieut.-Colonel in 1861
to his final muster-out, September, 1865. He was universally beloved
alike by officers and enlisted men, and ever commanded the respect of his
superior officers. Exercising many and responsible commands at various
times, including that of brigades in the field, military posts, districts, etc..

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 167
he ever acquitted himself with credit, and with honor to the regiment with
which he had been so long identified. Col. Dyer certainly retired with a
proud record, absolutely untarnished.
Immediately upon the retirement of Col. Dyer, Lieut.-Col. Murray
was relieved from staff-duty and rejoined the regiment (in October.) He
was commissioned Colonel, but was unable to be mustered as such, owing to
the regiment's depleted ranks. He was assigned the command of a Sub-
district, with headquarters, at Cheraw, and all the companies within
Georgetown District were ordered to concentrate at Darlington, with the
idea of asrain bringing the regiment together within one Sub-district. The
o no o ct
companies in the Georgetown District very gladly hailed this order, leav
ing that malaria-infected region Oct. 23d, by steamer, and reaching Dar
lington two days later. Col. Murray, . with regimental headquarters and
Co.'s A, D, G, H, and I, remained in and about Darlington and Cheraw
until the latter portion of December ; the class of service not being essen
tially different from that in Georgetown District.
During the entire period of our service in South Carolina a large
number of our officers were on detached and special service, performing
responsible and in some instances very delicate duties, more properly ap
pertaining to the civil magistrate than the militaryc ommander. Sof ar as
possible we shall mention the special assignments at the close of this chapter.
Our narrative now seems to lead us to a slight diversion from regi
mental headquarters, for the purpose of following the fortunes of five com
panies which — in October — were ordered to another portion of the State.
The detachment which was withdrawn from Georgetown and
ordered to Darlington, had hardly arrived at the latter point, when a
telegraphic summons was received directing the dispatching of five compa
nies to the Western South Carolina Military District, reporting to Gen.
Adelbert Ames, at Columbia. Co.'s B, C, E, F and K, were designated,
with Maj. Coates commanding. The detachment left Darlington Oct. 29th.
After a weary trip, by train and hard marches over rough roads, it arrived
at Columbia Oct. 31st. A few days later the entire detachment proceeded
to Chesterville, the headquarters of a Sub-district comprising a group of
five counties then garrisoned by an Ohio regiment. Reaching Chesterville
November 5th, Maj. Coates assumed command, announced a Sub-district
staff, and assigned the several companies to the various districts adjacent,
C remaining at Chester. Co.'s B and F were stationed at Unionville; E,
Spartansburg ; and K, at Yorkville. These posts were remote from Sub-
district headquarters, thirty and forty miles distant in most instances, and
the country covered was in considerable commotion, requiring the sternest
discipline. A few weeks after the companies had reached their several
stations Maj. Coates was relieved from the command of the Sub-district by

168 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
order of Gen. Ames, and Capt. H. A. Shorey — who had but just rejoined
the detachment in Western South Carolina — placed in charge of the Sub-
district. The situation throughout the mountain districts at this period was
decidedly turbulent and unsatisfactory — radically dissimilar to that encoun
tered in other portions of the State. The Johnsonian reconstruction policy
had been getting in its mischievous work ! For months crime and outlaw
ry had been alarmingly prevalent, and the infamous organizations of " night-
riders," later known as the "Ku-Klux," were holding high carnival.
These lawless bands were then known as " Slickers," were thoroughly or
ganized, armed and mounted, and were perambulating the country by
night, terrorizing the negroes, and by threats, brutality, and even murder,
endeavoring to impress upon the negro mind the idea that to enter the em
ployment of another than his former master was a misdemeanor, certain to
be punished with severity. The modus operandi of the " Slickers" was to
assemble at some designated place, disguised, ride to the negro quarters
where it was deemed desirable to inflict punishment, surround the negro
huts, call the victims out, one by one, hustle them off to some secluded
spot, and proceed to " discipline." The favorite mode of punishment was
to strip the victim to the waist, tie him up, and inflict upon the bare body
such number of lashes as the leader of the gang should direct. In aggra
vated cases the negro was shot dead ; hanging was frequently resorted to ;
and in a number of instances the dead body was left suspended from the -
limb of a tree near the roadside, riddled with bullets, where it remained
for days and weeks as a spectacular menace to the negroes of the neighbor
hood ! Flogging and the most barbarous treatment were nightly occur
rences, and the catalogue of brutal murders was so long as to almost stagger
belief. At the first inception of this " chivalrous " plan of local self-gov
ernment, the entire white population seemed in league with the regulators,
to such an extent that evasion, lying, and downright perjury, was unscru
pulously practiced to screen the perpetrators ; and average public sentiment
appeared to sanction the outrages. Only negro testimony was available in
any cases brought before military .tribunals for investigation, and this was
given generally at very great hazard to the witnesses. Somewhat later,
when the military force had become strengthened and seemed able to afford
adequate protection to well-disposed citizens, there was a slight improve
ment in this respect, and an attempt was made to establish the theory that
the outrages were perpetrated by the lawless classes, without the assent or
sympathy of the better portion of society. Nevertheless a reign of terror
had long existed, and hundreds of innocent negroes had been cruelly mur
dered within the few months preceding our coming to Western South Car
olina. From a careful and thorough personal investigation, made as. a

.THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 169
special commissioner appointed by order of the commander of the Depart
ment, the author is enabled to speak intelligently upon this subject. Only
small squads of soldiers then occupied the country, and these were com
paratively helpless. Now we were a trifle stronger numerically, and were
better prepared to enforce due respect for the laws of the land ; though,
as a ' matter of fact, with infantry soldiers less than fifty men to a county,
and these thirty -and forty miles from other military support, we were
hardly in sufficient force to -warrant us in being especially pugnacious.
In Union and Spartansburg Districts the outlaws had become exceedingly
bold — even after our occupancy of that section, in oiie or two instances,
having audaciously ridden into the villages and fired upon our soldiers in
the streets. In Union District a desperado named James G. Fernandez
headed the outlaws ; while in Spartansburg,. the adjoining district, one
Green Brown was the recognized leader of the Slickers. The Fernandez
party had assaulted a detachment of Co. B, at Unionville, wounding Pri
vate Josiah K. Rollins by -a pistol-shot.: At such audacity Gen. Ames of
course became thoroughly enraged, and he determined upon the most vig
orous measures, .with the view of effectually asserting the power of the
government and its ability to enforce respect and obedience. He sum
moned «Gapt. Shorey to Columbia for a personal interview, and in verbal
and i- written instructions emphasized the point that the breaking up of
these lawless bands and the arrest and punishment of the leaders, was the
chief duty devolving upon us. To that end the commander of the Sub-
district was clothed with absolute powers in the premises, including the
right to confiscate property, burn buildings, arrest and imprison suspected
parties, etc.; much, of course, being left to the discretion of that officer.
The campaign was entered upon without delay. A proclamation of out
lawry was issued and widely published at once ; rewards offered ; the
residence of Fernandez placed under guard ; spies and scouts put upon
the trail ; and every expedient resorted to calculated to result in the ap
prehension of the outlaws or any of those aiding aiid abetting them in
their lawless work.
The pursuit of outlaws was relentless and adventurous, extending
throughout the entire Sub-District, and vigorously pushed, night and day,
for weeks. Many arrests were made of suspected sympathizers, but '-the
outlaws themselves managed to keep out of the reach of our soldiers for
a long time, though they were known to be still in the vicinity. Pending
the " hunt and chase," Col. Murray arrived at Chester from Cheraw, with
regimental headquarters and the other five companies of the Fifteenth.
(Dec. 30th.) This relieved Capt. Shorey as commander of the Second
Sub-district and enabled him to assume immediate command of the Union-
:ville District, where Fernandez was suspected still to be lurking, secreted

170 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
in the mountain districts in the region bordering upon the line between
Spartansburg and Union Districts. In due time, happily, our vigilance
was rewarded with a happy issue of the campaign. Very late one night
a negro came to headquarters and gave information that the desperado we
had so long been in search of had stabled his horse for the night at farm-
CT O
buildings fourteen miles from Unionville. A detachment was speedily put
upon the road in that direction under the command of Lieut. J. E. Lath
am ; before daylight the house had been quietly surrounded, with a sol
dier on guard at every door and window of the main house ; the sleepers
were aroused at day-break from without, and -apprised of the situation, and
warned that to attempt to escape would be perilous. Presently Fernandez
himself responded to the call by appearing first at a window and then at
the back-door, with drawn derringer pistol in hand ; he was instantly
" covered" by the unerring musket in the hands of Private Wm. C. Allen
of Co. B.; the two pulled trigger simultaneously, and when the smoke
had cleared away the giant form of the noted outlaw lay prostrate at Al
len's feet, lifeless, while the ball from the desperado's revolver had harm
lessly entered the earth not far from where the soldier stood when he
"drew bead" so effectually upon his antagonist. The desperado had been
true to his oft-repeated boast — never to be captured alive — but, neverthe
less, his hellish work had been tragically terminated, and a very wholesome
lesson taught his associates in crime !
There was, of course, very great commotion when the news of the
killing of Fernandez spread through the village and adjacent country.
There was a running to and fro ; a vinegar-visaged populace ; angry mut-
terings, vague threats, etc. But these were of short duration. The gang
mustered with full ranks, armed, and attended the funeral ; and that night
the cowardly wretches pounced upon the negro quarters of the house where
Fernandez had been shot and sought revenge in the cruel murder of a
number of negro men, women and children, as a punishment to the negroes
for giving information which led to the discovery of the outlaw. A hur
ried inspection of the garrison when the excitement was at fever heat, re
vealed the appalling fact that we had at Unionville but thirty men for duty,
and on an average less than twenty rounds of ammunition to the man!
And supplies nearly forty miles away ! Capt. Knight, Provost Judge at
the post, with a civilian treasury agent, gallantly volunteered to ride to
Chester for the necessary aid ; and Lieut.-Col. Murray, ever equal to an
emergency, at once returned them to Unionville, their saddle-bags filled
with cartridges, and at the same time dispatching two companies to rein
force the Unionville garrison. Happily, however, there was no " clash of
arms," for the reason, quite likely, that the confederates of the dead des
perado imagined the force at Unionville, at the time of the shooting of

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 171
Fernandez, much stronger than it really was.
During all this time Capt. Walker, at Spartansburg, had been ad
ministering justice, in generous doses, in that district, arresting many of
the outlaws, and securing the conviction and sentence of some of the most
noted of the Spartansburg night-riders. At all points in the Sub-district
most effective work was being done ; many " leading citizens " were incar
cerated in the jails of the several districts ; and the slightest injustice to
the freed people was summarily rebuked. As the result of these aggres
sive measures, a due respect for the military power of the government was
soon re-established throughout the entire section, and lawlessness was com
paratively unknown throughout the Chester Sub- district.
The transfer of Col. Murray and the five companies with him at
Cheraw, to the Chester Sub-district, again brought all the companies of the
Fifteenth within one military district ; though, it will be understood, this
does not imply that the regiment was "closed in mass," upon the color-
company. Indeed, we covered a vast area of territory ; and, as to the
detached companies, the ranking officer must necessarily be a " post com
mander," since regimental headquarters could only be reached by travelling
a distance of from thirty to forty miles, through sparsely settled districts —
a journey often rendered necessary, to meet the requirements of the sev
eral detachments as to medical and quartermaster supplies. More than one
of the commanders of detached posts will recall that they were obliged to
provide many of these supplies at their own expense, and for which they,
at least, have never been reimbursed.
The assignments, after the regiment had become re-united, were as
follows :
Lieut.-Col. Murray, with Regimental Headquarters and Co.'s A, D, C and G. at Sub-
district headquarters, at Chesterville ; Co.'s B and F, at Unionville, Capt. H. A. Shorey
com nan ding; Co. I, at Lancaster, Capt. W. H. Boyce, commanding; Co. E, at Spartans
burg, Capt. James E. Walker, commanding ; Co. H, at Laurens, Lieut. W. H. Carr, 'com
manding ; Co. K, at Yorkville, Capt. Michael Boyce commanding. Surgeon Higgins was at
Chester, while Assistant Sargeon Holmes radiated between the various detached posts, mak
ing his headquarters with the detachment at Unionville.
The regiment tai'ried at the stations mentioned above until the
middle of April, (1866.) The officers and enlisted men were constantly
engaged with the multifarious duties of contract-making, division of crops,
litigation, etc., though this service grew gradually lighter and less exciting
as the civil governments became rehabilitated. There was, nevertheless,
frequent calls upon the military, and the presence of troops seemed an act
ual necessity for the protection of the freed people and the preservation of
order. The health of the command was excellent in the upper counties,
the climate being unusually salubrious and the air bracing and invigorating.
While within the Chester District the Fifteenth parted company
with that large element of its membership which had joined us as one-year

172 THE STORY OE THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
recruits, in March, 1865 ; about one hundred and eighty in all. The
terms commenced to expire as early as January, though most of them re
tired in February and March, a few lingering until April. This exodus
took nearly fifty per cent, of our membership present for duty, leaving
behind, to each company, hardly a respectable platoon. As in other in
stances already noted, those who remained parted company with the old
comrades with very keen regret.
About the middle of April the Fifteenth was again moved still
further northward, occupying the eight counties enumerated below, with
headquarters at Anderson Court House :
Lieut.-Col. Murray, with Companies A, D and E, at Anderson Court House ; B, de
tached, at Walhalla, Pickens District ; C, at Newbury Court House ; F, at Greenville ; G, at
Orangeburg ; H, at Abbeville ; I, at Camden ; K, at Sumpter.
These locations were chiefly eventful as being extremely pleasant
and agreeable, with no duty of any importance, and healthful surround
ings ; the only drawback being the extreme anxiety of the boys to lay
aside " the old blue coat " they had worn so long, and to return to home
and the avocations of civil life. The order for muster-out came to be
anxiously awaited, with the arrival of every military mail. A full year
had now expired since the disbandment of the rebel armies ; the work of
reconstruction was making fair progress ; the " peace proclamation " had
been formally issued ; and there seemed no valid excuse for longer detain
ing in service volunteers who had enlisted for a specified term, or " during
the war, if sooner ended." These views, very generally entertained, were
frequently and forcibly communicated to the military authorities ; and fin
ally, after tarrying within the Anderson Sub-district about two months, the
long-looked-for and gratifying final muster-out order was issued. It
reached us about the middle of June. The boys shouted themselves hoarse,
" rallied upon the centre," at Anderson Court House, and on the morn
ing of June 20th, the Fifteenth boys took train for Charleston, S. C, for
final muster-out. During the entire year in South Carolina our officers and soldiers
were constantly performing special and delicate duties of every variety and
description. Company commanders and subalterns were all pressed into
the service, and, at one time and another, nearly all served either as mag
istrates, post commanders, provost marshals, judges of provost' courts,
members of military commissions, etc. Officers upon the courts or com
missions frequently found themselves, upon very short notice, contending
for the mastery with able South Corolina lawyers, and, in their capacity
as prosecuting officers for the government, arguing abstruse points of law
with attorneys-at-law of high professional standing in the State. Trials
for murder, assault with intent to kill, conspiracy, assault and battery,
etc., were very frequent, giving our officers very valuable experience in

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 173
matters pertaining to criminal law and the forms of procedure in the courts.
It is impossible to accurately state all the assignments, but we append a
list of those we are able to gather in an examination of the rolls.
Col. Isaac Dyer. — Commanded the Georgetown Sub-district and afterwards the Military
Dist. Eastern South Carolina, until mustered out.
Lieut. Colonel B. B. Murray. — Served as Provost Marshal Military Dist. of Eastern South
Carolina, to August ; Provost Marshal General of the Department until October ;
commanded regiment, and, respectively, the Sub-districts of Darlington, Cheraw,
Chester, and Anderson, until order for muster-out.
Major James H. Whitmore.— Commanded regimental detachment, near Georgetown, June,
until his discharge from the service.
Major John R. Coates. — As captain and later as major, commanded the post at Conwaysboro';
regimental detachment at Georgetown ; Georgetown Sub-district ; Chester Sub-dis
trict for a short period ; and served considerably on courts martial and military com
missions.
Capt. H. A. Shurey. — Commanded the post at Plantersville ; Provost Marshal Georgetown
Sub-district, July to October ; commanded Fourth Sub-district Western South Car
olina and later Union District ; special commissioner, by order Gen. Sickles, to in
vestigate charges of brutal treatment of freed people in Northern South Carolina ;
Judge Advocate Military Commission at Columbia ; commander of Pickens District,
until final muster out.
Capt. Joseph A. Clark. — Post Adjutant Georgetown Sub-district; Provost Marshal Chester
Sub-district; A. D. C. and A. A. A. Gen., staff Gen. Ames, at Columbia, Dec.
'65 to May '66 ; Provost Judge at Columbia, to date of final muster-out.
Capt. F. O. S. Howe. — Provost Marshal Darlington, Cheraw, Chester, and Anderson Sub-
districts, successively, to date of final muster-out.
Capt. James Walker. — Commanded Co. E and detached post, near Georgetown ; conducted
condemned prisoners to Albany (N. Y.) Penitentiary ; commanded Spartansburg
District, November '65 to May '66 ; and Co., in Anderson Dist., till mustered out.
Capt. C. E. Knight. — Commanded Union Dist. for short period ; served as Judge Union
ville Provost Court ; and served on military courts and commisssons considerably.
' Capt. Lester Dwinal. — Served as Judge Advocate military commission, June to December ;
Provost Judge at Chesterville ; Judge Advocate general court martial, at Columbia,
Jan. to May, '66 ; commanded Co. G at Orangeburg, till muster-out.
Capt. Alonzo Coan. — Provost Marshal Georgetown Sub-district to July 5, '65 ; member Su
perior Provost Court at Cheraw ; A. D. C. staff Gen. Ames, at Columbia ; member
Military Commission at Columbia, etc.
Capt. John E. Callaghan. — Commanded Co. I, and detached post of Bennettsville, Marlboro
Dist., to January, 1866, when he resigned.
Capt. W. H. Boyce. ^-Served on various important assignments and commanded Co. I at
Marlboro Dist. and other points, until muster-out.
Capt. Michael Boyce. — Commanded Co. K and various detached posts, including York Dist. ,
until muster-out.
Capt. James N. Martin. — Commanded Co. A, and Conway Dist ; several detached posts ;
served on military commissions, . etc.
Lieut. W. H. Carr commanded Laurens Dist. for a considerable period ; Lieuts. C.
E. Graves, P. F. McCann, M. B. Hanning, B. F. Owen, and others, served with their com
panies and more or less on military courts ; Lieuts. J. H. Lord, Henry S. Rich, James Ride-
out, James E. Knight, J. E. Latham, and indeed all the officers of that period, were efficient
in the management of Freedman's Bureau affairs ; while Lieuts. Orcutt, Fitzgerald, Story and
Wilson, served as adjutant, assistant adjutant general, officers of commissary and quarter
master's department, etc. Acting Adjutant Low and Acting Quartermaster Elias A. Berry,
served considerably as Post Adjutant and Post Quartermaster, at various stations ; while Sur
geon Higgins and Assistant Surgeon Holmes, officiated as medical directors, surgeons in
charge, etc. , of Post and Regimental Hospitals, during the entire year.
The service of non-commissioned officers and privates was equally
arduous and varied, covering every imaginable class of duty, but, unfor
tunately, there is no data on record from which these assignments can be
accurately ascertained.
It has already been shown in this chapter, that the regiment had
become very much depleted during the year's service in South Carolina ;
but few will be prepared for the statement that in the last weeks of its

174 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
eventful history the Old Fifteenth had really shrunk its membership to an
aggregate, present and absent, of two hundred and forty-seven. That
seemed to be the precise situation. With the recruits which had joined
us in the spring of 1865 we were able to muster, at about the time of
leaving Washington for the South, something like eight hundred names,
present and absent. The rolls for July 31st, 1865, show an aggregate
membership of 762; 146 absent and 616 present. The depleting effects
of that terribly fatal summer in Georgetown is shown by the fact that the
next return accessible— Nov. 1, 1865 — gives the aggregate present and
absent as 620 ; of whom but 332 were " present," and one-fifth of these
on the sick list. Of the 288 absentees, 183 were marked " absent sick."
In short, the record shows that during the year our death losses averaged
about one in every six with us in the after-the-war Southern expedition,
while one in seven of the remnant became so broken down in health as to
necessitate a discharge, based upon surgeon's certificate of disability — ad
ditional evidence that it was the Deadly Malaria rather than rebel bullets
which depleted our armies and filled unnumbered soldiers' graves, in the
far-off South-land ! By the commencement of 1866 our membership had
shrunk to 531 ; two months later, to 477. This brought us to the period
of the departure of the large body of 1865 recruits — whose retirement,
and the clearing of the rolls incident to the approaching muster-out, left
us, as stated, with an aggregate, present and absent, of two hundred and
forty-seven names. As near as we are able to ascertain, the shrinkage in
membership since the period of balancing the books, shown on page 151,
(Jan., 1865) were from the causes following:
Died in the Service,  98
Discharged for Disability,  74
Transferred, for various reasons,  47
Discharged by reason Expiration of Term,  188
Dropped from Rolls as Deserters,  126 *
Total Shrinkage,  533
* It is proper to say, in explanation of the unusually lar^e number of names dropped
from our rolls as " Deserters, " that in many instances the charge is grossly unjust. There
were with us no such desertions as by military law are made punishable by death ; yet the
odium attaches all the same, upon the rolls, to an unintentional absence beyond the time-limit
of the furlough as to actual desertion in the face of the enemy. Very many of the Fifteenth
" Deserters" are those who enlisted, either in 1861 or as recruits, and never reported for
other duty than that of " muster ;" while a considerable number are those who re-enlisted as
Veterans, received their Veteran Furloughs much later than they had anticipated, and, living
contiguous to the New Brunswick line, never re-joined the regiment. Then, after the war,
when most of the volunteer regiments were being mustered-out, many of our men conceived
the very pernicious idea that the government no longer had lawful claims upon them, and, thus
pleading, they " skipped by the light of the moon." All these causes combined to give us an
unenviable Deserter Roll ; which, though discreditable, is really rather apparent than real. In
many instances the War Department has amended the record and removed the odious charge
of Deserter. Of these the following have been brought to our attention :
Jonathan Randall, Jr., Co. A ; Alexander Graves, James Roax, James II. Shaw, John
T. Walker, and Samuel W. Stratton, Co. C ; Asa B. T uttle, Co. D; Joseph Cyr, Co. G;
and Gustavus V. Wilson and Frank E. Stickney, Co. K.

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 175

CHAPTER XXXIII.

THE FINAL MUSTER-OUT— AND "THE END" OF "THE
STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH !"
At Charleston, S. C, Preparing Rolls. — MusTered-Out, to Date July 6, 1866. —
We Leave for New York ; Make a Cholera Escapade at Harts Island ; Fi
nally Settle with Uncle Sam ; and Start for Home July 14, 1866.— Some
Closing Observations, and "The End" of Our Long-Drawn-Out "Story."
8"W PON reaching Charleston and interviewing the Department Com-
¦ I missary of Musters, it was discovered that the preparation of the
;-J muster-out-rolls was a task of considerable magnitude, and likely to
consume anywhere from two to three weeks. The fact that our
regiment had maintained a continuous regimental history for four and a
half years, and borne upon its rolls somewhere in the neighborhood of
seventeen hundred names, somewhat complicated the work ; as name,
description, and military history, of every member of the regiment, past
and present, must be given ; and five copies of the original roll was to be
prepared. As a July recreation in a latitude as far south as Charleston,
this was by no means refreshing to contemplate ! Nevertheless, inspired
by blissful anticipations of a long vacation just beyond, we industriously
addressed ourselves to the task in hand. All available clerical material
in the ranks was brought into requisition, and for a couple of weeks pen
and pencil were our constant companions. The regiment, meanwhile, had
been moved over the harbor, to a beautiful spot known as Mount Pleasant,
just across from the city, and in full view of objects of historic interest in
Charleston Harbor.
Upon careful scrutiny of the rolls, when completed, the following
figures were found to represent the regiment's numerical fluctuations, dur
ing the entire period of its history, as nearly as can be ascertained :
Whole No. Names on Roll,  1682
Died of Disease, killed in action, died of wounds, etc.,  339*
Discharged upon Surgeon's Certificate of Disability,  296
Discharged by Order,  31
Transferred to other regiments or corps  60
Dropped from the Rolls as "Non-Effectives,"  57
Dropped from the Rolls as Deserters,  192
Absent and unaccounted for at Final Muster-Out  7
Mustered-Out by reason of Expiration of Term,  449
Mustered-Out with Regiment at its Final Muster-Out,  247
To balance account  4
  1682
*  The War Department Statistics give our total death loss, 348.

176 THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
In the foregoing analysis care is taken to avoid " doubling-up " on
account of re -enlistments, the intention being to credit each man with but
one term of service, regardless of the number of enlistments or transfers.
The aggregate number of death-losses credited to the Fifteenth in a
carefully prepared paper compiled from War Department records, amended
to a recent date, is three hundred and forty-eight, including five killed in
action or died of wounds. This is nine in excess of our figures ; yet, un
doubtedly, it is correct. The same paper gives the average aggregate
death-loss in twenty-two Maine three-years' regiments, as a little less than
three hundred. This average is considerably exceeded by the Fifteenth ;
while only nine of the twenty-two Maine regiments referred to left more
of their brave comrades under the Southern sod, than we ! If our nearly
three hundred disability discharges be considered in this connection, the
extent of the sacrifice made in the country's behalf by the dear old Maine
Fifteenth, in its exceptionally prolonged and arduous service in the mala
rial districts of the South, will be more keenly appreciated.
The Fifteenth was detained in Charleston Harbor just two weeks
in the preparation of its final muster-out rolls ; being formally mustered-
out by Lieut.-Col. Leslie Smith, Commissary of Musters of the Department,
July 5th ; as of date July 6th, 1868. We immediately took steamer for
New York ; saluted the stars and stripes proudly floating over Sumpter's
shattered walls at about noon of the 5th, and dropped anchor off Castle
Garden, New York Harbor, Sunday morning, July 8th. The first boat to
board us brought papers containing complete details of that memorable
Fourth of July (1866) bon-fire in Portland, (Me.,) and later in the day
came the very unpalatable order for the steamer to run up to Hart's Island
and there disembark its troops.
But before disembarking an interesting little episode occurred wor
thy of special mention, and exceedingly creditable to the pluck and execu
tive ability of Col. Murray, our regimental commander. There were in
the air vague rumors of the prevalence of cholera upon the island upon
which we had been ordered to land ; and, coming from a Gulf port, there
dawned upon us the terrible suspicion that- we were to be quarantined!
Col. Murray and the medical officers at once instituted an investigation,
and, the suspicions appearing well-founded, a little rebellion was at once
precipitated ! Col. Murray waited upon Gen. Doubledav — the regiment
meanwhile being upon the' steamer at the wharf — and courteously yet firmly
announced his determination to disobey orders ; he was at once to return to
New York city, upon the same steamer which had brought the regiment to
Hart's Island ! Gen. Doubleday was of course very indignant ; dramaticallv
inquired, "How dare you, sir?" etc.; but Col. Murray, heroically assuming
the entire responsibility, in an emergency which he considered as fully

THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH. 177
warranting such extraordinary conduct, bade the General and his wife
adieu, and returned to the steamer. On the way he released Segt. Hosea
Smith (Co. A) from quarantine restraints ; and, all being in readiness, or
dered the captain to get up steam and return to New York with all possible
dispatch. The captain of course refused and was summarily relieved ; Col.
Murray assumed the functions of skipper and Capt. Frank Howe those of
engineer ; the lines were loosened ; the steamer headed for New York ; and
the wheels put briskly in motion ! The captain then relented and agreed
to obey his directions if the Colonel would relieve him of all responsibility as
to the matter, which he gladly did. We reached New York at about dark,
went ashore, and next day, with the other "immigrants," were assigned
quarters at Castle Garden Barracks. Upon reporting the interesting lit
tle incident to Gen. Joe. Hooker, and frankly explaining that men who had
served the government faithfully nearly five years, had just been mustered-
out, and were extremely anxious to reach their homes, could illy afford
to take the risks of a cholera-camp-quarantine — the Colonel was assured by
"Fighting Joe " that he had done exactly right ! Just what might have
happened had our commanding officer been less courageous, no one is able
to predict. At all events, that the Colonel dared disobey a written order to
save the men under his command from even possible danger, is infinitely to
his credit ; and, indeed, quite characteristic of the man.
For some reason, wholly inexplicable to the writer, the regiment
was detained in New York seven days, before the arrangements for final
payment and discharge could be effected. Payment was, however, made
up to July. 14th, and transportation furnished to Maine ; most of the boys
leaving by the trains of that day. On the 18th of July a few of us ac
companied Col. Murray to Augusta, and, in a pleasant interview with Gov.
Cony, at the Council Chamber, formally returned to the custody of the
State the regimental banners, which — entrusted to our keeping in a crit
ical period just four years, seven months, and eleven days before — had been
faithfully and honorably borne through all these perilous years.
The organization, complete, as finally mustered-out, will be found
in full on pages 23-4-5 of the Appendix.
It is somewhat noteworthy that of all the nearly seventeen hundred
names appearing upon our roster, earlier or later in our regimental history,
the number of those who joined at the organization, and steadfastly e&-
dured unto the end, was but one hundred and seventy-eight. Of thirty-eight
commissioned officers — excluding Capt. Michael Boyce, who had been out
of the service for a few months — only Col. Murray and Capt. Shorey re
mained of " the old guard," nearly all the other officers having entered the
service as non-commissioned officers or privates, and been promoted from
the ranks. The following is a complete list of " the gallant one-hundred-

17.8. THE STORY OF THE MAINE FIFTEENTH.
and-seventy-eight " referred to, and who, on account of the enduring qual
ities mentioned seem to be entitled to a special grouping :
Field and Staff. — Lieut.-Col. B. B. Murray, Maj. John R. Coates, Adjutant E. A.
Low, Seg. Maj. John D. Blake, Quartermaster Serg. Henry A. Whitney, Com. Serg. George
L. Marson, Hos. Stewart Charles P. Storer, Principal Musicians Charles O. Dodge and Joshua
Gatchell. Co. A. — Capt. James N. Martin ; Lieut. James E. Knight ; Sergeants Andrew J.
Hankins, Edwin P. Bridges, Andrew J. Bulmer, John A. Wheeler, Albert H. Hallett ; Cor
porals Wm. H. McLaughlin, Stephen H. Case, Edw. P. Hodges, Lyman Rumery, Ralph L.
Teed ; Privates Aug. Coggswell, Aug. F. Chambers, Wm. H. Chambers, Wm. A. Caswell,
Patrick Conners, Wm. H. Johnson, Nelson Leary, Alonzo V. Moore, Asbury F. Pottle, Wm.
F. Walker. Co. B. — Capt. H. A. Shorey; Lt. Charles E. Graves; Lieut. Joseph E. Latham;
Sergeants Carlton Lancaster, John B. Tarr, Wm. H. Bosworth, Geo. II. Douglass, Frazier
T. Shorey ; Corporals B. Franklin Higgins, Bradford H. Pushard, Orrin A. True, David C.
Merryman, James McGrath, "Geo. M. Green, Loring O. Pushard, Isaac F. Swan ; Privates
Wm. C. Allen, Andrew Bubier, Augustus R. Oliver, James R. Oliver, Adam O. Trufant.
Co. C. — Capt. Joseph A. Clark ; Lieut. Whitman L. Orcutt; Lieut. Benj. F. Owen ;
Segts. James Johnston, Hezekiah S. Owen, Harrison H. Robinson, Wm. H. Sutter, Sanford
B. Preble ; Corporals Daniel Everett, Charles C. Pomeroy, Jeremiah Snow, Lyman R. Seig-
ers, Jonathan D. Snow ; Privates Wm. P. Barker, Jeremiah Perrowe, Samuel W. Stratton.
Co. D.— Capt. F. O. S. Howe ; Lieut. Henry S. Rich; Segts. Clark Lewis, Robert
B. Welch, Simeon Small, Warren T. DeCraney, Charles E. Emery ; Corporals Isaac W.
Welch, Joseph P. Martin, Lyman W. Hanson, Orlando J. Winslow ; Privates Lewis Bidard,
James E. Jordan, John Meara, Edward Pearsons.
Co. E. — Capt. James Walker ; Segts. Daniel W. Garey, Shepherd R. Hoyt, John H.
Bennett, Orville L. Sawyer, Michael Tasnane ; Copls. Edw. M. Bennett, Cornelius J. Des
mond ; Mus. Samuel Brown ; Privates James H. Belton, Samuel Marshall, Gordon Perkins,
Robert S. Palmer.
Co. F. — Capt. Cyrus E. Knight ; Lieut. John Fitzgerald ; Segts. James Saunders,
Enoch Coburn, Robert R. Corbett, Abizer York, Charles H. Shaw ; Copls. Joseph F. Har
mon, Thomas F. Coffin ; Privates Oswald McBrien, Patrick Murray, Patrick Sweeney, Seth
Toothaker. Co. G. — Capt. Lester Dwinal ; Lt. James Rideout ; Segts. Charles F Blackington,
Albert Marshall, Lorenzo D. Hatch, Thomas Violette, George O. Fields ; Copls. Phillip
Bolier, Geo. F. Emerson ; Mus. Fernando C. Bolster ; Privates Charles A. Brawn, Bradford
W. Laiten. Co. H.— Capt. Alonzo Coan ; Lt. Wm. H. Carr ; Lt. Peter F. McCann ; Segts. Geo.
Smith, Joseph W. Skillin, Henry W. Gay, Wm. Mansfield, John L. Russell ; Copls. Jasper
I. Fisher, Byron Libby, Chesley Shaw ; Privates Oliver S. Barker, Jedediah Cole, Samuel W.
Goodwin, Frederick A. Haskell, Benjamin C. Hatch, Jeremiah R. Leathers, James Noble,
Daniel Pinkham, John C. Swett.
Co. I. — Capt. Wm. H. Boyce ; Lt. James M. Story ; Segts. Reuben R. McFarland,
Luther V. Gilmore, Charles H. Edgecomb ; Copls. Wm. Chaplin, Albert O. Hall, Joshua
L. Tibbetts, Freeman Peaslee, Stephen H. Davis ; Privates Calvin G. Burkett, Edw. Cun
ningham, Patrick Summers, Patrick Jordan, Thomas Tobin.
Co. K. — Capt. Michael Boyce, (less four months intermission ;) Lieut. Samuel Wilson ;
Lieut. Elias A. Berry ; Segts. Ether W. Sprague, John W. Boynton, Thomas Myers, Isaac
C. Bourness ; Copls. Alonzo Morang, Joseph Hinton, Jr., Benjamin Blyther, Josiah Page,-
Daniel McNutt, Peter Matherson ; Mus. Otis Lud wig ; Privates Win. A. Dyer, Wm. Ellison,
Abner Gay, Daniel Hurley, Charles N. Joslin, Frederick Leighton, Geo. H. Lingley, Wm.
Murphy, Henry Ramsdell.
And thus endeth " The Story of the Maine Fifteenth ;" not,
in any sense, a " history," but rather, as promised in the " Introductory,"
a simple sketch of " the more salient events " in the career of the " Old
Regiment," from which posterity may confidently be relied upon to cor
rectly make up its unbiased judgment as to whether, on the whole, our ser
vices wei'e meritorious or otherwise ; and especially as to the justice of the
claim of the " Introductory," that " in every emergency in which the 'Old
Fifteenth ' was placed in its continuous and arduous service of more than
four- and- a-half years, it never failed to ckeditably acquit itself."

APPENDIX.

REVISED ROSTER

OF THE

FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT;

EMBRACING- THE NAME OF EVERY OFFICER AND ENLISTED
MAN WHO SERVED WITH THE REGIMENT; TOGETHER
WITH A LIST OF THOSE WHO DIED IN THE SERVICE;
WERE DISCHARGED FOE DISABILITY j MUSTEEED-OTJT BY
SEASON OF EXPIEATION OF TEEM, ETC,; AND ALSO A
ROSTEE OF THE EEGIMENT AS FINALLY MUSTERED OUT,
JULY 6th, 1866,

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.
 X 
At Original Organization in the Winter of 1861-2
 O 
NAME. RANK. REMARKS.
JOHN MCCLUSKEY  Colonel. App. Jan. 25, 1862; resigned Aug. 15, '62.
ISAAC DYER  Lieut. Col. App. Dec. 17, '61; pro. Colonel Aug. 26, ' 62.
BENJAMIN HAWES  Major. App. Dec. 25, '61 ; resigned Sept. 9, '62.
JAMES NOWLAND,  Adjutant. Appointed Nov. 20, 1 86 1.
WORTHING'N S. LOCKE, . Quartermasfr. " Nov. 29, "
JOTHAM DONNELL  Surgeon. " Dec. 17, "
JOHN H. KIMBALL,  A ss't Surgeon. ". Dec. 18, "
JOSIAH I. BROWN  Chaplain. " Jin. 23,1862.
EDWIN A. LOW,  Sergt. Major. " Dec. 14,1861.
JAMES F. TILTON,  Q. M. Segt. ¦• Dec. 14, "
THOMAS L. LYNCH;  Com. Segt. " Dec. 14, " Ret. to ranks Co. K.
LORENZO DODGE,  Hos. Steward. Appointed at organization.
JOHN GOULD,  Drum Major. App. at organization ; deserted in Feb. '62.
HENRY B. PIERCE  Fife Major. Appointed Jan. 22, 1862.
As Re-Organized in the Summer of 1862.
 o 
ISAAC DYER  Colonel. Pro. from Lt. Col. Aug. '62; mustered out by
reason ex. term of commission, Sept. 9, * 65.
BENJAMIN B. MURRAY, jr., Lieut. Colonel. Pro. from Capt. Co. A Oct. 17, '62; mus. out
July 5, '66, in command of regiment.
FRANKLIN M. DREW  Major. Pro. from Capt. Co. G, Oct. 10, '62; muster'd
out Jan. 26, 1865.
JAMES NOWLAND,  Adjutant. Resigned at Camp Parapet, Sept. n, 1863.
WORTHINGT'N S. LOCKE, Quartermaster. Resigned June 4, 1863.
JOTHAM DONNELL,  Surgeon. Mustered out at ex. term of com. , Jan. 19, '65.
JOHN H. KIMBALL,  A ss't Surgeon. Resigned at Barrancas, Fla., June 5, '63.
SUMNER G. HOLT  Ass't Surgeon. App. Aug. 29, '62. Died March 25, '63.
JOSIAH I. BROWN,  Chaplain. Resigned May 30, 1863.
EDWIN A. LOW,  Segt. Major. Pro. 1st Lieut. Co. E Apl. 30, '65 ; app. Act.
Adjt. and served as such to July 6, '66.
JAMES F. TILTON,  Q. M. Segt. Pro. Quartermaster.
FRED. W. ELDER,  Com. Segt. Pro. from Segt. Co. H, Oct. 6, '62; returned
to Co. H March 21, '64.
LORENZO DODGE,.  Hos. Steward. Pro. Assistant Surgeon, May, '63.
CHARLES O. DODGE  Drum Major. Served until Final Muster-out of Regiment.
HENRY B. PIERCE,  Fife Major. Mustered out by reas ex. term, Jan. 25, '65.

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

FIELD AND STAFF-CONTINUED.

OFFICERS SERVING ON FIELD AND STAFF SUBSEQUENTLY
AND NOT APPEARING ON THE PRECEDING PAGE.
 o  Remarks.
Pro. from Cipt. Co. B, Feb. 27, '65 ; resigned July 5, '65.

Maiors.
JAMES H. WHITMORE.
JOHN R. COATES.
Surgeon.
GEORGE Z. HIGGINS.
Assistant Surgeons.
.LORENZO DODGE.
GEORGE Z. HIGGINS.
ARTHUR A. HOLMES.
Adjutant.
JOSEPH A. CLARK.
Quartermaster.
JAMES F. TILTON.
Chaplain.
SEBA F. WETHERBEE.
Sergeant Majors.
Charles H. Shaw.
James H. Belton.
John D. Blake.

Quartermaster Sergeants.

Pro. from Capt. Co. A, Sep. 29, '65; mustered out July 6, '66.
Pro. from Asst. Surg. July 1 1, '64 ; must, out with Regt.
Pro. from Hos. Stew. May 9, '63 ; must, out Feb., '65.
App. from eivil life Oct. 19, '63. Promoted Surgeon.
App. from civil life Apl. 20, '65 ; mus. out with Regt.
Pro. from Seg. Co. H Oct., '63; pro. Capt. Co. C, May, '65.
Pro. from Q. M. Segt. Sept., '63 ; resigned July, '65.
App. from civil life, Sept., '63 ; resigned March 11, '64.
Pro. from Co. C, May, 65 ; res. and ret. to Co. C, Jan., 66.
Pro. from Co. E, Jan., 66; ret. to Co. E, April, '66.
Pro. from Segt. Co. E, Apl., '66; must, out with Regt.

Iohn Locke.
Benjamin F. True.
Alonzo Coan.
Joseph E. Lewis.
James M. Story.
Henry A. Whitney.

Commissary Sergeants.

App. from Co. C, Oct., '63 ; ret. to same Co,, Mareh, '64.
App. from Segt. Co. H, March, '64 ; must, out Jan. 19, '65.
App. from Segt. Co. H, Feb., '65 ; pro. 1st Lt. K, Mar, '65.
App. from Co. B, April, '65 ; mustered out May 30, '65.
Pro. from Com. Segt. June, '65 ; pro. 1st Lt. Co. I, Feb., '66.
App. from Co. A, April, '66. Mustered out with Regt.

James M. Story.
George L. Marson.
Hospital Stewards.
Levi E. Holmes.
Charles P. Storer.
Principal Musicians.
James H. Lord.
Joshua Gatchell.

App. from Segt. Co. C, Jan., 65 ; pro. to Q. M. Segt.
App. from Segt. Co. H, July, '65 ; must, out with Regt.
[96th Regt. U. S. C. T., Sept., '63.
App. from Co. I, March, 63 ; pro. Lt. and Ac. Asst. Surgeon
Appointed from Co. H, Nov. , '63 ; must, out with Regt.
App. from Co. H, Feb., '65 ; res. and ret. to Co. H, Mar., '65.
App. from Co. F, March, '65 ; mustered out with Regiment.

FIELD AND STAFF AT FINAL MUSTER OUT, JULY, '66.

commissioned.
B. B. MURRAY, Jr  Lt. Col., Com'd'g.
JOHN R. COATES  Major.
GEO. Z. HIGGINS  Surgeon.
ARTHUR A. HOLMES.. .Asst. Surgeon.
JOHN D. BLAKE  Segt. Maj.

non-commissioned.
HENRY A. WHITNEY.. .Q. M. Segt.
GEO. L. MARSON  Com. "
CHARLES P. STORER... Hos. Steward.
CHARLES O. DODGE.. .Drum Major.
JOSHUA GATCHELL.. ..Fife Major.

[Note.-

-Lt. Edwin A. Low, of Co. E, was Acting Adjutant at date of Final Muster Out
and Lt. Elias A. Berry, of Co. K, Acting Quartermaster.]

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY A

CAPTAIN.
BENJAMIN B. MURRAY, Jr., Pembroke.
FIRST LIEUTENANT.
SAMUEL D. LEAVITT  Eastport.
SECOND LIEUTENANT.
WILLIAM K. RICH,  Pembroke.

SERGEANTS.
John R Coates
Francis O S Howe
Elisha Sherman
Hosea Smith,
Freeman W Varney
MUSICIAN.
Ralph L Teed

CORPORALS.
James L Pierce
Simson Spofford
Ira A Hughes
Ira W Cushing
John Sherman
Andrew J Hankins
Edwin P Bridges
Stephen H Case

PRIVATES.
Allen, Albert J
Achorn, Weston
Buhner, Andrew J
Bulmer, Ephraim T
Bassett, John H
Chambers, Augus. F
Conners, Patrick
Campbell, William E
Cousins, Jacob
Colson, George
Colsen, Aaron
Caswell, William A
Chambers, William H
Campbell, John
Cogswell, Augustus
Cameron, Dougald
Davis, Hiram

PRIVATES.
Davis, Sylvester
Davis, Hammond
Decoster, Peter
Dodge, Alfred
Dodge, Charles O
Fisher, Alfred
Gardner, Henry
Gardner, Loring
Gardner, George W
Greenlow, James H
Hay, William H
Healey, Terrence
Hallett, Albert H
Hodges, Edward P
Johnson, William H
Jordan, Daniel
Keef, Thomas

PRIVATES.
Keef, Benjamin
Knight, James E
Lee, John
Lee, Joseph
Lyons, Daniel
Leary, Nelson
Lewis, Hazen
Leighton. John F
Moore, Alonzo V
McGlaughlin, Wm H
MeMiller, Alexander
McGilvery, Angus
Martin, fames N
Nutt, James E
Pottle, Asbury
Peabody, Sylvanus H
Richardson, Henry

PRIVATES.
Ryan, Richard
Rumery, Uriah C
Rumery, Lyman
Randall, Jonathan jr
Reynolds, David
Swan, Charles
Swan, Elijah
Swan, Andrew J
Sylvay, Lewis E
Smith, Horatio M
Touse, Thaddeus
Wilder, Theophilus L
Walker, William F
Wheeler, John A
Wright, Hilton B
Whitney, Henry A
Waldron, George H

*Non-Effectives. — Stephen S. Leighton, Washington Bowman, Bartlett S. Caswell,
James H. Matthews, Thomas Ryan, Joel F. Robinson, Charles S. Williams.
*Names on Original Roll, but did not leave Maine witli Regiment and never served with it.

THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS SERVED AS FOLLOWS:

Benjamin B. Murray, Jr., Captain.
From Dee. 6, 1861, to September, 1862.
Samuel D. Leavitt, First Lieutenant.
From Dec. 6, 1861, to June 21, 1862.
William K. Rich, 2d and ist Lt. and Capt.
Second Lieut., Dec. 6, 1861. to May 20, 1862.

First Lieut.,
Captain,

May 20, 1862, to Deo. 10, 1862.
Dec. 10, 1862, to Feb, 16, 1865.

Frank O. S. Howe
From Nov, 1, 186

Second Lieut.
, to May 4j 1865.

John R. Coatts, 2d and ist Lt. and Capt.

Second Lieut.,
First Lieut.,
Captain,

May 20, 1862, to Nov. I ,
Nov, 1, 1862, to Feb. 27, 1865.
Feb. 27, 1865, to Sept. 29, 1865.

James N. Martin, 2d and 1st Lt. and Capt.
Second Lieut.,
First Lieut.,
Captain,

May 4. 1865. 10 Oct. 17, 1865.
Oet. 17, 1865. to Jan, 17, 1866.
Jan. 17, 1866, to July 5, 1866.

James E. Knight, Second and First Lieut.
Oct. 17, 1865, to Jan. 17, 1866.
Jan. 17, 1866, to July 6, 1866.

Second Lieut,,
First Lieut.,

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY A.

DIED IN THE SERVICE.
1 86 1. — John Campbell.
1862.— Weston Achom, Albert J. Allen, John H. Bassett, Ira W. Cushing, Jacob Cousins,
Aaron Colson, Daniel Jordan, Benjamin Keef, Horatio M. Smith.
1863.— Alfred Dodge, John Lee, Daniel Lyons, W. J. Freeman, Virgin A. Gaylard, Alfred
Fisher.
1864.— Sebum Hayes, Peter DeCoster, Wm E. Campbell, Richard Ryan, Elkin Givens,
John E. Thomdike.
1865. — Thomas Gibson, Aleberton Crane, Robert Kellum, Wm. H. Ackley.
Missing in Action. — Welbern Hayes, (Oct., '64) Angus McGilvery (April, '64.)
DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY.
1862.— Lieut. S. D. Leavitt; Simson Spofford, Bartlett S. Caswell, Thomas Keef, Alexander
McMiller, Uriah C. Rumery, Andrew J. Swan, George H. Waldron.
1863. — Edmund M. Kirklin, Augustus Cogswell, George Colson, Loring Gardner, James H.
Greenlow, Lewis E. Sylvay, Theophilus L. Wilder, Sylvanus H. Peabody, Robert
P. Jones.
1864.— James E. Nutt, Ephraim T. Bulmer, Wm. H. Hay.
1865. — Geo. S. S. White, Barney Blase, Andrew J. Swan, Jehiel Campbell, Hosea Smith.
1866. — Sylvester Davis,
MUSTERED OUT BY REASON EXPIRATION OF TERM.
In Jan., '65. — (The Non-Re-Enlisted Men.') — Capt. Wm. K. Rich, First Segt. Freeman
W. Varney, Ira A. Hughes, Geo. W. Gardner, Henry Gardner, Elijah Swan.
In May, '65. — (Per General Order, Term to Expire in October.) — George W. Quinn,
Peter Brown, John Curtis, Zemro S. Hall, Robert K. Smith, Daniel H. McAllister, (Oct.)
Alonzo B. Howard, (Sept.) John F. Leighton, (Aug.)Henry Patterson, (Nov.)
In the Spring of "66. — (One Year Men.) — Wm. H. Allen, Ephraim A. Andrews,
Howard J. Byrne, Ferdinand Belleau, Rufus Bartlett, Matthias Bridges, Geo. L. Coggins,
Davenport P. Cushing, Nathaniel B. Clapp, Samuel L. Dow, Ambrose Foster, Gilbert Grant,
Otis S. Hussey, Chas. J. Pennell, Jotham G. Reynolds, Benj. B. Rose, Hiram F. Smith,
Johnson G. Trask, Geo. F. Vose, Isaac Worden, James Witham, James D. Cushing.
Transferred bv Promotion. — Capt. B. B. Murray, to Field and Staff, as Lieut, Col.;
Capt. John R. Coates, to F. & S.,as Major; Lieut F. O. S. Howe, to Co.D, as Capt.; Serg.
Henry A. Whitney, to N. C. Staff, as Q. M. Segt. ; Charles O. Dodge, to N. C. Staff, as
Principal Musician ; Private Thomas Sherman, to Military Telegraph Corps.
Absent and Not Accounted for at Date of Final Muster-Out. — Thaddeus Touse,
Alphonso M. Gove, and Hilton B. Wright. The latter (at least) received honorable discharge
from War Department subsequently.
Dropped from the Rolls as Deserters. — In 1864 : John Sherman, Dougald
Cameron, Hammond Davis, Hiram Davis, Terrance Healey, David Reynolds, Henry Richard
son, Charles B. Swan, Elisha Sherman, James L. Pierce, Joseph Lee, Jonathan Randall, Jr.
In 1865 : Geo. Anderson, Albert C. Currier, George McKenzie.
THE FOLLOWING HELD WARRANTS AS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeants. — John R. Coates, F. O. S. Howe, Freeman W. Varney, James E.
Knight, Andrew J. Hankins.
Sergeants. — F. O. S. Howe, Elisha Sherman, Hosea Smith, Freeman W. Varney,
James E. Knight, James E. Nutt, Peter DeCoster, Edwin P. Bridges, Henry A. Whitney,
Andrew J. Bulmer, John W. Wheeler, Albert H. Hallett.
Corporals. — Stephen S. Leighton, Simson Spofford, Ira A. Hughes, Ira W. Cushing,
John Sherman, Andrew J. Hankins, Edwin P. Bridges, Stephen H. Case, Andrew J. Bulmer,
Wm. E. Campbell, Henry A, Whitney, John W. Wheeler, James N. Martin, Wm. A. Cas
well, Albert H. Hallett, Edward P. Hodges, Wm. H. McGlaughlin, Lyman Rumney, Ralph
L. Teed, James L. Pierce..
Summary. — Whole No. Names on Roll, 153. Died, 28 ; Discharged for Disability, 26;
Non-Effectives, 7 ; Mustered-Out at Ex. Term, 37 ; Transferred, 6 ; Absent and not account
ed for, 3 ; Deserted, 15 ; Discharged with Regiment at Final Muster-Out, 31.
[The Roster of the Companies as Finally Mustered-Out will be found elsewhere.]

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY B.

CAPTAIN.

SERGEANTS.

CORPORALS.

J Edwin Libby

William Maxwell

SETH H. LEONARD  /,',>:<,/,>,,;.

William H Totman

Silas S Holbrook

George E Doyle
George F Sally
William C Allen
Wm H Bosworth
JAMES H. WHITMORE  Bowdoinham.
Charles Dennett
B Franklin Higgins
MUSICIANS.
Andrew Bubier
SECOND LIEUTENANT.
Alonzo Rogers
Charles E Graves
Melvin S Leonard
Wm B Trufant
HENRY A. SHOREY  Bath.
James E Reed
PRIVATES.
PRIVATES.
PRIVATES.
PRIVATES.
Alexander, James E
Fuller, Seth
Lancaster, Carlton
Penny, Ira T
Adams, William
Getchell, Dennis
Montfort, William
Rook, John
Adams, George W
Gilpatrick, Isaac J
Murch, Harlow Z
Rook, George W
Buker, William G jr
Gilpatrick, George
Merryman, David C
Rollins, James E
Bard, Leemon H
Gould, Harvey M
Malloon, Samuel
Rollins, Josiah K
Beal, Benjamin A
Green, Abram T
McDevitt, Peter
Ross, Actor
Bliss, George A W
Green, Mariner T
Metcalf, James S
Shorey, Frazier T
Brimigoin, Joseph
Green, William
Marr, Gilmore P
Small, Zacheus jr
Coombs, James 2d
Green, George M
Marr, James
Shea, Charles E
Cromwell, James A
Greenlow, Jacob
McGrath, James
Swan. Isaac F
Chase, R Franklin
Grover, John C
Niles, Wiiliam
True, Orrin A
Christopher, John E
Grover, Page F
Oliver, Augustus R
Tarr, John B
Campbell, Abiel
Hatch, Colin C
Oliver, James R
Trufant, Adam 0
Colby, Otis R
Hayden, John H
Perry, John
Tibbets, William jr
Cook, James W
Holbrook, William H
Perry, Joseph J
Williams, Stephen
Douglass, George H
Howard, George A
Pushard, Bradford H
Whitney, James
Douglass, Edwin C
Jack, William H
Pushard, Loring O
Williams, Orrington J
Douglass, Otis H
Jones, Lewis
Powers, Jacob
Whitney, Eben B
Deojay, Frank
Latham, Joseph E
Penny, William '
Walter, Moses
*Non-Effectives.— John Douglass, Wheeler Danforth, John Houston, Chandler M.
Jewett, Wm. H. Metcalf, Geo. W. Pullen, Wm. H. Scott, Jonathan Williams, John Lewis,
Melvin W. Douglass, Joshua- Gray, ¦ John L. Higgins, Franklin S. Trufant, Hutchinson E.
Wiliiams, Isaac Murch, Geo. W. Light, Charles B. Coombs, Moses C. Hanscomb.
"Names cm m-iglnal Roll, lint did n •¦! tone Maine with Regiment and never served with it.
JOINED AS RECRUITS IN 1862-3-4-5.
1862.
Breckenridge, Robert
1863.
Gage, Simon
McFadden, John W
1864.
Cleaveland, Aaron P
Cleaveland, EleazerC
. Lewis, Joseph E
Wentworth, William
Wentworth, Enoch
Allen, Henry R
Carter, Edwin
Denham, Thomas jr
Erving, George T
Emerson, Wm J
Harrington, Charles B
Hines, Richard
1864.
Johnson, Levi D
Johnson, Charles R
Lewis, Daniel W
Morse, William
Oliver, Alden 3
Oliver, Cleaveland M
Powers, William D
Sedgely, Benjamin
Trufant, Franklin S
1865.
Anderson, Wm Z
Allen, Ira O
Austin, Jesse B
Beal, Nathaniel A
Bates, Edwin B
Brown, Charles
Burrill, Wm W
1865.
Benson, James D
Bond, Frederick A
Bedelle, Elisha
Carter, Wm S
Colburn, Seth A
Cooper, Calvin
Clark, Almon
Dyer, Elbridge
Dexter, Wm H
Doyle, Charles H
Emery, Thomas L
Gilmore, Myron T
Harrington, George
Handy, Robert C
Haynes, Winfield S
Haley, Franklin S
Morse, George A
1865.
McGuire, Wm H
McCorrison, George P
Newton, William A
Nelson, Peter
Parker, Walter L
Pero, Benjamin
Pepper, George
Prescott, Samuel A
Quimby, Luther F
Rollins, Josiah K
Ross, Walter C
Ridley, Thomas R
Small, Joshua
Small, Joel
Vallie, Adolph
Wilson, James W
Wagner, John G
THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS SERVED AS FOLLOWS
Seth H. Leonard, Captajn.
Prom Org. to Jan. 21, 1,-63.
James H. Whitmore, ist Lt. and Capt.
First Lt.. Dec. 7. 1861, to July 23, 1863.
Capt., July 21, 1863, to Feb. 27, 1865.
Henry A. Shorey, 2d & 1st Lt. and Capt.
Second Lieut., Dec. 7, 1861, to July 21, 186*.
First Lieut., July 21, 1863, to March 21, 1865.
Captain. Mar. 21, 1865. to Ju# 6, 1866.
Charles E. Graves, 2d and ist Lieut.
Second Lieut., March 28, 1865, to May 1, 1865.
First Lieut.. May 1, 1865, to July 6, 1866.
J. Edwin Libby, Second Lieutenant.
From July 1, 1863, to Sept, 6, 1863.
Joseph E. Latham, Second Lieutenant.
From May 1, 1865, t o July 6, 1866.
ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY B.

DIED IN THE SERVICE.
1862. — Colin C. Hatch, Melvin S. Leonard, James Marr, Peter McDevitt, Samuel Malloon,
Orrington J. Williams, Otis H. Douglass.
1863. — Lt. J. Edwin Libby, Mariner T. Green, John C. Grover, Wm. H. Holbrook, John
W. McFadden, William Niles.
1864. — Wm. Adams, Abial Campbell, James Coombs, 2d, James S. Metcalf, John Perry,
Wm. Penny, Charles E. Shea, Enoch Wentworth, Richard Hines, Simon Gage.
1865. — Eleazer C. Cleaveland, George A. Morse.
DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY.
1862.— Capt. Seth H. Leonard, George E. Doyle, George F. Sally, Wm. B. Trufant, R.
Franklin Chase, James W. Cook, James A.Cromwell, Edwin C. Douglass, George
Gilpatrick, Isaac J. Gilpatrick, Harvey M. Gould, Wm. Green, Geo. A. Howard,
Wm. Mountfort, Joseph J. Perry, Geo. W. Rook, John Rook, Actor Ross, Zach-
eus Small, jr., Stephen Williams, Harlow Z. Murch, Wm. Tibbets, jr., Seth
Fuller.
1863. — Charles Dennett, Alonzo Rogers, Geo. W. Adams, Geo. A. W. Bliss, Jacob Green-
low, Gilmore P. Marr, Ira T. Penny, Moses Walter.
1864. — Wm. Maxwell, Wm. Buker, jr., Jacob Powers, James Whitney, James E. Reed.
1865. — Eben B. Whitney, Nathaniel A. Beal, Myron T. Gilmore, Wm. H. McGuire, Walter
L. Parker, Leemon H. Bard, (pris. of war, exchg'd) Thomas R. Ridley, Dennis
Getchell, Joel Small, Abram T. Green, Peter Nelson.
1866. — James E. Alexander, John E. Christopher, Frank Deojay.
MUSTERED OUT BY REASON EXPIRATION OF TERM.
In Jan. '65. — {The Non-Re-Enlisted Men.) — Benjamin Beal, John H. Hayden, Silas S.
Holbrook, Page F.' Grover.
In May, '65. — [By General Order, Term to Expire in October.] — Daniel W. Lewis, Wm.
J. Emerson, Jesse B.- Austin, Franklin S. Trufant, Aaron P. Cleveland, George T. Erving,
Edwin Carter, and Robert Breckinridge — (the latter a three years' man enlisting in 1862.) In
the fall of 1865 : — Wm. D. Powers, Levi D. Johnson, Charles R. Johnson, Thomas Denham,
Benjamin Sedgeley, Wm. Morse, Charles B. Harrington, Cleveland M. Oliver, and Alden S.
Oliver. In 1864: — Wm. Wentworth.
In the Spring of '66. — (One Year Men.) — Ira O. Allen, Wm. Z. Anderson, Edwin B.
Bates, Wm. W. Burrill, Elisha Bedelle, Frederick A. Bond, James D. Benson, Calvin Cooper,
Seth A. Colbum, Almon Clark, Wm. S. Carter, Elbridge Dyer, Charles H. Doyle, Thomas L.
Emery, Geo. Harrington, Franklin Haley, Winfield S. Haynes, Robert C. Handy, George A.
Morse, Wm. A. Newton,, George Pepper, Benj. Pero, Samuel A. Prescott, Luther F. Quimby,
Josiah K. Rollins, Joshua Small, Adolph Vallie, Wm. Wentworth, James W. Wilson, Wal
ter C. Ross, and George P. McCorrison.
Transferred by Promotion, &c. — Capt. J. H. Whitmore, to Field and Staff, as Major ;
Segt. W. H. Totman, as Capt. 1st Louisiana Regt.; Segt, Otis R. Colby, as Lieut. C. D'A.;
Private Wm. H. Jack, do. ; Joseph E. Lewis, to N. C. S. as Q. M. Segt. To Veteran Re
serve Corps : Joseph Brimigion, Lewis Jones, Josiah K. Rollins, Wm. G. Buker.
By Special Order. — Joel Small and James E. Rollins.
Dropped from the Rolls as Deserters. — George Harrington, John G. Wagner, and
Charles Brown.

THE FOLLOWING HELD WARRANTS AS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant.— J. Edwin Libby, Charles E. Graves, Carlton Lancaster.
Sergeant.— Wm. H. Totman, George E.' Doyle, William C. Allen, Charles Dennett,
Andrew Bubier, Charles E. Graves, Joseph E. Latham,' Otis R. Colby, Wm. H. Bosworth,
fohn B. Tarr, Carlton Lancaster, George H. Douglass, Frazier T. Shorey.
Corporals.— Wm. Maxwell, Silas S. Holbrook, Geo. F. Sally, Wm. H. Bosworth, B.
Franklin Higgins, Andrew Bubier, Wm. B. Trufant, Charles E. Graves, Benjamin Beal, Geo.
H Douglass, David C. Merryman, John B. Tarr, Bradford H. Pushard, Orrin A. True,
James E. Alexander,' Frazier T.' Shorey, John' E. Christopher, James McGrath, James E.
Rollins, George M. Green, Loring O. Pushard, Isaac F. Swan.
SUMMARY.— Whole No. Names on Roll, 178—18 non-effective. Died in the service, 25 ;
discharged for disability, 50 ; mustered out by reason ex. term, 53 ; deserted, 3 ; transferred
for promotion, etc., 9 ; discharged per special order, 2 ; discharged at final muster-out, 18.

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY C.

CAPTAIN.
CHARLES W. CLAYTON  Masardis.
FIRST LIEUTENANT.
DANIEL M. PRESCOTT  Presque Isle.
SECOND LIEUTENANT.
ZEBULON ROWE  Presque Isle.

SERGEANTS.
Robert W Mauley
Orren Whitney
John H Hasty
Whitman L Orcutt
James Moore
MUSICIAN.
Oscar P Hughes

CORPORALS.
Aaron H Story
Samuel Wilson
Chris C O'Brien
Samuel Place
Benjamin F Owen
George E Pyle
Daniel Everett
William E Clark

PRIVATES.
Brown, John W
Bell, fames
Bryant, George P
Boyce, Charles H
Barker, William P
Bean, Augustus A C
Bean, Charles C
Boulier, Solomon C
Bugbee, Charles H
Brown, Nathaniel
Carter, Charles R
Chisholm, Alexander
Chase, William
Carter, Josiah H
Carter, William W
Chase, George
Christopher, GeorgeW
Cushing, Alonzo D
Clough, Levi
Crowell, Allen

PRIVATES.
Condon, William C
Dougherty, Andrew
Everett, Lyman
Furge, Isaac
Furge, William
Fudge, William
Ford, George
Foster, Theodore B
Frost, Horace H
Gilker, Charles
Goddridge, Samuel
Graves, Alexander
Gallagher, Michael
Hawes, George
Hall, Luther C
Fohnston, James
Kelly, Walter
Keef, William
Knight, Patrick
Knight, William J

PRIVATES.
Locke, John
Lawrence, Elihu A
McGloin, John
McFayden, Alexander
Madden, John
Munson, Robert
Morris, William P
McGuire, Warren
Mulholland, James
Owen, Hezekiah
O'Keef, Patrick
Pearce, Thomas
Plummer, Warren C
Perrowe, Jeremiah
Preble, Melvin S
Preble, Sanford B
Pomroy, Charles C
Randall, Alonzo
Rideout, Sylvester
Roberts, Alfred W

PRIVATES.
Robinson, Harrison H
Roy, George
Roax, James
Sutherland, George
Shaw, Charles H
Story, James M
Snow, Jeremiah
Smith, William
Snow, Jonathan D
Suter, William H
Stratton, Samuel W
Seigers, Lyman R
Walker, John P
Whitney, Charles S
Wilcox, George
Wessenger, Enoch D
Wyman, Leander M

Non-Effectives.— Joseph Baker, Wm. Duncan, Leonard Heath.
JOINED AS RECRUITS IN 1863-4-5.

1863.
Hutchinson, Albert
1864.
Banks, John
Brown, Francis G
HiU, John H
Locke, John
Shaw, James H
Wing, Frederick 1865.
Atwood, Benjamin
Allen, John H
Brackett, Charles C
Bolier, Solomon
Brown, William
Brown, Albert
Bekker, John
Baker, William
Booby, Shepard

1865.
Belmont, Charles
Cook, Albion B
Clark, James
Clark, Joseph A*
Collins, Ebenezer
Cunningham, Thomas
Chase, Thomas C
Carlson, Charles
Coburn, Isaiah
Clement, Daniel
Croxford, James G
Cotter, Patrick
Downing, John
Deehan, Patrick
Davis, Alexander S
Deering, William
Delano, Daniel S
Deary, Ambrose

1865.
Ellis, Hiram W
Fitzgerald, Edward
Freeman, Wayland
Hughey, Owen
Howe, Henry H
Howe, Frank
Harris, Chase M
Jordan, Abraham
Joselyn, Eugene S
Knights, Wrm J
Lane, Henry
McCarty, George P
McNiff, Martin
Nepting, Charles
Nutt, Alonzo
Patterson, Daniel
Patterson, Charles W
Porre, Vitore

1865.
Riley, John
Randall, George R
Richards, Wm L
Smith, Charles
Shaw, James H
Sullivan, James
Stevens, James
St Clare, William
Stone, William
Sutter, John
Sutter, James A
Smith, James
Thayer, Byron S
Welch, John S
Warren, Matthew
Walker, John P
Wilson, Frederick

THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS SERVED AS FOLLOWS :

Charles W. Clayton, Captain.
From Dec. 10, 1861, to May 23, 1862.
Daniel M. Prescott, ist Lt. and Capt.
First Lieut,, Dec. 9, 1861, to July 5. 1863.
Captain, May 23, 1862, to July 5, 1863,
John H. Hasty, 2d & ist Lt. and Capt.
Second Lieut.. May 10, 1862, te May 23. 1862.
First Lieut.. May 23, 1862, to Jan, 25, 1864.
Captain, Jan, 25, 1864, to Feb. 17, 1865.
Joseph A. Clark, Captain.
From May 4, 1865, to July 5, 1866.

Warren C. Plummer, 2d and ist Lieut.
Second Lieut., July 29, 1862, to Jan. 25, 1864.
First Lieut.. Jan. 25, 1864, to Jan. 21, 1865.
Whitman L. Orcutt, 2d and ist Lieut.
Second Lieut., Jan. 25, 1864, to Feb, 21, 1865,
First Lieut., Feb. 21. 1865, to July 5, 1866.
Benjamin F. Owen, Second Lieutenant.
From May 4, 1865, to July 5, 1866,
Zebulon Rowe, Second Lieutenant.
From Dec. 10, 1861, to April 10, 1862.

-*By promotion, from Adjutant.

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY C.

DIED IN THE SERVICE.
1862 — Aaron H. Story, George E. Pyle, Wm. E. Clark, Chas. H. Boyce, Geo. P. Bryant,
John W. Brown, Charles R. Carter, Wm. Chase, Alexander Chisholm, Levi
Clough, Wm. Furge, Elisha A. Lawrence, John McGloin, Warren McGuire.
1863.— Augustus H. C. Bean, Isaac Furge, Charles Gilker, Wm. Keef.
1864. — James Moore, James Bell, Alfred W. Roberts, Patrick O'Keef, Leander M. Wyman,
Wm. P. Morris.
1865. — Alexander S. Davis, Benj. Atwood, Isaiah Coburn, Frank Howe, Henry H. Howe,
Orrin Whitney, Daniel Clement.
DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY.
1862. — Capt. C. W. Clayton, Lt. Zebulon Rowe, Chas. C. Bean, Josiah H. Carter, Samuel
Goddridge, George Wilcox, George Hawes, Walter Kelly, Wm. W. Carter, Geo.
Chase, Wm. Fudge.
1863. — Capt. D. M. Prescott, Allen Crowell, George Ford, Robert Munson.
1864.— C. C. O'Brien, Oscar P. Hughes.
1865. — Michael Gallagher, Wm. Baker, Owen Hughes, John Sutter, Shepard Booby, Solo
mon C. Bolier.
1866.— Melvin 3. Preble.
MUSTERED OUT BY REASON EXPIRATION OF TERM.
In Jan., '65.— (The Non-Re-Enlisted Men.)— Capt. John H. Hasty, Lieut. Warren C.
Plummer, Samuel Place, Solomon C. Boulier, Alonzo Randall, Nathaniel Brown, Wm. C.
Condon, Alonzo D. Cushing, Andrew W. Dougherty, Lyman Everett, John Locke, Alex.
McFadden, Luther C. Hall, Wm. I. Knight, John Madden, James Mulholland, Thomas
Pearce, Sylvester Rideout, George Sutherland, Enoch D. Wessenger.
In May, '65. — (Term to Expire in October.) — John H. Hill, Frederick Wing, Francis
G. Brown, Wm. L. Richards.
In the Spring of '66. — (One Year Men.) — John H. Allen, Albert Brown, Charles C.
Brackett, James G. Croxford, Patrick Cotter, Albion B. Cook, Thomas Cunningham, Thom
as C. Chase, Patrick Deehan, Wm. Deering, Daniel S. Delano, Wayland Freeman, Eugene
S. Joselyn, Abraham Jordan, Wm. J. Knights, Vitore Porre, James Smith, James H. Sutter,
John S. Welch.
Transferred BY Promotion. — Lieut. Sam C. Wilson to Co. K. ; Sergt. Charles H.
Shaw to Non-Commissioned Staff; Sergt. James M. Story to N. C. Staff.
Discharged by Order. — Robert W. Manley, Charles H. Bugbee, Theodore B. Foster,
Horace H. Frost, Patrick Knight.
Wounded and Prisoner, i 864. — Albert Hutchinson. Absent Sick. — Ebenezer Collins.
Dropped from the Rolls as Deserters. In 1864: George W. Christopher, Chas.
S. Whitney, Wm. P. Morris, James Roax, George Roy, Wm. Smith. In 1865 : John P.
Walker, Alexander Graves, Charles Carlson, James Clark, Ambrose Deary, John Downing,
Edward Fitzgerald, Chase M. Harris, Henry Lane, George P. McCarty, Alonzo Nutt, Dan -
iel Patterson, Charles W. Patterson, George R. Randall, James H. Shaw, James Stevens,
Charles Smith, Wm. St. Clare, Wm. Stone, Byron S. Thayer, Matthew Warren, Frederick
Wilson. In 1866 : Charles Belmont, James Sullivan, Samuel W. Stratton.
THE FOLLOWING HELD WARRANTS AS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeant. John H. Hasty, Robert W. Manley, Whitman L. Orcutt, James
Johnston. Sergeant. Orren Whitney, John H. Hasty, Whitman L. Orcutt, James Moore, Sam
uel Wilson, Charles H. Shaw, Benj. F. Owen, Sanford B. Preble, Hezekiah S. Owen, Harri
son H. Robinson, Wm. H. Sutter.
Corporal. Aaron H. Story, Samuel Wilson, Christopher C. O'Brien, Samuel Place,
Benj. F. Owen, George E. Pyle, Daniel Everett, Wm. E. Clark, George P. Bryant, Sanford
B. Preble, Charles H. Shaw, Andrew Dougherty, Solomon C. Boulier, Leander M. Wyman,
James M. Story, Hezekiah S. Owen, -Daniel Everett, Charles C. Pomeroy, Melvin S. Preble,
Harrison H. Robinson, Jeremiah Snow, Jonathan D. Snow, Lyman R. Seigers, John P.
Walker, John H. Allen. 
Summary. Whole No. on Rolls, 166; Died, 31; Discharged for Disability, 24; Dis
charged by Order, 5; Transferred, 3; Ex. Term, 44; Non-Effectives, 3; Deserted, 31; Absent
Sick, 2; Discharged with Regiment at Final Muster-Out, 22.

10

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY D.

CAPTAIN.
CHARLES S. ILLSLEY  Portland.
FIRST LIEUTENANT.
JOHN C. COBB  Portland.
SECOND LIEUTENANT.
ENOCH M. DEERING  Harrison.

SERGEANT.
Charles "F Jordan
George H Cummings
Elvin J Maxwell
Daniel P Rolfe
William A Welch
MUSICIANS.
Horace C Davis
Aug W Plummer
Lyman W Hanson

CORPORALS.
Nathaniel H Seavey
Henry S Rich
Alonzo Edwards
Edward K Gilky
Levi M Patch -
Alonzo T Kellock

PRIVATES.
Amour, James H
Archibald, Amos C
Berry, William
Brown, Alexander
Bragdon, Josiah
Burns, Charles N
Barrows, William
Boyd, Francis
Carsley, George F
Crowley, John
Dennison, Caleb
Davis, Adoniram C
Davis, Eben
Davis, Thomas J
DeCraney, Warren T
Duran, James W
Edwards, Humphrey S
Edwards, Joshua
Edwards, Richard

PRIVATES.
Emery, Charles E
Falkner, Duncan
Fitzgerald, Owen
Googin, Rufus B
Gillson, Luke
Grant, Martin N
Gilky, Edward J
Gallaghan, Owen
Haggett, Frank E
Hanson, Jason-
Huston, John
Jordan, James
Jones, Ira S
Joquaine, Henry T
Keene, Moses M
Keinstead, Samuel
Kneeland, Charles C
Legrow, Ephraim L
Lovewell, Henry K

PRIVATES.
Lovell, Lowell
Lewis, Clark
Lewis, Hazen
Mabury, James L
Marrow, John
Martin, Joseph P
McErgal, Neal
McNear, Alexander
Meserve, Alonzo
Meara, John
Mead, John
Norton, Charles P
Noble, Alexander
Orr, Daniel
Osburne, Charles W
Pearsons, Edward
Pennell, Benj J
Patterson, Henry E
Rideout, Ezra

Rogers, Aaron C
Rowe, Stephen
Ray, George R
Rich, Aritas
Small, Simeon
Smeledge, Augustus
Stowers, , Charles W
St Peter, Octave
Smith, John M
Taggett, David
Thomas, Joshua A
Thurston, Jacob
Tuttle, Asa B
Verrill, Sidney
Vickolby, Nicholas
Warren, Edward
Welch, Isaac C
Welch, Robert B
Winslow, Orlando
Winslow, Paris R

Non-Effectives. — Henry Ellsworth, John Glass,
son, John Lewis, James Scott, Nelson W.. Edwards.

Benj. F. Holbrook, Nathaniel John-

JOINED AS RECRUITS IN 1865.

Archibald, Ira A
Batchelder, James
Bidard, Lewis
Bidard, Joseph
Bunnell, William
Boobar, Sherman
Bussell, James E
Buswell, James G
Cyr, Joseph
Cyr, Edward
Davis, William H
Derough, Mitchell
Dame, Tristram
Dasey, Timothy
Davis, John M
Dubois, Narcisse
Doyle, James

Ellingwood, Miles H
Englehardt, George
Eldridge, Jacob
Foster, Willard C
Farwell, Wm E
Fleming, Michael
Furbish, Hora.ce A
Foss, David
Filieau, Pierre
Gilson, Edward H
Gray, Chas V
Griffin, Dennis
Green, Stillman
Goodwin, Josiah M
Hanlon, fohn
Holmes, Geo B
Hallowell, Geo W

Huse, Geo F
Henley, Alexander
Hibbard, Chas W
Hoey, Richard
Hanson, Oliver
*Howe, Francis O S
Impy, Alonzo
Knight, , L,endall
Kneeland, Edw R
Kneeland, Alonzo
*Lord, James H
Mansell, Chester S
Marshall, Alfred
Hemstead, Samuel
Hazen, Lewis
?By Promotion from A
& H.

Managhan, John
O'Conner, William
Page, Benjamin
Powers, Patrick
Reed, Charles
Rowan, Daniel
Richardson, John H
Russell, James
St Pierre, Isam
Smith, Charles
Smith, James G
Smith, Stephen E
Sanfacon, Remi
Sousi, John
Wood, William
Wentworth, Daniel
Webster, George

THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS SERVED AS FOLLOWS :

Charles S. Illsley, Captain.
From Dec. 31, 1861, to March, 1865.
Frank O. S. Howe, Captain.
Joined asOapt. f  u Co. A, Mav4, 1865; serv
ed to July, 1866.
John C. Cohb, First Lieutenant.
From Dec. II, 1861, to Au.-. 17, 1863; then pro-
- juoted Colonel .IT. S. CT.
John Mead, 2d and ist Lieut.
Second Lieutenant. June 11, 1S63 to Sept. 16, '63.
First Lieutenant, Sept. 16, 1863, to Mar.I3. '65.

Henry S. Rich, First Lieutenant.
From April 26, 1865, to July 5, 1S66,
Enoch M. Deering, Second Lieutenant.
Commissioned Jan. 9, 1862, and Died in Maine.
July, 1862.
Chari.es F. Jordan, Second Lieutenant.
from Sept. 16. 1863, to Feb. 19, 186'..
James H. Lord, Second Lieutenant.
From April 26, 1865, to Jul) 5, 1866

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT. 11

COMPANY D.

DIED IN THE SERVICE.
i86l. — James W. Duran.
1862.— Enoch M. Deering, Edw. J. Gilky, Josiah Bragdon, Joshua Edwards, Owen Galla-
ghan, Rufus B. Googin, Henry K. Lovewell, Lowell Lovell, Alonzo Meserve,
Henry T. Joquaine, Henry E. Patterson, Aritas Rich, John Crowley.
1863.— Wm. Barrows, Wm. Berry, Thomas J. Davis, Luke Gillson, Neal McErgal, Chas.
W. Stowers, Edward Warren.
1864. — Owen Fitzgerald, Augustus Smeledge.
1865.— Joseph Cyr, Wm. H. Davis, Mitchell Derough, Miles H. Ellingwood, Wm. E.
Farwell,. Edward H. Gilson, John Hanlon, Chester S. Mansell, Charles Reed,
James G. Smith, George Webster, Nicholas Vickelby, Ira A. Archibald, James
G. Buswell, Josiah M. Goodwin, Stephen E. Smith.

DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY.
1862. — Geo. H. Cummings, N. H. Seavey (not mustered), Charles N. Burns, A. C. Davis,
Eben Davis, Humphrey S. Edwards, Martin N. Grant, Josiah Bragdon, Ira S.
¦ Jones, Moses M. Keene, Alexander Brown, Chas. C. Kneeland, John Marrow,
Jason Hanson, Caleb Dennison, Alonzo Edwards.
1863. — Alexander McNear.
1865. — Geo. W. Hallowell, John Huston, John Sousi, Octave St Peter.
1866.- Augustus W. Plummer.
MUSTERED OUT BY REASON EXPIRATION OF TERM.
Jan., '65.— (The Non- Re -Enlisted Men.)— Captain Charles S. Illsley. First Lieut. John
Mead, Seeond Lieut. Charles F. Jordan, Daniel Orr, Ezra Rideout, William A.
Welch, Stephen Rowe, David Taggett, Joshua A. Thomas.
May, '65. — (Per General Order, — Term to Expire in October.) — /antes Batchelder,
John M. Davis, Remi Sanfaeon, Jason Hanson, Levi M. Patch Geo. F. Carsley,
James L. May bury, Jacob Thurston, Lendall Knight, Nicholas Yickolby,
James Doyle, Geo. W. Hallowell.
In the Spring of '66.— (One Year Men.)— Alfred Marshall, Sherman Boobar, Edward
Cyr,- Tristram Dame, Jacob Eldridge, George Englehardt, Michsel Fleming,
David Foss, Willard C. Foster, Horace A. Furbish, Stillman Green. Oliver
Hanson, Richard Hoey, George F. Huse, George B. Holmes, Alonzo Kneeland,
Edward R. Kneeland, Wm. O'Connor, Patrick Powers, John H. Richardson,
Charles Smith, Daniel Wentworth.
Transferred by Promotion, &c. — To U. S. C. T., Lieut. John C. Cobb, as Col
onel; Elvin J. Maxwell, Daniel P. Rolfe, Frank E. Haggett. To V. R. C, Alonzo T. Kal-
lock, Aaron C. Rogers, Amos C. Archibald; to U. S. A., Charles C. Legrow, Samuel Ken-
istead. Dropped from the Rolls as Deserters. — In 1862: Chas. W. Osborne, Benj. J.
Pennell, Francis Boyd, John M. Smith, Chas. P. Norton, James H. Armour, Richard
Edwards, James Jordan. In 1863: Samuel Hemstead, Lewis Hazen; In 1864: Duncan
Falkner, Alexander Noble, Sidney Verrill. In '64-'65 : George R. Ray, Paris R. Wins
low. In 1865: Joseph Bidard, James E. Buswell, John Managhan, Charles V. Gray, Alex
ander Henley, Chas. W. Hibbard, Daniel Rowan, James Russel, Pierrre Filieau, \sa B.
Tuttle, Wm. Wood. In 1866: Timothy Dasey.
THE FOLLOWING HELD WARRANTS AS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeants. — Charles F. Jordan, Henry S. Rich, Clark Lewis.
Sergeants. — Geo. H. Cummings, Elvin J. Maxwell, Daniel P. Rolfe, Wm. A. -Welch,
Henry S. Rich, Wm. Barrows, Alonzo T. Kellock, Clark Lewis, Robert B. Welch, Warren
T. DeCraney, Charles E. Emery, Simeon Small.
Corporals.- Nathaniel H. Seavey, Henry S. Rich, Alonzo Edwards, Edward H.
Gilkey, Levi M. Patch, Alonzo T. Kellock, Warren T. DeCraney, Frank E. Haggett, Clark
Lewis, Aaron C. Rogers, Stephen Rowe, Simeon Small. Robert B. Welch, Joseph P. Mar
tin, Isaac C. Welch, Alfred Marshall, Orlando Winslow, Lyman W. Hanson.
Summary.-- Whole No. Names on Roll, 167; Died, 39; Discharged for Disability, 22:
Non-Effectives, 7; Mustered out at Ex. Term, 43; Transferred, 9; Deserted,27; Discharged
with Regiment at Final Muster-Out, 21.

12

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY E.

CAPTAIN.
CHARLES B. SMITH  Houlton.
FIRST LIEUTENANT.
JOHN Z. SWANTON  Houlton.
SECOND LIEUTENANT.
ALBERT W. HOYT  Fort Fairfield.

SERGEANTS.
James H Belton
Robert Seaborn
Samuel P Delaite
John B Lake
James Walker
MUSICIAN.
Samuel Brown
Keaton, Marcellus E F

CORPORALS.
Daniel W Garey
Aaron P Bennett
Sears S Ulmer
John Robinson
Lyman S Goodhue
Merrill B Hanning
Charles L Hoyt
Shepherd Hoyt

PRIVATES.
Allen, Henry
Ames, Orchard
Armstrong, Wm
Bennett, Edward M
Bennett, John H
Byron, Josiah
Bartlett, George
Belden, Wilbert
Bennett, George A.
Blake, John D
Collins, Patrick
Carson, George
Clarke, John
Casey, Joseph
Craig, James W
Crocker, James M
Christy, Aaron H
Cunningham, Chas
Curtis, Greenlief P
Desmond, Cornelius J

PRIVATES.
DeCourcey, Richard
Duff, Robert
Embleton, William
Furlong, James
Fish, Cornelius
Gallagher, Edmond T
Gordon, Samuel E
Gallagher, Patrick
Goss, George W
Hitchings, Charles F
Hanning, Amos
Hanning, Obediah
Hasty, Daniel C
Hopkins, Orrick H
Haskins, Alfred
Kennedy, Daniel
Kearney, Malry
Keaton, Miles
Lake, Charles W
Lees, John

PRIVATES.
Lindsay, David
Laskey, Nathaniel
Laskey. Theodore
Lavois, John
Myshrall. Lewis
McGarey, Daniel S
McGinnis, James
McCarty, Daniel
Murphy, William
Merchant, Wm H
McKinney, David
Martin, Bernard
McCormick, John H
McKee, Thomas
Morrill, Dana B
Murray, John B
Noble, John
Neal, Daniel C
Pike, Augustus H
Powers, Abel

PRIVATES.
Pickles, fohn W
Pomroy, John T
Palmer, Robert S
Perkins, Gordon
Perkins, Alfred F
Ross, James
Sylvester, Abiel N
Sawyer, Orville L
Sawyer, David T
Stetson, Charles
Snow, Isaiah
Tozier, Anthony R
Toland, Michael
Tasnane, Michael
Webber, George B
Witham, James P
Ward, Benjamin
Wiltshire, Nelson
Wilson, William E
Young, John

JOINED AS RECRUITS IN 1862-3-4.

1862-3.

1864.

1864.

1864.

Adams, Thomas

Crawford, Melville

Kearney, James

Roberts, Simeon R

Boyd, Robert

Candage, George B

Low, Edwin A*

Rand, George H

McDonald, John

Dupont, Jeremy

Long, Ambrose H W

Rand, Warren S

White, James

Dean, George W

Lane, William R

Silvie, Antoine

Fifield, Warren

Lamphier, John

Silvia, Frank

1864.

Getchell, Aaron

Lowell, Joshua L

Smith, Michael

Authenrieth, Albert

Gilbert, Lucius W

Lenahan, John

Smith, William I

Aggin, Barney

Garland, James A

Langley, Henry

Small, Daniel

Ballard, James A

Hurd, William A

McKibbon, Edward

Salter, Seth T

Ballard, Benj F

Hill, Henry L

McKenzie, Orrin W

Tapley, Henry

Belanger, Alexander

Hutchinson, Samuel

Mountfort, Albert

Twombly, George H

Brown, Charles E

Hopkins, Charles W

Marshall, Samuel

Wichman, Fred'k W

Bouchard, Francis F

Hermann, Tohn

Niven, Alexander

White, William^

Burtsell, Stephen

Joseph, Francis

Pierce, George G

Webber, George B

Boutole, John

Johnson, Francis

Phelps, James M

Willard, William

Corcoran, John

Johnson, Joseph B

Patterson, Fitz

Young, Henry

Coney, Manuel

Kearney, John

Runnels, Perley

Young, Benjamin G

-*A» 1st Lieut, from N. C. Staff.

THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS SERVED AS FOLLOWS :

Charles B. Smith, Captain.
App. Jan. 8, 1862; Mustered Out Aug.13, 1864.
James Walker, Capt and 2nd Lieut.
Second Lieut, Sept. 16, 1863, to April 26, 1865.
Captain, April 26, 1865, to July 6, 1866.
John Z. Swanton, 1st Lieutenant.
Appointed Dec. 18, 1861 ; Dis. Aug. 11, 1863.

Albert W. Hoyt,

2nd and ist Lieut.

Second Lieut., Jan. 9, 1862, to Sept. 16, 1863.
Fli-Bt Lieut., Sept. 16, 1863, to March 13, 1865.
Edwin A. Low, ist Lieut.
App, from N. O. Staff, April 26. 1865. and de
tailed as Acting Adjutant Mustered Out
with Regiment. July 5, 1886.
Merrill B. Hanning, 2nd Lieut.
App. April 26. 1865, and served to June 18, 1866

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT. 13

COMPANY E.

DIED IN THE SERVICE:
1862.— John Robinson,. Henry Allen, George Bartlett, Michael Toland, Benjamin Ward,
John Clarke, Samuel E. Gordon, Amos Hanning, Charles F. Hitchings, Nathan
iel Laskey, Wm. H. Merchant, Abel Powers, Abiel N. Sylvester, George H.
Bennett, Aaron H. Christy.
1863.— David McKenney, Robert Seaborn, Wilbert Belden, George W. Goss, Augustus H.
Pike.Wm.E. Wilson, Jas. W. Craig, OrrickH. Hopkins, Bernard Martin, Jas. White.
1864. — Cornelius Fish (of wounds in action), Alfred F. Perkins, James P. Witham (killed in
action April 8), Richard Decourcey.
r855.— Daniel McCarty, Stephen Burtsell, George B. Condage, Fitz Patterson, Daniel
Small, Thomas Adams, Joseph Carey, Patrick Gallagher, James A. Ballard, Ben
jamin F. Ballard (accidentally shot), Henry L. Hill, Samuel Hutchinson, Joseph
Francis, Joseph B. Johnson, John Lamphier, Henry Langley, Edward McKib-
bon, George H. Twombly.
i856. — Benjamin G. Young.
DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY.
1862. — Almon L. Brown, George Carson, Edmond F. Gallagher, Daniel C. Hasty, Theodore
Laskey, Daniel S. McGarey, Nelson Wiltshire, GreenliefP. Curtis.
1863. — Lt. John Z. Swanton, Samuel P. Delaite, John B. Lake, Aaron H. Bennett, William
Armstrong, James M. Crocker, Alfred Haskins, Daniel Kennedy, Miles Keaton,
John B. Murray, Charles Stetson, Anthony R. Tozier, John Young, James Ross.
1864. — Capt. Charles B. Smith (Resigned on account of disability.)
1865. — Jeremy Dupont, Orrin W. McKenzie, Robert Boyd, Charles Cunningham, Ambrose
H. W. Long, Wm. R. Lane, John Lenahan, Runnels Perley, Warren S. Rand,
Henry Young.
1866. — Men-ill B. Hanning, Michael Smith.
MUSTERED OUT BY REASON EXPIRATION OF TERM.
In Jan. '65. — (The- Non- Re- Enlisted Men.)— -Lieut. Albert W. Hoyt, Sergt. Charles L.
Hoyt, Cor. Lyman P. Goodhue, Cor. Malry Kearney, Orchard Ames, Robert Duff, Wm.
Embleton, Daniel D. Neal, John W. Pickles, Isaiah Snow.
In May, '65. — (Per General Order, Term to Expire in October.) — Francis F. Bouchard,
James A. Garland, Wm. A. H urd, James McGinnis, Albert Mountfort,Wm. I. Smith, Wm. White.
In the Spring of '66. — (One Year Men, etc.) — Seth T. Salter, Barney Aggin, Alex
ander Belanger, John Boutole, Melville Crawford, George W. Dean, Warren Fifield, Aaron
Getchell, Lucius W. Gilbert, Charles W. Hopkins, John Kearney, James Kearney, Alexan
der Niven, George G. Pierce, James M. Phelps, Simeon R. Roberts, George H. Rand, Geo.
B. Webber, Henry Tapley.
By Order. — Josiah Byron ('62) ; Sears S. Ulmer and Almen L. Brown ('63) ; and Da
vid Lindsay. ('6:).
Transferred. — John Lavois ('63) to U. S. Battery; Marcellus E. F. Keaton ('64) to U. S.
C. T. ; John McDonald ('6 (.), Obadiah Hanning, and George B. Webber, ('65) to the V. R. C.
Dropped from the Roll as Desfrters. — John T. Pomeroy, in 1863 ; Patrick Col
lins, James Furlong, Chares W. Lake, Wm. Murphy, Lewis Myshral, John H. McCormick,
Thomas McKee, Dana B. Morrill, John Noble, David T. Sawyer, in 1864 ; Manuel Coney,
Francis Johnson, Joshua L. Lowell, Antoine Silvie, Frederick W. Wichman, Wm. Ward,
William Willard, in 1865 ; Albert Authenrieth, John Corcoran, John Hermann, Frank Silvia,
in 1866.
THE FOLLOWING HELD WARRANTS AS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeants -Jas. H. Belton, James Walker, Merrill B. Hanning, David Lindsay.
Sergeants. — Robert Seaborn, Samuel P. Delaite, James H. Belton, John B. Lake,
James Walker, Daniel W. Garey, Merrill B. Hanning, David Lindsay, Charles L. Hoyt,
Shepherd Hoyt, John H. Bennett, Orville L. Sawyer, Michael Tasnane.
Corporals. — Sears S. Ulmer, Daniel W. Garey, Aaron P. Bennett, John Robinson,
Lyman S. Goodhue, Merrill B. Hanning, Charles L. Hoyt, Shepherd Hoyt, David Lindsay,
John D. Blake, Malry Kearney, Dana B. Morrill, Orville L. Sawyer, Edw. M. Bennett,
John H. Bennett, Cornelius J. Desmond, Melville Crawford, Daniel McCarty, Michael Tas
nane, Seth T. Salter.
Summary. — Whole No. on Rolls, 164. Died in the Service, 48 ; Discharged for Disa
bility, 35 ; Mustered-Out by reason of Expiration of Term, 36 ; by Order, 4 ; Transferred,
5 ; Dropped for Desertion, 22 ; Discharged with Regiment at Final Muster-Out, 13.

14

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY F.

CAPTAIN.
LAURENS J. JOYCE  Brunswick.
FIRST LIEUTENANT.
JAMES H. HACKETT  Houlton.
SECOND LIEUTENANT.
PATRICK NEVILLE  Littleton.

SERGEANTS.
Patrick H Sweeney
John Darlington
James Robinson
Henry Dunning
James F Doyle
MUSICIANS.
Joshua Gatchell
Benj F Coombs

CORPORALS.
James Saunders
Lewis B Briggs
James H Bailey
Charles Sweeney
John E M Lyons
John Fitzgerald
Alfred Corbett
Stephen J Bailey

PRIVATES.
Allen, William
Abbott, Wm. A
Coffin, John
Cooper, Richard
Cooper, Calvin
Coursen, John L
Coburn, Enoch
Curtis, Robert J
Crowley, William
Corbett, Robert R
Corbett, James R
Coffin, Simeon C
Coffin, Thomas F
Dillon, John
Dixon, William
Deering, John
Dolly, Stephen
Dolan, John
Durgin, James T
Freely, Archibald
Gatchell, Roswell
Gillon, James

PRIVATES.
Griffin, Timothy
Growse, Geo T
Glen, John
Gatchell, John E
Hammond, David N
Hammond, Henry W
Harmon, Joseph
Harmon, Albert
Hatch, Eugene
Higney, Michael
Kelley, Patrick
Kelley, John
Knight, Cyrus E
Lindsay, James
Leary, Thomas
Lee, Charles
Lake, Osborne
Lawson, Hiram
Lubec, John
Maladay, James
Muckler, Michael
Mehegan, John

PRIVATES.
McDonald, Michael
Maynor, Patrick
Murphy, James
Murphy, Robert R
Murray, Patrick
McBrian, Oswald
McCarthy, Eugene
Murphy, Morris
Murphy, Laurence
Mitchell, Charles R
Mitchell, William
Martin, Frank
McGinnis, Angus
McCartny, William
Mahoney, Thomas
Mitchell, Charles B
Magee, Joseph
Miller, Samuel
McDonald, Michael
McLaughlin, Thomas
Parks, William
Quinn, James

PRIVATES.
Quigley, Michael
Ryan, Michael
Ryan, William
Renahan, Thomas
Renahan, Michael
Rankin, John
Sloat, Benjamin
Strout, Robert P
Smith, Jeremiah
Smith, Thomas
Small, Lorenzo D
Sweeney, Patrick
Tarr, John
Thompson, Simeon B
Toothaker, Seth
Ward, George C
Ward, Albion
Ward, Joel
York, Abizer

JOINED AS RECRUITS IN 1864-5.

1864.
Jordan, Dennis R
Murphy, James
1865.
Shaw, Charles H*
Adams, John
Adams, Erastus jr
Adley, George
Butler, Michael
Butler, William
Birchby, Alfred
Bonney, John L
Brown, James L
Barnes, Michael
Barney, Jestus
Barney, Redman P
Bowden, Jefferson
Crawford, Edward

1865.
Cunningham, Wm M
Chase, William W
Clark, Robert
Curtis, William F
Donworth, Henry P
Dyer, Jacob
Edwards, Bela
Elwood, Walter
Fitzgerald, William
Finn, James
Gray, Edward
Glides, Charles
Hilton, Ivory
Hartford, Samuel V
Harrison, Charles
Hutchinson, Robert
Howard, William G

Ingersoll, William
Jones, Michael
Jones, Winfield S
Lenihan, Daniel
Lucas, Allen
Larkey, Eugene
Matthews, John
Mason, Nalph
Merrill, Samuel
Merrill, James
Moore, Thomas
Miller, Hubert
McCarthy, Dennis
McColley, James
Otis, Hezekiah
Parker, Sanford G
Peavy, Daniel

1865.
Pettingill, Henry
Palmer, William F
Russell, Henry
Sullivan, John
Shea, John
Silver, Manuel
Sickles, Lewis
Stack, William
Turner, George E
Taylor, Joshua R
Ward, Albion
Ward, Joel
Ward, Hugh H
Widger, Charles
White, Edward K

-•From N. C. Staff.

THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS SERVED AS FOLLOWS

Laurens J. Joyce,
From Dec. 19. 1861, to March 13, 1

Captain.

Cyrus E. Knight,

1st Lieut, and Capt.

First Lieut., Nov. 1. 1862. to April 26. 1865.
Captain April 25, 1865, to July 5, 1866.
James H. Hackett, ist Lieutenant.
From D03. 19, 1361, to Aug. 19, 1862.

John Fitzgerald,

2d and ist Lieut.

Second Lieut., April 26. 1«65. to Jan 2. I860.
Fiist Lieut., Jan. 2, 11-66, to July 5, 1 66
Patrick Neville, 2d Lieutenant.
From Dec. 1", 1861, to Jan. 18, 1865.

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT. 15
~~ COMPANY F.
DIED IN THE SERVICE.
1862. — Richard Cooper, Archibald Freely, Roswell Gatchell, Eugene Hatch, Charles B.
Mitchell.
1863. — John L. Coursen, Wm. Allen, Lewis H. Briggs, Osborne Lake, Patrick Maynor, Mi-
chal McDonald, Thomas McLaughlin, James Murphy, Thomas Renahan, Micha
el Ryan, John Tarr, Benjamin F. Coombs.
1864.— Samuel Miller, Robert R. Murphy, Simeon B. Thompson, George C. Ward.
1865. — Jamej R. Corbett, Jefferson Bowdea, Robert Clark, Bela Edwards, Eugene Larkey,
John Matthews, Wm. Dixon, Erastus Adams, jr., Redman P. Barney, George E.
Turner.
1 335.— Wm. St to'.-:.
DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY.
1862.— James H. Bailey, John E. M. Lyons, Wm. A. Abb ott, John Glen, Charles Lee, Law
rence Murphy, Robert P. Strout, Lt. James H. Ilackett.
1863. — Simeon C. Coffin, John Dillon, Thomas Learey, James Lindsay, James Quinn, and
John Dolan. (wounded.)
1864. — Calvin Cooper, Robert J. Curtis, James T. Durgin, Albert Harmon, Patrick Kelley,
Michael McDonald, Charles R. Mitchell, Benj. Sloat, Charles Sweeney, Jeremiah
Smith, (who subsequently died at New Orleans) and James Murphy.
1865. — Stephen J. Bailey, John Kelly, Wm. F. Curtis, Joshua R. Taylor, Eugene McCar
thy, Wm. Ingersoll.
MUSTERED OUT BY REASON EXPIRATION OF TERM.
In Jan. '65. — (7'he Non- Re- Enlisted Men.)— -Capt. Laurens J. Joyce, Lt. Patrick Neville,
Lorenzo D. Small, Henry W. Hammond, James Gillon, Geo. T. Growse, John
Coffin, Henry P. Dunning, Timothy Griffin, David N. Hammond, John Lubec,
Joseph Magee, Michael Quigley, John Rankin, Albion Ward, Joel Ward, and
James F. Doyle.
Spring of 'J5.— (e'er Gea. Ord.)— Alfred Corbett, John E. Gatchell, Thos. Moore, Geo.
Aelley, Michael Butler, Justus Barney, Edward Crawford, Jacob Dyer, Edward
Gray, Ivory Hilton, Samuel V. Hartford, Charles Harrison, Robert Hutchinson,
Wm. G. Howard, Dennis K Jordan, Hezekiah Otis, Daniel Peavey, William F.
Palmer, John Sullivan, John L. Bonney. In 1866. — Thomas Smith.
In the Spring of '66 — [One Year Men.]— Samuel Merrill, James L. Brown, Wm. M.
Cunningham, Wm.W. Chase, Henry P. Donworth, [as. Finn, Winfield S. Jones,
Ralph Mason, James McColley, Sanford G. Parker, Henry Pettingill, Albion
Ward, Hugh H. Ward, Edward K. White, Lewis Sickhs.
Transferred by Promotion,&c — Segt. Patrick H. Sweeney, as ist. Lieut, ist. La.;
James Robinson, to N. C. Staff as Hospital Steward; Joshua Gatchell to Drum Corps, in
1862; Wm. Crowley, John Deering, Thomas Mahoney, Angus McGinnis, William M. Parks,
Michael Renahan, to U". S. Artillery, in 1863; Hiram Lawson, to 2d La. Vols., '63; and
John Darlington and Wm. McCartney, to V. R. C, in 1864.
Dropped as Deserters. — In 1862 ; Michael Muckler. In 1864 : William Mitchell,
Michael Higney, James Maladay, Frank Martin, John Mehegan, Morris Murphy, Wm. Ryan.
In 1865: John Adams, Alfred Birchby, Michael Barnes, Walter Elwood, William
Fitzgerald, Charles Giddes, Daniel Lenihan, Alien Lucas, James Merrill, John Shea, Joel
Ward, Charles Widger, Wm. Butler.
THE FOLLOWING HELD WARRANTS AS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeants. — Patrick H. Sweeney, James F. Doyle, James Saunders.
Ssrgeani-3. — Johi Darlington, Jam23 Robinson, Henry Danning, Ja.nes F. Doyle,
James Saunders, Alfred Corbett, Lorenzo D. Small, Henry W. Hammond, Enoch Coburn,
Eugene McCarthy, Robert R. Corbett, James McColley, Abizer York, Charles H. Shaw.
Corporals. James' Saunders, Joshua W. Gatchell, Lewis B. Briggs, James H. Bailey,
Charles Sweeney, J. E. M. Lyons, John Fitzgerald, Alfred Corbett, Stephen J. Bailey, Rich
ard Cooper, John L. Coursen, Henry W. Hammond, Eugene Hatch, Samuel Miller, Wm.
Mitchell, Simeon C. Coffin, John E. Gatchell, Enoch Coburn, James Gillon, Wm. Dixon,
Samuel Merrill, Wm. Stack, Toseph Harmon, Thomas Moore, Thos. F. Coffin, Henry P.
Donworth. Summary. Whole No. on Rolls, 168. Died in Service, 32; Discharged for Disability,
31 ; on account of Expiration of Term, 32 ; By Order, 21 ; Transferred, 12 ; Dropped as
Deserters, 21 ; Discharged with Regiment at Final Muster-Out, 19.

1G

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY G.

CAPTAIN.
FRANKLIN M. DREW  Presque Isle.
FIRST LIEUTENANT.
RANSOM N. PIERCE  Fort Fairfield.
SECOND LIEUTENANT.
ELBRIDGE J. PATTEE  Fort Fairfield.

SERGEANTS.
Lester Dwinal
Benj. F. Brown
Algernon S. Smith
Jesse H. Crowell
David W. Thompson
MUSICIANS.
Oscar L. Billings
Fernando C. Bolster

CORPORALS.
Alexander Cook
Nathaniel Lufkin
John W. Whitten
Nelson W. Burgess
William B. Cobb
Joseph Cyr
Reuben N. Delaite
John P. Farrington

PRIVATES.

PRIVATES.

PRIVATES.

PRIVATES.

Brown, Francis M

Duke, William

Grass, Enoch B

O'Hara, Patrick F

Brown, Dana M

Dubay, Maguire

Grass, Charles A

Pettingill, Benj W

Bragdon, Stephen S

Dorr, Newell J

Hatch, Lorenzo D

Record, Albert B

Brawn, Charles A

Denico, George

Hall, Enoch

Ragan, James

Bickford, Rodney K

Donnell, Thomas

Hatch, Andrew

Ran, James

Bolier, Joseph

Doren, James

Hilton, George W

Rideout, James

Bragdon, George T

Ellis, Mark

Hodsdon, Henry

Rackliffe, Josiah K

Bolster, Charles H

Eaton, Alonzo J

Irish, Obediah F

Rockwell, Alfred H

Brown, John

Edgecomb, Daniel 0

Laiten, Bradford W

Taylor, Thomas

Bessee, Enoch A

Emerson, George F

Laughton, Samuel Y

Thomas, Benj F

Blackington, Chas T

Emerson, Charles F

Lawton, Alonzo

Violette, Thomas

Bolier, Amos

Erskine, Lemuel

Lundy, William

Vance, Joseph

Bolier, Philip

Erskine, Wesley C

Morse, Roscoe

Washburn, Charles E

Cyr, Francis

Erskine, Lorenzo D

Murphy, Edward

Webster, William

Cormair, Raymond

Farrell, Andrew

vicManus, Patrick

Weeks, Abner D

Crock, Thomas

Farrell, Charles

Morin, William

Ward, William H

Crock. Fabyan

Fields, George O

Marshall, Albert

Wight, Addison

Carpenter, Chas W

Finn, Daniel

Martin, George

Waite, Almon C

Davis, Granville W

Ford, Eugene H

McKinney, Michael

Wentworth, Merrill

Dow, Joseph E

Farwell, Jere.niah

Marsh, William R

Drew, George E

Goven, Francis

Marsh, John S

Dunton, Ozias

Grass, George A

Odlam, Joseph

Non-Effectives.— Charles Allen, Briggs G. Bessee, John Corliss, Asbury E. Eastman,
JOINED AS RECRUITS IN 1864-5.

Averill, Miles W ('64)
Bates, William B
Bolstridge, George N
Fitzherbert, Samuel
Lannigan, John
Leighton, George A
Murphy, Sanborn C
Parks, George F
Aiken, Henry P ('65)
Bryant, George A P*
Brophy, William
Bruyet, John
Babb, William H
Bartram, William
Burke, William
Cimon, Charles
Copperthwait, James
Cary, Charles E
 *As2il Lieut, from I

Colbert. John
Chadwick, Thomas
Crowell, Hiram
Dupee, John
Emerson, Eugene
Finn, John
Footard, Joseph
Forney, Oliver
Fisher, Th >mas
Jabiiel Frank J
Grass, Charles A
Hamilton, Thomas
Hunter, James
Harvey, Franklin
Hussey, Henry J
Iveson, John
Jaekins, Kendall S
Kelly, Patrick
Leighton, Char'es H

Lawry, John M
Lopez, Antonio
Lunday, John
Langlais, Philip
Mcintosh, David
McKeen, Harper C
Maloney, Walter
McDougal, Stephen
Page, Lorenzo D
Powers, John
Patterson, Thomas
Rodericks, Antonio
Reed, Ambrose
Ray, Charles A
Rutlege, John
Rutledge, Hugh
Regan, John P
Shirley, Charles E
Severance, William '.

Sweet, George H
Staples, Prince H
Smith, William
Smith, William H
Spooner, Anson C
Tuttle, John H
Trask, Charles A
Tyler, Ambrose F
Thurston, Alvah H
Thibodeau, Thomas
Vaughn, James
Webber, Joseph
Wilson, Geo W
Watson, Willard
White, Bartlett C
Worster, John P
Worster, Algernon A

THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS SERVED AS FOLLOWS:

Franklin M. Drew, Captain.
From Jan. 2S, 186.', to Sept. 13, 1862.
ElbridgeJ. Pattee, 2d& 1st. Lt. and Capt.
Second Lieut, Jan. 9. 1862, to Nov.l. 1862.
First Lieut., Nov. 1. 1-62, to Aug. 15. i«63.
Captain, Aug. 15, 1863, to Sept. 23, 1S61.
Lester Dwinal, 2d & 1st. Lt. and Capt.
Second Lieut., Aug. 12, 1862, to Aug. 15, 1863.
First Lieut., a ug. 15, 1863, to Feb. 27, lt65,
Captain. Feb. 27. 186). to July 5, 1866.

Ransom N. Pierce, First Lieut.
From Dec. 31, 1861. to May 11, 1863,
James Rideout, First Lieut.
From May 4, 186-', to July 5, 1S66,
Benjamin F. Brown, Second Lieut.
From Aug. 15, 166!, to Jan. 21. 1865,
Geo. A. P. Bryant, Second Lieut.
Frsm April 26, I860, to Dec. 4. 1865.

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

15

COMPANY G.

DIED IN THE SERVICE.
1862. — Newell J. Dorr, James Ran, Joseph Vance, Merrill Wentworth, George Denico,
George W. Hilton.
1863. — Reuben N. Delaite, William B. Cobb, Charles W. Carpenter, Lemuel Erskine, Enoch
B. Grass, Joseph Odlam, James Ragan, Addison Wight, Thomas Crock, Benj. W.
Pettengill, Ozias Dunton.
1864. — John P. Farrington, Enoch A. Besse, Miles W. Averill, Wm. B. Bates, Samuel Fitz
herbert, George A. Leighton, George F. Parks, Edward Murphy.
1865. — Wm. H. Babb, Thomas Hamilton, Antonio Rodericks, John P. Regan, Charles A.
Trask, John M. Lawry, Stephen S. McDougal, James Vaughn.
1866. Charles F. Emerson.
DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY.
1862. — Algernon S. Smith, Rodney K. Bickford, Francis M. Brown, George E. Drew,
Charles Farrell, (not mustered) Michael McKinney, Roscoe Morse, Benjamin F.
Thomas, Almon C. Waite, Abner D. Weeks, Wesley G. Erskine, Lorenzo D.
Erskine, Andrew Hatch, Samuel Y. Laughton, David W. Thompson, George T.
Bragdon.
1863. — Capt. Ransom N. Pierce, (resigned) Nelson W. Burgess, Dana M. Brown, Francis
Cyr, Jeremiah Farrell, Josiah K. Rackliffe, William Webster.
1864. — Capt. Elbridge J. Pattee, (resigned) Daniel Finn.
1865. — Lieut. Geo. A. P. Bryant, Charles Cimon.
1866. — Alonzo Lawton, Wm. H. Ward, Wm. Brophy.
Prisoner of War and not afterwards heard from, Mark Ellis.
MUSTERED OUT BY REASON EXPIRATION OF TERM.
[Jan., '65.— [The Non-Re-e misted Men.]— Lieut. Benj. F. Brown, Nathaniel Lufkin, John
W. Whitten, Alexander Cook, John S. Marsh, James Doran, Oscar L. Billings,
Charles E. Washburn, Stephen S. Bragdon, Amos Bolier, Joseph E. Dow, Alonzo
f. Eaton, Andrew Farrell, George A. Grass, William Lundy, Patrick McManus,
William R. Marsh, Albert B. Record.
May, '65.— [By Order, term soon to expire.]— James Hunter, Franklin Harvey, John H.
Tuttle, Joseph Bolier, John Dupee, Joseph Footard, Prince H. Staples, William
Smith, Bartlett C. White, Oliver Forney, 'George Martin, Thomas Chadwick.
In the Spring of 1866. — [One Year Men.]— Charles H. Leighton, Algernon A. Worster,
Eugene Emerson. Charles A. Grass, Lorenzo D. Page, Henry P. Aiken, William
Bartram, Hiram Crowell, Henry J. Hussey, Kendall S. Jackins, John Lunday,
John Rutledge, Hugh Rutledge, Anson C. Spooner, Ambrose F. Tyler, John P.
Worster.
By Order, for various reasons.— In 1862: Enoch Hall, Eugene H. Ford, Alfred H. Rock
well. In 1864 : Daniel O. Edgecomb. By sentence G. C. M., Frank J. Gabriel.
Transferred, by Promotion, ete.— In 1862: Capt. F. M. Drew, to Field and Staff,
as Major. In 1864 : Jesse H. Crowell, Granville W. Davis, Charles A. Grass, (afterwards
returned to company) Henry Hodsdon, Thomas Taylor, and Obadiah F. Irish, to V. R. C.
[FOR LIST OF DESERTERS SEE ANOTHER PAGE.]
THE FOLLOWING HELD WARRANTS AS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeants.— Lester Dwinal, Jesse H. Crowell, James Rideout, Albert Marshall,
Charles F. Blackington. .
Sergeants.— Jesse H. Crowell, Benjamin F. Brown, Algernon S. Smith, John W.
Whitten, Nathaniel Lufkin, David W. Thompson, Reuben N. Delaite, Alexander Cook, James
Rideout, Albert Marshall, Charles F Blackington, George O. Fields, Lorenzo D. Hatch,
Corporals'— Alexander Cook, Nathaniel Lufkin, JohnW. Whitten, Reuben N. Delaite,
Alexander Cook, James Rideout, Wm. B. Cobb, Nelson W. Burgess, John S. Marsh, Joseph
Cyr John P Farrington, Daniel Finn, Charles K. Bolster, Enocn A. Besse, James Doren,
Albert Marshall, Daniel O. Edgecomb, Charles F. Blackington. George O. Fields, Charles A.
Grass Lorenzo D. Hatch, Alonzo Lawton, Wm. H. Ward, Eugene Emerson, John Iveson,
Charles H. Leighton, Lorenzo D. Page, Algernon A. Worster, Phillip Bolier, George F. Em
erson, TJimmisHslie^JISati^^ 
Summary.— Whole No. Names on Roll, 180. Died, 34; Discharged for Disability,
30- Non-Effectives, 4; Mustered-Out by Reason Expiration of Term, 46; Transferred by
Promotion, etc., 7; By Order, 6: Dropped from Rolls as Deserters, 25; Mustered-Out with
Regiment, at its Final Muster-Out, 28.

16

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY H.

CAPTAIN.
JOHN B. WILSON  Exeter.
FIRST LIEUTENANT.
JOHN B. NICKELS  Corinth.
SECOND LIEUTENANT.
HARRISON G. PRESCOTT  Exeter.

SERGEANTS.
Giles Straw
Thos. H Wentworth
Charles S Thurston
Rinaldo Butters
Joseph A Clark
MUSICIANS.
George H Ferguson

CORPORALS.
Evander C Curtis
Alonzo Coan
Benjamin True
Joseph W Skillin
William H Carr
Franklin B Trickey
Frank Rollins
Joshua Gammon

PRIVATES.
Ballard, James A
Barker, Oliver S
Beal, Gardiner
Bradley, Newell T
Brown, Henry J
Butler, Daniel B
Butler, Gershom L
Campbell, Charles
Carne, Stephen R
Chamberlain, James jr
Colbath, Samuel S
Cole, Jedediah
Coombs, Oscar A
Carpenter, Chas. H
Chamberlain, James
Daniels, Charles C
Davis, Joseph
Dearborn, Charles F
Daniels, Richard H
Elder, Fred W

PRIVATES.
Fall, Isaac R
Fisher, Jasper I
Fogg, Peleg
French, John H
Gammon, George W
Girrell, Stephen W
Goodwin, Samuel W
Greeley, Charles W
Gay, Henry W
Hubbard, Benj. T
Harmon, Ansel
Haskell, Frederick A
Hatch, Benjamin C
Herbert, Darius N
Herbert, Nelson L
Hunting, Allen R
Hunting, John D
Hatch, Sylvester L
Hathaway, Asa H
Hoffses, Emerson W

PRIVATES.
Leathers, Jeremiah R
Libby, Byron
Libby, John C
Lyford, Henry C
Maines, John H
Mansfield, William
Marsh, George T
Marson, George L
Marson, Melmouth M
Marson, William B
Mayo, Horace
McKinney, John
Megguire, Elisha H
Neal, Horace S
Noble, James
Page, David A
Perkins, Wilson
Pera, Nathan
Pullen, Wm E

PRIVATES.
Pierce, Henry B
Pinkham, Daniel
Ramsdell, Henry
Robblns, Warren
Robshaw, Samuel
Roundy. Frank P
Russell, Jchn L
Sawyer, Asa H
Shaw, Chesley
Skillin, Francis M
Skillin, William E
Smith, George
Stevens, Asa M
Storer, Charles P
Storer, George
Sweet, John C
Tibbetts, Leander M
Tibbetts, Melvan
Walker, John

Non-Effecti ves. -
Keyes, Geo. H. Buck.

-John P. Abbott, James H. Glidden, Leonard Jefferson, James W.

JOINED AS RECRUITS IN 1862-4-5.

1862.
Robbins, Eben
r863-4.
Ballard, Chester B
Cain, William H
HiU, Ira P
Lord, James H
McPhail, John
Noble, William C
Rollins, Frank V
White, John N
Elder, Fred. W. *
("Ret. to Co. fm N. C.i
1865.
Baker, John T
Brown, Moses E
Brookings, Benj. F
Buzzell, George A

1865.
Chapman, Eben
Chase, Orrin 0
Cutter, John C
Dawley, Albert
Door, Seth R
Edwards, Marcus M
Evans, Jonn H
French, Robert T
Forrest, George
Hunton, Wellington D
Hanson, Orrin
Higgins, Sabin P
Johnson, Royal
Knowlton, Henry
Laferty, Isaac
Littlefield, Isaac
Magrath, Charles H

1865.
Miller, Hugh
Miller, Moses
Mansfield, Hollis
Morrin, Lewis
McCann, Peter F *
Means, Luther S
Moore, Albion K P
Ober, Alphonso L
Parker, Patrick
Paul, Elec
Preston. Bela D
Page, Frank
Ramsdell, Austin
Richardson, James E
Russell, Henry W
Shaw, Charles
— *Joined as Lt. from K.

1865.
Shortee, John
Strout, Almon
Seppel, Setiano
Smi'h, Charles
Tobin, Owen
Thompson, Harlow H
Turner, Charles O
Wilcox, Willard G
Wilson, Edward
Wallace, Thomas C
Williams, Joseph W
Williams, John
Williams, John, 2d
Williams, William
Williams, William, 2d

THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS SERVED AS FOLLOWS :

John B. Wilson,
From Jan. 16, 1862, to Oct. 20
Alonzo Coan,

Captain.

2d and ist Lt. and Capt.
Second Lieut.. Dec. 1, 1863, to Feb. 21, 1865.
First Lieut., Feb. 21., 1865, to May 4. 1865.
Captain, May 4, 1865, to July 6. 1866.

John B. Nickels,
From Jan. 15, 18

First Lieut.

to Oct. 19,18

Thomas H. Wentworth, 2d and ist Lt.
Second Lieut.. June 23. 1863, loOcl.19. 1863,
First Lieut. Oct. 19, 1863, to Mar. 13. 1865.
Wm. H. Carr, First Lieut.
From May 13, 1865. to July 5, 1866.
Harrison G. Prescott, Second Lieut.
From Jan. 15, 1862, to May 11. 1863,
Peter F. McCann, Second Lieut.
From May 12, 1865, lo July 5, 1866,

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT. 17
COMPANY H.

DIED IN THE SERVICE.
1862.— Evander C. Curtis, Charles Campbell, Charles C. Daniels, Richard H. Daniels,
Isaac R. Fall, Stephen W. Girrell, Darius N. Herbert, (discharged before death)
Nelson L. Herbert, Allen R. Hunting, John D. Hunting, Henry C. Lyford, John
H. Maines, Horace S. Neal, Wilson Perkins, George Storer, Leander M. Tib
betts, John Walker, Daniel B. Butler.
1863.— Giles Straw, Joshua Gammon, Newell J. Bradley, (accidentally killed) Henry Rams
dell, Asa H. Sawyer. Drowned in Eseambia River (Fla.)— Samuel S. Colbath,
Charles W. Greeley, Wm. B. Marson. Frank P. Roundy.
1864. — John C. Libby, (of wounds inaction) Melmouth M. Marson, Chester B. Ballard,
Ira P. Hill.
1865.— Sylvester L. Hatch, Albion K. P. Moore, William Williams, John H. Evans, George
Forrest.
DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY.
1862. — Gardiner Beal, Henry J. Brown, James Chamberlain, Peleg Fogg, Geo. W. Gammon,
Asa H. Hathaway, Emerson W. Hoffses. Elisha H. Megguire, \sa M. Stevens.
1863.— Lieut. H. G. Prescott, (resigned) David A. Page, Nathan Pera, Franklin B. Trickey,
(wounded accidentally,) Charles S. Thurston.
1864. — Samuel Robshaw, Francis M. Skillin, Eben RobbinS, Wm. C. Noble.
1865.— Wm. E. Skillin, George A. Buzzell, Wm. H. Cain, Charles F. Dearborn.
1866.— Wm. E. Pullen, John MePhail.
MUSTERED OUT BY REASON EXPIRATION OF TERM.
Jan. '65.— [The Non-Re-enlisted Men.]— Capt. John B. Nickels, Lt. Thos. H. Wentworth,
Frank Rollins, Gershom L. Butler, (prisoner of war, exchanged) James Cham
berlain, jr, Fred. W. Elder, Ansel Harmon, Benj. T. Hubbard, George T. Marsh,
Horace Mayo, Melvan Tibbetts, Charles H. Carpenter.
May '65. — (By Order, in'anticipation of term soon to expire.) — John T. Baker, Robert T.
French, Wellington D. Hunton, Frank V. Rollins, Isaac Littlefield, Charles H.
Magrath- In October and November, '65, Joseph Davis, John McKinney, Aus
tin Ramsdell. In '66, Frank Page.
In the Spring of '66. — Moses E. Brown, Benj. F. Brookings, Seth R. Door, Orrin Han
son, Sabin P. Higgins, Henry Knowlton, Hugh Miller, Moses Miller, Hollis
Mansfield, Bela D. Preston, James E. Richardson, Henry W. Russell, Almon
Strout, Owen Tobin, Harlow H. Thompson, Charles O. Turner, Thomas C. Wal
lace, William Williams, 2d.
Transferred by Promotion, &c. — In 1862 : Henry B. Pierce, to Non-commissioned
Staff, as Principal Musician. 1863 : Capt. John B. Wilson, to accept position as Surgeon
U. S. C. T. ; Joseph A. Clark, to Non. Com. Staff, as Sergeant Major; Rinaldo Butters,
George H. Ferguson, Stephen R. Carne, U. S. C. T. ; Charles P. Storer, to N. C. S, as Hos
pital Steward, 1864 : Benj. True, to N. C. S. as Q. M. Sergt.; James A. Ballard, to V. R. C. ;
Fred. W. Eider, to Non-commissioned Staff as Commissary Sergeant, (returned to company.)
Eben Chapman, ret. to nth N. H. 1865 : Geo. L. MarSon, to N. C. S. as Com. Segt.;
James H. Lord, to Co. D. as 2d Lt.
Dropped from the Rolls as Deserters. — In 1864: Osear A. Coombs, Warren Rob-
bins. In 1865 : Orrin O. Chase, John C. Cutter, Royal Johnson, Luther S. Means, Patrick
Parker, Edward Wilson, John Williams, 2d. In 1866 : Isaae Laferty, Setiano Seppel, Chas.
Smith, Willard G. Wilcox. John Williams. 
THE FOLLOWING HELD WARRANTS AS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeants. — Giles Straw, Thomas H. Wentworth, Alonzo Coan, Geo. Smith.
Sergeants. — Thomas H. Wentworth, Rinaldo Butters, Evander C. Curtis, Joseph A.
Clark, Charles S. Thurston, Alonzo Coan, Benj. True, Joseph W. Skillin, Horace Mayo,
Wm, H. Carr, Geo. Smith, Henry W. Gay, Wm. Mansfield, Geo. L. Marson, John L. Russell.
Corporals. — Evander C. Curtis, Joseph A. Clark, Alonzo Coan, Wm. H. Carr, Fred.
W. Elder, Joshua Gammon, Frank P. Rollins, Joseph W. Skillin, Franklin B. Trickey, Een-
jamin True, Chas. H, Carpenter, Henry W. Gay, Wm. Mansfieid, Geo. L. Marson, Horace
Mayo, Geo. Smith, John L. Russell, Joseph Davis, Jasper I. J isher, Byron Libby, Wm. E.
Pullen, Chesley Shaw, John N. White. 
Summary- Whole No. Names on Roll, 162. Died, 36; Discharged for Disability,
24 ; Non-Effeetives, 5 ; Mustered Out by Reason Expiration of Term, 40 ; Transferred, by
Promotion, etc., 13 ; Dropped from Rolls as Deserters, 14 ; Mustered Out with Regiment at
its Final Muster-Out, 30.

18

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY I.

MICHAEL BOYCE  Bangor.

FIRST LIEUTENANT.
THOMAS A. E. McCLUSKEY,

. Houlton.

SECOND LIEUTENANT.
JOHN E. CALLAGHAN  Fort Kent.

SERGEANTS.
Otis Gilmore
Robert Wilson
Charles R Rice
Geo. A P Bryant
Charles F Jordan
MUSICIANS.
John Devlin
Josiah B Turner

CORPORALS.
Martin Sweeney
Stephen R Cole
Andrew Cavanah
Luther V Gilmore
James Garrity
Roderick McNeal
Albert P Tolman
Miles P Brawn

PRIVATES.
Brannan, James
Bump, Darius W
Babbidge, Erastus
Battles, Michael
Burnham, James
Balcom, David
Bolton, Gilman
Boyce, William H
Burkett, Calvin G
Callaghan, John E
Campbell, James
Connors, Charles
Chaplin, William
Cunningham, Augus.
Cunningham, Edward
Daley, Joseph
Donroe, John
Davis, Stephen H
Doyle, John
Dyer, Benjamin

PRIVATES.
Edgecomb, Chas II
Garvin, Patrick
Gaul, Orrin J
Higgins, Martin,
Harrington, Michael
Harrington, James
Hall, Albert O
Howes, Thomas H
Howes, Elijah N
Holmes, Edwin L
Huxford, Hiram
Ingalls, Josiah
Jordan, Patrick
Kelley, John
Kelly, Edward
Kelly, William J
Leonard, John
Logan, James
Mahoney, Cornelius
Murray, Charles

PRIVATES.
MceKenney, John
McFarland, Reuben R
McFarland, Wm R
McLaughlin, Nath'l L
Noyce, Enoch
Nash, James R
O'Conner, John I
O' Sullivan, Michael
Peaslee, Freeman
Perry, William F
Pullen, Alfred
Pease, Emerson
Richardson, Tyler
Richardson, Stephen
Richards, Enoch O
Robbins, Samuel B
Rundlett, Lyman S
Rundlett, Jeremiah
Russell, Bailey L
Russell, Frank

PRIVATES.
Russell,- Wallace
Shaughneys, Michael
Smith, William S
Sweeney, James
Summers, Patrick
Stewart, William
Stone, Patrick
Strout, Hiram T
Tobin, Thomas
Tobin, Michael
Thayer, Elias
Tibbetts, Joshua L
Trask, Melvin C
Trask, John W
Vancour, William
Wilson, Richard B
Wood, Charles
Wentworth, Sewall

Non-Effectives. Martin Boyle, John Campbell, Geo. A. Estes, Andrew J. Waltz,
Richard Donald, Charles Greeley, Evermount O. Wilson, ('63) William Brennan, Reuben W.
Brawn, Richard Donahoe, and Almon Tobey.
JOINED AS RECRUITS IN 1862-3-4-5-6.

I862
Boyle, Patrick C
Lavin, Patrick
Nolen, Peter
Trainor, Owen
Walch, Michael 1863
McFadden, Edward
1864
Allen, Paschal B
Clement, Abner F
Duffy, James H
1865
Dickenson, Henry
Eaton, George O
Fraser, Alexander

1865
Friend, Joel A
Garnett, John T
Grote, Theodore
Harriman, Warren N
Hutchinson, Benj. R
Jackson, James
Johnson, Elbridge
Johnson, George H
Logan, John B
Mishoe, James
Miller, Samuel
Muller, August
Newhall, Ira J
Newman, David C
Partridge, George H

1865
Patterson, Wilson
Payson, Hollis
Pendleton, Emery O
Putnam, Jeremiah M
Raynes, Calvin
Ryan, Charles P
Roberts, Calvin G
K oberts, Ezra J
Robinscn, Henry H
Rollerson, Samuel S
Smart, George A
St. Pierre, Joseph
Staples, Justin L
Staples, George D
Severance, Frank E

1865
Shepherd, Fred G
Sheldon, Abner F
Sylvester, George W
Smith, Roscoe B
Tarrio, William
Thompson, George L
Vassure, John
Williams, Albert J
Wentworth, James H
Wilson, George A
Williams, John C
1866
Story, fames M*
— *As 1st Lt. from N.c.s.

THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS SERVED AS FOLLOWS :

Michael Boyce, Captain.
From Jan. 22, 1862, to Jan. 19. 1865,
(Re- appointed Capt, Co. K„ May 1865, and serv
ed until the Final Muster-Out, July 6, 1866.)
John E. Callaghan, 2d & 1st Lt. & Capt.
Second Lieutenant, Feb . 4. 1862, to Apr. 21, '64.
First Lieutenant, Apr. 21, 1864. to Apr, 26, '65.
Captain, Apr. 26, 1865, to Jan. 11,,J865.

William Henry Boyce, ist Lieut. & Capt.
First Lieutenanr, Sept. 13, 1862. to Feb. 12, '66.
Captain, Feb. 12, 1866, to July 6, 1866.
Thomas A. E. McCluskey, ist. Lieutenant.
From Dec. 31, 1861, to Aug. 26, 1862.
James M. Story, ist Lieutenant.
From Feb. 12, 1866. to Jul J 5, 1866.

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

19

COMPANY I.

DIED IN THE SERVICE.
1862. — Erastus Babbidge, James R. Nash, Stephen Richardson, Michael Shaughneys, David
Balcom, Benjamin Dyer, Wm. R. McFarland, Enoch Noyce, Sewall Wentworth,
Josiah B. Turner.
1863. — Andrew Cavanah, Augustus Cunningham, Michael O'Sullivan, Melville C. Trask,
James Harrington.
1854. — Enoch O. Richards, Albert P. Tolman, Charles Connors (prisoner of war, supposed
dead. )
1865.— Paschal B. Allen, Samuel Miller, Ira J. Newhall, Jeremiah M. Putnam, Calvin Raynes,
George A. Wilson, Elijah N. Howes, George D. Staples.
1866. — Orrin J. Gaul, Samuel S. Rollerson.
DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY.
1862.— Lt. T. A. E. McCluskey, Charles F. Jordan, Michael Battles, Tyler Richardson, Wil
liam S. Smith, James Sweeney, Hiram Huxford, Jeremiah Rundlett, Hiram T.
Strout, James Logan, John I. U'Conners.
1863. — Lyman S. Rundlett, Elias Thayer, Michael Tobin, John W. Trask, Miles P. Brawn.
1864. — John Leonard.
1865. — Charles Wood, Geo. 'O. Eaton, Warren N. Harriman, Geo. A. Smart, August Muller.
1866. — Capt. John E. Callaghan (resigned), Robert Wilson.
MUS TERED OUT BY REASON EXPIRA TION OF TERM.
In Jan. '65.— (The Non-Re-Enlisted Men.)— Capt. Michael Boyce, Thomas H. Howes,
Stephen R. Cole, Miehael Harrington, Wm. J. Kelley, James Brennan, James Burnham, Jo
seph Daley, John Donroe, James Garity, Patrick Garvin, Martin Higgins, Edward Kelley,
Roderick McNeal, Cornelius Mahoney, Charles Murray, Samuel B. Robbins, Baiiey L. Rus-
sel, Patrick Stone, Richard B. Wilson.
Spring and Fall of '65. — [Per Gen. Or., most of them by reason near approach expir
ation of term. ] — Frank Russell, Patrick C. Boyle, Patrick Lavin, Edward McFadden, Peter
Nolen, Owen Trainor, Wm. Vancour, Michael Walch, James H. Duffy, James Jackson, Geo.
H. Partridge, Martin Sweeney, John Devlin, Benj. R. Hutchinson, Elbridge Johnson, Geo.
H. Johnson, David C. Newman, Henry PI. Robinson, Justin L. Staples, Roscoe B. Smith,
Albert J. Williams, James H. Wentworth.
Spring of '66. — Abner F, Clement, Henry Dickenson, Joel A. Friend, John T. Garnett,
Theodore Grote, Wilson Patterson, Hollis Payson, Emery O. Pendleton, Calvin G. Roberts,
Ezra J. Roberts, Frank E. Severance, Abner F. Sheldon, Geo. W. Sylvester, Wm. Tarrio,
Geo. L. Thompson, John C. Williams. [The One-Year Men.]
Bv Order. — Gilman Bolton ('62) ; Nathaniel L. McLaughlin, Alfred Pullen.
Transferred. — James Campbell, John Kelley, John McKenney, and Wm. Stewart, to
U. S. Artillery, in '63 ; Edwin L. Holmes, to N. C. S. , as Hospital Steward ; Darius W. Bump,
to V.R.C., in '65 ;) Segt. Otis Gilmore, to 19th Co. Me. Infy., as Capt., ('65); Segt. Charles
R. Rice, to do., as Lieut; Geo. A. P. Bryant, to Co. G. , as 2d Li;ut.
Dropped from the Rolls as Deserters. — John Doyle, in 1863 ; Emerson Pease,
in 1864 ! Josiah Ingalls, Wm. F. Perry, Alexander Fraser, -John B. Logan, Charles P. Ryan,
Frederick G. Shepherd, in 1865 ; John Vassure, '66.
THE FOLLOWING , HELD WARRANTS AS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeants. — Otis Gilmore, Robert Wilson.
Sergeants. — Robert Wilson, Charles F. Jordan, Charles R. Rice, Martin Sweeney, Ed
win L. Holmes, Geo. A. P. Bryant, Luther R. McFarland, Charles H. Edgecomb.
Corporals. — Geo. A. P. Bryant, Andrew Cavanah, Stephen R. Cole, Joseph Daly,
James Garrity, Luther V. Gilmore, Roderick McNeil, Martin Sweeney, Albert P. . Tolman,
Miles P. Brawn, Thomas H. Howes, John Devlin, Michael Harrington, Wm. I. Kelsey,
Reuben R. McFarland, Emerson Pease, Wm. Chaplin, Stephen H. Davis, Charles H. Edge
comb, Orrin I. Gaul, Albert O. Hall, Elijah N. Howes, Freeman Peaslee, Joshua L. Tib
betts. Summary. — Whole No. Names on Rolls, 160. Died in Service, 28 ; Diseharged for
Disability, 24 ; Mustered-Out by reason Expiration of Term, 58 ; By Order, 3 ; Transferred,
9 ; Non-rEffectives, 11 ; Deserted, 9 ; Discharged with Regiment at Final Muster-Out, 18.

20

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

COMPANY K.

CAPTAIN.
CHANDLER R. MERRILL  Calais.
FIRST LIEUTENANT.
WILLIAM MOREY, Jr  Machias.
SECOND LIEUTENANT.
ZADOC WASHBURN  Calais.

SERGEANTS.
George W Capen
Elias A Berry
Frederick S Barnard
Aaron Wakefield
Arthur Burns
MUSICIANS.
Asa Piper
Jason Spear

CORPORALS.
Henry H Archer
John A Fenerty
Henry C Peasley
Cyrus S Crocker
Peter F McCann
Samuel Morse.
Nathaniel Wakefield
Josiah B Foss

PRIVATES.
Andrews, William jr
Bailey, Clarence
Bourness, Isaac C
Blyther, Benjamin
Boggs, William H
Boynton, John W
Brown, Theophilus
Byers, William
Baldwin, Robert
Crane, Benjamin F
Cunningham,James F
Cartland, Alonzo P
Clayburn, Richard
Dyer, Charles H
Davis, William
Davis, Ezekiel
Davis, Scribner H
Donovon, Jeremiah
Donovon, Richard
Ellison, William
Foss, Jacob
Fitzgerald, John
Flemming, John
Forby, Charles

PRIVATES.
Fairfield, Payson E
Garnett, George H
Gildart, James H
Guptill, Sandford
Gay, Abner,
Gardner, William E
Greenlow, John A
Greenlow, Charles W
Hagan, Thomas
Hinton, Joseph jr
Hasnipp, Henry
Hanson, John E
Hurley, Daniel
Joslin, Charles N
Joy, Andrew J
Keive, Daniel
King, Thomas G
Learner, John
Lynch, Thomas L
Leighton, Frederick
Leighton, John O
Lingley, George H
Lamson, Thomas F
Labarge, Joseph

PRIVATES.
Libby, Timothy C
Ludwig, Otis
Murphy, William
Manix, Michael
McGinn, Patrick
MeFadden, James
McDonald, John
McDonald, Thos. H
Morse, Augustus H
McNutt, John
McNutt, Daniel
Myers, Thomas
Matherson, Peter
Morrison, George
Morang, Alonzo
Norton, Abram T
Osborne, Thomas
Pearsons, Robert
Page, Josiah
Powers, Charles
Peasley, George N
Piper, Asa
Quinn, Jeremiah
Quinn, John

PRIVATES.
Rumery, Melvin
Ramsdell, Henry
Ring, James W
Rogers, William H
Reynolds, Ephraim W
Rice; Thomas H
Stickney, Frank E
Shaw, John L
Seeley, Aaron
Sprague, Ether W
Sherman, Charles H
Smith, John
Spear, Jason
Timmemans, Jos. A
Wallace, James
Walker, James
Wilby, James
Wakefield, James F
Watson, William
Watson, James
Watson, David
White, George W

JOINED AS RECRUITS IN 1863-5-6.

1863.
Cochrane, Samuel
1865.
Ayer, Rodney R
Ayer, Edwin N
Boyee, Michael*
Buckley, John
Barrett, Riley W
Coan, Alonzof
Crocker, Mark W
Callaghan, Dennis
Dyer, Wiliiam A
Fogg, George L
Guilford, Ira
— * Joi ned as Captain.
— fJoined as First Lieut.

1865
Gammon, Lafayette
Graham, William N
Graves, Cyrus S
Hilburg, Gustavus
Holmes, Charles
Hall, George W
Howard, John H
Janson, Magnus
King, Charles W
King, Hezekiah
Lewis, Charles E
Lane, John
Maxfield, Stephen C
Munson, Duncan H
McGrail, Hugh

1865
McDermot, John
Noble, Thomas
Nichols, James
Nickerson, James E
Olston, Frank
Perry, Reuben R
Purrington, Leonard F
Roberts, Charles F
Reed, Winfield S
Ratcliff, Thomas
Smith, Peter
Smith, James
Sweeney, George E
Tabbutt, George G
Tabbutt, William J

1865
Whelan, Patrick
Wilson, Gustavus V
Warboys, Aaron
Wilson, Samuel*
Young, John
Young, Lewis 1866.
Brown, Charles
Harvey, James H
Lemeax, John
Stevens, Frank M
Stevens, Francis
- Molned as First Lieut.

THE COMMISSIONED OFFICERS SERVED AS FOLLOWS :

Chandler R. Merrill, Captain.
From Jan. 8, 1862, to August 22, 1863.
Zadoc Washburn, 2d and ist Lt. & Capt.
Second Lieut. Jan, 6, 1862, to July 17. 1862. '
First Lieutenant. Julv 17, 1862, to Nov. 21, 1862.
Captain. Nov. 21, 1862, to March 9, 1864.

Michael Boyce,
From May 2, 1865, to July 5, 1866.

Captain.

First Lieut.

William Morey, Jr.,
From Jan. 6, 1862, to March 15, 1863.
Geo. W. Capen, 2d and 1st Lieut.
Second Lieut,. July 17 1862, t" June 23. 1863.
First Lieut,, June 23, 1863, to Feb. 14, 1865.
Samuel Wilson, First Lieut.
From April 26, 1865, to July C, 1866.
Elias A. Berry, Second Lieut.
From June 23, 1863. to July 5. 1866.

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

21

COMPANY K.

DIED IN THE SERVICE.
1862. — Benjamin F. Crane, William Davis, James W. Ring, Melvin Rumery, Joseph A.
Timmermans, Theophilus Brown, Jeremiah Donovon, William H. Rogers.
1863. — James H. Gildart, Thomas Hagan, Andrew J. Joy, Thomas G. King, John O.
Leighton, Charles H. Sherman, James Watson, James Walker, Daniel Keive.
1864. — Richard Donovan, John Fitzgerald, Thomas F. Lamson, Charles Forby.
1865. — Cyrus S. Crocker, Payson E. Fairfield, Jeremiah Quinn, John Quinn, Rodney R.
Ayer, Ira Guilford, Duncan H. Munson, Reuben R. Perry, Leonard F. Purrington,
Charles F. Roberts, Peter Smith, Aaron Warboys, George L. Fogg, Cyrus S.
Graves, George W. Hall. 1866. — Jacob Foss, John Young.
DISCHARGED FOR DISABILITY.
1862. — Robert Baldwin, Ezekiel Davis, George H. Garnett, Sandford Guptill, Samuel Morse,
Abram T. Norton, Charles Powers, William Watson, Scribner H. Davis, John
Flemming, Josiah B. Foss, Wm. E. Gardner, Charles W. Greenlow, Ephraim W.
Reynolds, John Smith, George W. White, John L. Shaw.
1863. — Lieut. Wm. Morey, (resigned) Arthur Burns, Asa Piper, Richard Clayburn, John A.
Greenlow, Thomas H. Rice. 1864. — Clarence Bailey.
1865. — Samuel Cochrane, Wm. Andrews, jr, Thomas H. McDonald, John McNutt.
1866. — Henry H. Archer, Augustus H. Morse.
MUSTERED OUT BY REASON EXPIRATION OF TERM.
In January, 1865. — (The Non-Re Enlisted Men.) — Lieut. George W. Capen, Frederick S.
Barnard, Jason Spear, Timothy C. Libby, Thomas L. Lynch, Patrick McGinn,
Aaron Seeley.
In the Spring of 1865. — (Term soon to expire.) — Riley W. Barrett, John E Hanson,
John H. Howard, Charles W. King, Charles E. Lewis, George Morrison, Stephen
C.Maxfield, John McDermottJames E. Nickerson, Frank 01ston,Winfield S.Reed,
James Smith, Wm. J. Tabbutt, James F.Wakefield, John Lemeax, Frances Stevens.
In the Spring of 1866. — (One Year Men.) — Dennis Callaghan, Edwin N. Ayer, John
Buckley, Lafayette Gammon, James Nichols, George E. Sweeney, Patrick Wheelan,
Lewis Young, James H. Harvey, Frank M. Stevens.

Discharged by Order. — Capt. Chandler R. Merrill, (Aug. '62) Michael Manix, ('62)
Alonzo P. Cartland, ('62) James F. Cunningham, ('63) and Capt. Zadoc Washburn, ('64)-
the latter transferred by special order to the command of Co. C. Seventh (afterwards Eleventh)
U. S. H. A., (C. D'A.) and the command of Fort Livingston, La. ; he was discharged for
disability on or about Oct. 20, 1864.
Transferred. — By promotion: 1st Lt. Alonzo Coan, as Capt. Co. H, in '65 ; Sergeant
Peter F. McCann, as 2d Lt. Co. H, in '65 ; Joseph Labarge, to V.R.C., in '65 >and William
Byers, William H. Boggs, John Learner, James McFadden, John McDonald, and George N.
Peasley, to the U. S. Artillery, in 1863.  = 
Dropped from the Roll as Deserters. — Nathaniel Wakefield, James Wilby, and
Charles H. Dyer, in 1862 : David Watson, in 1863 ; Aaron Wakefield, Robert Pearsons,
Thomas Osborne, John A. Fennerty, Henry C. Peasley, and Henry Hasnipp, in 1864 ; James
Wallace Frank E. Stickney, Mark W. Crocker, Gustavus Hilburg, Charles Holmes, Mangus
Janson, Hugh McGrail, Thom as Ratcliff, George G. Tabbutt, Gustavus W. Wilson, Hezekiah
King, john°Lane, and Charles Brown, in 1865. 
THE FOLLOWING HELD WARR VNTS AS NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
First Sergeants.— George W. Capen, Elias A. Berry. Arthur Burns, John A. Fenerty
and Ether W. Sprague.
Sergeants —Elias A. Berry, Arthur Burns, Aaron Wakefield, Frederick S. Barnard,
Charles Powers, Cyrus S. Crocker, John A. Fenerty, James F. Wakefield, Peter F. McCann,
Charles Forby, Henry H. Archer, Isaac C. Bourness, John W. Boynton, and Thomas Myers.
Corporals.— Henry C. Peasley, Cyrus S. Crocker, John A. Fenerty, Peter F. McCann,
Henry H Archer, Elias A. Berry, Samuel Morse, Nathaniel Wakefield, Josiah B. boss, John
A Greenlow, James F. Wakefield, James Wallace, Charles Forby, Ether W. Sprague, Ben
jamin Blyther, Samuel Cochran, Joseph Hinton, jr., Daniel McNutt. Alonzo Morang, Augus
tus H. Morse, Thomas Page, Dennis Callaghan, Josiah Page, and Peter Matherson. 
' Summary —Whole Numbor Names on Roll, 164. Died in Service, 38 ; Discharged for
Disability, 29 ; Mustered-Out by Reason Ex. Term, 33 ; Discharged by Order, 5 ; Trans
ferred [O ; Dropped as Deserters, 25 ; Discharged with Regiment at Final Muster-Out, 24.

22

ROSTER OF FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT.

ADDENDUM.
[CONTINUATION OF CO. G, FROM PAGE XV.]
[This ' Paragraph was crowded from its proper position on page 15 by reason of the large
number of names on the Company Roll.]
Dropped from the Rolls as .Deserters. — In 1862: Patrick F. O'Hara. In 1864:
-Joseph Cyr, Charles K. Bolster, Raymond Cormair, Fabyan Crock, Maguire Dubay, William
Duke, Thomas Donnell, Francis Goven, Wm. Morrin. In 1865 : James Copperthwait, Chas
•E. Carey, John Colbert, Antonio Lopez, John Powers, Thomas Patterson, Ambrose Reed,
Charles A. Ray, Wm. D. Severance, Wm. H. Smith, Joseph Webber, Willard Watson, John
Brown, David Mcintosh, Harper C. McKeen.

ERRATA.

Page 10. In Record of Service of the Officers cf Co. D, read: ''John Mead, Second
Lieutenant, served as such from June 11, 1862, to Sept. 16, 1863," rather
than as now.
Page 15. In List of those Mustered-Out in Spring of '65, read : "George Adley," instead
of "George- Aelly." -
Page 15. Read "Dennis R. Jordan," instead of "Dennis K. Jordan."
Page 15. In "Summary, at foot of page, read : "Discharged by Order, 2; Mustered-Out
by Reason of Expiration of Term, (or in anticipation thereof ) 19." Those
discharged by order are Alfred Corbett and John E. Gatchell.
Page 16. In Roster of Original Organization of Co. G, read "Violette, Thomas," instead
of "Vioette, Tnomas."
Page 18. In Record of Service of Officers, Co. I, it should appear that Capt. John E. Cal-
laghan's resignation took effect Jan. 23, 1866," rather than "Jan., '65," as
stated.

THE FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT AS FINALLY MUSTERED OUT.

23

BREVET APPOINTMENTS.
Soon after the muster-out of the regiment a considerable number of the Fifteenth
officers were honored with Brevet Appointments, intended, no doubt, as " rewards of merit."
The justice of these appointments — their significance, if any is to be attached — or the stand
ard of "merit" governing the awards — must necessarily be a subject as to wliich there is like
ly to be some diversity of opinion. The appointments, as a general rule, take effect March
13, 1865. They are signed by the President and countersigned by the Secretary of War, and
are confirmed by the United States Senate. As a rule the appointments are conferred " for
meritorious services during the war," the exceptions to this rule being that Col. Drew's brevet
appointments were for "faithful and meritorious services," Col. Joyce's for "gallant and mer
itorious services," and Maj. Martin's " for gallant and meritorious services at the battle of
Pleasant Hill, La." The following are the appointments :
To be Brigadier Generals by Brevet. — Col. Isaac Dyer and Brevet Colonel
Benjamin B. -Murray, Jr.
To be Colonels by Brevet. — Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Benjamin B, Murray, Jr.;
Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Franklin M. Drew; Brevet Lieutenant Colonel Laurens J. Joyce.
To be Lieutenant Colonels by Brevet. — Major Franklin M. Drew, Brevet Maj.
Laurens J. Joyce.
To be Majors by Brevet. — Capt H. A. Shorey ; Capt. Lester Dwinal ; Captain
Laurens J. Joyce ; Capt. James N. Martin ; Brevet Captain Elias A. Berry.
To be Captains by Brevet. — First Lieutenant Elias A. Berry.

THE MAINE FIFTEENTH REGIMENT
AS FINALLY MUSTERED OUT OF SERVICE.

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

commissioned.
B. B. Murray, Jr., Lt. Col., Com'd'g.
John R. Coates, Major.
Edwin A. Low, Adjutant.*
Geo. Z. Higgins, Surgeon.
Arthur A. Holmes, Asst. Surgeon.
[*The record of Adjutant Low has been so
amended as to give him rank of Adjutant from
date of commission as such.]

NON-COMMISSIONED.
John D. Blake, Segt. Maj.
Henry A. Whitney, Q. M. Segt.
Geo. L. Marson, Com. Segt,
Charles P. Storer, Hos. Steward.
Charles O. Dodge, Drum Major.
Joshua Gatchell, Fife Major.

24

THE FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT AS FINALLY MUSTERED OUT.

CO. A.
CAPTAIN.
TAMES N. MARTIN
LIEUTENANTS.
' JAMES E. KNIGHT, 1st
SERGEANTS.
Andrew J Hankins, ist
Edwin P Bridges
Andrew J Bulmer
John A Wheeler
Albert H Hallett
corporals.
William H McLaughlin
Stephen H Case
Edward P Hodges
Lyman Rumery
Ralph L. Teed
Brickett, Henry F
Cogswell, Augustus
Chambers, Augustus F
Chambers, Willam H
Caswell, William A
Conners, Patriek
Crowley, John
Gibson, James
Johnson, William H
Knight, George J
Leary, Nelson
Moore, Alonzo V
Mulcachy, Patrick
Maloon, Horace G
Pottle, Asbury F
Stewart, Alonzo J
Sherrard, Robert
Wilson, James
Walker, William F

CO. D.
CAPTAIN.
FRANCIS O. S. HOWE
LIEUTENANTS.
HENRY 3. RICH, ist
JiMES H. LORD, 2d
SERGEANTS.
Clark Lewis, ist
Robert B Welch
Simeon Small
Warren T DeCraney
Charles E Emery
CORPORALS.
Isaac C Welch
Joseph P Martin
Lyman W Hanson
Orlando Winslow
Bunnell, William
Bidard, Lewis
Dubois, Narcisse
Griffin, Dennis
Impey, Alonzo
Jordan, James E
Meara, John
Page, Benjamin
Pearsons, Edward
St. Pierre, Isam

CO. B.
CAPTAIN.
HENRY "A. SHOREY
LIEUTENANTS.
CHARLES E. GRAVES, ist
JOSEPH E. LATHAM, 2d
SERGEANTS.
Carlton Lancaster, 1st
John B Tarr
William H Bosworth
George H Douglass
Frazier T Shorey
CORPORALS.
B Franklin Higgins
Bradford H Pushard
Orrin A True
David 0 Merryman
James McGrath
George M Green
Loring O Pushard
Isaac F Swan
Allen, Henry R
Allen, Wm C
Bubier, Andrew
Dexter, Wm. H
Oliver, Augustus R
Oliver, James R
Trufant, Adam O

CO. E.
CAPTAIN.
JAMES WALKER
LIEUTENANT.
EDWARD A. LOW
SERGEANTS.
Daniel W. Garey, ist
Shepherd R Hoyt
John H Bennett
Orville L Sawyer
Michael Tasnane CORPORALS.
Edward M Bennett
Cornelius J Desmond
MUSICIAN.
Samuel Brown
Belton, James H
Marshall, Samuel
Perkins, Gordon
Palmer, Robert S

CO. c.
CAPTAIN.
JOSEPH A. CLARK
LIEUTENANTS.
WHITMAN L. ORCUTT, ist
BENJAMIN F. OWEN, 2d
SERGEANTS.
James Johnston, 1st
Hezekiah S Owen
Harrison H Robinson
Wm. H Sutter
Sanford B Preble
CORPORALS.
Daniel Everett
Charles C Pomeroy
Jeremiah Snow
Lyman R Seigers
Jonathan D Snow
Banks, John
Brown, William
Bekker, John
Barker, William P
Collins, Ebenezer *
Ellis, Hiram W
Hutchinson, Albert Cf
McNiff, Martin
Nepting, Charles
Perrowe, Jeremiah
Riley, John
Stevens, JamesJ
Stratton, Samuel W}
*Absent sick.
tAbsent wounded and prisoner,
JErroneouslv reported 'Dropped,'
Page 9.

CO. F.
CAPTAIN.
CYRUS E. KNIGHT
LIEUTENANT.
John Fitzgerald, 1st
SERGEANTS.
James Saunders, 1st
Enoeh Coburn
Robert R Corbett
Abizer York,
Charles H Shaw
corporals.
Joseph F Harmon
Thomas F Coffin
musician.
Lewis Sickles
Hutchinson, Robert
Jones, Michael
Miller, Hubert
McCarthy, Dennis
McBrien, Oswald
Murray, Patrick
Russell, Henry
Sweeney, Patrick
Silver, Manuel
Toothaker, Seth

THE FIFTEENTH MAINE REGIMENT AS FINALLY MUSTERED OUT.

2b

CO. G.
CAPTAIN.
LESTER DWINAL
LIEUTENANT.
JAMES RIDEOUT, ist
sergeants.
Charles F Blackington, ist
Albert Marshall
Lorenzo D Hatch
Thomas Violette
George O Fields
CORPORALS.
Phillip Bolier
George F Emerson
Thomas Fisher
Sanborn C Murphy
MUSICIAN.
Fernando C Bolster
Bruyet, John
Burke, William
Brawn, Charles A
Bolstridge, George N
Finn, John
Iveson, John
Kelley, Patrick
Langlais, Phillip
Laiten, Bradford W
Lannigan, John
Maloney, Walter
Shirley, Charles E
Sweet, George H
Thurston, Alvah H
Thibodeau, Thomas
Wilson, George W

CO. H.
CAPTAIN.
ALONZO COAN
LIEUTENANTS.
WM. H. CARR, ist
PETER F. McCANN, 2d
SERGEANTS.
George Smith, ist
Joseph W Skillin
Henry W Gay
Wm. Mansfield
John L Russell CORPORALS.
Jasper I Fisher
Byron Libby
Chesley Shaw
John N White
Barker, Oliver S
Cole, Jedediah
Dawley, Albert
Edwards, Marcus M
French, John H
Goodwin, Samuel W
Haskell, Frederick A
Hatch, Benjamin C
Leathers, Jeremiah R
Morrin, Lewis
Noble, James
Ober, Alphonzo L
Paul, Elec
Pinkham, Daniel
Shaw Charles
Shortee, John
Swett, John C
Williams, Joseph W

CO. I.
CAPTAIN.
WILLIAM H. BOYCE

LIEUTENANT.
JAMES M. STORY, ist
SERGEANTS.
Reuben R McFarland, ist
Luther V Gilmore
Charles H Edgecomb
CORPORALS.
William Chaplin
Albert O. Hall
Joshua L Tibbetts
Freeman Peasley
Stephen H Davis
Burkett, Calvin G
Cunningham, Edward
Jordan, Patrick
Mishoe, James
Russell, Wallace
St. Pierre, Joseph
Summers, Patrick
Tobin, Thomas

CAPTAIN.
MICHAEL BOYCE.
LIEUTENANTS.
SAMUEL WILSON, ist.
ELIAS A. BERRY, 2d.
SERGEANTS.
Ether W. Sprague, 1st
John W. Boynton
Thomas Myers
Isaac C. Bourness

CO. K.
CORPORALS.
Alonzo Morang
Joseph Hinton, jr
Benjamin Blyther
Josiah Page
Daniel McNutt
Peter Matherson MUSICIAN.
Otis Ludwig

Dyer, William A
Ellison, William
Graham, William N
Gay, Abner
Hurley, Daniel
Joslin, Charles N
Leighton, Frederick
Lingley, George H
Murphy, William
Noble, Thomas
Ramsdell, Henry

2-6 the fifteenth maine regiment as finally mustered out.
BRIEF RECORD OF FIFTEENTH MAINE OFFICERS
TRANSFERRED AND SERVING WITH OTHER REGIMENTS OR CORPS.
Assistant Surgeon John H. Kimball. — This officer re-entered the service as Assistant
Surgeon Thirty-Second Maine, Feb. 27, 1864; was promoted Surgeon Sept. 23d of
same year ; was transferred, as Surgeon, to Thirty-First Maine, upon consolidation
of the two regiments, and mustered-out with that regiment at the close of the war.
Surgeon Kimball actively participated in Grant's closing campaigns in front of Pe
tersburg and Richmond, rendering conspicuous service in the medical department to
the final close of the war.
Capt. John B. Wilson. — Capt. Wilson was transferred for promotion as Surgeon ofthe
96th U. S. Colored Infy, Oct., 1863. He served with distinction as Surgeon in
charge Post Hospital, Fort Esperanza, Texas ; Acting Medical Purveyor of U. S.
Forces in Texas ; Surgeon in charge U. S. A. Gen. Hospital, Fort Gaines, Ala.,
and was honorably discharged, on surgeon's certificate of disability, Jan., '65.
Lieut. John C. Cobb. — In the summer of 1863, while A. A. A. General at Camp Parapet,
Lieut. Cobb was appointed Colonel ofthe 2d Regt. Engineers, C. D. A., afterwards
the 96th U. S. Colored Infy. In the winter of '63-4 he commanded the Post of
Matagorda (Texas;) was Chief Engineer of the Texas coast; commanded a provisional
brigade comprising his own and several regiments of western troops, until the coast
was evacuated. In the summer of '64 Col. Cobb reconstructed the fortifications
about Port Hudson; commanded his regiment at the siege of Forts Gaines and Mor
gan, Mobile Bay; served on military commission at New Orleans five months, at
same time commanding a brigade of five regiments, with headquarters at New Or
leans. In spring of '65 he accompanied Gen. Canby to Mobile Point to prepare for
siege of Mobile ; placed in command of Engineer Brigade of Army & Divis. of West
Miss., and retained that command until June, 1865, when he resigned, and was
honorably discharged in July of same year.
Capt. Zadoc Washburn. — In October, 1863, Capt. Washburn, with Co. K, was detached
from the Fifteenth, to garrison Fort Livingstone, La., Capt. Washburn command
ing : the regiment, meanwhile, proceeding to Texas. While in command of Fort
Livingstone, Capt. W. was commissioned Captain and mustered into Co. C, Seventh,
and afterwards Eleventh, U. S. Heavy Artillery, C. D. A., with the understanding
that the regiment should be mustered into the Regular Army. Capt. Washburn
commanded at Fort Livingstone a little more than a year, and was discharged for
disability, Oct., 1864. Co. K, Lieut. Capen commanding, re-joined the regiment
at the opening of the Red River Expedition.
Hospital Steward Levi E. Holmes. — In May, '63, transferred for promotion as Lieuten
ant in 96th U. S. C. Infy. , and detailed as Actg. Asst. Surg. , and in charge Regi
mental Hospital. Resigned Feb. i865,to complete his medical studies. After grad
uating he was appointed Actg. Asst. Surg, in the U. S. A., ("Regulars") serving in
that capacity two years in Oregon.
Capt. John E. Callaghan. — This officer had some appointment in connection with the re
cruiting of colored troops with reference to taking command of a regiment, but there
is no record as to this service, attainable.
Capt. C. S Illsley. — This officer was appointed to the Regular Army soon after leaving
the Fifteenth and is now a Staff Captain, serving with conspicuous ability on the
staff of some general officer in the West.
Quite a number of our regimental family were transferred for promotion, as will ap
pear by the Appendix, but their several records are inaccessible. They include : Segt. W.
H. Totman of Co. B, as Capt. First La. ; Segt. Olis R. Colby and Private Wm. H. Jack, of
same company, Lieutenants 96th U. S. C. T. ; Elvin J. Maxwell, Daniel P. Rolfe, and Frank
E. Haggett. Co. D, officers 96th U. S. C. T.; Segt. Patrick H. Sweeney, Co. F., 1st Lieut.
First La. ; Hiram Lawson, Co. F, to Second La. ; Segts. Otis R. Gilmore and Charles R.
Rice, Co. I, Captain and Lieutenant, respectively, 19th Co. Maine Unattached. A large
number of non-commissioned officers and privates were also transferred to regular army bat
teries, military telegraph corps, veteran reserve corns, etc.

ERRATA.
Page 16, Appendix. Capt. John B. Nickels, in the record of service of officers, should be
credited with service as Captain of Co. H, from Oct. 19, 1863 to
March 13th, 1865.
Page 15, Appendix. Stephen Dolly was transferred to Veteran Reserve Corps in 1866.
Page 4, Appendix. Private James Gibson, Co. A, is inadvertently omitted from roll. He
joined as a recruit Sept. 26, 1864, and was mustered-out with the
regiment at final muster-out. He has been in some way intermixed
with<(rhonias Gibson, of same company.