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HISTORY

TWELFTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS

{WEBSTER REGIMENT)

LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BENJAMIN F. COOK

PUBLISHED BY THE
TWELFTH (WEBSTER) REGIMENT ASSOCIATION
Boston: 1883
1

PEEFACE.

i T the annual re-union of the survivors of the Twelfth (Web-
¦'^ ster) Regiment in August, 1879, it was voted to have a full
and complete history of the regiment written. To that end an
Historical Committee was chosen, Cy. nsisting of five members of
the Association ; and the duty of sele\"ng an historian was dele
gated to it. Subsequently the committee made choice of the
undersigned. For the honor conferred upon me I heartily thank
my comrades, although I think that their choice might have been
better placed. There are many in the regiment more competent
to perform the duty than mj-self ; yet I can say, however, that
I believe there is no one more earnestly desirous that the story
of the great trials, hardships, and almost unexampled heroism
of those three eventful j'ears from 1861 to '64 shall be told to the
public of to-day and succeeding generations. Neither is there
one more anxious that justice be done to each and every member
of the regiment.
In commencing my work, I issued a circular, asking the assist
ance of comrades, and also calling for diaries, memoranda, and
material of any kind, from which to construct my story. To all
who responded to these circulars, or who have in any manner
rendered me assistance, I take this opportunity to express my
hearty thanks. To comrades George Kimball, Charles C. Wehrum,
George E. Muzzey, Joseph W. Thayer, Charles W. Hastings,
George W. French, and others, who have assisted me, including

4 PREFACE.
my wife, who has aided me in collecting data, as well as serving
as amanuensis, I feel especially grateful.
The map showing the marches of the regiment, appearing in
the history, was drawn bj' a comrade who refuses to have his
name used, from a map issued bj' the government war-ofHce ; and
it is believed to be substantially correct. He was much assisted,
also, by a map showing the route of the wagon-trains, in the
possession of Quartermaster George E. Muzzey.
That the work is deficient in manj' respects I am fully aware,
but I have the assurance of knowing that I have performed my
duty as well as I could. The reasons for any deficiencies that
may appear will be apparent to all upon reflection, and it is un-
necessarj"^ for me to enumerate them. I have endeavored to make
the work impartial, and to abstain as much as possible from
rendering praise in special cases. There is no need of praise
from your historian. Your record as soldiers does not require
it ; and no language, however emphatic, can give an adequate idea
of your sacrifices, your unselflsh devotion, and the sufl'ering and
hardship attending j'our service.
My original plan was, to have prepared a fuU and correct
roster of the regiment, showing who were killed and wounded,
and other facts of interest : but company descriptive-books and
muster-out rolls could not be obtained, and no persons were found
who could supply such facts from memory ; therefore the work
had to be abandoned. A partial or an incorrect list would be
worse than none.
It may appear that some companies have received undue
attention, being more frequently mentioned than others ; but,
if such is the case, it is because they have furnished me with
more material. It certainly is not the result of preference. The
men of Company H responded well to the call for data, flve of
them sending matter which has been of great assistance. The
diary of Thaddeus Keith of Company F (killed at the battle of
the Wilderness) , forwarded to me by his brother, has been a great

PREFACE. o
help. There were two responses to thp circular from Company
K, and one each from Companies A and I.
The reader will please bear iu mind that this little volume is not
a history of the war, but the story of our campaigns. I have all
the waj' through striven to avoid as much as possible irrelevant
matters, believing that what was desired was a plain and true
account of the movements and experiences of the Twelfth
Regiment. And now, resting in the hope that those most interested will
approve my work, I present to the surviving members of the
old Twelfth (Webster) Regiment this history of their service in
the war of the Rebellion. BENJAMIN P. COOK,
Late Lieut.-Col. ISth Regiment, Mass. Vol. Infantry.

OOlirTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE
How THE Regiment came into Existence  9

CHAPTER II.
Mustek in. — Off fob the Fbont  15
CHAPTER III.
The Fikst Teak's Duty  25
CHAPTER IV.
Under Pope. — Cedak Mountain to Chantilly .... 56
CHAPTER V.
Under McClellan. — South Mountaik and Antietam . . 66
CHAPTER VI.
Under Burnsidb. — Fredericksburg  78
CHAPTER vn.
Under Hooker. — Chancellorsville  89
CHAPTER vm.
Under Meade. -^ GtBttysburg  100
CHAPTER IX.
The Fall of 1863. — Mine Run  107
CHAPTER X.
The Last Winter  122

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER XI. PAGE
Under Grant. — The Last Campaign  125

CHAPTER XII.
Homewaed Bound. — Muster out  139
ROSTER OF THE OFFICERS .-  149
APPENDIX  159

ILLUSTEATIOIirS.

Map op Country, showing Marches, etc. . Pocket inside of cover.
Portrait of Col. Fletcher Webster .... Frontispiece.
Cantonment Hicks  Opp. p. 34.
Portrait of Col. James L. Bates  Opp. p. 74.

The Webster Regiment.

CHAPTER I.
HOW THE BEaiMENT CAME lUTO EXISTENCE.
1861. atJMTER had beenflredon; the Sixth Massachusetts
^ Regiment had been attacked while passing ' ' through
Baltimore;" men were anxiously inquiring, "What
next?" an appeal had been made to the people of
the Commonwealth for extra troops ; when, on Saturday,
Aprii2o. April 20, 1861, the following notice was issued by the
surveyor of the port of Boston : —
Fellow-citizens, — I have been assured by the Executive
Department, that the State will accept at once an additional
regiment of infantry. I therefore propose to meet to-morrow,
at ten o'clock, in front of Merchants' Exchange, State Street,
such of my fellow-citizens as will join in raising this new regi
ment. The muster-roU will be ready to be signed then and
there. Respectfully, Fletcher Webster.
April 21. "To-morrow, at ten o'clock," so great was the crowd
on State Street, that — the front of the Merchants' Ex
change being illy adapted for efl'ective speaking — an
adjournment was made to the Old State House ; and from
the balcony on the east end Mr. Webster and others
addressed the multitude. A morning paper described the
meeting thus : —

10 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1861. " The enthusiasm, both of the young and old, seemed raised
to the highest pitch ; and the patriotic spirit of '76 appeared
fully awakened. Mr. Webster's remarks were patriotic in
the extreme. He could, he said, see no better use to which the
sabbath could be put, than to improve it by showing our grati
tude to Divine Providence for bestowing upon us the best gov
ernment in the world, and to pledge ourselves to stand by and
defend it. He then read General Order No. 6, calling for vol
unteers, and said, that, in consequence of that order, he offered
to join his fellow-citizens anywhere in serving their country.
' Time presses ! the enemy are now approaching the Capitol of
the nation : it may already be in their hands. Promptness is
needed. Let us show the world that the patriotism of '61 is
not less than the patriotism of '76; that the noble impulses
of their patriotic hearts have descended to us.' He then an
nounced that all who desired to enlist could do so by placing
their names on the papers at the surveyor's office at the Custom
House. Mr. Webster's remarks were received with the greatest
enthusiasm. The meeting was addressed by many other gentle
men, including William Dehon, Esq., Hon. Charles Levi Wood
bury, Edward Riddle, Esq., and others. Mr. Dehon said he
was ready, as one of a committee of one hundred citizens, to
join in raising money to equip a regiment of ten companies."
April 22. At nine o'clock on Monday morning, Mr. Nathaniel B.
Shurtleff, jun. , — who had previously tendered his services
to Mr. Webster, — opened enlistment papers at the Mer
chants' Exchange. Others assisted in the work, and in
less than three days sixteen full companies were ready for
organization. What became of eleven of these companies
is not kuown, but doubtless they were swallowed up by
other organizations in the hurry and confusion then every
where prevailing among those engaged in organizing
troops.
May 7. On May 7 the regiment was armed, officered, uni
formed, and in camp under the title of "The Webster
Regiment," bj- which name it ever will be remembered.
In behalf of the friends of the regiment, a committee
had been organized, consisting of Messrs. William Dehon,
Peter Butler, Henry L. Hallett, George Eaton, and R. B.
Bradford, which was known as the Webster Committee.
Over fourteen thousand dollars had been contributed ; and

HOW THE REGIMENT CAME INTO EXISTENCE. 11
1861. these gentlemen assumed entire charge of the expenses of
the regiment, making themselves responsible for the sum
of seventy thousand dollars.
Too much cannot be said in praise of the Webster
Committee ; for, owing to their liberality and personal
exertions, the Webster Regiment was the best-equipped
organization that ever left Massachusetts.
In its early daj's the regiment was temporarily lodged
and drilled in Faneuil Hall, a building on Clinton Street,
and a hall on Summer Street ; but the first week in May
found it stationed at Fort Warren, in accordance with
Special Order No. 144, issued April 29. Before the regi
ment was sent to Fort Warren, the Webster Committee,
not finding the accommodations suitable, employed men
to clean the barracks and make the place habitable. On
reaching the fort, the field and staff were elected by the
company officers, in conformity with the custom of Massa
chusetts. Colonel. — Fletcher Webster, commissioned May 4.
Lieutenant- Colonel. — Timothy M. Bryan, jun., commissioned
May 4.
Major. — Elisha M. Burbank, commissioned May 9.
A correspondent of "The Cape Ann Advertiser," a
member of Company K, writing of the regiment at this
time, saj's, —
" Our men are full of patriotic ardor; and all they ask is, to
be sure that their families will be taken care of. We have
enlisted for the war, be it longer or shorter."
May 18. On May 18 the regiment was drawn up on the parade-
ground to salute the steamer " Cambridge," as she passed
with a load of soldiers and supplies for Fortress Monroe,
the boat acknowledging by dipping her flags as she passed
Fort Warren.
May 19. At the Sabbath services on May 19, Rev. Mr. Hep-
worth offered prayer; and Rev. Mr. Fitzgerald, acting
regimental chaplain, delivered an address ; the services
closing by all joining in singing "America." A pho
tograph of the regiment was then taken. At four p.m.

12 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1861. regimental dress-parade elicited the applause of all pres
ent.
May 21. Oil May 21 Col. Webster received orders to recruit his
regiment to the maximum.
May 24. During the night of Friday, May 24, an alarm was
sounded for the purpose of testing the promptness and
efflciencj' of the regiment. In less than three minutes the
regiment was on the parade-ground in line of battle and
ready for duty.
May 25. On Saturday, May 25, the governor and members of
the Legislature visited the regiment. Gov. Andrew making
an eloquent speech. On the same day the Second Battal
ion left Fort Warren, escorted to the wharf by the regi
ment, and to the State House by Companies A and E.
May 26. Sunday, May 26, was marked by a visit from Maj-or
Wightman of Boston, and members of the city govern
ment, accompanied hy Gen. B. F. Edmands.
May 27. On Mouday the steamer "Massachusetts" passed,
carrying troops for Fort Pickens, aud received the cus
tomary salute.
May 30. Thursday, May 30, was noted by a singular incident.
An officer of one of the companies — having uttered
traitorous sentiments, and rejoiced over the death of Col.
Ellsworth — was cashiered, and marched out of the fort
to the melody of " The Rogue's March."
June 7. On Friday, June 7, the Eleventh Regiment left Fort
Warren. Their last night in the fort was marked by a
very fraternal re-union, the exercises closing by all joining
in singing " Auld Lang Syne." The Eleventh was es
corted to the city by Companies A and B of the Twelfth,
under command of Capt. Murch.
June 14. By request of the Secretary of War, on Friday, June
14, the Twelfth Regiment was accepted as part of the
Massachusetts quota.
June 17. On the following Monday, Col. Webster attended a flag-
raising at Bunker Hill, by invitation of Gov. Andrew ;
and, when called on by the governor. Col. Webster made
a speech which the papers at the time styled " brief and
appropriate." It was his last public utterance in Massa
chusetts.

HOW THE REGIMENT CAME INTO EXISTENCE. 13
1861. ll jjig father, he said, had made the oration when the corner-
¦¦ stone of the monument was laid, and again when the monu
ment was completed. He well remembered the preliminary
meetings of the committee selected to decide upon the size,
character, design, and site of the monument. He conld re
member the appearance of most of them, as their meetings
were frequently held at his father's house.
" ' As a boy, I was present at the laying of the corner-stone
of this great obelisk, under whose shadow we now are. Lafay
ette laid the stone with appropriate and imposing Masonic cere
monies. The vast procession, impatient of unavoidable delay,
broke the line of march, and in a tumultuous crowd rushed
toward the orator's platform; and I was saved frora being
trampled under foot by the strong arm of Mr. George Sullivan,
who lifted me on his shoulders, shouting, " Don't kill the
orator's son! " and bore me through the crowd, and placed me
on the staging at my father's feet. I felt somewhat embar
rassed at that notice, as I do now at this unforeseen notice by
his Excellency ; but I had no occasion to make an acknowledg
ment of it.' He had also witnessed the ceremonies at its com
pletion. ' Many distinguished persons from all parts of our
country were present, some of whom, I regret to say, would
hardly like now to renew that visit or recall that scene. Within
a few days after this, I left the country and sailed for China ;
and, while light and eyesight lasted, I watched its lofty summit
as it faded from view. I now stand again at its base, and
renew the vows once more on its national altar, — not for the
first time made, — of devotion to my country, its Constitution
and Union. From this spot I take my departure, like the
mariner commencing his voyage; and, wherever my eyes close,
they will turn hitherward, towards this North; and, in whatever
event, grateful will be the reflection that this monument still
stands, — still is gilded by the eailiest beams of the rising sun,
and that still departing day lingers and plays upon its sum
mit.' "

Gen. Schouler, in his " History of Massachusetts dur
ing the RebeUion," says, —
"No man who ever knew Col. Webster could read these
words uttered by him, on this occasion, without remembering
many pleasant incidents connected with him."

14 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
18 61. Drills and dress-parades marked the time till the close
of the month, interspersed with mock parades led by
Townley of Company A, as lieutenant-colonel, and David
son of Company' B, as adjutant, both of whom were un
rivalled in their " counterfeit presentment."
Choice music in abundance, both instrumental and
vocal ; frolic and games of all kinds, in the quarters and
on the parade-ground ; watching the shipping from the
ramparts as it entered and left the harbor ; fraternizations
with the Second Battalion of Infantrj', the Fourteenth
and Eleventh Regiments ; receiving and entertaining
friends and distinguished visitors ; frequent visits to the
city ; with plenty of food, of good quality, furnished by
Caterer J. B. Smith, — all served to make the time pass
very pleasantly.
But one thing was desired : officers and men were im-
patientlv awaiting; orders to proceed to Washington.

MUSTER IN. — OFF FOR THE FRONT. 15

CHAPTER II.
MUSTER Dr. — OFF FOE THE FEONT,
1861. riN Wednesday, June 26, 1861, eight hundred a,nd fifty
une 26. \j j^g^^ ^^ ^j^g Webster Regiment were mustered into the
United-States service by Capt. Marshall, U.S.A.
July 11. In July the ranks were flUed, and on the Uth the new
comers were sworn in by Capts. Marshall and Amory.
The regimental roster was as follows : —
Colonel. — Fletcher Webster of Marshfleld.
Lieutenant-Colonel. — Timothy M. Bryan, jun., of Newton.
Major. — Elisha M. Bdrbank of Woburn.
Adjutant. — Thomas P. Haviland of Newton.
Quartermaster. — David Wood of Lexington.
Chaplain. — Edward L. Clark of Andover.
Surgeon. — Jedediah H. Baxter of Boston.
Assistant-Surgeon. — J. McLean Hayward of Boston.
Sergeant-Major. — Gerald Fitzgerald of Boston.
Quartermaster- Sergeant. — Loring W. Muzzey of Lexington.
Commissary-Sergeant. — Charles W. Thompson of Boston.
Hospital- Steward. — C. C. Hutchins of Maine.
Company A.
Captain. — Richard H. Kimball, Boston.
First Lieutenant. — William G. White.
Second Lieutenant. — George W. Orne.
After reaching Maryland this company was named
"Felton Guards," in honor of a young lady of Boston
to whom Capt. Kimball was betrothed.
Company B.
Captain. — George W. Mubch, Boston.
First Lieutenant. — Fred R. Shattuck.
Second Lieutenant. — Charles T. Packard.

16

THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.

\u\ ^u Capt. Murch was an old veteran of the Mexican war ;
and his company was known as the " Dehon Guards," in
honor of William Dehon, Esq., of the Webster Committee.
Company C.
Captain. — Daniel G. Handy, Boston.
First Lieutenant. — Edward T. Pearce.
Second Lieutenant. — Harlan P. Bennett.
Company D.
Captain. — Nathaniel B. Shurtleff, jun., Boston.
First Lieutenant. — J. Otis Williams.
Second Lieutenant. — George B. Drake.
Capt. Shurtleff being a graduate of the Boston Latin
School, that institution greatlj- interested itself in his
company. They gave about four hundred dollars to
ward furnishing each member with flannels, stockings,
etc., presented Capt. Shurtleff with a purse of seventj'-
flve dollars, and voted a gold medal with a suitable
inscription to the member of Company D who should
prove most worthy during his term of service. They also
presented to the companj^ a handsome standard, made in
the form of the old Roman maniple, surmounted bj" a gilt
eagle and bearing a medallion head of Daniel Webster.
Underneath were the numerals " xii." and the letter " D."
In acknowledgment of all this. Company D styled itself
the " Latin School Guard."
Company E.
Captain. — Edward C. Saltmarsh, Boston.
First Lieutenant. — George H. Davis.
Second Lieutenant. — Samuel Appleton.
Capt. Saltmarsh was formerly of the Norwich Militaiy
Academy. Mr. Emerson's Boston school of young ladies
was very generous to this company, whieh took the name
of " Emerson Guards."
These flve companies were recruited in Boston : the
remaining flve were recruited in the towns against their
captains' names.

MUSTER IN. — OFF FOR THE FRONT. 17
^^^1- Company F.
Captain. — Alexander Highborn, North Bridgewater (now
Brockton).
First Lieutenant. — Alpheus K. Harmon.
Second Lieutenant. — Hiram W. Copeland.
Company G
Captain. — Ira Blanchard, Abington
First Lieutenant. — Edward P. Reed.
Second Lieutenant. — Lysander F. Cushing.
Company H.
Captain. — James L. Bates, Weymouth.
First Lieutenant. — Charles W. Hastings.
Second Lieutenant. — Francis B. Pratt.
Company T.
Captain. — John Ripley, Stoughton.
First Lieutenant. — Chester Clark.
Second Lieutenant. — Warren Thompson.
This company was color companj^ until after the battle
of Antietam. Company K.
Captain. — David Allen, Gloucester.
First Lieutenant. — Benjamin F. Cook.
Second Lieutenant. — Gilman Saunders.
The late Ebenezer Dale of Boston was greatly interested
in this company ; and, in acknowledgment of his liberality
and kindl}' care, it was known as the " Dale Guards."
The band, WiUiam J. Martland, leader, was from North
Bridgewater (now Brockton) , and remained with the regi
ment until May, 1862, when it was sent home by virtue of
general orders, it having been decided to reduce the num
ber of bands allowed to the army. During its stay with
the regiment it was of great benefit, and its absence was
keenly felt when it had returned home.
July 18. On Thursday, July 18, the regiment left the fort on the
steamers "Argo" and "May Queen," to be reviewed

18
1861.
July 18.

THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
by the governor and others, reaching Commercial Wharf
at 10.30 A.M. Escorted by the Second Battalion of In
fantry, Major Newton, and GUmore's Band, the Webster
Regiment marched through the principal streets of the
cit}^ ; Col. Webster riding a magnificent horse, the gift
of his brother-graduates of Harvard University, class of
1833. On reaching the Common, the Second Battalion
marched to the State House, and received the governor
and staff, the officers of the Independent Corps of Cadets,
and the members of the State government, escorting them
to the Common. Soon after four p.m. the regiment passed
in review three times, — in common time, quick time, and
double-quick. The wheel by company front attracted
much attention and elicited great applause. After pass
ing in review, the commissioned officers and color-guard
were ordered to the front, when the Hon. Edward Everett,
in behalf of the ladies of Boston, presented the regiment
with a beautiful flag. Mr. Everett's address was as fol
lows : —
"Col. Webster, — You are entering, sir, with your pa
triotic associates, upon an untried field of duty; but you are
descended from a stock which in more than one generation
teaches lessons of loyal devotion. Your grandfather, Capt.
Ebenezer Webster, a grave and thoughtful man, was one of
those frontier rangers who bore the brunt of the Seven Years'
War in the wilderness, which separated our then feeble settle
ments from Canada; and he stood with Stark at Bennington.
Your noble father, in defence of the menaced Constitution of
his country, led the mighty conflicts of the Senate, — not less
decisive than the conflicts of the field. Your only brother, fol
lowing the impulses of a generous ambition, left his young life
on the sickly plains of Mexico. On the family that bears these
proud memories, nothing less worthy than duty well performed,
danger bravely met, and the country honorably served, will
ever, I am confident, be inscribed in connection with your
name. "It is with no ordinary feelings of satisfaction, that, on be
half of the patriotic ladies who take a friendly interest in the
regiment, I now present you this beautiful banner, well assured
that you and all in your coramand will regard it with gi-ateful
interest, as a token of their kind wishes and a pledge of their
sympathy; and that you will look upon it with patriotic re ver-

1861.
July 18.

MUSTER IN. — OFF FOR THE FRONT- 19
ence as the symbol of the Union, the emblem of the cause you
defend and the country you serve. It bears upon its field as a
motto, from that immortal speech of your father, the soul-stir
ring words, ' Not a stripe erased or polluted, not a single star
obscured.' It is to maintain their high significance that the
contest in which you are embarking is waged. Those emblems
of our Union, I need not tell you, were first displayed in the
camp of Washington, on yonder opposite shore, on the 1st of
January, 1776. They have been borne by the armies of the
United States against a foreign enemy on hard-fought fields,
from the shores of Canada to the burning plains of Mexico.
With our navies they have encircled the globe. They are now
displayed in defence of the Union itself, in this most unright
eous and fratricidal war; and, like the holy symbol which the
first Christian emperor saw in the heavens,' they shall marshal
its defenders to victory. Your noble father, sir, with prophetic
foresight, uttered these solemn words : ' There can be no such
thing as a peaceful secession.' Your country calls you to dis
charge your part iu the duty — as imperative as it is sad —
which that principle devolves on all good citizens, each in his
appropriate sphere. You would gladly have avoided, we should
all gladly have avoided, the stern necessity which it laid upon
us. We spoke the words of conciliation and peace till they in
spired nothing but contempt, and invited even new exactions
ou the part of our brethren to whom they were addressed ; and
it was not until they themselves had cried ' Havoc ! and let slip
the dogs of war,' that the outraged spirit of a loyal people was
roused to a tardy resistance. Not upon us rests the dread
responsibility of the unnatural conflict.
" Go, then, sir, go, my young friends all, to the field of honor
and duty. Place yourselves cheerfully, zealously, wherever the
orders of your noble leader — our matchless commander-in-
chief — shall summon you. Deem yourselves above all things
fortunate that you are to serve under the supreme command of
a chieftain as wise and prudent as he is skilful and brave, who
has the fortitude to resist the ardor with which an impatient
country is pressing for the bloody arbitrament of battle, and
who deems it the greatest of victories to spare the lives of his
own gallant men. Honored alone of all our meritorious officers
with the title and rank conferred but once before, and then on
the Father of his Country, Lieut. -Gen. Scott remembers how
Washington lay seemingly inactive for nine long months within
1 The Roman Emperor Constantine, who was inspirited to renewed endeavors
by the appearance in the heavens of a cross hearing the inscription, "Conquer
hy this."

20 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
18 61. the lines (of which on yonder heights you still see the remains)
which encircled Boston, from which he allowed the enemy
at last to depart without the loss of a man. He remembers
that the campaigns of 1779 and 1780 passed without a blow
struck by the force under Gen. Washington, and that after the
power of the enemy was broken, and the war virtually ended by
the fall of Cornwallis in 1781, still for two years it was allowed
to linger, and the hostile army remained undisturbed in its
stronghold at New York. Gen. Scott remembers this ; and he
knows that it was precisely the Fabian delays, this courageous
deliberation, by which alone the Revolution could have been
conducted to a triumphant issue.
" And now, sir, on behalf of the friends of the regiment, on
behalf of this favoring and sympathizing multitude, I bid you
with your officers and men Godspeed! The best wishes of
those you have left behind will bear you company. The mem
ories of Bunker Hill, Lexington, and Concord will hover around
your march. The example of the Massachusetts troops who
have preceded you will kindle your emulation. Let the faic
banner I now confide to you be seen in the front of battle.
When it returns in God's good time, with your regiment, it
may come back torn and faded; but it will not, it shall not,
return disgraced. Dust and blood may stain it; the iron hail
of battle may mar its beautiful blazonry ; it may hang in hon-
, orable tatters from its staif , — but loyalty and patriotism shall
cling to its last shred: treachery shall blast it never, never! "
Col. Webster was deeply affected, and, on receiving the
standard, made the following reply : —
" In the name and on behalf of the Twelfth Regiment of
Infantry of Massachusetts, I accept from your hands, sir, this
beautiful standard. I accept it, sir, with no feelings of
thoughtless exultation, but regard it as a very sacred trust,
bringing with it grave responsibilities and duties. We are here
under arms, not for the sake of display, nor attracted by the
glitter and pomp of military life. Like thousands of others, we
have left our occupations and our homes, and those who make
home dear to us, for the purpose of defending, maintaining,
and upholding those institutions of civil government which
have protected and made profitable those occupations and safe
those homes ; and we do not purpose to return with this work
unaccomplished. The plainest dictates of duty to God, to our
ancestry, and to our children, call us to this task. We are well
aware of the difficulties and dangers in our path ; but, trusting

MUSTER IN- — OFF FOR THE FRONT. 21
1861. in Heaven and the justice of our cause, we are prepared to
encounter them. When next, sir, you shall see this banner, it
may oifer a strong contrast to its present radiant appearance.
You may see its brilliancy gone, its gay colors dimmed with
smoke, and its silken folds battered by shot, but it shall never
bear a stain of dishonor. Some of us wiU bring it back ; and it
shall hang in our halls when —
" ' Danger's trouWeil niglit is o'er,
And the star of peace returns.'
" We offer to you, and to those friends who through you have
intrusted us with the keeping of this standard, our warm
and heartfelt thanks for this mark of their kindness and con
fidence." The color-guard then advanced ; the standard was com
mitted to their care ; and Col. Webster, turning to the
regiment, called for three cheers for the friends of the
cause, which were enthusiasticaUy given.
The standard was of rich white silk, with a heavy gold
band edged with blue ; the shield ofthe Union and the coat-
of-arms of Massachusetts resting on each other to repre
sent the mutual support each derived from the other. On
the scroll the celebrated Webster motto, " Not a stripe
erased or polluted, not a single star obscured ; " connect
ing the insignia of State and Union, the motto, " E Pluri-
bus Unum." The palm-leaf of victory and oak-leaf of
strength completed this side of the banner. On the oppo
site side, "The Webster Regiment, AprU 21st, 1861." A
halo of light above was set off hj a war-cloud below ; and
nearly surrounding the painting was a laurel and oak
wreath, connecting the first and last words of the motto.
The staff was lancewood, the handle elegantly carved
with the letter W ; a golden eagle rested on top of the
staff; lower down a magniflcent fold of satin bordered
with gold and trimmed with fringe of the same material.
After the presentation, the regiment partook of a sump
tuous repast served by the city under the trees on the
Beacon-street mall. At six o'clock the line was formed
for dress-parade, after which the regiment returned to
Fort Warren. In going down through State Street, the
men marched route-step, and sang the "John Brown"

22 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1861. gQjig in a, spirited manner with fuU band accompaniment.
The song originated in the Second Battalion of Infantry
while it was in the fort, and had been enthusiastically
adopted by the Webster Regiment. All who were present
and saw the regiment on this occasion acknowledged that
it was unexcelled in discipline and qualitj'.
The Webster Committee were losing patience, and for
good reason. The regiment seemed doomed to dwell for
ever in Fort Warren. Seven regiments had gone to the
front, yet the Twelfth still drilled and waited in Boston
Harbor. So the committee induced the Hon. Henry Wil
son, Chairman of Committee on Military Affairs, to visit
Fort Warren and see the Webster Regiment. He came,
and declared it the best-drilled organization he had thus
far seen. On his return to Washington an order came,
"Add tothe seven other regiments the Twelfth ; " and
the Webster Regiment prepared to leave the State.
July 23. On Tuesday, July 23, the regiment was reviewed by
Brig. -Gen. Andrews, commander of the garrison, and
was escorted by the Fourteenth Regiment, Col. Greene,
to the landing. On its way to Boston it was saluted by
the school-ship "Massachusetts," and the ships "Pem
broke" and "Cambridge." At 6.30 p.m. the regiment
reached Boston. The men wore white " havelocks," and
had their overcoats neatly folded on top of their knap
sacks, the bright red lining being outward, which con
trasted oddl}' with their tanned faces and blue coats.
The strength was 1,040 men, armed with the Enfield rifle.
Escorted by the Second Battalion, the regiment marched
in quick time, via State, Court, and Tremont Streets, to
the Old Colony Depot. While marching up State Street,
and again near the Common, the men sang with much
spirit the famous " John Brown " song. The march was
one grand ovation. At every available point streets and
windows were literally packed. Not a man was left be
hind : all were in good condition and ready for any duty.
" The Massachusetts Register " says, —
" So eager were the brave fellows to serve their country, that
they actually signed three sets of papers."

MUSTER IN- — OFF FOR THE FRONT. 23
1861. They never received any pay for the time previous to
date of muster into the United-States service.
At eiglit P.M. the train moved out of the Old Colony
Depot. It consisted of twenty-one passenger-cars, drawn
by two powerful engines. Following it came the camp-
equipage, — twenty baggage- wagons, two hospital-wagons,
flve ambulances, one powder-wagon, and ninety-six horses.
The horses had been picketted on the old battle-gTound at
Lexington, and trained bj^ the teamsters. Eveiy man in
the regiment had ten rounds of ammunition, and fifty
thousand rounds were carried on the baggage-train.
" The Massachusetts Register " says, —
" The departure of the Webster Regiment will long be re
membered by those who witnessed its birth, growth, and educa
tion. The relation which it maintained to the city, and the
reputation which it achieved, secured to these troops an ovation
second to none which preceded it."
The passage to Fall River was marked by bonfires, fire
works, and other illuminations all along the route. Fall
River was reached at 10.30 p.m., and at 1.30 a.m. of July
24 the steamer ' ' Bay State ' ' carried the Webster Regi-
Juiy24. ment from the shore of Massachusetts.
The passage down the Sound was pleasant. From Hell
Gate to the landing at New York the regiment was lustily
cheered by thousands. At F'ourteenth Street a delegation
of Massachusetts gentlemen, accompanied by the Seventh
New- York Regiment Band, were in waiting ; and the regi
ment was escorted to the Park Barracks, where dinner
was provided hy the Military Agent for Massachusetts,
the officers dining at the Astor House. At seven p.m. the
regiment marched down Broadway to Pier No. 2. At the
order " route-step," the band struck up " John Brown : "
the men joined in singing, and the citizens of New York
were electrified by the weird chorus. It had never before
been sung in New-York City. The steamer "Kill von
Kull" carried the regiment to Elizabethport, where, after
a delaj' of three hours, caused by disembarking the bag
gage-wagons, cars were taken for Harrisburg, Penn.

24 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
J l^aV ^'^ through the lovely scenery of Eastern Pennsylvania,
halting occasionalljr for some corning train, and improving
the time by picking blackberries ; stopping for lunch at
Reading ; waiting two hours at Newmantown, for an ex
press train ; received with open arms by the thrifty and
hospitable inhabitants of Lebanon, and reaching Harris
burg at six p.m. ; waiting there two hours ; then still on
through York, to Glen Rock.
July 26. Here the regiment breakfasted, loaded muskets, and
filled cant6ens from a " boiUng spring ; " on at a snail's
pace to Hummelstown ; passing Mason's and Dixon's
Line, and entering " Dixie " at 9.30 a.m., July 26, — such
was the journey.
The regiment was five and one-half hours travelling
from Glen Rock to Hummelstown, a distance of twenty-
five miles. Suspicion being aroused of something wrong,
Col. Webster dismissed the engineer ; and one of our own
men, Nathan L. Revere of Company G, was placed in
charge of the engine, with manifest good results in the
item of speed.
At noon the regiment reached Baltimore ; the baggage
was drawn across the city by horses, and guarded by
Companies H and B ; a few moments were devoted to a
hasty meeting with the Eighth Massachusetts, and quietly
and peacefully the Webster Regiment passed ' ' through
Baltimore." At ten p.m., singing "John Brown," the
regiment left Baltimore, and, packed in cattle-cars, rode
on past camp and guard, till, on the morning of July 27,
Sandy Hook, Md., opposite Harper's Ferry, was reached.

THE FIRST TEAR'S DUTY- 25

CHAPTER III.
THE FIRST TEAK'S DUTY.
1861. rpiIE regiment pitched tents on the Maryland side of
July 27. X the Potomac River, about a mile from Harper's Ferry ;
and, being assigned to Abercrombie's brigade of Banks's
division, the camp was named in honor of the division
commander. The " twin regiments," Second Massachu
setts and Third Wisconsin, greeted our arrival ; and, after
detailing portions of Companies B and D to guard a build
ing at division headquarters, — filled with ammunition,
— the remainder of the Twelfth was, with the Thirty-
fourth New York, assigned to guard-duty along the
Potomac.
July 28. During the night the regiment struck tents and awaited
orders. Fifteen extra rounds of ammunition were issued
to each man. At daylight pitched tents again.
July 29. In the afternoon Companies B and H were sent to Mary
land Heights on scout-duty, where they met the Third
Wisconsin building an observatory. At night Doubleday's
battery and several infantry regiments camped beside the
Twelfth.
July 30. Regimental drill, the rest of the day being spent in
" fixing up " tents and camp. The three months' regi
ments were steadily "marching home again," and three
years' regiments continuaUy arriving.
July 31. Hot weather. Gen. Banks was expected to visit the
camp for inspection, but failed to put in an appearance.
Rained at nightfall.
Aug. 1. Rain and shine. The Fifth Connecticut arrived, and
camped near by.
Aug. 2. A man was drummed out of camp.

26 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
18 61. Sunday. Chaplain Clark preached from text, ' ' No man
liveth to himself, and no man dieth to hiraself." The
band played " Old Hundred," all who could joining in
singing. Fernando d'Argome, a drummer in the band, was
accidentally wounded by a pistol-ball, which, glancing on
a tree, lodged in his neck. A member of D company was
reported " missing." Three of F company visited Harp
er's Ferry, returning with news of one thousand rebel
conscripts being at Winchester ; while an indefinite num
ber were said to be at Manassas. Harper's Ferry they
reported to be "a filthy place."
^'^s. 6. Rain. One of the companies, being out target-firing,
occasioned quite an alarm : the noise being mistaken for
an engagement near by, the whole division turned out
under arms ere the mistake was discovered. Shortly
afterward the Twelfth Indiana discharged its muskets
to see what the effect would be, with very gratifying re
sults in the item of creating an alarm. Companies F and
H were detailed for a two daj's' scout, but B contrived to
take F's place. Gen. Abercrombie witnessed the regi-
• mental drill during the afternoon, and a newspaper corre
spondent wrote, —
" Gen. Abercrombie gives it as his opinion that the Twelfth
is the best-drilled regiment in the brigade, and cannot be ex
celled by any in the division."
Aug. 6. At 9.30 A.M. shifted camp to a very pleasant grove,
with abundance of good water.
Aug. 7. Battalion drill. At dress-parade Gen. Banks and staff,
with other visitors, were present.
Aug. 9. A rattlesnake was killed. It was three feet nine inches
long, and had six rattles.
Aug. u. A severe north-east storm raging. At seven p.m. re
ceived orders to be ready to march at a moment's notice,
with two days' cooked rations. i
Aug. 15. "Was spent in conjectures as to when and where the
regiment was to move. At ten a.m. the whole ¦ brio-ade
marched to Weaverstown, halted there half an hour ; then
on through Knoxville and PetersvUle, halting at Skedunk-
ski Creek ; then through Jefferson to Buckeyston, where

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 27

1861.

the brigade camped, after a march of twenty-six miles.
Rained after reaching camp.
Aug. 17. Still raining. At eight a.m. marched through Buckeys
ton, and crossed the Monocaey River, when a halt was
ordered. Rumor said the thermometer ranged from 100°
to 120° in the shade.
Aug. 18. Doubleday's artiUery, the Ninth New York, and other
troops, are on the move.
Aug. 19. Roused early with the alread}' familiar orders, to move
at a moment's notice. A dense fog prevailing, delaj'ed
matters, till at nine a.m. tents were struck, and the regi
ment floundered through muddy roads to Urbanna, where
it was rapturously received by the inhabitants, under the
supposition that it was a Confederate force. Shortly after
passing Urbanna, a false alarm set every one on the qui
vive; and, flanked by skirmishers, the regiment marched to
Hyattstown, where it camped for the night. Capt. Kim
ball with twenty men was sent to Hj'attstown, to search a
house said to be full of ammunition ; but all he could flnd
was a few old muskets, of date not much later than the
Revolution. •
Aug. 20. Fine day, but short rations. Citizens were in camp
complaining of theft. One was speedily sent about his
business by Lieut.-Col. Bryan. During the morning Gen
eral Orders referring to discipline were read, the instruc
tions to guards being very strict. Battalion skirmish-drUl.
Aug. 21. Several prisoners were brought into camp. Gen. Banks
and the Second Massachusetts arrived. Great excitement
prevailed on account of a rumor of poisoned springs.
Aug. 24. Rained since morning of 23d. Company A on picket.
Mail came, and news of evacuation of Harper's Ferry by
the Union forces.
Aug. 25. Sunday — inspection. At the evening service the chap
lain discoursed on ' ' The Individual Responsibility of Man
to his Maker."
Aug. 26. Col. Webster left for Washington. Five members of
Company F were detailed for hospital service at Balti
more. Two lieutenants and four men were detailed for
service in signal corps. Heavy firing heard in direction
of Washington, causing all manner of rumors.

28 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1861. Company F on guard near Hyattstown. First brigade
"^' ^"^ reviewed.
Aug. 28. Severe north-east storm. Toward noon subsided enough
to permit a review of the second brigade. At four p.m.
received orders to march at seven a.m. Aug. 29.
Aug. 29. Reveille early. At 6.30 a.m. struck tents; at 7.30
A.M. marched. Travelled for thirteen hours, doing only
flve miles on account of the bad condition of the roads,
and camped in the edge of a wood. Surgeon Baxter
averred that very little more hard marching over the mis
erable roads in such bad weather would send the entire
regiment to the hospital.
Aug. 30. Sun came out to take a look at the country.
Aug. 31. Inspection ; pay-rolls signed.
Sept. 1. Chaplain spoke on " Refining Influences of the Bible."
Sept. 2. Capt. AUen, officer ofthe day, put under arrest by Col.
Gordon, of Second Massachusetts (temporarily command
ing the brigade) . The circumstances are familiar to all
of the regiment, and briefly were, that a member of the
Second Massachusetts was hung up by his thumbs for
- some trifling misdemeanor, the Twelfth shouted their ob
jections, and Capt. Allen was arrested for not preserving
order. Col. Gordon, in his privately published " History
of Second Massachusetts," refers very slightingly to the
Twelfth, and Col. Webster, averring that "To interfere
with our discipline was at one time the desire of the
Twelfth." " It was plainly evident from many facts that
Col. Webster could not control his men ; " and speaking
of " the regiment which commanded Col. Webster." Let
one incident, out of hundreds which might be cited, show
whether or no Col. Webster had "control" over his
men. Once they were rather noisily amusing themselves with
story-telling, joking, etc. The adjutant came and said,
" Col. Webster would like you to make a little less noise."
There was instantaneous silence.
That Col. Gordon's course was not approved by his
superiors is evident from the fact that Capt. Allen was
released from arrest; and Davidson of Company B,
who had been charged with inciting mutiny and in-

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 29
1861. subordination, was tried by general court-martial and ac
quitted. At evening Col. Webster returned from Washington,
and was received with hearty cheers.
Sept. 3. Gen. Abercrombie witnessed battalion drill under Capt.
Bates, and spoke flatteringly of the regiment's appearance.
Sept. 4. The customary " Orders to move at a moment's notice."
News that Jeff Davis has again died.
Sept. 6. Mail came. Rainy.
Sept. 7. Orders to " be readj' to move," etc. Company H, and a
company from the Second Massachusetts, guarding a sup
ply-train. About two thousand mules, with proper allow
ance of wagons and teamsters, camped near by. A rumor
was afloat, to the effect that seventy-five thousand rebs
were going to cross the Potomac. (Just one year later
this proved a truthful report.)
Sept. 8. Sunday. Lieut. Hastings and five men returned from
Washington, bringing the mail. Breakfast this day con
sisted of potatoes and beefsteak (not the "fresh meat"
of later days) .
Sept. 10. Battalion drill in "bayonet charge," the movement
being executed with a " howling accompaniment."
Sept. 11. Regiment was visited by Gen. Banks, Mayor Wight-
man, and the correspondent of "The London Times."
In the afternoon some of the men indulged in a foot-race.
Rain at nightfall.
Sept. 12. Lieut.-Col. Bryan, with Companies B and G, left camp
under sealed orders. Major Burbank, Chaplain Clark,
Surgeon Baxter, and the band accompanied the party.
Gen. Banks and lady visited camp at dress-parade. At
night the supply-trains moved.
The following organizations were camped near the
Twelfth : Second and Thirteenth Massachusetts, Twelfth
and Sixteenth Indiana, Fourth and Fifth Rhode-Island
Batteries, Cameron artillery, and a regiment of New-
York cavalry.
Sept. 13. Were reminded that should move shortly.
Sept. 14. Fine day, men playing foot-ball and base-ball.
Sept. 15. During the afternoon Gen. Pierce — in citizen's dress —
visited regimental headquarters.

30

THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.

\^^^- Soon after tattoo the regiment was turned out. Forty
Sept. 19. °
rounds of ammunition were issued to each man. At eleven
P.M. marched, passing through Darnestown. At three
A.M. the regiment bivouacked " by Potomac's shore."
Sept. 20. During the afternoon shifted camp to near Muddy
Branch.
Sept. 21. Building ovens. Company F on picket.
Sept. 22. Sunday. Firing heard across the river, and a column
of Confederates could plainly be seen on the opposite
shore of the Potomac. Company H on main guard. Re
ligious exercises at ten a.m.
Sept. 23. Private Rufus A. Peck, Company I, while killing beef,
was struck by a falling beam. He lived about half an
hour after the accident. This was the flrst death in the
regiment. The Eleventh Cavalry camped near by.
Sept. 24. Rufus A. Peck buried at three p.m.
Sept. 26. One hundred men out mending the roads. In the even
ing paymaster arrived.
Sept. 26. National Fast Day. The new sutler came.
Sept. 27. Rain. Mail received. Firing heard in direction of Long
Bridge.
Sept. 28. Mail received, and newspapers.
Sept. 29. Inspection. Service at ten a.m. : subject of discourse,
"Firmness in Time of Battle and in Temptation." A
soldier of the Twelfth writes under this date, —
" To-day is the sabbath; and it is kept in our camp with as
much strictness as at home, except that the work necessary to
be done is a little more. This morning we had an excellent
sermon preached in the open air by our worthy chaplain. The
decorum observed, and the attention with which it was listened
to, speak well for the regiment."
Sept. 30. Heavy firing heard, and smoke seen up the river. It
proved to be an attack on some of our troops which had
crossed the Potomac, above Harper's Ferry, to seize some
wheat belonging to the Confederates. A call being made
for re-enforcements, part of Third Wisconsin Infantry, and
four pieces from the Rhode-Island and New-York batteries,
were sent from the brigade. The Confederate force was
repulsed, and moved down the river to nearly opposite the

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 31
1861. camp of the Twelfth. There were six regiments, and the
sight of so large a body of the enemy caused some stir in
camp. Orders to move were received.
Oct. 1. ^t; earl}' morning the regiment silently moved back
from the river. ' At noon Companies B and G, with Major
Burbank, returned from their mj'sterious errand of Sept.
12. Reports had been received, that a " secesh " legisla
ture was to be convened at Baltimore, and tliese two com
panies had been despatched as an armed force to repress
the movement. As this legislature never was assembled,
the services of the militarj' pilgrims were not required.
Oct. 3. Mail came. Ten men, with Company K as guard, were
sent to fell trees on an island in the river. The stream
being unfordable, the expedition returned to camp.
Oct. 4. Firing heard all daj'. Dress-parade in evening.
Oct. 5. A call received for volunteers for regular cavalry and
artillerjr. Five men required from each company.
Oct. 6. Col. Webster received information that the "six regi
ments of rebel infantry and one battery that attacked Great
Falls a few days previous were encamped directly oppo
site the camp of the Twelfth," and that Gen. Banks de
sired him and his command to be on the alert. A report
was afoot that the regiment was to guard rebel prisoners
¦ at For t Warren.
Oct. 7. Thunder, lightning, snow, rain, wind, sleet. Oliver
Younger of Company K died from typhus-fever.
Oct. 9. Heavy flring heard all day.
Oct. 10. One of Compiany Cs men, while on picket, suspected
that some one was: concealed in a clump of bushes near
him. When relieved,' he' notified his successor, warning
him to watch 'those bushes.* Then, without acquainting
any one, of his intention, he started on a tour of investiga
tion outside the picket-line. Result: the poor fellow re
ceived a serious wound in the leg ; for the sentiy promptly ¦
flred on noticing a movement in the bushes, on which he
had been warned to keep good watch.
Oct. 12. The following was received at headquarters : —
Lieut. -CoL. Bryan, commanding Twelfth Mass. Vols.
Colonel, — You will take personal charge of all the pickets

32 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1861. from Muddy Branch to Great Falls, so that the river may be
closely watched. N. P. Banks, Maj.-Gen. Com. Div.
This resulted in a severe tour of guard-duty for the
regiment.
Oct. 22. Active preparations to move toward Edward's Ferry,
and join the rest of the division. Ball's Bluff had been
fought ; and, by order of Gen. McClellan, the brigade
was ordered to re-enforce the troops there. At ten a.m.
marched, halting for an hour at Seneca Mills, then on
across Seneca Creek, where the regiment bivouacked for
the night in and around an old barn. A very muddy
march, which delayed the artillery ; so that it was late at
night when they came up.
Oct. 23. Virginia in full view. The wagons not coming up, the
regiment foraged for a breakfast. At noon the deUnquent
wagons arrived, escorted by stragglers. At one p.m.
moved about one-quarter of a mile ; were just beginning
to think of pitching tents, when orders came to "Reload
all wagons that had been unloaded, those that had not
been touched to remain as they were." Cold, cloudy,
and windy. Supper consisted of pork, hard bread, and
coffee. At night Gen. McClellan crossed the river.
Rumor said to hold a council of war.
Oct. 24. Members of Fifteenth and Twentieth Massachusetts
visited camp with full accounts of the Ball's-Bluff disaster
of the 21st. At night pitched tents.
Oct. 25. Frostj'. Shifted camp one-half mile.
Oct. 26. -^t ten A.M. marched towards Conrad's Ferry. Halted
to aUow other troops to pass. At eleven a.m., preceded
by the Sixteenth Indiana, marched through PoolesviUe.
Distance flfteen miles. Pitched tents.
Oct. 28. Shifted camp two miles.
Oct. 29. Building ovens and fireplaces.
Oct. 30. Cold weather. Newspapers in camp.
Oct. 31. Mail came, with rumors of a march to Harper's Ferry.
Nov. 1-3. Severe storm raging.
Nov. 4. Heard of resignation of Gen. Scott. In afternoon a mem
ber of Company K accidentally wounded whUe on picket.

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 33
1861. Began to build log houses. Work stopped by the rain.
Not! 10. Finished building houses. They were sixteen by twelve
feet, sixteen feet high, thatched with straw.
Nov. 11. Company A on picket.
Nov. 12. While on drill, news came that Fort Sumter was again
in possession of Union forces. Three cheers were caUed
for, but objected to, as the news might prove untrue.
Cheers were then proposed for the rumor, and enthusiasti
caUy given. (It proved to be Port Royal, not Fort
Sumter.)
Nov. 13. A large box of blankets received from lady friends of
Boston, under direction of Mrs. Harrison Gray Otis.
Most of them were moth-eaten and rotten, however, a
fact unknown to the generous donors, and the next morn
ing were found in shreds.
Nov. 16. One of the men heard singing, —
" We're all shaking, shake, shake, shaking," etc.
The pickets were busy repelling an assault hy river-rats.
Nov. 17. Sunday inspection. Divine service. Gov. Andrew's
Thanksgiving Proclamation read.
Nov. 18. Waiting for paj'master.
Nov. 19. Brigade reviewed by Gen. Abercrombie. The regiment
wore its new uniform for the first time.
Nov. 20. Paj'master came.
Nov. 21. Thanksgiving Day. Bill of fare consisted of turkey,
chicken, vegetables, pies and puddings, for most of which
we were indebted to good friends at home.
Nov. 23. Lieut. Cook and twelve men sent to Darnestown, to
picket the fork of the road leading to Poolesville and
Frederick. Orders were to stop aU suspicious persons
and all teams, confiscating all liquors found. Went on
duty at eight p.m., relieving a detachment from Thirteenth
Pennsylvania.
Nov. 24. Snow-storm. Lieut. Cook's party returned to camp.
Glimpses of what were supposed to be reb cavalrj' were
seen across the river.
Nov. 28. Maryland Thanksgiving Day. Rumor that in a few
days the regiment was to go to Frederick. Companj' B
was sent out to repair roads. Cold.

34 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1861. ^j gyg ^_jj-_ received orders to move. At ten a.m.
Nov. 29. ,
marched through Dawson ville to Barnestown, where tue
regiment bivouacked. Companj^ E was left behind on
picket.
Nov. 30. Reveille at four o'clock. At daylight marched through
Barnestown to Monocaey Bridge. Bivouacked at "Camp
near Buckeye."
Dec. 2. Marched to within one mile of Frederick, and halted.
Dec. 3. Lieut.-Col. Bryan in command. - Recrossed the Mono
caey at a " double-quick," and halted at camp of Second
Massachusetts. Company B, with' men from other com
panies, was sent to bridge the creek with fence-rails. The
regiment then crossed the creek, and marched eight miles
along the Monocacj'. Halted for breakfast. Bivouacked
on south side of a hill, near Frederick and Baltimore turn
pike.
Dec. 4. Company E rejoined regiment.
Dec. 7. Lumber arrived for winter quarters, purchased with
" company funds ; " said funds being money paid us by
the government for rations issued, but not eaten. Numer
ous applications were made for passes to Frederick, about
twenty men obtaining them.
Dec. 8-9. Camp thronged with visitors. Mail came.
Dec. 10. Very hot.
Dec. 11. Windy.
Dec. 12. Building winter quarters.
Dec. 14. Battalion drill (first time for several weeks) .
Dec. 15. After inspection the Twelfth Massachusetts and Six
teenth Indiana passed in review before Gen. Abercrombie.
Dec. 16. First brigade reviewed bj' Gen. Abercrombie and Gen.
Banks. On returning to camp, at six p.m., found winter
overcoats had arrived.
Dec. 17. Overcoats distributed; and, in evening, quarters were
dedicated by a dance.
Dec. 20. A regular New-England snow-storm. The "home
made pastry," brought into camp by hucksters, elicited
the comment from one man, that, " If we should eat these
pies for several weeks we should be bullet-proof, — a
whole regiment of Johnnies could not harm us."
One evening a wagoner rushed into quarters with a pie

>uoHw^"w 0)M
0 m2! H

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 35
1861. in one hand and a saw in the other, declaring that half an
hour's hard work had made no impression.
Deo. 21. Ju ^jjg evening were favored with a " negro concert."
Deo. 27. Lieut. Pratt, with details from Companies D and IT,
was sent to perform guard-duty at Monocaey Bridge.
They found a man who had belonged to a company which
aided in suppressing the John Brown insurrection.
1862. Clear and cool.
Jan. 1. j^
Jan. 4. Snow.
Jan. 5. Mud;
Jan. 6. Orders to cook two days' rations, and be ready to move
at a moment's notice.
Jan. 10. Quarters were inspected by Lieut.-Col. Bryan and Sur
geon Baxter.
Jan. 14. Regiment turned out to "police camp." Each com
pany busy. building houses for its cooks.
Jan. 16. Capt. Bees visited camp, and "the band played" at
evening dress-parade.
Jan. 17. Rain, snow, hail, and sleet. The men were " as those
who. stand on slippery places."
Jan. 18. Friends .from Massachusetts visited camp.
Jan. 19. Preaching and rain.
Jan. 20. Orders to pack knapsacks with one change of clothing,
and be ready to start at any time. Forty rounds of ball-
cartridge issued to each man.
Jan. 22. Pay-rolls signed.
Jan. 23. Regiment paid.
Jan. 24. Capt. Bates left for Massachusetts, to be gone twelve
days. The band gave a concert in Frederick, which was very
successful, financially and otherwise. The audience was
large and brilliant, there being six generals present, and
manj' distinguished in military and civil life. The " bill "
and "programme " were as foUows : —

36 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
C ON CERT.

1862.
-Jan. 24.

THE TWELFTH REGIMENT BAND,
filassacfjusctts FoluntcEts,
"WTLL GIVE A
VOCAL AND INSTRUMENTAL ENTERTAINMENT
At "Junior Hall," Fredeeick, Md.,
ON FRIDAY EVENING, JANUARY 24, 1862.

ON WHICH OCCASION THEY -WILL APPEAR AS
BRASS BAND, ORCHESTRA, SERENADE CHOIR,
AND VOCALISTS.

Professor W. J. Martland  Leader-
Professor J. W. Kennedy  Musical Director.
Vocal Music under tbe direction of . . Mr. H. C. Packard.
PROGRAMME, Part I.
1. Overture. II Turco in Italia  FtUl Band.
2. PoLLACCA. Arranged hy Kennedy .... Orchestra.
3. Vocal. "Lake ofthe Dismal Swamp." By the Five Packard Brothers.
4. Paulinen Polka. Gungl  Orchestra.
5. Vocal. " Scatter the Gems ofthe Beautiful." Trio. Packard Brothers
6. Gallop. " Friihlingsgrusse." Gungl. Arranged by Kennedy.
Serenade Choir.
7. Quartet. From "Lucia diLammermoor." Donizetti. Full Band.
Part II.
1. Waltzes BY Labitzka. Arranged by Kennedy . . Band.
2. Vocal. "The Ocean Queen." From theOperaof "TheEnchantress."
3. Cavatina. Falstaff  Orchestra.
4. Polka. Arranged by Kennedy .... Serenade Ghoir.
5. Violin Solo  J. W. Kennedy.
6. Drum Solo  Guillaume Du Bois.
(For 30 yeara a Drummer in the French service, now connected with this Band.)
7. Vocal. " The Husband who uses Tobacco."
8. Potpourri. Favorite Airs, commencing with Alt-Horn Solo.
 By 7*. M. Packard.
Cards of Admission, 60 cents.
(Reserved seats, 50 cents additional, which must be secured previous to
opening the doors.)
,8®=- For sale at the Dry Goods Store of G. Joseph Doll, N". Market
Street, near the hall, and at the door.
XJt^ Doors open at 7 o'clock. Performance to commence at 8 o'clock.
[Printed by Schley, Hailer, & Co., Examiner Pleases, Frederick, Md.]

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 37
1862. Has stormed since evening of the 16th. In the even-
*"¦ ¦ ing some of the men had a dance in their quarters.
Jan. 27. Clear and cold. Morning inspection and religious exer
cises.
Jan. 28. Camp overrun with peddlers. Photographic fever raged
high, nearlj' every one having his " picture taken."
Heavy snow-storm.
Jan. 29. Newspapers came.
Jan. so. Boxes from friends at home arrived.
Feb. 6. The first fine day in the month.
Feb. 6. News of capture of Fort Henry. At evening a party
went to a dance in Frederick. They wore paper collars ;
and, when returned to camp, a wag collected these dusty,
soiled, discarded articles of neck-gear, and sent them to
the laundry. At noon the next day the washerwoman's
husband came to camp with the tale, that his " t'other half
had washed one of them collars all to bits, and was afeerd
to wash the rest."
" What kind of soap did you use? "
"Bar."" I told you to use nothing but castile for those collars :
try again."
At early dawn of Feb. 8 the man returned with the
clean clothes, but no collars. He would not charge for
that wash, because the collars were ruined. "But," said
he, " I don't see how on airth your Yankee women wash
them air things ; for my ole woman did her best, but she
couldn't make any kind of a show at it : she thinks they
must have been made of powerful rotten stuff'."
Feb. 9. A raccoon in a tree caused much excitement : missiles
having no effect, one of the men climbed up, and "dis
lodged " him " at the point of the bayonet."
Feb. 10. The first out-door drill for a long time.
Feb. 12. Regimental drill. Snow.
Feb. 13. Drill postponed because of mud. The band serenaded
the officers' ladies.
Feb. 15. Guard-mounting at nine a.m. Fine day. At night a
negro named Dennis was arrested for smuggling whiskey.
Manufacturing rubber rings from buttons, the prevailing
mania.

38 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 2. News of surrender of Fort Donelson. AU the bands
Feb. 16. , „
turned out, and played suitable- music. Fifteen men lett
to serve on gunboats.
Feb. 19. Storm and mud, but good news from Burnside. Means
of Company D was buried from the church in Frederick.
Feb. 20. No drill because ofthe mud. Rumors were plentj'.
Savannah had been captured without flring a gun ; there
was a strong union feeling among the Southern people ;
JeflT Davis (who had died in the previous September) now
returned to life, was begging for an armistice : if Rumor
had an hundred tongues, she kept them all busy.
Feb. 21. Frosty. Morning drill. Regiment mending roads. Re
ceived new canteens. Col. Webster arrived from home.
Company H sent to guard supply- trains. Regiment was
to do guard-duty at Fort Lafayette.
Feb. 22. Warm and disagreeable. Orders were received from
Division Headquarters for the Twelfth Massachusetts,
Sixteenth Indiana, Sixty-sixth Pennsylvania, aud Second
Massachusetts to "fall into line of march together, and
proceed to Frederick, to take part in the celebration of
the anniversary of Washington's birthdaj'." The regi
ment reached Frederick at noon : bells were ringing, can
non pealing, the stars and stripes waving from many
buildings. Marched through the principal streets (includ
ing the one near the college). When near this. Gens.
Banks and Abercrombie reviewed the column.
The First Maryland was presented with two flags.
Reached camp at 3.30, being delayed by bad roads,
where a verj' fine sword was presented to Gen. Banks.
Feb. 24. The following order was received : —
Headquakteks First Brigade.
Col. Flbtchbh Webster.
Sir, — The general directs that you be prepared to march
with your command at one hour's notice, with three days'
cooked rations in haversacks, cartridge-boxes filled with ammu
nition, and a full supply of caps. Report immediately the con
dition of your command as to arms and equipments.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
Geo. B. Drake, A. A. A. G.

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 39
186 2. Later in the day a supplementary order was received,
requesting the chaplain to accompany the expedition as
aide-de-camp. Originallj' the order was to move at one p.m. ; but this
was countermanded, and four p.m. fixed as the hour of
starting. Baggage was all packed, the batteries were all
loaded on cars in the city, and the regiment patiently
waited further orders.
Feb. 25. Busily engaged in selling the log houses. At evening,
fuU dress-parade. The band serenaded the colonel, who
returned the compliment in a graceful speech.
Feb. 26. Still waiting orders. During the morning the band
plaj'ed at regimental headquarters. Orders to march at
three p.m. were countermanded by orders to move at day
break of Feb. 27.
Feb. 27. Reveille at four a.m. At six a.m. marched to Fred
erick. At ten A.M. left Frederick via railroad for Harp
er's Ferry, arriving there at six p.m. Crossed the Potomac
on pontoon-bridge, and reached Shenandoah Village at
8.30 P.M. Bivouacked in some old flour-mills formerly
occupied bj' the rebs. Suffered much from the cold.
Feb. 28. Reveille at sunrise. Many of the men visited Harper's
Ferry (now a mass of ruins).
Mar. 1. Cold. At twelve m. marched up Bolivar Heights,
through Charlestown, passing the spot where John lirown
was hung, with colors flj-ing, and the band playing its very
best music. Camped about a quarter of a mile outside of
Charlestown. During the day a man had hoisted a secesh
flag in the village : some of the inhabitants objected, and
during the argument the man was killed.
Mar. 2. Cold. Snow. Companies B and K, with a battery,
went to shell an old barn supposed to contain rebel
soldiers. Very thorough regimental inspection. Company
A on picket. Five prisoners brought in.
Mar. 3. Rainy and foggy. Company A still on picket, guarding
a battery on a hill six miles from camp. Companj' G on
guard.
Mar. 4. ' Company H On guard two miles from camp. Two com
panies of the Twelfth and a cavalry company, the whole
in charge of Lieut. White, of Company A, went nine miles

40 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1862. from camp, and seized three hundred barrels of flour.
Company F on picket, at the Washington Farm.
Mar. 6. Company A on guard. Company I on picket. A great
abundance of mutton and poultry.
Mar. 6. At 9.30 a.m. shifted camp, the Second Massachusetts
occupying our old camp-ground. The new camp proved
but a poor place, — muddy, with water three-quarters of
a mile away. A load of straw came for the tents.
Mar. 7. Long roU at two a.m. The Sixteenth Indiana and Sec
ond Massachusetts marched, the Twelfth remaining in
camp. At ten a.m. the Second and Sixteenth returned
with news that the reb cavalry had captured four com
panies of a Maryland regiment. Burns's brigade and
part of Van Allen's cavalry are camped near by. Mail
came. Col. Webster received the following : —
Col. Webster : Sir, — I would respectfully call your atten
tion to a fact which greatly concerns the health of your regi
ment. The present position of this camp I consider highly
detrimental to the health of the men under your command.
The ground is extremely damp, and the list of sick in the
quarters is greater than it has ever been since the formation of
the regiment. I would, therefore, respectfully recommend that
the location of your camp be changed to some healthier position.
RespectfuUy your obedient servant,
J. H. Baxter, M.D.,
Surgeon Twelfth Regiment Mass. Vols.
Col. Webster forwarded this to brigade headquarters,
with the indorsement, — Headquartbes Twelfth Mass.
Respectfully referred to Gen. Abercrombie, -with a request
that the regiment may move its camp. Fletcher Webster,
Colonel Twelfth Mass. Vols.
The reply came, — Headquarters First Brigade.
Permission to move camp is granted! Col. Webster wUl
select a suitable site for his camp, and report its location.
By command of Gen. Abercrombie.
Geo. B. Drake, A. A. A. G.

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 41
186 2. Cold, threatening snow. Part of Company H sent to
town to guard ammunition-trains, relieving a detachment
from Sixteenth Indiana. Capt. Bates appointed provost-
marshal. Drill this morning, the flrst for several days.
Mar. 9. H's men relieved by squad from Second Massachusetts.
PAY RECEIVED POR HOUSES AT CAMP HICKS.
Original cost of each house  $31 00
Each sold for  8 25
During the morning one of Company D's tents was
burned. Each sergeant received a sword from the United
States. In afternoon full-dress parade, during which one
of Company K's tents burned up.
Mar. 10. Reveille at 2.30 a.m. Orders to move at seven a.m.
changed to ten a.m., when the regiment marched, leaving
tents behind. At Ripon Notch were received with hearty
cheers, a bevy of girls waving flags, etc. Bivouacked at
night in the woods. Company I being sent on picket.
About this time the author of " Three Years in Camp
and Hospital" visited the regiment. He tells his story
thus : —
" I made a call one morning on Company B, of the Twelfth
Massachusetts. The rain was pouring down, the mud was
deep, the weather cold, almost to freezing-point, and every
thing gloomy indeed. If I had been asked what motive
brought me here, what could have been my answer but a love of
adventure, and a disposition to go to the front. I was about to
enter a tent, when my ears were saluted by a stentorian voice;
which, on looking away some ten rods, I perceived came from a
dark-complexioned, thick-set, resolute-looking man with a cap
tain '& strap on his shoulder.
"' This way, sir! Who are you? This way, sir! ' Starting
for his tent, and coming into his presence, touching my hat with
as much military style as my brief experience enabled me to
execute, I inquired of the stern officer whom I had the honor
of addressing. ' I am the provost-marshal, sir, of this depart
ment; and it is my duty to arrest all unknown or suspicious-
looking persons. Now, what is your name? and where are you
from? and what is your business?' Giving my name and
address, I continued, ' I furnish the army with postage -stamps;
work in the hospitals when feeling like it ; and, when wanted,

42 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
18 62. give free entertainments of singing, and lectures on temperance,
¦ ¦ and get my pay by the sale of my music.'
" ' Where are the stamps? '
" ' Here, sir,' opening a tin water-tight cylinder that would
hold flve hundred dollars' worth.
" ' And do you seU them at cost ? '
" ' I do, sir.'
" ' Are you aware that there is a penalty for selling postage-
stamps above their face? '
" ' I am, sir.'
" ' But why do you carry them, if not to make money ? '
" ' To accommodate those who need them.'
" ' Has the government sent you to the army for this pur
pose ? '
" 'No, sir.'
" ' You have a pass, I suppose? '
'"Yes, sir.'
" ' Let me see it.'
" I found, on searching my pockets, that I was in. the condi
tion of the servant girl who had lost her ' charac-ter,' — it was
not to be found.
" ' So, then, you cannot flnd your pass? Out to the front,
with no reasonable business, and without a pass; looks, to say
the least, rather suspicious. Your disinterested kindness is of
a pattern we are not accustomed to. I shaU be under the neces
sity of presenting your case to the general in command.'
" ' I shaU be most happy to make his acquaintance, if he is
a gentleman ; and of course he is. '
" The provost had attempted to frighten me by a loud, sharp
voice, and an imperious but unnatural manner, the reason for
which was not understood at the time. I found afterwards that
this was the method used to disconcert men arrested as spies.
I took the liberty to teU him that such harsh words were not
necessary; that they made me imcomfortable, and did no good;
and wished he would take me to the general as soon as possible.
A short walk to an old buUding brought me into the presence
of Gen. Abercrombie, a smaU, gray-haired man, sixty years of
age, erect as a weU-disciplined soldier at dress-parade, voice
soft, and sweet as a woman's, manners uncommonly affable, but
with an eye that took in the character of the person scrutinized
at a glance.
" ' General,' said the provost, ' I have arrested this man as a
suspicious character. He seems to have no legitimate business,
and is without a pass. I submit him to you.'

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 43
186 2. <i With great pleasantness of word and manner, he asked me
Afar 1.0 my reason for visiting that out-post of the army, saying that it
seemed very extraordinary indeed to find a civilian from the
North there. I gave him the same story previously told to
Capt. Bates.
" ' Why are you without a pass ? '
" ' I left it by mistake with other papers in the Fourth New
Jersey, Kearny's brigade.'
" After putting every question he could think of that would
serve to enlighten him as to my character, he said, —
"'You appear to be a Northern man; your answers are
frank; there is one bad feature in your case, — I can't under
stand why you are here; and, as you have no pass, I think that
I must detain you until we can ascertain more about you.'
" ' General, with your permission, I would like to sing you a
song '
" Staring at me a moment, with a look that indicated both
astonishment and amusement, he replied, —
" ' We will hear you with pleasure. Proceed.'
" I struck up my song, which was then new, ' We're March
ing down to Dixie's Land.'
"I had sung but one stanza, when Capt. Bates interrupted
by asking if he could see the music.
" ' Yes, sir: here it is.'
" 'Adjutant, this way, please. You take the tenor, I wiU
sing the bass, and this man will sing the air. Repeat the first
stanza. All right. Proceed.'
" And the concert commenced. The captain, who had a fine
bass voice, became exceedingly interested; and the adjutant
made his sweet tenor very prominent. The first stanza went
off quite well; the second much better ; the third brought the
general to a laugh, and a clapping of hands ; and we had to re
peat it. The general rose to his feet ; and, seeing that I had
him on my side, I forgot that I was under arrest : I seemed to be
singing at a grand concert, and felt myself the most important
personage in the crowd. The song concluded, the general gave
me his hand most cordially. Turning to Capt. Bates, he
said, —
" ' You may furnish this man with a pass.'
" Right here as well as elsewhere I may say that the army
had no better officer than Capt. Bates. He was promoted to
the command of the regiment, and was one of the fighting
men of the army. Both he and his men made a most noble
record."

44 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 2. Fine. The Second New York State Militia passed en
Mar. 11. route from BoUvar. Company F relieved H from picket.
News received of the "Merrimack" and "Monitor"
battle in Hampton Roads.
Mar. 12. Received confirmation of report of evacuation of Ma
nassas, with rumor that McClellan occupied the place.
While the regiment was drilling, a battery fired a salute of
thirty-two guns, by order of Gen. Banks. Marched at
sunset, the regiment leading the brigade. Passed through
Berry viUe, and bivouacked within two miles of Winches
ter, on ground held by the rebs twenty-four hours previously.
Mar. 13. ReveUlc vcry early. Wagons arrived at nine a.m., also
the sutler, Mr. Gage. During the morning shifted camp
to opposite side of the road. The regiment passed the
day in hunting for relics.
Mar. 14. Warm and foggy. Two batteries passed camp. Some
deserters from Jackson's command were brought into
town. Two were in uniform, the remainder were dressed
" promiscuous." Winchester seemed to be a very ordinary citj'. It had
a few fine modern-built dwelling-houses, and a few public
buildings ; several churches, two belonging to the colored
people ; and four empty banks. Of the two printing-
offices, one was occupied by a company of the Thirteenth
Massachusetts, which likewise held the court-house. The
stores were deserted, and the place filled with soldiers.
It was a city of about four thousand inhabitants.
Mar. 15. Raining hard. Van Allen's cavalry passed. Heavy
firing in direction of Manassas. This proved to be a
skirmish between part of Ashby's cavalry, a small body
of infantry and a battery, while on the Union side were
four companies of the Thirteenth Massachusetts and five
field-pieces. The rebs were repulsed. Thirteen reb sol
diers gave themselves up, being tired of secession. The
Fourth Ohio passed on its way to Berrj' ville. Company
K on guard.
Mar. 16. Windy and cold. News of capture of New Madrid.
Companies A, E, G, I, marched to the Shenandoah to
build and guard a bridge which had been destroyed.
Company H on patrol. Mail at night.

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 45
18 6 2. Windy. Some of the regiment visited the Medical Col-
Mar. 17. lege at Winchester, being much interested in the skele
tons, some of which were said to be of members of John
Brown's partj'. One skeleton of a negro boy had evi
dently been left in great haste by the reb doctors, for it
was partly dissected. Another, brought into camp, was
sent home by an officer. The signal for the night was
red and white.
Mar. 18. Warm and pleasant. Firing heard in direction of
Strasburg.
Mar. 19. Cold and windy. News of capture of Island No. 10
proved bogus. The Thirteenth Massachusetts and Ninth
New York joined the brigade. Signal for night green
and white. Snowed all night.
Mar. 21. At "twelve M. marched. After a short distance, halted
to inspect a wagon with secesh prisoners. After some
chat, proceeded. Forded a stream about knee-deep. At
six P.M. pitched tents at Berryville. This was the flrst
time the new brigade marched together.
Mar. 22. Cold and stormy. Marched at nine a.m., Michigan
cavalry leading, then Thompson's Battery, Ninth New
York, and Thirteenth Massachusetts, the Twelfth bring
ing up the rear. Crossed the Shenandoah at Snickersville
Ferry, marched three miles, and camped for the night.
Mar. 23. Marchcd at 7.30 a.m., crossed the mountain-range, and
camped one mile beyond Philmont.
While passing through Philmont, a woman solaced her
self with making grimaces at the color-company ; and
another extended like courtesies to the entire regiment.
To this latter the colonel made a most profound bow.
Mar. 24. MUd and spring-like. During the morning a man in
the Sixteenth Indiana was burned to death. At flve a.m.
started back for Winchester. Passed through Aldie, the
Twelfth Indiana leading the brigade ; through Snickers
ville and the Gap, bivouacking in the valley near the
Shenandoah River. Many of the men were shoeless.
General Order No. 102 (Army ofthe Potomac) received,
which designates the flags to be carried by corps, divis
ions, and brigades. The Twelfth was now in second
division and second brigade. Our division flag blue, six

46 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 2. feet long and five wide. Our brigade flag white, blue and
white, six feet long and flve wide, vertical.
Mar. 25. Marched at seven a.m. After travelling a mile, halted
while a bridge was being repaired. Crossing the bridge,
the head of the column met Gen. Abercrombie, who
ordered it in the direction of Manassas. Recrossing the
bridge, the regiment climbed the Blue Ridge, and bivou
acked.
Mar. 26. Marched at eight a.m. Reached Goose Creek at four
P.M. and camped. Turned out by a report that the enemy
were two miles away, but, it proving false news, turned in
again. During this day the cavalry caught a man taking
the nuts from a bridge the troops were to pass over.
Mar. 27. MUd and pleasant. The Twelfth Indiana and Thir
teenth Massachusetts sent out reconnoitring. A four
hours' search showing nothing, they returned to camp.
Large numbers of reb scouts were said to be in the vicin
ity.
Mar. 28. Crosscd Goosc Crcck at eight a.m. Captured a wagon
containing a reb captain and two swords. Passed Aldie,
searching another wagon and a house, but found nothing
of importance. Camped near Cub Run, three miles from
Centreville.
Mar. 29. Fine. Marched at ten a.m., reaching Centreville at
12.30 P.M. Halting here, the men inspected the place,
stumbling on a deserted reb camp, where dead horses
and broken wagons were lying around in great plenty.
The town seemed to be thoroughly fortified with very
strong and well-built earthworks. The one church was a
shapeless ruin, and the town itself was evidently " played
out." Resuming the march, the regiment journeyed toward
Bull Run, passing some reb quarters evacuated only three
days before, and camping at three p.m. in the huts for
merly occupied bj- the " Arkansas Travellers. " Snowed
and hailed during the day.
Immediately on going into camp, the relic-hunters sal
lied forth, and were busily engaged in investigating the
old Bull- Run battle-field.
Mar. 30. The stormy weather of the 30th did not deter these en-

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 47
1862. thusiasts, as they prowled by bush and stream searching
for souvenirs. One of the regiment wrote to a friend as
foUows : —
" While visiting the battle-ground, we saw the last resting-
places of many of the brave men who fell on that memorable
day while fighting for the flag which we have also sworn to de
fend. How many of us will fall in like manner is the thought
which occurred to the minds doubtless of many who were here
to-day, taking a farewell glance at the last remains of these
heroic fellows. We slowly and sadly retraced our steps to the
camp, many of us muttering deep and bitter curses on the
heads of those who had caused this unhallowed war. From
Bull Run we proceeded to Manassas; and, if any one needed
proof of the blighting effects of secession in the Old Dominion,
they need but to go to this place and witness the scenes of deso
lation there presented. I could but feel, what poor, deluded
mortals! Will they ever see the right, and confess the error of
their ways, and return penitently to this glorious Union, whioh
with so much ignorance they have tried to destroy? " ^
Mar. 31. At four P.M. crosscd Bull Run on an old, rickety bridge,
and, after floundering over a log road, halted at eight p.m. ,
muddy and tired, in a bog-hole near Manassas Junction.
Dry land was scarce, twelve men being packed in a shed
seven and a half by ten feet. Water was only one-quar
ter of a mile away, provided one could keep out of the
bog-holes which \a,y in the path.
Apri] 1. ¦^'^ fo'ii" I'-M- marched four miles up the Warrington
Railroad. Camp but a slight improvement on preceding
night.
April 2. Pleasant day. At eight a.m. marched along Warrenton
and Alexandria Railroad, crossing Broad Run on loose
boards and a fallen tree. After passing Cedar Run, found
the railroad pretty thoroughly demolished ; the sleepers
being burned, and the rails turned into "Jeff' Davis cra
vats." Met the Sixty-sixth Pennsjdvania.
April 3. Warm. Teams arrived at 3.30 p.m. The Seventy-
third Pennsylvania had seized two hundred head of cattle,
and given three of the largest to the Twelfth Massachu-
1 These -words were -written by a meraber of Company K, -who -was killed at
tbe Second Bull Run, near the very spot he bad visited.

48 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1862. setts. Rumor of a skirmish between Ashby's cavalry and
the advance of Banks's division.
April 4. Companj' F on picket. Geary's brigade camped on
the other side of Cedar Run. Company H of the Twelfth
detailed as provost at Gen. Abercrombie's headquarters.
Report afoot that a foraging-party near camp had been at
tacked. Workmen busy cutting sleepers for the railroad.
April 6. Rainy. No mail.
April 6. Pleasant day. First religious services for a long while.
Shifted camp. Mail arrived. Guard arrested a " Black-
Horse " cavalryman and a reb spy.
April 7. Snow. One companj^ from each regiment sent on scout-
duty. Company K represented the Twelfth.
April 8. Cold and rainy. Orders received at brigade headquar
ters for a salute of thirty guns in honor of the capture of
Island No. 10. Mud above par, and steadilj' rising.
April 9. Rainy. Neither mail nor provisions.
April 10. Clear. Capt. Bates, in command, with eleven hundred
cavalry, went on an expedition to Warrenton. Rations
arrived at five p.m.
April 11. Fine. Papers for sale, ten cents each. Mail came.
Company F on picket.
April 12. Warm.
April 13. Cloudy. Rumor of evacuation of Yorktown. Gen. Buell
and staff", with three hundred cavalry as body-guard,
called at Gen. Abercrombie's headquarters. Heavy firing
heard all day.
April 14. Brigade reviewed by Gen. Abercrombie.
April 15. Rain J'. Papers received.
April 16. Pleasant. Fifteen men were sent to arrest some team
sters who had refused duty. (The teamsters "recon
sidered" their refusal.) Capt. Bates, with a squad of
cavalry, out scouting. About six miles from camp they
captured a drove of mules.
AprU 17. Shifted camp. Sergeant Garey of Company H left for
Washington with the mail.
April 18. 12.30 A.M. Seven companies of the Twelfth Massa
chusetts, five companies of Sixteenth Indiana, five com
panies of Ninth New York, with artillery and cavalry,
silently marched from camp. At 8.30 a.m. reached the

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 49
186 2. Rappahannock, and opened on the enemy's lines with ar
tillery. The rebs were busy with the ceremony of "guard-
mounting ; " but they speedily waived ceremony, and
replied to the cannonade. Our flre proved eflfective ; for
the enemy withdrew, and left the Union troops masters of
tlie situation. Whereupon the "boys in blue " returned
to camp. This was the first time that any part of the
regiment had either flred or received a hostile shot.
April 19. Rain. Paid off.
April 20. The birthday of several of the companies. The recon
noissance of the 18th had inflicted a loss to the enem^- of
four killed and seven wounded. So said Rumor. Gen.
McCall, with a large force, was said to be near.
April 21. Cold and stormy. Some negroes came into camp, each
leading a fine horse, and offering it to the colonel as a
present " to the brave Yankee boj's who were fighting for
their freedom." The gift was accepted. Two men found
in camp without the countersign were arrested.
April 22. Fine. A party of negroes — deserters from the Con
federate army — came into camp, desiring to enlist. One
had stolen his lieutenant's boots, which were purchased
by Lieut. Pratt ; he being oblivious of the proverb anent,
" the receiver," etc. Fredericksburg said to be occupied
by Union troops.
April 23. Fine.
April 24. Stormj'.
April 25. Stormy. Our ambulances are carrying Blenker's sick
to the depot.
April 26. Fine.
April 27. Fine. Sunday. Railroad between Warrenton and the
Junction finished. Another reb deserter came in. (This
time a white man, born in Maine ; being South at the
breaking out of the war, he enlisted in Seventh Louisiana,
and — left them.)
April 28. Fine. Two mails received, a week old, but " better late
than never."
April 29. Stormy. Sutler arrived. Col. Webster returned from
a visit home. New Orleans is captured, so is Corinth ;
and the rebs are " dusting " to Memphis. Thus ran the
camp-gossip.

50 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
18 62. Stormy. Monthly inspection. Sergeant Garej' started
for Washington with the reb deserter.
Mayi. Raining. Abercrombie promoted to major-general and
ordered to Yorktown. Gen. Hartsuff', the new brigade
commander, arrived. Company F on picket.
May 2. Stormy. Gen. Abercrombie and Lieut. Appleton left
on a special train amid hearty cheers. A furious thunder
storm raged, accompanied by a tremendous whirlwind.
The damage was great. Tents were blown over, trees
uprooted, teams landed in unaccountable places, and three
sutler's wagons were blown into the stream.
May 3. Fine. Busy repairing after the storm. Gen. Hartsuff
visited the camp, making a very favorable impression.
Mail came, and news of capture of Fort Mason, and re
moval of Confederate Congress to Montgomery.
May 4. Pleasant. Lieut.-Col. Bryan left for Washington with
the paj'-roUs. Quartermaster Wood and Capt. Hichborn
resigned. Brigade guard-mounting for the first time.
The Confederate arsenal at Baton Rouge has been cap
tured.
May 5. Capt. Hichborn started for home. Shifted camp to
near Cedar Run. Gen. Hartsuff's headquarters in a large
dwelling-house. Rained.
May 6. Fine, but a furious wind-storm.
May 7. Pleasant. Sergeant Burrell with four men took seven
prisoners to Washington (captured at Culpepper by the
Maine cavalry). Confirmation of report of capture of
New Orleans.
May 8. Warm. Band mustered out.
May 9. Hot. Band left for home, amid sincere regrets of en
tire regiment.
May 10. Sergeant Burrell and partj- returned from Washington.
" On to Richm6nd " is now " AU the Rage."
May 11. Sunday. Report that the " Merrimack " has sunk.
May 12. Fine. Struck tents at eleven a.m., marched at one
P.M. Company H of Twelfth Massachusetts, and Com
pany I of Maine cavalry as body-guard to Gen. Hartsuff",
followed by the Thirteenth Massachusetts and Twelfth
Massachusetts, with Maine cavalry and Thompson's bat
tery in the rear. Camped five miles beyond WeaversviUe.
The regiment suffered greatl}- from the heat.

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY- 51
1862. Reveille at 4.30 a.m., " general " at 5.30 a.m. At six
May 13. ' =
A.M. marched. Seven men were sunstruck ; and a pris
oner availed himself of the general listlessness, and de
parted. Camped eight miles from the Rappahannock.
May 14. Rain}'. Reveille at 5.30 a.m. Marched two miles be-
j'ond Falmouth, and camped between Gen. King's and
Gen. Ricketts's headquarters.
May 15. Rainy.
May 16. Fine. Mail. Eleventh Pennsylvania joined the bri
gade.
May 17. Warm. Shifted camp two miles to rear. Living in
clover.
May 18. Sunday. Rumor that rebs sent a flag of tiuce into
Fredericksburg, ordering McDowell to vacate in eighteen
hours or suff'er the consequences. Notifled that hence
forth no tents will be carried for the men.
May 19. Unpleasant day. Overcoats were packed for storage.
Di^'ision review at four p.m. The guard arrested and
handcuffed a man, who, if not crazy, was perfect in
feigning insanit3^
May 20. Warm. In Ord's division. Teams taken away, one
only being left for headquarters. Orders for the brigade
to practise marching every day with knapsacks and equip
ments. Distance to be three miles. A herd of cattle
driven into camp for use of the brigade.
May 21. Warm daj'. Began knapsack-drill, as per order of 20th.
The " shelter-tents " arrived.
May 22. Pleasant. Large tent pitched at headquarters to hold
court-martial in. Slight thunder-shower in morning.
May 23. Division reviewed by President Lincoln, Secretary of
War Stanton, Gen. McDowell, and the French minister.
A regiment of cavalry acted as bodj'-guard for the Presi
dent.
May 24. Warm. Pitched the shelter-tents.
May 25. Packed up at two p.m., marched at three p.m. The
troops were on their way to the Shenandoah Valley to
look after Jackson, who had driven Banks back across the
Potomac. After travelling three miles, halted to let the
Eighty-eighth Pennsylvania pass. Bivouacked on a reb
camp-ground one and one-half miles from Aquia Creek.

52

THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.

Ma ^26' Warm. At eight a.m. marched to Aquia Landing.
After shipping the baggage, the regiment embarked on
the "Vanderbilt" and " South America." About half
a mile out, the " South America " broke down, and trans
ferred her passengers to the " Vanderbilt ; " which, after
a voj'age of twelve miles, got hopelessly stuck in the mud.
(It was, of course, supposed the pilot did it on pur
pose.)
May 27. A tug-boat Came to relieve the "Vanderbilt." The
Ninth New York were put on board the " Nantasket," the
Twelfth Massachusetts being transferred to the "Par
thenia." Another tug-boat arrived with provisions. At
eleven a.m. reached Alexandria, and disembarked. Col.
Webster gave each man a loaf of bread, which served for
both dinner and supper. During the afternoon the men
visited the points of interest in the place, not forgetting
the Marshall House, where Ellsworth was killed. At nine
P.M. took cars, and waited. At twelve p.m. train left the
depot.
May 28. At Mauassas Junction. Marched a mile, and camped
eleven miles from Warrenton.
May 29. Reveille at three a.m., five a.m. marched. Passed
through Gaines viUe to Haymarket, where, after a short
halt, cars were taken. After a ride of five miles, the
brigade left the cars, and marched through Thoroughfare
Gap, halting beside Ricketts's brigade, on camp formerly
occupied by the One Hundred and Fourth New York.
While passing through Haymarket the bands played patri
otic airs, whereat the ladies were much provoked. At
evening, orders to march again were received ; but Gen.
Hartsuff succeeded in having them postponed.
May 30. RcveUle at four a.m. Company H sent on ahead to
post guards on houses, etc. At 4.30 marched. Passed
through White Plains and Salem. Camped in Piedmont
Gap, three miles from Salem.
Ord's division numbers fifteen thousand men, and con
sists of the brigades of Ricketts, Hartsuff, Duryea, four
batteries (twenty-four guns), two cavalr}' regiments.
Quite a severe thunder-storm during the day : the regi
ment " took to the woods " while it lasted. Capt. Bates
arrested some of Dur^-ea's brigade for killing sheep.

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 53
18 62. Reveille at three a.m., marched at five a.m. Halted at
May 31. '
Piedmont Station, and received orders to leave knapsacks,
taking blankets and three days' rations. Halted at Hack-
um's Station for breakfast. Then marched through Ma
nassas Gap, and camped in a pine-grove one mile from
Front Royal. Rained. Part of the road ran along a
precipice fifty or sixty feet high, called " Dismal Hollow,"
and was travelled by the regiment after dark. The road
all the way was an exceedingly poor sample of a very
poor Southern highway.
June 1. Sunday. Reveille at six a.m. In the afternoon marched
two miles down the railroad, and halted at Front Royal,
waiting orders. Rained. Pitched tents. Twenty-flve
thousand troops passed, on the way to " cut off" Jackson.
Anj' quantity of rumors.
June 2. Warm. Firing heard to the westward. At eight a.m.
a deserter from Jackson's command came into camp. He
had left Jackson at one a.m., and said that on Sunday
Jackson's troops had been in line of battle all day, five
miles from the position we had then occupied. At twelve
M. marched to SuliDhur Springs, between Front Royal
and Strasburg: the men all "drank ofthe healing wa
ters."
June 3. Warm and "muggy." Marched at seven a.m., trav
elled four miles, and pitched tents in a grove near Bucks-
ton. Drew three days' rations of fresh meat, — "only
this and nothing more." Part of the regiment guarding
prisoners, who were constantly arriving with fresh ru
mors.
June 4. Rainy. At eleven a.m. marched, reaching Front Royal
at flve P.M. Mail came. A freshet carried away th^
bridges.
June 5. Warm. In the afternoon knapsacks arrived. Seven
or eight of the men killed and dressed a lot of sheep for
the use of the regiment.
June 6. Sergeant Brown of Company A, and two of the Maine
cavalry, were drowned in the North Fork of the Shenan
doah by boat capsizing. Jackson's deserter visited the
city in company with some of the regiment. The ladies
— supposing him a i^risoner — were verj- gracious. In
the afternoon ammunition was inspected.

54 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 2. The deserter has got a pass to his home, and leaves to-
Juue 7. morrow.
June 8. Rainy. Sunday. Getting ready for inspection.
June 9. Pleasant. Packed up, ready to start for Washington.
At one P.M. ordered to unpack and pitch tents.
June 10. Cold and rainy. "Shelter-tents" don't "shelter."
Many of the men sick. Marched at four p.m. At six
P.M. camped, reUeving the One Hundred and Fifth New
York. Some reb prisoners were brought in, and com
mitted to the care of Company H. Signed pay-roUs.
June 11. Fine. Paid off.
June 12. -^t evening Gen. McDowell was examining the regi
mental picket-Une, when the sentry demanded the counter
sign. McDowell refusing to give it, the guard fired,
missing the general, but wounding an aide in the leg, and
kilUng his horse. McDowell complimented the sentry for
his prompt discharge of dutj'. (The aide's opinion does
not seem to have been obtained.)
June 13. Warm. Two hundred and fifty of Shields's wounded
brought in.
June 14. The shghtly wounded and the prisoners left for Wash
ington.
June 15. Was not warm, but hot. Mail came. Capt. Bates
found four reb soldiers in a house. They concluded to
take the oath of aUegiance. Two more prisoners came in
at nightfall.
June 16. Shields's di-\ision arrived, and camped near by.
June 17. The regiment, with rest of the brigade, took cars at
seven a.m., and, passing Salem and White Plains, reached
Manassas Junction at three p.m., where it camped. A
" special train," provided for Gen. Hartsuff and Company
H, ran over the general's clerk, crushing both his legs.
The " special " reached the junction at eleven p.m.
June 18. The railroad for sixty miles is guarded by Gen. Geary's
brigade. Gen. Hartsuff is sick.
June 19. President Lincoln and Secretary Seward visited camp.
June 20. Cool.
June 22. Mail camc.
June 23. Scvcre thunder-showcr. Brigade driU interrupted by
the rain.
June 24. Thunder-shower.

THE FIRST YEAR'S DUTY. 55
1862. Close of the first year of the regiment's history. Dur-
June26. J S> .r
ing this time it had marched seven hundred and fifty miles ;
and, while the losses had been very slight, the duty had
been very fatiguing. The weather had been almost uni-
forml}^ bad, the roads — with a few exceptions — execra
ble. Verily the recruiting-offlcer spake the truth when he
said "the ser-vice afforded excellent chances for study,
travel," etc. On this day the regiment temporarilj' severed
its connection with the Army of the Potomac, being — by
a juggle of words and phrases — in the third brigade,
second division. Third Corps, Army of Virginia.

56 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.

CHAPTER IV.
UNDER POPE. — CEDAR MOUNTAIN TO CHANTILLT,
186 2. rpHE corps under Fremont, Banks, and McDowell were
J- numbered respectively 1,2, and 3, and together formed
the Army of Virginia, under command of Major-Gen. John
Pope, an importation from the West, brought on to in
struct the troops in the art and mystery of waging war.
Possessed of unlimited self-assurance, and what the
elder Weiler termed " a gift of gab werry gallopin',"
June 28. Pope, in assuming command on June 28, cheerfully
undertook to do three things : cover Washington, threaten
Richmond, and protect the Shenandoah Valley. As an
interlude to all this, the utter annihUation of Lee's army
was announced as being very probable.-'
Fremont, objecting to serve under Pope, who was his
junior in rank, was relieved by Sigel ; and Pope began to
mature plans for redeeming some of the promises he was
so liberally making.
July 1. The surgeon-general of Massachusetts visited the regi
ment.
July 2. The batteries belonging to the brigade were out target-
shooting. Daniel Donovan of Company B died, and was
buried on July 3.
July 4. Warm. Marched at nine a.m. Knapsacks were left at
the depot, to be forwarded bj' rail ; and the regiment
marched to Dranesville, where it received its knapsacks,
and camped.
July 6. Reveille at four a.m. , marched at seven a.m. Halted
1 "I propose to defend -Washington, not by keeping on the defensive, nor by
fortifying in front of the enemy, but by placing myself on his flanks, and attack
ing hira day and night as soon as he has crossed the Eappabannock, until bis
forces are destroyed." — Hep. Com. Cond. War-, vol. i.p. 276, Pope's testi-mony.

UNDER POPE- — CEDAR MOUNTAIN TO CHANTILLY. 57
1862. at Buckton. Picked cherries at Ifew Baltimore, and
camped for the night two miles beyond.
July 6. Regiment mustered six hundred and flfty for duty.
Orders received to be ready to march with ten days' cooked
rations. A member of the regiment writes to a local
paper, —
" There was not a regiment in the service that had up to this
time marched more miles of tedious, disagreeable travelling
than the Twelfth."
The regiment remained here till the 22d.
July 14. The following modest document was received : —
, Headquarters Army of Virginia,
Washington, D.C, July 14, 1862.
To the Officers and Soldiers
of the Army of Virginia.
By special assignment of the President of the United States,
I have assumed the command of this army. I have spent two
weeks iu learning your whereabouts, your condition, and your
wants ; in preparing you for active operations ; and in placing
you in positions from which you can act promptly, and to the
purpose. These labors are nearly completed, and I am about to
join you in the field.
Let us understand each other. I have come to you from the
West, where we have always seen the backs of our enemies, —
from an army whose business it has been to seek the adversary,
and to beat him when he was found ; whose policy has been
attack, and not defence. In but one instance has the enemy
been able to place our Western armies in defensive attitude. I
presume that I have been called here to pursue the same system,
and to lead you against the enemy. It is my purpose to do so,
and that speedily. I am sure you long for an opportunity to
win the distinction you are capable of achieving: that oppor
tunity I shall endeavor to give you. Meantime I desire you
to dismiss from your minds certain phrases which I am sorry to
find much in vogue amongst you. I hear constantly of taking
"strong positions and holding them" — of "lines of retreat,"
and of "bases of supplies." Let us discard such ideas. The
strongest position a soldier should desire to occupy is one from
whioh he can most easily advance against the enemy. Let us
study the probable lines of retreat of our opponents, and leave
our own to take care of themselves. Let us look before us, and
not behind. Success and glory are in the advance. Disaster

58 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 2. and shame lurk in the rear. Let us act on this understanding,
and it is safe to predict that your banners shall be inscribed
with many a glorious deed, and your names wiU be dear to your
countrymen forever. Jno. Pope,
Major-General Commanding.
This was the precursor of a series of orders, — the fa
mous one to " burn and destroy " may be accepted as a
fair type of the whole family.
Unfortunately for this modern Capt. Bobadil, Lee de
clined to be ordered out of existence ; and — McCleUan
having withdrawn from the Peninsula — the Confederate
chieftain proceeded to make sundry pithj' comments on
Pope's glowing sentences.
July 16. At evening Gen. Banks visited the brigade, and was
cordially received, the general making a very compli
mentary speech.
July 22. In a violent storm, the regiment marched at six p.m.,
leaving the Ninth New York behind to guard the town.
Camped for the night at the Rappahannock River.
July 24. At 3.30 A.M. received orders to move. In flfteen min
utes every thing was packed and the men read}', when the
marching orders were countermanded. Pope's foraging-
orders were in fuU force, and strictly obeyed. The only
discomfort was the wretched water.
July 25. Shifted camp at ten a.m.
June 26. -^ violent tempest.
June 27. Anniversary of arrival at Sandj- Hook, Md.
Aug. 1. Pope reviewed the troops in our vicinity. A soldier in
the Thirteenth Massachusetts, after contemplating his
commander carefully, remarked, " A handsome man, but I
don't see the major-general."
Aug. 8. Marched at twelve m. ; bivouacked at dark.
Aug. 9. Marched at daybreak. After proceeding two miles
halted. Heavy firing was heard in direction of Rapidan
River. At four p.m. received orders to move ; and, leav
ing knapsacks in a fleld by the wayside, the regiment
marched with the division, reaching the battle-field of
Cedar Mountain at dusk.
Banks — incensed at the remark of Pope's chief-of-staff.

UNDER POPE. — CEDAR MOUNTAIN TO CHANTILLY. 59
186 2. that " there must be no hacking out this time, general " —
had attacked Stonewall Jackson with such fury that that
redoubtable leader had been obliged to put in all his
available force. This, too, when his troops were numeri
cally superior to Banks's. On flnding this out, Stonewall
began to press Banks ; so that, when Ricketts's division
arrived, the Federal lines were slowly giving way before
the advance of the Confederates. Finding fresh troops
in their front, the rebel lines halted, and began an artillery
duel. A shell from the Confederate guns burst among the
ambulances, just as Hartsuff's brigade was ordered for
ward ; and, as the brigade flled off, a batterj'- going to the
rear with unmanageable horses dashed through its ranks.
This temporarily detached the Twelfth from the rest of
the brigade ; but an aide informed its commander where
his brigade was, and the regiment passed down the hill
side, greeted with a volley of musketry, and the flre of a
battery about one hundred and seventy yards away.
Lying down to receive each volley, and marching during
the intervals, the regiment rejoined the brigade, and lay
on its arms until three a.m. of Aug. 10, Sigel's corps
having gone to the extreme front.
A correspondent of " The New- York Herald " says, —
" I have witnessed many battles during the war, but I have
seen none where the tenacious obstinacy of the American char
acter was so wonderfully displayed."
An officer of the regiment wrote to a friend as fol
lows : —
" Certainly the Twelfth behaved handsomely in this their
first engagement of any importance, and remained cool and
courageous under the most terrific flre of shot and sheU, without
replying to it for three mortal hours."
And the Eleventh Pennsylvania say, —
"Moving forward through the heavy fire, Hartsuff's brigade
was placed under shelter of a stretch of rising ground. Batter
ies were now got into position, and the answers returned from
the Federal lines were as savage as the messages received. In

60 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 2. the comparative safety the rising ground afforded, we could dis
tinctly trace by the burning fuse the shells from our o'wn and
the rebel batteries as they went hissing overhead through the
heavy night air. The firing was kept up until after midnight,
the enemy expending most of his shell on a dense woods some
distance to our right." ^
The regimental loss was, —
KUled 
Wounded . . . .
Missing .....
Total

OrFICEES.

ENLISTED MEN.

1

0

3

5

0

2

.

. 11

Capt. N. B. Shurtleff of Company D, the flrst to enlist
in the regiment, was the flrst to faU, being kiUed in this
engagement.
Aug. 11. Hot : in camp on the battle-fleld.
Aug. 13. At two A.M. ordered to be " ready to move." Marched
at seven a.m., leaving Company H as hospital guard.
Camped at Culpeper, where, during the da}-, WiUiam B.
Center of Company C was buried. At nightfall Company
H rejoined the regiment.
Aug. 15. Rainy. At nine a.m. marched to the Rapidan River,
and camped in the woods. The road was thickly strewn
with dehris of the late battle, with frequently a half-flUed
grave, where a hasty burial had been made.
Aug. 16. Marched at 9.30 a.m., and camped on Cedar Mountain.
Aug. 18. Orders received for teams to pack and go to the rear.
Marched at eleven p.m. After traveUing two miles, the
wagons so obstructed the road that the brigade halted tiU
dayhght.
Aug. 19. At flve A.M. marched past Cedar Mountain : the road
was dotted with abandoned wagons, which had been burnt
by the teamsters. Passed through Culpeper amid sneer
ing grimaces by the Southern ladies, and halted at night
on the banks of the Rappahannock. Crossed on the rail
road bridge, and, after travelling a mile, went into camp.
Distance marched, twenty-five miles ; and j-et " Gen; Hal-
leck once said that the great want of the army was legs." ^
1 The Story of the Eegiment, by Chaplain W. H. Locke, p. 90.
2 Ibid, p. 214.

UNDER POPE- — CEDAR MOUNTAIN TO CHANTILLY. 61
1862. Pope had commenced his campaign by a retreat, which
was Lee's annotation on the line, —
" Let us look betore us, and not behind." — Pope's Circular.
The da^^s now were occupied bj' Pope in placing his
armj' "in positions " from which it could " act promptly
and to the purpose," and the amount of helter-skelter
marching which became necessary is best shown b}' the
diary.
Aug. 20. Marched at four p.m. Crossed the bridge to guard it.
Aug. 21. All packed up at four a.m., and waiting orders. At
9.45 A.M. the rebs shelled the regiment : our batteries
promptly replied. Skirmishing with artiUery continued in
our vicinity for about thirty minutes, but was maintained
daj' and night to our right and left almost incessantly.
Aug. 22. The artillery duel still continued. About noon twentj'-
four head of cattle strayed from the rebel lines, and were
promptly confiscated.
Aug. 23. At five A.M. the river was rapidly rising, and endanger
ing the bridge. Crossed to the nortli bank of the Rappa
hannock, Thompson's battery bringing up the rear. At
six A.M. the rebel batteries opened on our column, but,
after two hours' pounding, were silenced by Thompson.
At seven a.m. marched in direction of Warrenton, trav
eUed ten miles, and bivouacked in the woods.
Aug. 24. At daybreak started without breakfast. Marched eight
miles, and camped in an orchard belonging to a rebel
colonel. At nightfall the rebs were only two miles away.
Aug. 25. At flve A.M. marched two miles, and camped on a hill
side by the Waterloo Road. Hartsuff is sick ; Col. Stiles
commands the brigade ; the entire division is together.
Aug. 26. Marched at daybreak. After travelling two miles, were
ordered to return to camp of yesterday. At noon were
back on the old ground.
Pope was getting badly mixed. Jackson was working
between him and Washington. Lee was hurrying to join
Jackson; while Pope's di-visions were here, there, and
everywhere. To cap all, the ubiquitous Stuart took ad
vantage of a dark, rainy night, and raided Pope's head
quarters, severing communication with Washington, and

62 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 2. adding to the confusion. Lee had taken Pope at his word,
and was gently urging him to "discard such ideas" as
" bases of supplies ; " whUe the blazing bonfires built by
Ewell at Manassas showed how well the Federal general
was leaving his lines of retreat " to take care of them
selves." The tale is told on the authority of Stuart's staff, that
among their plunder at Catlett's Station was a new uni
form coat, marked inside the collar, "Major-Gen. John
Pope." In the darkness and confusion of the raid, Stuart
lost his hat, which was ornamented with a long white os
trich feather. The next morning a flag of truce appeared,
bearing a solemn proposal from the reb cavalry general,
that there be a swop made, "your coat for my feather,"
under the guise of an exchange of prisoners. Fancy
Pope's wrath.
Aug. 27. Hot. Ordered to march at six a.m. ; countermanded.
Marched at four p.m. Halted for two hours in Warrenton
to let two divisions pass, then marched eight miles and
bivouacked. McDoweU detached Ricketts's division to
bar Longstreet's passage through Thoroughfare Gap.
Aug. 28. Started early via Little Baltimore. After twelve hours'
hard tramping, reached Thoroughfare at a Uttle before
three P.M., just ahead of Longstreet. Company H, sup
ported by the Eleventh Pennsjdvania, deployed as skir
mishers through the woods. The reb pickets " ske
daddled," we catching eight of them. At this juncture
McDowell departed with the rest of his corps, leaving
Ricketts to his own resources. The result was, that at
dusk, just as Ricketts was being forced back, orders came
from Pope for the division to rejoin its corps immediately
between Centreville and Manassas. Marched all night in
direction of Gaines-ville, hearing heavy flring round Ma
nassas ; Thompson's batter}- being charged with protect
ing the march, which was done by the battery going into
position on ever}^ piece of rising ground. The regiment
lay on its arms all night of the 29th.
Aug. 30. Marched at daj-light in rear of an ammunition-train.
Knapsacks were left in a piece of woods (and are prob-
ablj' there yet) . Heavy flring was heard at intervals dur-

UNDER POPE. — CEDAR MOUNTAIN TO CHANTILLY- 63
1862. ing the morning, otherwise there was nothing noticeable.
By order of Gen. McDowell, the brigade was placed under
command of Gen. Tower ; and at one p.m. orders were
received to support Heintzelman and Reno, who were to
attack and turn the Confederate left. This proving un
successful. Tower was instructed to aid Schenck, Milroy,
and Reynolds. The regiment formed the right of Tower's
line, the Eleventh Pennsjdvania holding the centre, and
the Thirteenth Massachusetts the left ; and the brigade
is thus spoken of by Greeley ("History of the Rebel
lion") : —
" Gen. Tower led his brigade of Ricketts's division into
action, in support of Reynolds, with eminent skill and gal
lantry, its conduct being such as to elicit enthusiastic cheers
from our entire left wing."
Pope, in his official report, says, —
" Tower's brigade of Ricketts's division was pushed forward
into action in support of Reynolds's division, and was led for
ward in person by Gen. Tower with conspicuous skill and gal
lantry. The conduct of that brigade — in plain view of aU the
forces on our left — was especially distinguished."
The regiment suffered severelj^ in this action ; for, when
it left the field, it had lost its colonel. Cut off from his
command for a few moments in the confusion of the battle,
he fell, inflicting on the regiment a loss that was never
forgotten. His kindlj- qualities had made him many
friends ; and the Eleventh Penns3'lvania pay this graceful
tribute to the memory of the flrst colonel of the Twelfth
Massachusetts : —
" Among the losses in the brigade, outside of our own regi
ment, none was more keenly felt than the death of Col. Fletcher
Webster of the Twelfth Massachusetts. Our first introduction
at Falmouth, in the preceding month of May, had grown into
an intimacy still remembered with pleasure. The colonel was
a brave and chivalrous soldier, partaking largely of the warm
impulses and noble nature of his illustrious father. "^
1 The Story of the Regiment, p. 117.

64

THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.

1862. The regimental loss was, —

KiUed .
WoundedMissing .

OFFICEES.

ENLISTED MEN.

TOTALS.

. 2

13

15

1

59

60

1

62

63

138

Sept. 1. After the battle the regiment feU back to Centreville,
remaining there until three a.m. Sept. 1, when, in a cold
rain, it marched on the Fairfax turnpike. After traveUing
four miles, it double-quicked for a quarter of a mile, and
amid a furious thunder-storm formed line of battle in the
woods near ChantiUy. The action was short and sharp,
costing the Union army the lives of Gens. Stevens and
Kearney. The regiment suffered no loss, in this the clos
ing scene of Pope's eventful campaign.
McDowell, in his official report, says of his corps, —
" For fifteen days, with scarcely a day's intermission, it was
either making forced marches, many times through the night,
and many times without food, or else engaged in battle. These
fatigues were most severe toward the last, when, on account of
the movements of the enemy, we had separated from our sup
plies ; and many generals, as well as private soldiers, had no
food, or only such as could be picked up in the orchards and
cornfields along the road. In all this the patience and endur
ance and good conduct of the men were admirable. To flght
and retreat, and retreat and fight, in the face of a superior force,
is a severe test for soldiership."
Which is a glowing tribute to extract from a cold and
formal official report.
" But Gen. McDoweU omitted to say that all the fatigues of
that campaign were endured by the men, not only without that
confidence in the leading generals, from which comes the en
thusiasm of an army, but with a positive aversion to them. At
the very outset, by the tone of his orders and the self-superior
style of his addresses. Gen. Pope made an unfavorable impression
upon the troops, — an impression that was never corrected.
" With Gen. McDowell the case was still worse. Besides an
utter want of faith in his competency as a field-commander, the
wildest stories of complicity with the rebels were circulated and

UNDER POPE. — CEDAR MOUNTAIN TO CHANTILLY. 65
1862. believed concerning him. During the excessive hot days of the
campaign the general wore a cool and becoming bamboo bat of
peculiar shape. But the troops declared that it was especially
designed as a distinguishing mark to the enemy. To such a
height did the feeling prevail, that, when the rumor was circu
lated on the last day of the Bull- Run battle that McDowell had
been shot by Sigel for open acts of treason, there were few who
cared to call the truth of the rumor in question." '
The summer campaign of '62 was ended. Pope had
demonstrated that in sober verity his "headquarters"
were " in the saddle ; " and as he ruminated on his own
glowing sentence, " Disaster and shame lurk in the rear,"
he bethought himself that a victim was necessary to make
atonement for the long catalogue of blunders. Fitz-John
Porter was designated as the scape-goat : having done
this. Pope in disgust threw up his command ; and the Army
of Virginia huddled beneath the walls of the Capitol, await
ing the next shuffie of the cards of fate.
Meanwhile Lee was contemplating his next move.
1 story of the Eegiment, p. 113.

66 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.

CHAPTER V.
UNDER McCLELLAN. — SOUTH MOUNTAIN AND ANTIETAM,
1862. ri1HE good people at Washington were sorelj' puzzled
J- and somewhat dismayed. In their trepidation they
handed the broken masses of what had heen Pope's army
to McClellan, with the prayer that he would try and
avert further disaster. Meanwhile Lee, astounded at the
easy victory he had gained, rapidlj- sketched out a new
campaign ; and the rebel army marched northward to
Maryland.
Sept. 2. Drew rations, and during the morning marched via
Fairfax to Hall's HiU, and camped.
Sept. 4. Shifted camp a mile. In the forenoon the rebs flred
into the regimental baggage-train. At night twenty-six
recruits arrived, with Chaplain Washburn (who had been
sent to the regiment by Gov. Andrew).
Sept. 6. Heavy flring up the river. Crossed Chain Bridge at
10.30 P.M. Marched via Georgetown and Washington,
and bivouacked at Leesborough. Are now in First Corps,
under Hooker.
Sept. 6. Marched at five a.m. Went seventeen miles without
halting. Camped near Mechanicsville.
Sept. 7. New ponchos received. Capt. Bates of Company H left
the regiment, having been commissioned major of Thirty-
third Massachusetts. Gen. Hartsuff and staff joined the
brigade.
Sept. 8. Received new knapsacks. Marched at five a.m. via
Mechanicsville. Travelled ten miles.
Sept. 9. Warm. Sixteenth Maine joined brigade.
Sept. 10. Reveille at four a.m. Marched on cross-road between
the two pikes for ten miles. Halted on Frederick pike.

SOUTH MOUNTAIN AND ANTIETAM. 67
18 62. twenty miles from Frederick. Reb pickets were said to
be four miles away. Marched fourteen miles toward
Frederick, and camped.
Sept. 12. Bad storm. Marched at noon via Lisbon. Halted just
outside of Strawtown. Three hundred reb soldiers who
were in the town left incontinently at our approach. (It
turned out they had bivouacked in the same fleld with
us.)
Sept. 13. Fine. Marched at twelve m. Reached Newmarket at
three p.m., and Cantonment Hicks (or rather its site) at
six P.M. Every one seemed glad to see us, and waving
flags and handkerchiefs were plentiful by the wayside.
At 6.30 P.M. camped on the banks of the Monocaey.
Many of the regiment took occasion to visit the scene of
their flrst winter in service.
Sept. 14. Reveille at three a.m. Marched to Frederick, remain
ing there one hour. Then on for eight miles to Middle-
town, where signs of a battle began to be manifest.
Moved to the right on the old Hagerstown pike, passing
Gen. McClellan, who had been to the front reconnoitering.
Reno had the left ; King's division, commanded by Hatch,
held the centre, resting on the turnpike ; while Ricketts's
division was on the right. The rebs, being on the hill-
slope, could plainly see all our movements : their strength
and dispositions were unknown to us. At four p.m. the
whole line was engaged fighting inch by inch up the hills.
Hooker had turned the rebel left ; and Gibbons's and
Hartsuff's brigades pushed up the turnpike, fighting
steadily till nine p.m., when — having gained the summit of
the pass — ammunition was exhausted. Relieved at mid
night by two of Sumner's brigades, our brigade rested on
its arms till daylight. The nature of the ground favored
the Twelfth, so that its loss was but one man killed.
Sept. 15. At 7.30 A.M. a fiag of truce came to bury the Confeder
ate dead. At eight a.m. the regiment marched, halting
just beyond Keedj^sville.
Sept. 16. Heavy firing in front roused the regiment earlj'. Ra
tions were issued ; and the brigade marched, making a
detour of two miles to avoid the artillery flre. Crossed
Antietam Creek, and turned sharplj^ to the left, coming

68 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
18 62. into an open fleld whence issued heavy musketry flre.
Hooker formed his line with Doubleday on the right, his
artillery on a hill-crest, Meade's Pennsylvania Reserves in
the centre, and Ricketts on the left. At dark all was
quiet; but Hooker, — who spent the night in a barn, —
before going to bed, said, " To-morrow we fight a battle
that wUl decide the fate of the Republic."
Sept. 17. At early dawn Hooker opened the ball. During the
night Ricketts and Meade had changed positions, Double-
daj- stiU holding the right. "Forward!" said Hooker,
his intent being to seize the Hagerstown road, and crush
in the rebel left. Across a cornfield, over a fence, still on
marched Ricketts, till he stood face to face with Jackson's
veterans, under old Stonewall himself. Then began a Ti
tanic struggle. Companies E and K were deployed as
skirmishers under Capt. Cook, and speedilj' the reb skir
mish line was driven in. Our brigade struck their line of
battle a little sooner than was expected, but, having found
the enemy, forthwith opened. Down went Gen. Hartsuff
severely wounded, down went officer after officer, until
the command devolved on Capt. Cook. The dead of the
regiment laj- in pUes, and the wounded kept thinning the
line, yet Ricketts fought on. He formed what was left of
his division into a brigade, and tried to advance. Fail
ing, he notified Hooker that he could onl}- hold on.
Crawford's and Gordon's brigades, of Mansfield's corps,
came to the rescue ; Hooker being determined to carry the
woods bej-ond, and to the right of the cornfield. Alas !
just at this, the critical moment. Hooker was wounded ;
and Sumner — the " old bull of the woods" — took com
mand. Sedgwick's division came to support Ricketts,
Crawford, and Gordon ; but nothing more was gained, and
darkness put an end to the conflict.
The Twelfth entered the battle with three hundred and
forty men. It came out with thirtj'-two under its colors.
When the regiment was relieved, a few men left the ranks
temporarily to help their wounded comrades to the rear.
Its actual casualty list was, —

SOUTH MOUNTAIN AND ANTIETAM. 69

1862.

Killed .
WoundedMissing

OPPICEBS.

ENLISTED MEN.

TOTALS,

3

67

70

9

174

183

0

30

30

283

Among the killed was Assistant Surgeon Kendall, who
was at the amputating-table when hit by a bullet.
Gen. Ricketts, in his official report, says of Hartsuff"'s
brigade, —
" The brigade moved forward, ofiicers and men displaying
great coolness, while exposed to a severe fire of artillery and
infantry." A pubUcation entitled, " Wisconsin in the War," says
(pp. 328, 329),—
" Meade and his Pennsylvania reserves faU back. Gen.
Hooker sees the crisis, and sends for more troops. He sees the
danger increasing, and posts an aide to Gen. Doubleday with
the message, ' Give me your best brigade.' Hartsuff, with the
Twelfth and Thirteenth Massachusetts, and other troops, rushes
to the rescue ; and they carry a point of woods that commands
the position first gained."
Sypher's "History of Pennsylvania Reserves" says
(p. 383),-
" Hartsuff's brigade was moved from the right, and sent to
the edge of the woods fronting the cornfield. For half an hour
they held the ridge, unyielding in purpose, exhaustless in cour
age There were gaps in the line, but it nowhere quailed.
There was no more gallant, determined, heroic fighting in all
that desperate day."
The Eleventh Pennsylvania say ("Story of the Regi
ment, p. 127),—
" ' Send me your best brigade,' was the raessage tp Ricketts.
In a moment Hartsuff's brigade, that had been in position on
a slight elevation near the house of Joseph Poffenberger, came
down the hill on the double-quick, through the open ground
beyond and into the cornfield, passing, as they went, the frag
ments of three brigades shattered bythe rebel, fire, and now
streaming to the rear.

70 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1862. " 'I think they will hold it,' said Hooker, as he saw that
splendid brigade of veteran troops moving on under a galling
and destructive fire. At the moment of entering the cornfield,
— a conspicuous mark to the enemy, — the brave Hartsuff fell
from his horse severely wounded.
" ' Forward, Third Brigade! ' rang out the voice of Col. Coul
ter, who succeeded to the command."
George N. Smalley's report to " The New- York
Tribune," says (" Rebellion Record," vol. v. p. 466), —
"In ten minutes the fortune of the day seemed to have
changed : it was the rebels now who were advancing, pouring
out of the woods in endless lines, sweeping through the corn
field. Hooker sent in his nearest brigade to meet them, but it
could not do the work. He called for another. Not hesitating
a moment he sent to Doubleday: ' Give me your best brigade
instantly.' " The best brigade came down the hill, went through a storm
of shot and bursting shell, passing, as they went, the fragments
of three brigades shattered, and streaming to the rear. They
passed by Hooker, whose eye lighted as he saw these veteran
troops. ' I think they will hold it,' he said.
" Gen. Hartsuff took his troops very steadily, and formed
them on the crest. Not a man who was not in full view, not
one who bent before the storm. Firing at first in volleys, they
fired then at will with wonderful rapidity and effect. They
were the Twelfth and Thirteenth Massachusetts, and another
regiment which I cannot remember.
" There they held the ridge, unyielding in purpose, exhaust
less in courage. There were gaps in the line, but it nowhere
bent : their general was severely wounded early in the fight,
but they fought on. Their supports did not come : they deter
mined to win without them. There was no more gallant, de
termined, heroic fighting in all this desperate day."
In " The Citizen Soldier," a "fair" paper, published
at Abington, Mass., Dec. 15, 1869, is an account of An
tietam, by one who served in the Twelfth : —
" Early Monday morning we move down the west side of the
mountain; and it has a strange look to us, tired, ragged, and
dirty as we are, to see Gen. Hooker in the saddle taking his
brandy and water, looking as clean and trim as though he had
just made his morning toilet at Willard's.

SOUTH MOUNTAIN AND ANTIETAM- 71
1862. " We march to Keedysville through the usual marks of an
enemy's hasty retreat, — broken-down wagons, dead mules,
crippled caissons, houses filled with wounded, the road strewed
with muskets, knapsacks, and butternut jackets.
"At Keedysville we halt for the night, and Tuesday after
noon our corps marches leisurely up the river. There seem to
be no indications of an engagement, except that Hooker looks
all alive. He sits uneasily in his saddle, and his look means
mischief. Suddenly a little puff of smoke shoots out of a little
thicket on our right and front, and a single shell comes shriek
ing over our heads, and explodes far in the rear: too much
elevation and too long a fuse, Mr. Reb. A few more in the
same style, and Thompson's battery dashes into position, and
soon makes the rebels' ground too hot for them. ' Battalion !
front! forward! ' we are met with a light fire from the thickets,
and a dose of canister.
" A sergeant of Company G, whom we left in Washington,
suddenly appears upon the scene with, — •
" ' Captain, can't I take my place in line ? '
" ' Why, sergeant! where are you from ? '
" ' Oh! they brought me to Frederick, and I slipped away
from there. '
" ' Well: but you have no rifle.'
" ' Yes: but I can soon raise one.'
" 'Goin, then.'
" He does ' go in: ' and, as we move on, a canister-shot crashes
through the brain of a man in Company C, on our left; and our
watchful sergeant pounces on him like an eagle on his prey,
tears the rifle from his dying grasp, and triumphantly rejoins
his company.
" Our gray-haired chaplain is full of fight, gets a musket and
takes his place in line, and comes out of the evening's flurry
with the traditional bullet buried in the traditional Bible in
the traditional breast-pocket over his heart.
" We capture a picket-line in the darkness, among them a
captain of the First Texas, a lawyer of Austin, and a man of
intelligence. After this little affair is over, we lie down on our
arms in a cornfield; and this captain happens to pillow his head
on the next hill of corn to the writer. He tells us to our sur
prise that the whole rebel army is in front of us; points out the
lights at the headquarters of Lee, Jackson, and Longstreet; says
that the prolonged cheering we hear all along the rebel lines is
caused by the reading of Jackson's report of his capture of the
entire Union force at Harper's Ferry. This is the first we have

72 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1862. heard of Gen. Miles's disaster. He tells us that South Moun
tain, which we had deemed a decisive victory, was in reality a
defeat; as we were held in check tUl Jackson had bagged our
army at the Ferry, and rejoined their main body.
"Picket-firing, and movements of artillery and troops, gave
little chance for sleep that night
" As soon as morning dawned through a damp, foggy at
mosphere, Hartsuff's brigade was ordered to fall in. Our friend
of the First Texas and the rest of the prisoners were sent to
the provost-guard in the rear, and we moved forward. Com
pany I had the colors, G on the left of the colors, and C on the
left of G.
" Forward, still as death, up a lane, out to the right, through
a little thicket, into a plain field.
" Forward in line of battle: the fog lifts, and iu an instant
a rebel battery on our right opens on us, with rather poor range
at first, but they soon get it closer; and by command down we
go, our faces in the dust. Thompson's battery, that has fol
lowed close in our rear, unlimbers, and opens on them: other
batteries in position open fire, but the enemy's fire does not
slacken. Up again and onward. The shells are well aimed
now, and we have gaps in our lines to close up. Through the
field to the heavy fence that bordered the memorable cornfield,
where, later in the day, the dead were literally piled up.
' Down with the fence, boys ! ' and they went at it with a wUl.
Just then a shell struck the fence, and exploded right in the
midst of us. It seemed for a moment that all was chaos, as
the dust, splinters, and smoke filled the air; but it staggered us
only for an instant, and, rubbing our eyes, we saw that most of
us were still iu fighting trim. Onward into the cornfield. Not
a rifle-shot fired yet, that dreadful battery on our right stiU
ploughing through our ranks. Still forward. Ah, there they
are ! a long line of graybacks is seen filing out on our left and
front. ' Give it to them, boys! ' This makes us feel better, as
we open fire within good range. Still those dreadful shot and
shell plough through Company I. We have halted now, and the
battery has the exact range Just to the right of the colors it
makes its fearful furrow. But the men close right in to fill the
gap, with true heroism, choosing rather to face certain death
than to acknowledge, even to themselves, that they are not
' clear grit.'
" But the zip of the rifle-balls grows more frequent, a terrible
musketry fire opens on us, aud the air seems full of leaden
missiles.

SOUTH MOUNTAIN AND ANTIETAM- 73
1862. " Rifles are shot to pieces in the hands of the soldiers, can-
Sept. 17. teens and haversacks are riddled with bullets, the dead and
wounded go down in scores. The smoke and fog lift; and
almost at our feet, concealed in a hollow behind a demolished
fence, lies a rebel brigade pouring into our ranks the most
deadly fire of the war. What there are left of us open on them
with a cheer; and the next day the burial-parties put up a
board immediately iu front of the position held by the Twelfth
with the following inscription : ' In this trench lie buried the
colonel, major, six line officers, and one hundred and forty men
of the  Georgia Regiment. ' .
" For three hours we stood this terrible fire: and, when we
were relieved, our color-guard were all killed or wounded; of
thirty-two men in Company G seven were killed and twenty
wounded, and the other companies lost in the same proportion.
"Our brigade captured the colors of the First Texas; and,
when they were delivered to the provost-guard, our friend, the
lawyer-captain, said he felt quite at home."
The length of time HartsulTs brigade was in actfon
seems to be a matter of dispute. In the above graphic
storj' the time is set as "three hours." Major Gould
of the Thirteenth Massachusetts claimed to have timed the
affair on the spot, by his watch; he says " one hour and
twent}' minutes : ' ' but the official records show that the
Twelfth was engaged four hours, — from flve a.m. until
nine a.m.
The ' ' best-brigade ' ' portion of the story seems to
have been universally accepted. If it is correct, the mes
sage must have been sent to BicTcetts — not Doubledaj^
Gen. Hooker in after- j-ears had no recollection of ever
sending such a message, and no trace of it can be found
among his staff in that battle.
After the battle, and while in Washington recovering
from his wound, Gen. Hooker, in discussing the fight,
claimed that his corps fought the entire rebel army. It is
an actual fact, that, so furious was Hooker's attack,
Lee stripped his right to re-enforce his left. Had Burnside
availed himself of his opportunity, Antietam might have
been a decisive victory for the Union cause. Confronted
by a single brigade of Georgia troops, the Ni^rith Corps
commander, with his corps at his back, wasted time. As

74 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 2. \ie did carry the stone bridge later in the day, when it
was defended by a full division, it is no injustice to say
he ought to have carried it earlier, when held onlj- by a
single brigade. McCleUan's plan of battle was simple and
perfect, — break the enemy's left, turn his right, and crush
his centre. He succeeded in the flrst ; Burnside failed
him in the second ; it was useless to essay the third,
though an attack was made on the Confederate centre
later in the day.
Antietam was a Union victory, for Lee abandoned the
field and retreated. Its moral effect was cheering, de
spite the disaster at Harper's Ferry ; for Lee was obliged
to postpone his scheme of Northern invasion, and the war
was relegated back to Virginia. And, whatever may have
been McClellan's faults and weaknesses, it is simple jus
tice to award him great praise for so inspiriting Pope's
worn-out and disheartened legions as to make them capa
ble of fighting such a battle a fortnight after their Bull-
Run experience. Certain wiseacres at home, who were
eternall}- crying, " Whj- don't the army move?" blame
McClellan for not following Lee peU-meU. What McClel
lan's arm}- had heen two weeks before the battle should
be duly weighed against what Lee's armj' was after the
battle, ere this point is adjudicated.
Sept. 18. Was spent on the battle-field burj-ing the dead and suc
coring the wounded. Capt. Cook commanded what was
left of the regiment.
Sept. 21. Mail. Col. Bates assumed command, having been
promoted from major of Thirty-third Massachusetts to
colonel of Twelfth.
Sept. 22. Reveille at two A.M., orders to march having been re
ceived. At five A.M. marching orders were counter
manded.
Sept. 23. Marching orders received and countermanded. Partof
the regiment — alternating with part of Ninth New York —
was detailed to guard rebel wounded. Cool nights, and
little clothing.
Oct. 1. Heavy firing heard in direction of Harper's Ferrj-. In
afternoon moved neaj'er the river, one hundred rods from
the canal.

SOUTH MOUNTAIN AND ANTIETAM. 75
1862. President Lincoln and Gen. McClellan visited the camp
'''' ^' and reviewed the corps.
Oct. 3. Lincoln and McClellan reviewed tho division, and
shortly- afterwards the brigade. By calling in detailed
men and convalescents, the Twelfth was able to muster
one hundred and nineteen men.
Oct. 4. Ambulances carried the wounded to general hospital.
Oct. 8. A new brigade-commander succeeds Hartsuff, — Gen.
Taylor. FuU rations drawn, the first for months.
Oct 9. The Twenty-first New Jersey halted by our camp for a
short time.
Oct. 11. Brigade review . Overcoats received.
Oct. 16. Firing heard in direction of Harper's Ferrj'.
Oct. 21. Marching orders received.
Oct. 22. Heavy storm. Marching orders suspended.
Oct. 25. Broke camp in afternoon. Marched in a furious rain to
Sharpsburg. Twelfth, rear-guard for division. Bivou
acked in Sharpsburg.
Oct. 27. Reveille at four a.m., marched at six a.m. Crossed
South Mountain by Thornton's Gap. Camped at Bucketts-
ville.
Oct. 28. Reveille at 4.30 a.m. Marched at five a.m. ; camped at
Berlin.
Oct. 30. Marched at five a.m. Company H rejoined the regi
ment, having been relieved from provost. Crossed the
Potomac at Berlin Station, on pontoons. Camped near
Lovetts ville.
Oct. 31. Reveille at six a.m. ; drew one day's rations. Break
fasted, struck tents, and — waited. At three p.m. marched
to Lovettsville, and camped.
Nov. 1. Reveille at five a.m., marched at nine. After four miles
reached Waterford, — -a smaU place, but "Union to the
core." The inhabitants turned out, and, to the best of
their ability, fed the regiment. Met the Thirty-sixth
Massachusetts. After two hours' stay at Waterford,
continued the march, camping two miles bej-ond Hamil
ton, — another Union settlement. Some recruits arrived
at night.
Nov. 2. Sunday. Inspection at ten a.m. Firing heard all day.
Just after "turning in" for the night, marching orders

76 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 2. were received. After packing up and making some coffee,
the regiment — waited till daylight.
Nov. 3. Marched at two p.m. ; camped at Bloomfleld.
Nov. 4. Marched at one p.m. ; after eight miles, halted to allow
wagon-train to pass. Gen. McClellan and staff were rid
ing with the train, and were cordially received. Marched
ten miles, and camped on a plantation belonging to a reb
officer. If not "a land flowing with milk and honey,"
said plantation proved to be a fair equivalent ; for eighty
bushels of potatoes, two hundred chickens, and two kegs
of powder were but a sample of what rewarded diligent
search. A member of Company K (afterwards killed in action)
writes at this time, —
" We are having qnite cold nights now; and last night, as I
was on guard, I suffered very much. There is also every pros
pect of our being out here the remainder of this winter, sure.
It is, [ suppose, all right; but the only comfort that I can get
from the knowledge is, that we ai-e here to protect our country
from the hands of those who seek to destroy it. And may God
give us strength, even if thousands of America's best sons, ay,
and if I too, have to fall, to restore it whole and untarnished."
Nov. 5. Marching orders received at nine a.m. Moved at eleven
a.m., Franklin's corps in rear, Compames H and K as
rear-guard. Road obstructed by wagons, compelling a
halt in front of a plantation belonging to Col. Delainia of
the C.S.A. Marched four miles farther, and camped.
Nearlj' all daj- the heads of the three columns of Sigel,
Franklin, and Rej-nolds could be seen at one time. Dur
ing the daj- met the Seventh and Tenth Massachusetts.
Firing heard in the direction of Thoroughfare.
Nov. 6. Reveille at sunrise. Marched at seven a.m. Camped
nine miles from Warrenton.
Nov. 7. Marched at seven a.m. Camped two miles beyond
Warrenton. Pickets posted three miles from camp.
Heavy snow-storm. Late at night McClellan was re
Ueved from command.
Of all the officers in the Union armj-, the lot fell to Gen.
Burnside to be the successor of McClellan. It was one

SOUTH MOUNTAIN AND ANTIETAM. 77
186 2. ofthe political moves ofthe war, unwise and inexplicable.
Burnside's recent performance at Antietam bridge had
betraj-ed no signal proof of ability. Being, as he was, a
personal friend to McClellan, his conduct on Sept. 17
cannot be attributed to half-heartedness or lack of faith in
his superior officer. Neither is it just to accuse him of
timidity, for Burnside was personally a brave man. One
word expresses it all, — incompetency. And into his
hands were placed the fortunes of the Potomac army,
and with them the fortunes of the country. The universal
testimony of history is, that at this time McClellan was
doing better than ever before. But the mandate was,
" Away with him ! " and so McClellan was consigned to
quasi obscurity, and the army had a new leader.

78 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.

CHAPTER VI.
UNDER BURNSIDE. — ntEDERICKSBUEG.
1862. Tlf ARCHED at 5.30 a.m. After plodding over eleven
ov. 8. jj^ miles, the refreshing discovery of "wrong road " was
made. Retraced the route for four miles, then marched
twentj'-one miles, reaching Rappahannock Station at six
p.m. The division was ordered to support Gen. Baj-ard's
cavalrj', the Twelfth guarding the bridge.
Nov. 9. At daylight rebs were getting a batteiy in position, but
a rapid movement by Bayard quashed the enterprise. At
four P.M. marched two miles to Cromley's Ford. Artil
lery flring on the right all night.
Nov. 10. Pickets chatting across the river.
Nov. 11. Cold night. Colonel's mess-chest broken into, and con
tents " confiscated."
Nov. 12. An enthusiastic reb came to the river bearing a Con
federate flag. Our batteiy attended to the matter verj"^
successfully.
Nov. 13. Relieved at nine a.m. bj' Thirteenth Massachusetts.
Marched a mile to the rear, and camped in a fine piece of
woods. Stormy night.
Nov. 14. Very wind}'. Brigade drill at ten a.m.
Nov. 15. At two P.M. inspected and reviewed by Gen. Bayard.
Nov. 16. Ordered to join Tower's brigade, the Ninetj--seventh
New York taking our place. Lieut.-Col. Allen and Capt.
Ripley rejoined the regiment. At ten a.m. marched four
miles to join Tower.
Nov. 17. On the road at six a.m. Marched sixteen miles via
Morrisville, reached Deep Creek at two p.m., and camped.
Nov. 18. Struck tents at eight a.m. ; after marching a few rods,
halted to let Pennsj-lvania Reserves pass. Marched at

FREDERICKSBURG. 79
1862. eleven a.m. over ten miles of very bad road, well blocked
b}- Ninth-Corps wagons. When flve miles from Falmouth,
passed Thirty-fifth Massachusetts.
Nov. 19. At 7.30 A.M. marched four miles, reaching Stafford
Court House at noon. A good countiy for foraging ; but,
alas ! Pope's orders had been rescinded. Very short
rations.
Nov. 20. Artillerjr flring heard across Rappahannock. At eleven
A.M. a violent thunder-storm. It has rained incessantly
since the 16th.
Nov. 21. Storm abating. Details from regiment sent to build a
bridge across Aquia Creek.
Nov. 22. Marching orders. Countermanded.
Nov. 23. Reveille before daj-light ; "general" at 7.30 a.m.
Stacked arms, and waited for Ta3-lor's brigade to pass,
then marched seven miles to Brooks's Station. After get
ting into camp, Taylor's brigade marched bj-. They had
got on the wrong road. (A characteristic of Burnside's
administration.) At sunset a batteiy flred a salute iu
honor of Gen. Burnside. No rations. This was the
normal condition during the stay here. The camp was
christened — very truly — " Starvation Hill."
Nov. 27. Thanksgiving Day. Cold and hungry.
Nov. 28. Battalion drill.
Dec. 3. Marching orders received and countermanded. Dress-
parade for the flrst time since Julj- 10. One hundred and
fiftj- thousand troops said to be camped in the vicinity.
Dec. 5. Snow. Marching orders received and countermanded.
Dec. 6. Intensely cold. Many cases of frost-bite. Absolutely
nothing to eat, as usual, and very little to wear.
Deo. 9. Reveille at flve a.m. Marched at seven a.m. Camped
at one p.m., having marched without a halt.
Dec. 10. Marched at one p.m. After an hour's journej-, passed
the memorable spot where — under McDowell — we shed
company-tents and regimental wagons. Bivouacked at
night within three miles of Belle Plain.
Dec. 11. Marched at 3.30 a.m., reaching the Rappahannock at
seven a.m. Fredericksburg was being vigorously shelled,
and the Confederate lines of battle were plainly visible.
The Twelfth, with the rest of FrankUn's left grand divis-

80 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1862. ion, waited for the bridges. The engineers lost ninety
men while laying a bridge of nineteen boats. Orders to
cross were countermanded, and the Twelfth bivouacked on
the north bank of the river.
Dec. 12. Crossed early in the morning, the Twelfth leading its
brigade. Formed line of battle on the south side of river.
The Confederates flred a few harmless shots, and the
troops rested on their arms for the night. The weather
was cold, the fog seemed to pierce one's very bones, flres
and smoking were strictly forbidden : that dreary night
will not be forgotten by those who laj- shivering in the
darkness, gloomily watching the bright bonfires of the
Confederate pickets.
Dec. 13. A dense fog. At nine a.m. the First Corps moved its
left division. At eleven a.m. the fog lifted ; and Gibbon's
division, crossing the Bowling-Green road, entered the
cornfield. At one p.m. the brigade relieved Gen. Taylor.
In advancing, the Twelfth got separated from the rest of
the brigade. The regiment advanced alone tiU it had ex»
pended all its ammunition, and was just rejoining its
brigade when Gen. Taylor called for a charge. Over the
railroad, through the ditch, into the woods, rushed the
Twelfth, capturing two hundred prisoners. No supports
coming, the regiment fell back slowlj- and in good order.
On reaching the rear, rations and ammunition were issued.
The Twelfth had been six hours under fire, but its greatest
loss was during the last two hours. Two hundred and
fifty-eight men went into action. The casualty list
was, —
Killed ....
WoundedMissing .... 105
Dec. 13. Rested in line of battle during the night.
Deo. 14. -^* three a.m. brigade marched to support Doubleday on
the left. At night recrossed the river.
Dec. 15. One hundred and flfty of the brigade crossed under fiag
of truce to bury dead and assist wounded. The reb and

OFFICERS.

ENLISTED MEN.

TOTA

4

10

14

19

69

88

1

2

3

FREDERICKSBURG. 81
18 62. Union burial-parties chatted freely, and traded the usual
""' ^^' staples of life. Both sides agreed that they were heartily
sick of it, and wished " this cruel war " was over.
Gen. Meade's official report mentions an officer of the
Twelfth: —
" I despatched my aide-de-camp, Lieut. Dehon, with orders
for Gen Jackson to move by the right flank till he could clear
the open ground, and then, ascending the height through the
woods, sweep round to the left and take the battery. Unfortu
nately Lieut. Dehon fell just as he reached Gen. Jackson; and,
a short time after, the latter officer was killed . . . The loss of
Lieut. Arthur Dehon, Twelfth Regiment, my aide, is greatly to
be deplored; as he was a young man of high promise, endeared
to all that knew him for his manly virtues and amiable char
acter "
Another member of the regiment is embalmed in a dif
ferent fashion in the following tale : —
" Just at dusk on Friday, Dec. 12, 1862, our chaplain came up
to the fire around which were gathered our colonel. Col. C 
of tlie Eleventh Pennsylvania, our lieutenant-colonel, and several
other officers, including the sutler.
" Saluting the colonel very respectfully and awkwardly, he
said, —
" ' Colonel, I would like, with your permission, to go over to
the farmhouse yonder, and get some supper. I have taken
possession of some corn for my horse, and now would like to
look out a little for myself. '
" ' But, Mr. W  ,' said the colonel, ' don't you know that
the house is within the rebel picket-lines, and they have a battel y
and a picket on this side of ifi" '
" ' Yes : but, colonel, I'm pretty hungry; and you don't think
they would harm a chaplain, do you? '
" The lieutenant-colonel now broke in with, —
" ' Let him go, colonel : they won't keep him long. Let me
see: it's Friday to-day; let him preach them one sermon Sunday,
they'll be glad enough to send him back Monday morning.'
" The chaplain did not go."
Members of the regiment will recognize the photo
graphic accuracy of the above.
Col. Bates, under date of Dec. 16, 1862, writes to Gen.
Schouler the following : —

82 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
18 6 2. "I have the honor to report the particulars of the battle of
Dec. 15. Fredericksburg, fought on the 13th inst., so far as the Twelfth
was concerned.
" Our position at the right of the line was taken at nine
o'clock A.M. : the enemy was hidden from sight by a thick wood.
We remained lying down until one o'clock p.m., under a brisk
fire of shot and shell, the skirmishers being hotly engaged, the
balls of the enemy passing over us. During those four hours
we had but one man of the Twelfth injured. At one- o'clock
the signal to advance was given to the whole division. Imme
diately the advance began, when a heavy firing of musketry
broke from the whole line of woods in our front. Gen. Taylor's
brigade stood the fire some thirty minutes, when ours was
ordered to relieve them. As we advanced, our regiment got
separated from the brigade by the retiring regiments of the
Third, and continued to advance independently, taking a posi
tion, and firing until our ammunition began to fail. Our bri
gade had fallen to the rear, and we were alone until the third
line came forward : our solid ranks broke the right of this line,
which opened to the right and left, to get to the front, where it
was quickly formed. We followed the regiment, Sixteenth
Maine, now in our front, a short distance, and, being out of
ammunition, were about to join our brigade in the rear when
Col Root came to me, saying, ' Don't retire.' I told him our
condition. ' Never mind,' said he, ' I am going to make a
charge.' I at once gave the command to fix bayonets and file
to the right of this brigade, and charged with them into the
woods. About two hundred of the enemy rushed through our
lines without arms, and gave themselves up as prisoners of war.
"We carried our position, and remained waiting some time for a
support. It did not come ; none was insight; a fatal fire was
still kept up by an unseen foe, and our men were constantly
falling. Capts. Ripley, Reed, Packard, and Clark were already
wounded, and a hundred of our men had fallen; and we were
compelled reluctantly to abandon our position. I consulted
with the officers, and they decided it was useless to remain; and
the order was given to ' about face.' We marched back slowly
and reluctantly, in good order, bearing our tattered banners
with us safely. As we emerged from the woods. Gen. Taylor
rode up to me, saying, ' Colonel, I am now in command of the
division ' (Gen. Gibbon having been wounded) . ' Keep your
position : there is your support,' at the same time pointing to a
force just emerging from the woods on our left. This force I had
before observed, and informed the general that it was a force of

FREDERICKSBURG. 83
186 2. the enemy. He looked again, and it proved to be the advance
Deo. 16. of a portion of the enemy. We were then ordered to the line
occupied in the morning to await orders. As we retired, we
took with us our wounded officers. After reaching our position,
we were supplied with ammunition and rations. We remained
under arms during the night, and early on the morning of the
14th were ordered to a new position, where we remained until
the night of the 15th, when we recrossed the river with the
corps. The Twelfth was under fire six hours. Our loss was
made, with the exception of one man, during the last two hours
of the six. During that time we lost one hundred and five out
of two hundred and fifty-eight which we took into the fight.
And now permit me to bear testimony to the gallantry of both
officers and men. Every order was obeyed promptly; and not a
man fell from the ranks except the killed and wounded, and a
few who were detailed to care for the wounded. Not once did
the regiment falter. As soon as one man fell from the ranks
they were closed again, and officers and men were enthusiastic.
Lieut.-Col. Allen was ubiquitous; Capt. Ripley was firm as
adamant; Capts. Handy, Cook, Hastings, Reed, Packard, and
Clark were all active and faithful in the discharge of their
duties. But it is hard to particularize where all discharged their
duties so faithfully. Our State flag, which is riddled and torn
to shreds, I propose sending to you, to be preserved as a sacred
relic, should you approve of my doing so. It can be carried
no longer except it be furled. ' ' ^
"The Boston Herald" of Dec. 16, 1862, says,—
" It was a grand sight to see the old and tried Twelfth Regi
ment, when ordered to the front, nearly in the centre of the lelt
wing, led on by one of the bravest of men — Col. Bates — and
his entire corps of under officers, in command of the bravest
boys that ever took the field, march with steady steps and rapid
firing to the thicket. They charged into the woods in face and
eyes of a perfect shower of leaden hail frora the rebels con
cealed in the trenches and brush. The brave boys never
fiinched, but fought until their ammunition was exhausted. On
this occasion the Twelfth Regiment secured to themselves im
mortal honors in the manner in whioh they fought and fell."
1 This flag, together with the United-States flag which the regiment had
carried up to this time, were sent to -Washington, and, while there awaiting
transportation to Massachusetts, were burned in a fire in the navy-department
building.

84 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1862. In "Campaigns ofthe CivU War," vol. v. p. 158,
Gen. F. W. Palfrey, speaking of Gen. Franklin's move
ments on Dec. 13, says, —
"It is not quite clear why Gibbon, on the right of Meade,
did not accomplish more. The wood was so dense the connec
tion between his line and Meade's could not be, or was not,
kept up. At least, that reason is assigned by Franklin. But
Gibbon himself says, that the left of his leading brigade was
thrown into confusion by the fire of the enemy posted behind
the railroad embankment, and that all, except the Twelfth Mas
sachusetts, of the brigade then ordered up in support, and posted
on the left, " soon fell into confusion, and most of it retired in
disorder." After all of Lyle's brigade, and all of Taylor's ex
cept the Ninety-seventh New York and Eighty-eighth Pennsyl
vania, had given w,i.y. Root's brigade was ordered up.
"The Twelfth Massachusetts and some remnants joined it;
and the force advanced gaUantly, and took the embankment and
some prisoners."
An extract from a letter written by one of the regiment
about Nov. 27 gives a correct idea of its condition during
the winter campaign of 1862 : —
" We have not food enough to keep a bird alive: for forty-
eight hours not a man in our mess has had a morsel, and I am
confident that this is the state all through the division. Our cloth
ing, too — some of the boys are not half clad, and our regiment
is not an exception. While at Sharpsburg ten requisitions for
clothing were sent to Washington ; and, after the tenth demand,
some coats and pants were sent to us: but the men in the regi
ment to-day with suitable clothing are more easily counted
than those without. There are very many men in the Twelfth
who have not had a shirt on their backs for over six months; as
many more are without shoes, and in this season of the year
our boys are suffering greatly."
Why thus? is a very natural query. It seems that,
when Burnside left Warrenton for Fredericksburg, Halleck
agreed to deliver the pontoons at Falmouth simultane
ously with the arrival of the army there. The movement
was to be in the nature of a surprise to Lee, who was in
the vicinity of Culpeper. Burnside marched his army,
Halleck returned to Washington, and — failed to send the
bridges. The result was, that when Burnside's heads of

FREDERICKSBURG. 85
186 2. columns appeared in front of Fredericksburg, the pon
toons were where McClellan had left them, at BerHn.
And, whUe the unlucky Burnside was seizing every thing
that went on wheels to haul his bridge-train, his unlucky
army was quietly starving, and had the keen pleasure of
daily beholding Lee building the trap into which they
walked on the 13th of December.
Up to Dec. 11, 1862, the fault was not Burnside's. He
was the victim of untoward circumstances. But for the
movement across the river he is alone responsible. So
tremendous were Lee's preparations that even the bold
spirit of Hooker recoiled, and on that December afternoon
bitterlj- protested against the slaughter.
The difference between Burnside at Antietam and Burn
side at Fredericksburg is so great as to be incompre
hensible. There were not wanting those who whispered
that the Union commander had been pouring spirits down
in hopes of raising his own ; but this is an unsettled
point, and Burnside is surely entitled to the benefit of the
doubt. Lee never gained a cheaper victory.
Dec. 16. In a bitter rain-storm the regiment marched four miles,
passing the Thirtj--fifth Massachusetts, and camping in a
wood near Falmouth. Lee's batteries were busj' all night.
Dec. 19. Reveille at six a.m. At nine marched without halting
to Belle Plain, where we found orders sending us to King
George's Court House, twenty-four miles awaj-. Started
immediately, halting once, and camped at night in a thick
wood nine miles from the Court House.
Dec. 20. Reached the Court House at sunset. During the day
our pickets brought in a reb so overcome by the intense
cold that he could neither walk nor speak.
Dec. 21. Snow-storm at night.
Deo. 22. Marched at sunrise. Camped one mile from Belle
Plain, and began to build winter quarters. The regi
mental outflt consisted of two axes, three hatchets, and
one hammer ; but by New- Year's Day the huts were
flnished, aud the regiment in its winter quarters. Officially
known as " Camp near Belle Plain," it is doubtless more
familiar to the men of the regiment b}- the title of " Smoky-
Hollow." A brook ran through the camp.

ob THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
18 63. Dawned bright and cold, and with it came news of the
Emancipation Proclamation. Many were opposed to
this ; but, ere the war closed, opinions were changed.
Jan. 3. Dress-parade ; the colonel standing in solemn state
on — " The rude bridge which spanned the flood,"
and adding to his list of sobriquets that of ' ' Napoleon on
the Bridge of Lodi."
Jan. 12. Battalion drill : in the afternoon the division was re
viewed by its new commander, Major-Gen. John C. Rob
inson of Binghamton, N.Y.
Jan. 16. Changeable weather ; frequent light falls of rain.
Jan. 17. Orders to be ready to move at any moment.
Jan. 20. Broke camp at eleven a.m. Marched in direction of
Banks's Ford. Late at night, amid a furious rain-storm,
bivouacked in a ploughed fleld four miles above the Ford.
Jan. 21. At daylight every thing one sea of mud. An order
from Burnside was read to the troops, running something
thus : —
" We are now going to cross the Rappahannock and give the
enemy battle. Now is the time to strike a blow at the heart of
the rebeUion; and, men, make the blow decisive."
The regimental response was a grim shout of, " Plaj'ed
out!" "Played out!"
At eight A.M. marched four- miles, and camped in a
wood two miles from the river.
Jan. 22. Burnside discovered that his army was ' ' stuck in the
mud." (We had known that for twenty-four hours.)
Orders were issued for the men to return to their old
camps. Then began the episode known to histoiy as
" Burnside's Mud March." (At the time it was styled
"Burnside's Virginia Reel.") The surface ofthe country
was a vast level plain of mud, with an occasional hill- top
peering out ; rain was steadily falling ; a dismounted
cavaliyman, as he floundered by, averred that " the whole
bottom had fallen out of the blessed countiy." It has
often been described : it is useless to try to add anj^ thing
to the picture, for the wildest narrative would fail to do

FREDERICKSBURG. 87
186 3. full justice tothe subject. A rumor obtained fuU cre
dence at the time that an entire w.igon-train had suddenly
disappeared, the only survivor being a disconsolate quar
termaster, who saved himself by clinging to the topmost
branches of a large tree. Through all this, in squads of
twos and threes, Burnside's unfortunate army splashed,
swam, and floundered in the endeavor to regain its old
camping-grounds. The rebs on the south bank of the river kindly volun
teered all manner of verbal assistance ; and in one place
they scrawled on boards the too true tale, "Burnside's
army stuck in the mud," and exposed it where it could
be plainly read from the opposite side of the river. Pro
fuse in offers to aid in laying our pontoons, they jeered
and laughed at the unhappy predicament of the Union
arm}-, which — without an ounce of drj' powder — had to
" grin and bear " all these buffets of evil fortune.
Jan. 23. At nightfall neai'ly all the regiment was coUected at
Smoky Hollow, where, luckilj-, it found its huts still
standing.
Jan. 24. Was spent in repairing damages and cleaning up.
Jan. 25. Burnside — at his own request — was relieved from com
mand. His last official utterance was a demand for a
sweeping dismissal of many of the principal officers under
him ; being refused this, he tendered his own resigna
tion, which — not accepted — led to his final action of
requesting to be relieved from command.
A certain ros3r-faced and daring officer, who had won
on the Peninsula the title of "Fighting Joe," — who
had gained much glory at South Mountain and Antietam,
and who had been very outspoken in scathing denuncia
tion of men and methods, — was designated as the succes
sor of Burnside ; and to his charge were committed the
wear}-, half-clothed, half-fed multitudes that composed the
Army of the Potomac.
Half- fed and half-clothed? Yes. The men were suffer
ing fearfuUj'- for lack of proper clothing and sufficient
food. But it is difficult to place the blame for this state
of things where it belongs.
It was impossible for our quartermaster to obtain cloth-

88 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 3. ing, although he made frequent requisitions for it. March-
Jan. 25. ing-rations onlj- were allowed, and, being ordered issued
for several daj-s, would frequently' be ruined by rain and
dampness before others were due. Frequent changes of
bases of supplies, and limited transportation, added much
to these troubles. Cold weather and hard work gave the
men keen appetites ; and three, five, and eight days of in
sufficient rations frequently disappeared from this cause
much sooner than intended.

CHANCELLORSVILLE. 89

CHAPTER VII.
UNDER HOOKER, —0HANCELL0BSTII.LE. Executive Mansion,
Washinoton, D.C, Jan., 26, 1863.
186 3. Major-Gen. Hooker.
General, — I have placed you at the head of the Army of the
Potomac. Of course I have done this upon what appears to me
to be sufficient reasons, and yet I think it best for you to know
that there are some things in regard to which I am not quite
satisfied with you. I believe you to be a brave and skilful sol
dier, which of course I like. I also believe you do not mix
politics with your profession, in which you are right. You
have confidence in yourself, which is a valuable, if not an in
dispensable, quality. You are ambitious, which, within reason
able bounds, does good rather than harm; but I think, that,
during Gen. Burnside's command of the army, you have taken
counsel of your ambition, and thwarted him as much as you
could, in which you did a great wrong to the country and to a
most meritorious and honorable brother officer. I have heard,
in such a way as to believe it, of your recently saying that both
the army and the government needed a dictator. Of course it
was not for this, but in spite of it, that I have given you the
command. Only those generals who gain successes can set up
dictators. What I now ask of you is military success, and I
will risk the dictatorship. The government will support you to
the utmost of its ability, which is neither more- nor less than it
has done and will do for all commanders. I much fear that the
spirit which you have aided to infuse into the army, of criticis
ing their commander and withholding confidence from him,
wUl now turn upon you. I shall assist you as far as I can to
put it down. Neither you, nor Napoleon if he were alive
again, could get any good out of an army while such a spirit
prevails in it. And now beware of rashness. Beware of rash
ness, but with energy and sleepless vigilance go forward and
give us victories. Yours very truly, A. Lincoln.

90 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1863. With this letter in his pocket Hooker assumed the com
mand, and straightway order began to come out of what
had been chaos. The old unwieldy system of grand divis
ions was promptly abolished, and the army divided into
corps ; the Twelfth now being in the second brigade,
second division. First Corps, its badge the familiar white
circle. As speedih' as was possible the men were clothed,
and the commissary was sharply looked after.
" Smoky Hollow," the camp of the Twelfth, was near
Fletcher's Chapel, " an unpretending frame-building,
thirtj' feet long and forty feet wide. The disproportion
in its width was owing to an addition to one side of the
main edifice ; an afterthought, we were told, for the ac
commodation of the colored people, as the church was
without the gallery usually appropriated to their use." ^
" Everjr man weighing not more than one hundred and
forty-five pounds, during the four months of our stay at
Fletcher-Chapel camp, consumed nearly three times his
weight in coffee and sugar, bread, meat, onions, and po
tatoes." °
Desertion, which under the Burnside rule had been
alarmingly frequent, was promptly checked. A system
of ten-day furloughs was instituted, drills and inspections
kept the men busy : in a little while they looked on the
past as a hideous dream, and turned hopefully to the
future. Among other new features introduced were the brigade
bakeries, which issued fresh bread daily to the troops.
Though some growled at first, averring that the bread was
" not half kneaded," the general view was, that it was a
needed luxury ; and the faint growl of discontent speedily
stilled.
Jan. 26. Paymaster arrived. One gill of whiskey issued to each
man.
Feb. 8. Fifteen men from Thirteenth Massachusetts, ten from
Sixteenth Maine, and ten from Twelfth Massachusetts,
detailed as provost at division headquarters. The system
of furloughs began.
Feb. 9. Detachment out building a bridge. In the afternoon
Gen. Hooker visited the regiment.
1 story ofthe Regiment, p. 171. a Ibid., p. 188.

CHANCELLORS VILLE. 9 1
18 63. Adjutant HavUand (captured at Second Bull Run) re-
Feb.lO. . 1 . ^, . .,
turned to the regiment.
Feb. 12. One hundred and forty-six men caUed for picket, the
regiment only had ninety-three for duty : these, therefore,
had a fort3--eight hours' tour of picket duty.
Feb. 14. Bakeries flnished, and from this date soft bread was
issued daily. Rained and snowed steadily till Feb. 19,
Feb. 19. -vyi^en a picket detail took every man in the regiment,
camp-guard, "pioneers and aU."
Money scarce ; sutler's prices high. PEB LB.
Butter . .  80
Cheese  .40
Tea  P.OO
And the goods were of decidedly poor quality, even when
measured by the sutler's gauge.
Feb. 22. Washington's birthday ; batteries fired a national salute.
Mar. 1. High wind and driving rain.
Mar. 2. Rcccived a new stand of colors from Boston. All sorts
of weather during the night, ending in frost, which made
it bad for the barefooted men, of whom there were several.
Mar. 10. A horse and equipments presented to Major-Gen. Rey
nolds.
Mar. 11. Ordered to retain all bags for use as gabions.
Early in afternoon Col. Bates returned from furlough.
Had called on Gov. Andrew, who promised to try and get
the Twelfth ordered home to recruit ; "it being the small
est Massachusetts regiment in the field, its highest aggre
gate falling short of three hundred men for duty."
In a regimental order of this date is the following : —
" The colonel commanding will make the effort to take the
regiment to Massachusetts for the purpose of recruiting: should
he succeed, he hopes the little band of braves remaining will
please their friends at home as much by their gallant and
soldierlike bearing as they have by their unflinching courage in
the field. If he fails in his attempt, he still would have the
Twelfth as marked as it ever has beeu in all that makes the
true soldier and patriot.
" James L. Bates,
" Col. Commanding."

92 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1863. Severe snow-storm. Division review in afternoon.
Mar! 20. Corps rcvicw. Stormy weather for a week.
Mar. 26. Orders received reducing baggage. Wall-tents to be
substituted by shelters, pack-mules instead of wagons,
two mules to carry line-officers' baggage, staff to carry
their own. A rumor was abroad that Hooker had signed
the papers returning the regiment to Massachusetts.
Mar. 27. The pickets brought in one hundred reb deserters. The
pack-mules arrived.
Mar. 28. The entire regiment on picket. Furloughs stopped.
April 2. Adjutant Haviland having been honorablj' discharged,
Lieut. Charles C. Wehrum was appointed adjutant. The
regret felt at parting with Adjutant Haviland was some
what relieved by the knowledge that he had a worthy and
able successor.
At ten A.M. Gen. Hooker reviewed the corps.
April 4. A detachment of signal-corps arrived at headquarters.
April 5. Col. Bates received a letter from Gov. Andrew, saying
that he "had no power to remove a regiment from the
field, but had made application to the Secretary of War,
whose decision would be final."
April 6. President Lincoln and wife visited camp.
April 15. Marching orders were postponed because of bad roads.
April 16. At three a.m. received marching orders.
April 17. Orders to move were countermanded. Notice was given,
that hereafter troops would be required to carry eight
days' rations.
April 21. Gen. Henrj- Baxter of Michigan — who won his star at
Fredericksburg — commands the brigade.
April 23. Notified to be ready to move.
April 28. Struck tcnts at twelve m. At one p.m. marched. After
eight miles journey in a drenching rain, overtook the Sixth
Corps, and camped.
April 29. At five A.M. a heavy fog. Hooker's famous order,
" Let your watchword be flght ! fight! fight ! " was read
to the men. Marched to Pollock's Mills. Heavy artil
lery firing heard all daj^
April 30. Found the regiment lying in support on the fiats below
Falmouth, and vigorously shelled by the enemy. The
division suffered considerably, one shell inflicting a serious

CHANCELLORSVILLE. 93
1863. loss in the Thirteenth Massachusetts. The Twelfth es
caped with but one casualty, — Thomas B. Critchet of
Company I losing a leg.
Just as the reb batteries opened on the division, the
commissary was issuing rations. The stampede among
the teamsters can easily be imagined. They fled incon
tinent, abandoning every thing, probablj' " for lack of
sufficient transportation." After the division was with
drawn to the shelter of a ditch, a rumor that a barrel of
whiskej^ was among the abandoned stores induced many
exploring parties to defy the rebel batteries, and diligently
search for the treasure. If found, it was never heard
from. When retreating to the shelter of the ditch, Garrett
Harnett of Company I brought off the colors of the One
Hundred and Fourth New York, which had been left on
the ground by that regiment.
May 2. At midnight reached the right of the line, twelve miles
above Fredericksburg, and deployed as skirmishers through
the woods.
Mays. Found the regiment in rear of the reb line of battle,
where it captured one hundred and one prisoners and two
commissioned officers, to say nothing of a picket-line
which was induced to accept our hospitalities. Skir
mished all day. Relieved by the One Hundred and Thirty-
sixth Pennsj'lvania at nightfall, the regiment fell back
into some strong breastworks. During the night two
false alarms. During this day Col. Bates, while out re
connoitring, stumbled on two reb soldiers who were wash
ing in a brook. So stern and confident was the colonel's
manner, that he actually arrested them for straggling, and
brought his captives safely to our skirmish-line.
May 4. Hall's batteiy, the Twelfth arid Thirteenth Massachu
setts, accompanied bj- Gen. Robinson, made a reconnois
sance to near Ely's Ford. Finding the enemy in force,
and being under orders not to bring on an engagement,
the party retraced its steps ; the Thirteenth losing some
men by the enemy's flre.
May 6. Recrossed the Rappahannock, and camped at White-
Oak Chapel.

94 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 3. Chancellorsville was over: the regiment's loss was
Mav 6. slight, yet its duty had been wearisome and trj-ing. From
April 28 to May 8 it had marched over one hundred miles
with less than forty-eight hours' sleep.
Chancellorsville is one of the debatable battles of the
Rebellion : it ought to have been a Union victory ; it can
hardly be styled a Federal defeat.
Hooker's initial steps have ever received unlimited
praise ; for he not only crossed the river, but obtained a
strong foothold with very trifling loss to himself. He did
what was rarely done during the war, — outgeneraUed
Lee. Then the tide turned, and the Union armj' began to
meet mishaps.
Gen. A. B. Underwood, in his "Histoiy of Thirty-third
Massachusetts," has made an exhaustive analysis of the
battle : it is not proposed to repeat the operation in this
history ; but, roughly outlined, the facts seem to be
these : —
1. Hooker's scheme to feint with his left and strike
with his right succeeded admirably.
2. It compelled Lee to adopt a measure opposed to aU
military law ; i.e., divide his forces in front of an enemj'.
3. The disaster on the right on Saturday evening was
not the fault entirely of the Eleventh Corps. Repeated
warning had been given. Hooker had been notified, Jack
son's flanking march was plainly visible from the Union
Unes, yet the Eleventh Corps were caught with stacked
arms while cooking their suppers.
4. The fault is hardly Hooker's ; for at 9.30 that morn
ing he personally inspected the right, and warned Howard
that it was not strong enough. Howard did not even
have a skirmish-line out to protect his front.
5. Sickles contrived to get the centre of the line some
two miles out to the front in a wild-goose chase after
Jackson's wagon-train, thereby isolating the Eleventh
Corps, and depriving it of proper support. Not content
with this, he actuallj' borrowed a brigade (Barlow's) from
the Eleventh Corps to assist in his quixotic enterprise.
6. After Jackson's attack, the general position of the
Union army was that of a wedge ; the point being in Lee's

CHANCELLORSVILLE. 95
186 3. centre, thus di-viding his army, and still giving the chances
of success to Hooker.
7. The troops which had been operating on the left,
below Fredericksburg, were ordered to march instanter
via the Plank Road to Chancellorsville, thus putting the
Sixth Corps squarely in rear of Lee's right wing.
8. Sedgwick moved veiy cautiously, was deceived as
to the numbers in his front, and — was behind time.
9. At this, the critical period. Hooker received a severe
injury ; and lack of concerted action on the part of the
Union generals gave Lee his opportunity, which he was
not slow to seize. Leisurely crushing Sedgwick, he con
nected his two wings, — heretofore separated, — and then
turned his whole army on Hooker.
10. Yet Lee offered no serious resistance to Hooker's
retreat across the river.
The question of numbers engaged is often spoken of.
Hooker's army was to Lee's as three is to two ; and
¦Hooker's own declaration that he commanded " the finest
army on the planet " is frequently put in evidence against
him. It was a fine, if not "the finest," army. Had it not
been such, it would never have survived the incompetent
hands which at times had guided it. But it should be re
membered, that the term of service of many of the troops
was expiring ; and many will recall the great difficulty ex
perienced in keeping some of the nine-months' and two-
years' regiments up to their agreement.
However, Chancellorsville gave the rebs a new soubri
quet for Hooker. Henceforth they knew him as "Fallen
Joe."
May 8. Camped in woods one mile from river and four miles
below Fredericksburg.
May 9. Fine spring weather.
May 26. News of Capture of Vicksburg.
May 27. MarcMng orders received and — countermanded. Then
came the stereotyped warning, ' ' Be ready to move at a
moment's notice."
May 28. The balloou went up from the regimental camp.
May 30. Corps revicw.

96

THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.

1863. " Toward the latter part of May the camp was astir at mid
night by a report that the enemy was crossing the river in large
force. Wagons were packed and moved out to the road, and
the troops got in readiness to form in line at a moment's notice.
But it turned out to be a false alarm, thus accounted for by one
from the south side : ' Night before last, a party of Mississippi
ans undertook to draw a seine in the river near Knox's MiU.
The Yankees concluded that the Rappahannock was being
crossed by the Confederate army, and at once the heavens were
illuminated with their rockets. The picket-lines were doubled,
and the whole camp gave every indication of fearful appre
hension. Fallen Joe, however, was permitted to pass the night
unmolested.' " ^
June 4. Orders to move received. When everj^ thing was aU
nicely packed, the countermand was received.
June 5. The Sixth Corps passed camp in the afternoon.
June 6. Marching orders came at two a.m., but afternoon found
the regiment still in camp. During the afternoon a divis
ion of the Sixth Corps was seen crossing the river. At
four P.M. a heavy thunder-shower.
June 7. Two regiments left the brigade on a secret errand.
Heavy firing heard nearly all day. Cold night.
June 8. Still heavy firing on right. In the afternoon every man
in the regiment was sent on picket. During the past
thirty-six hours there have been three thunder-storms.
June 9. At night there was a grand serenade to headquarters.
June 10. Reveille at flve a.m. For two hours the reb batteries
amused themselves by flring over the regimental camp.
At night the pickets brought in two colored men and
three rebs.
June 11. At four A.M. the following order was received : —

June 12.

" All men that are not attached to regiments, all extra bag
gage, and all wagons, are to be taken to the rear. The troops
are to hold themselves in readiness to move at a moment's
notice." The nine-months' regiments departing so reduced the
First Corps as to make it the smallest in the army.
A deserter from the Nineteenth Indiana was shot at
noon. At three p.m. the regiment marched in direction
'¦ story ofthe Eegiment, p. 210.

CHANCELLORSVILLE- 97
186 3. of Warrenton. Travelled twenty-flve miles in fifteen
hours, and camped at Rappahannock Station.
June 14. Marched at flve a.m.
June 15. Reached Manassas at two a.m. , having tramped twenty-
four miles. Gen. Reynolds is in command of the right
wing, consisting of First, Third, and Eleventh Corps, with
Buford's cavalry and some batteries. Early in the morn
ing a deserter from some regiment was shot. The sad
duty fell to twelve men of Company E. Nine balls took
effect in the poor fellow's body. Marched at six a.m.,
reaching Centreville at two p.m., where division line of
battle was formed. The First Corps was rear-guard, and
the rebs could be plainly seen on the mountains in the
distance. Since June 12 the regiment has marched
seventy miles.
June 17. Reveille at one A.M. ; marched at four a.m. Very hot,
100^°. Made a short halt at Guilford's Station, then on
for eight miles, camping at Leesburg after a fourteen-
miles' journey.
" On the march from Centreville to Guilford's Station two
clerks belonging to the brigade commissary fell into the hands
of Mosby." 1
The head of Reynolds's column entered Leesburg as
Mosby was leaving. Heavy firing heard to the right.
Guerillas were thick as blackberries. During this day's
tramp a woman marched in the ranks, carrying the accou
trements of an exhausted soldier.
June 18. -^^ ^'^^ ^-^i- struck tents. After waiting and baking in
the hot sun till one p.m., tents were pitched again. We
had a citizen prisoner with us this day, to cheer us with
his conversation. Rank secesh, probably a guerilla.
During the afternoon Major Handy left camp for Gen.
Hooker's headquarters. Soon afterwards a man from
some regiment brought in the tale that the major had been
captured by guerillas, with two officers of another regi
ment.
June 19. Struck tents at noon ; marched at four p.m. Travelled
three miles, aud reached Guilford Station. The signal
corps marched with the regiment. At Guilford Station
> story of the Eegiment, p. 217.

98 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 3. Major Handy appeared, being very unconscious that he
was a captive in the hands of the "chivalry" (?).
Rained all night. After turning in, were ordered to
march to Goose Creek. Packed up and waited an hour,
when the countermand came, finding every one wet and
ill-tempered.
June 20. At two A.M. the signal-corps sent up two rockets to
open communication with the Eleventh Corps. No re
sponse came. In the morning, however, the Eleventh
Corps arrived. A bushwhacker was found prowling around
the camp and promptlj' arrested.
June 21. Still raining. News of a cavalry fight near Aldie. A
guide, and a member of the Thirteenth Massachusetts,
were caught hy Mosby.
June 22. Drcw clothing, the first time since — no man can recall
when. During the morning Gen. Reynolds with two of
his staff narrowly escaped capture by guerillas under
Mosbj' himself, while stopping at a house very near to
camp.
June 23. Four of Company H were detailed to guard the mail-
wagon to Fairfax.
June 25. Marchcd at nine a.m.; crossed the Potomac on pon
toons at Edward's Ferry, the First Corps being the flrst
to enter Marj-land. Marched ten miles in a rain-storm,
camping at Poolesville.
June 26. Marched at four a.m. via Barnesville, Greenfield, and
Adamstown. The regiment is two years old to-day.
June 27. Marched at six a.m. ; crossed Blue Ridge, and camped
at Middleton. Gen. Hooker, at his own request, was re
lieved from command.
During the two j'cars of its service the regiment marched
1,476 miles.
Gen. Hooker, in his testimony before the Committee on
Conduct of the War, declared, that, had Halleck been in
the rebel interest, he could not have done more damage
to the Union cause. And the inner history of this por
tion of the war period does show a tremendous amount
of quarrelling between Hooker and Halleck.
In many respects Hooker was the best army commander
the regiment had seen up to this time : in one very essen-

CHANCELLORSVILLE. 99
186 3. tial item he won the hearts of the men, for he fed them.
And, if the army was in bad trim when McClellan took it
from Pope, it was in worse plight when Hooker received
it from Burnside.
Hooker's handling of the armji- while in command of it
has been matter of profound studj-. His Chancellorsville
campaign is something remarkable for its brUIiant opening
and futile ending. But his march from the Rappahannock
to the Potomac is as fine a piece of grand tactics as the
war histor}- shows. Ignoring all Lee's feints and demon
strations, he steadilj' swung his army on the arc of a circle,
ever keeping between Lee and the capital. It is matter
of record that Lee did not know Hooker had crossed the
Potomac until some daj-s after : it is also of record that
Hooker could locate Lee at every moment of his march.
Certainlj', to be able to accomplish this is proof of good
generalship. When reUeved, Hooker was marching di
rect on Lee's communications. And it was that march
which brought on the battle of Gettysburg. Hooker had
faults ; but he had manj"^ virtues, not the least of which
was, he never said " Go," but alwaj-s " Come." And an
officer whose characteristic is this can work wonders with
his men.
The corps sj-stem, with its distinguishing badge-marks,
though suggested by Kearnej' at Fair Oaks, was a legacy
of Hooker, which endured while the Potomac army lasted.
And though the pack-mule idea was found to be imprac
ticable (it giving seventy thousand rounds of ammu
nition to Stonewall Jackson at Chancellorsville) , yet the
making the troops carry eight-days' rations was a legacy
of Hooker, adopted by all after-commanders.

100 THH WEBSTER REGIMENT.

CHAPTER VIII.
UNDER MEADE. — GETTT3BUR&.
1863. i i-fTER a march of twenty-three miles, the regiment
¦^ camped at night a little nortli of Emmettsburg, Md.
June 30. Moved two miles farther north, and rested for the day.
Juiyi. Struck tents at four a.m., and, after a march of a few
miles, reached Gettysburg, Penn., where the regiment
halted in front of the Theological Seminary, about one
and a half miles west of Gettysburg.
It then moved by the flank to the north, keeping behind
the ridge, and formed line along the Mummasburg Road,
facing to the north-west.
" At this time no enemy was visible in our immediate front,
except a line of skirmishers, whose position behind a stone wall
gave them an opportunity to annoy us considerably. They
were handsomely dislodged by Company K, Capt. Hazel, who,
deploying his company, moved forward at a double-quick, and
drove them at the point of the bayonet." ^
" The enemy making a demonstration on our left flank, the
brigade rapidly changed front forward on its left, occupied
the crest of the hill; and, each regiment opening fire as soon as
in position, the whole line was soon engaged."^
t In our front, coming through the wheatflelds, we counted
three lines of battle ; and away off in the distance we could
plainlj' see heavy re-enforcements approaching. The war-
office maps locate the regiment between the Eighty-eighth
and Ninetieth Pennsylvania. The colonel of the Twelfth
reports his regiment as between the Ninetieth Pennsyl
vania and Eighty-third New York. "
" A second change of front by tho regiment enabled it to de
liver a destructive enfllading flre into the advancing lines of the
> Adjutant-Qen.Eep. MaBB.,1863, p. 603. ' Vaii. » Ibid.

GETTYSBURG. 101
18 63. enemy at short range, while the troops on its left received them
July 1. -yfith a steady and rapid fire in front. This soon brought the
enemy to show the white flag," ^ —
and resulted in the capture of what was left of Iverson 's
North-Carolina brigade.
" The enemy was now observed bringing up heavy re-enforce
ments against our front, and advancing a brigade against our
right, making another change of front necessary. . . . This
was quickly and handsomely done by the two right regiments
(Ninetieth Pennsylvania and Twelfth Massachusetts), and we
were thus enabled to hold our ground against a vastly superior
force for more than an hour." ^
Ammunition being "nearly all expended," Baxter's
brigade was withdrawn, Paul's brigade relieving it; but
the need of troops on the line was so great, that, after a
short rest, Baxter's brigade
" was once more marched to the crest of the hill, a little to the
left of its former position, and, being entirely out of ammunition,
was ordered to fix bayonets, and hold the hill against assault.
It remained in this position, exposed to the enemy's fire of
artillery and infantry without the power to return a shot, until,
the right of the line giving way and exposing its right flank, it
was ordered to fall back to Cemetery Hill." ^
Gen. Robinson claims that his division "held the
ground after all other troops had retired, and fell back
flghting with the enemy, not only in front, but on both
flanks." The claim has never been disputed.
When the division reached Cemetery Hill, Robinson
found that of 2,500 men taken into the action, he could
muster but 833.
Doubleday saj-s the corps entered the fight with 8,200
men, and came out with 2,450.^
Our brigade carried 1,100 men into the action. (The
authority is the brigade adjutant-general.)
The regimental loss was, —
Killed  9
Wounded  41
Missing .......... 61
m
1 Adintant-Gen. Eep. Mass., 1863, p. 604. ^ Ibid.
3 Ibid. * Eep. Com. Cond. War, p. 309.

102 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 3. We began the battle with about two hundred men.
Gen. Robinson, in his official report, saj-s, " No soldiers
ever fought better, or inflicted severer blows upon the
enemy." Col. Coulter (who commanded the flrst brigade after
Gen. Paul was wounded) reports, " Not a single case of
faltering came to my notice."
The Eleventh Pennsylvania, in their Historj', in speak
ing of the retreat to Cemetery HiU, saj', —
"But that retreat was not all confusion. The same noble
corps that had so euccessfully maintained its ground on the left,
when resistance was no longer possible, fell back in solid pha
lanx. And though —
" ' Cannon to right of them,
Cannon to left of them,
Volleyed and thundered,'
shoulder to shoulder they marched, rank after rank halting to
fire upon the advancing foe, and then closing up again with
daring coolness."^
July 2. The regiment was in various parts of the line, acting as
support.
July 3. During Lee's famous cannonade the Twelfth was on
Cemeterj^ Hill, and, with the Ninetieth Pennsylvania, was
ordefed to assist in repulsing Pickett's historic charge.
The regimental loss, during July 2 and 3, was three
wounded, making the total casualties for the three days
at Gettj^sburg, ¦ — ¦
Killed  9
Wounded  44
Missing  61
114
July 6. The regiment remained on the field till July 6, when, at
five A.M., it marched with the First and Third Corps to
Emmettsburg, eight miles.
July 7. At six A.M. marched via Mechanicsville, Katoctin Fur
nace, and Hamburg to Belleville, twenty-two miles.
1 The story of the Eegiment, p. 232.

GETTYSBURG. 103
1863. Company' H being absent guarding a wagon-train, the
regimental strength was seventy men.
July 8. Company H rejoined early in the morning ; and the
regiment marched by the Middleton Road to South Moun
tain Pass, eleven miles, where it intrenched.
July 9. Marched at three p.m. ; went six mUes and camped.
July 10. Marched at six a.m. through Boonsborough, five miles,
and intrenched.
July 11. First Maryland joined the corps.
July 12. Marched to Funkstown, five miles, skirmishing slightly
with the enemy's pickets. Captured four prisoners.
July 13. At dayUght Lee's batteries opened on Gen. Robinson's
headquarters, doing no damage, and being silenced by our
guns. In the afternoon the Fifty-first, Forty-sixth, Thirty-
ninth, and Eighth Massachusetts joined our division. One
hundred and fifty prisoners passed on their way to Fred
erick.
July 14. Marched to Williamsport, eight miles. Rainy.
July 15. Marched through Keedysville to Rho vers ville, twentj'-
two miles. Violent thunder-storm.
July 16. Marched through Crampton Pass to near Berlin, eight
miles. Capt. Hastings rejoined the regiment.
The battle of Gettj^sburg has proba blj' provoked more
controversial discussion than any other event of the war.
All manner of claims have been made, and each claimant
insists on his gospel being the true one. Such being the
case, it is not designed to enter into any elaborate discus
sion of the battle, but simply to glance at a few of the
salient points of the controversy.
1. Longstreet is authority for the statement, that it was
not until night of June 28 that Lee knew the Union army
had crossed the Potomac. The information then was, that
Hooker was marching north-westerlj^ on Lee's communica
tions. No further news seems to have reached Lee until
the forenoon of Jul}- 1, when the battle opened. So Lee
was in a measure surprised, and was certainly caught in
the midst of a movement of concentration ; for Early's
division did not reach Gettysburg till about three p.m.,
when it drove in the Eleventh Corps, and compelled the
retreat of the First Corps. Johnson's division reached

104 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 3. the field at dark, Anderson's division late in the afternoon,
^^^ ^^' and Longstreet's Corps on the morning of July 2. So, out
of nine divisions composing the Confederate army, Lee
fought the battle of July 1 with four (Heth, Pender, Rodes,
Early) , the latter only arriving at the close of the fray.
2. Meade was not unprepared, though his much-talked-
of Pipe-Creek order was misconstrued, and has been ele
vated to the position of a great bugbear. It was simply
a warning to the corps commanders, indicating their action
ill the event of certain contingencies arising. Meade had
no specific intention of flghting a battle at Gettysburg, a
place of which he declares he " knew absolutely nothing ; "
but his orders manifestly show he fully intended to flght
Lee at the very earliest opportunity.
3. Rej-nolds, who commanded the left wing, knew not
only that he was close to the enemj-, but also had a fair
guess at Lee's positions. At 10.30 p.m. of June 30, he
received this message from Buford (who was picketing
the roads north and west of Gettysburg) : —
" I am satisfied that A. P. Hill's corps is massed just back
of Cashtown. . . . The enemy's pickets, infantry and artillery,
are within four miles of this place [Gettysburg]. . . . Ewell's
corps is crossing the mountain from Carlisle. . . . Longstreet
is behind Hill."
Which actually was the position of Lee's armj- at that
time. To clinch this still more, Buford was that night at
Reynolds's headquarters, and came back to Gettysburg
with one of Reynolds's staff, who returned to Reynolds
with " the latest news from the front " early in the morn
ing of Jul}' 1. Gen. James A. Hall avers that he saw
Buford and Rej'uolds conversing at Marsh Run " quite
early ' ' in the morning of Jul}' 1 , " before the batteries
hitched up for marching."
4. Heth's statement is, that his division was camped at
night of June 30 "near Cashtown, about six miles west
of Gettj-sburg. " A. P. Hill's official report says Heth
marched " at five o'clock " in the morning of July 1. At
what time did the battle begin that morning?

GETTYSBURG. 105
1863. Wadsworth's division of the First Corps began the fray
by meeting Hetli at Willoughby Run. Doubleday, who
commanded the corps, says, that " at about half-past
seven in the morning" Wadsworth "was under way"
(Wadsworth had about four miles to march) . Mr. E. B.
Garison, one of Buford's scouts, quotes from his note-book
that " the first infantry was on the ground at 9.15 a.m."
With the information Reynolds had, is it possible that
he allowed Wadsworth to linger b}' the wayside ? Robin
son's division was camped from five to six miles from
Gettysburg. The Twelfth Massachusetts struck tents at
four A.M., but have no record of the hour of marching.
The Thirteenth Massachusetts officially report that they
" marched at six a.m." The Eleventh Pennsj-lvania say,
"Robinson's division was three miles to the rear when the first
artiUery report broke the stillness of the morning air." ^
Did not the infantry battle on July 1 commence as earl}'
as nine a.m. ?
5. How many troops were engaged ?
On the Union side, until after one p.m., there was only
Buford's cavalry (seven regiments), 2,200 ; and the First
Corps, stated by Doubleday to number 8,200 men.
After one p.m. came the Eleventh Corps (7,400) ; total,
17,800. No other troops fought on the Union side on
July 1.
The Confederates began the battle with Heth's division,
admitted by Heth to have been " 7,000 muskets." Then
came in Pender, who, with more regiments, must have
equalled Heth's strength. Enter Rodes, whose official
report says 8,000 men; last comes Early, who says he
brought 5,000 more. Total, 27,000. Fitz-Hugh Lee
thinks "about 22,000."
Did the Eleventh Corps fight on July 1 ?
One brigade and a battery were left on Cemetery Hill,
so two divisions and part of the third are all of the
Eleventh Corps to be considered.
Schimmelpfenning's division (ten regiments) met Dole's
Georgia brigade (four regiments). Dole's brigade be-
1 story of the Eegiment, p. 226.

106 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1863. longed to Rodes's division, which was not actively en
gaged after the flrst day. Dole's loss for the three days
was 241, or 17 per cent. Barlow's division (eight regi
ments) faced Gordon's brigade (six regiments) of Early's
division. Early admits that Gordon lost 378, or 31-g per
cent. Major Daniel, of Early's staff, declares, that " where
Barlow was aUgned lay a line of wounded and dead men
who had fallen as they stood, and in their midst lay Barlow
himself sorely stricken."
The only remaining Eleventh-Corps troops who were
engaged were three regiments of Costar's brigade. They
met the brigades of Hoke (three regiments) and Hays
(five regiments) . Early says the joint loss of Hoke and
Hays was 208, — a little more than 1^ per cent.
The provost guard of the Twelfth Corps claim to have
collected 1,500 fugitives from the Eleventh Corps miles
in rear of the field.
7. Something delayed those Confederate divisions, and
made it after three p.m. when the town of Gettysburg fell
into Lee's hands. We have seen that the rebel loss in
front of the Eleventh Corps was 827.
Heth admits that his division " lost 2,700 men in killed
and wounded." Pender and Rodes fared as badly. Parts
of three brigades and several battle-flags were captured by
the Union troops in that vicinity, none of whom wore the
crescent badge ofthe Eleventh Corps. For what services
rendered did Howard receive the thanks of Congress?
If the ground was chosen at all, it was chosen by Buford
and Reynolds, and the choice conflrmed by Hancock, who
came up at the close of the battle. The fight was made
by the First Corps and Buford's cavalry : the retreat was
caused by the inability of Howard's twenty-six regiments
to keep eighteen Confederate regiments off of the right
flank of the First Corps.
The John Burns story is familiar, but the Twelfth had a
John Burns all to itself: for a boy about sixteen years of
age followed the regiment from Emmettsburg, and went into
the battle with Company A ; wounded in two places, he was
taken to hospital, and never more heard from. His very
name is unknown, for he was never mustered into service.

MINE RUN. 107

CHAPTER IX.
THE FALL OF 1863.- MINE RUN.
186 3. T\URING the afternoon pontoons were laid across the
July 17. \) Potomac.
July 18. Marched at four a.m. At six a.m. the regiment was
again in Virginia. Camped at Waterford after a twelve-
miles' march.
July 19. Marched at six A.M. Camped at Hamilton. Distance
marched, nine miles. The Twelfth on provost duty. Col.
Bates being provost-marshal.
July 20. Marched at three a.m. ; forded Goose Creek, the water
being from three to four feet deep. At nine p.m. camped
at Middleburg, after a sixteen-miles' march. Guerillas
were abundant, and succeeded in capturing some of Gen.
Newton's staff.
Col. Bates left the regiment at nine a.m. for recruiting
service in Massachusetts, and the command of the regi
ment devolved upon Capt. Charles W. Hastings of Com
pany H.
July 22. Marched at noon, gathering blackberries by the way.
At nine p.m. camped at White Plains. Distance marched,
eight miles.
July 23. Started at four a.m. ; marched thirteen miles with but
little halting. When near Warrenton, a report of reb cav
alry in the town was investigated by an infantry company,
and found to be a correct rumor ; but, as the main column
approached, the rebel horsemen departed, abandoning a
wagon-train. Nine hundred cattle and thirty-five prison
ers were captured.
July 25. Marched at five a.m. Halted at Warrenton Junction,
and then pushed on to Bealton. Distance marched, eigh
teen miles.

108 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1863. The Eighth Massachusetts left, their term of service
"^^*' having expired.
July 28. Three of the Gettysburg wounded rejoined the regi
ment. Violent rain-storms kept the regiment busy repair
ing intrenchments.
Aug. 2. Marched at daybreak. After travelling seven miles,
found Buford's cavalry engaged at Rappahannock Station.
Buford had pressed Stuart to Culpeper Court House,
nearly capturing Stuart and staff, who left their dinner
untasted. But at Auburn, Buford encountered infantry,
and was driven till he met the First Corps, who promptly
re-enforced him. Buford's loss was one hundred and
forty killed and wounded.
Aug. 3. Three men in the brigade killed by lightning.
Aug. 9. Baxter's brigade was left behind to guard the earth
works, the rest of the division crossing the Rappahannock.
Aug. 13. Another violent storm. Several men killed by light
ning.
Aug. 15. Col. Bates arrived with 176 conscripts, which were dis
tributed as follows : Company A, 17 ; B, 18 ; C, 27 ; D,
20 ; F, 20 ; G, 17 ; H, 10 ; I, 21 ; K, 22 ; unassigned, 4.
Before this addition the regimental strength was 12 offi
cers, 258 men, many of whom were sick in hospital.
Sept. 9. The corps drew clothing, which was sadly needed.
Sept. 12. The Second and Twelfth Corps and first cavalry divis
ion marched to our vicinity. Major Cook received his
commission and assumed command.
Sept. 13. The cavalry divisions of Buford, Gregg, and Kilpatrick,
with the Second Corps (under Warren), made a reconnois
sance, discovering that Lee was travelling north.
Sept. 16. Marched at six a.m. via Stevensburg to Culpeper Court
House. Col. Bates, with Burnell and Whelan, left for
more recruits. (The first batch was nearly all gone, six
teen deserting in one day.)
Sept. 24. The Eleventh and Twelfth Corps left for Chattanooga.
Marched at seven a.m. ; crossed the Rapidan at Raccoon
Ford, where the regiment remained for some time.
Sept. 26. A heavy detachment out working on intrenchments. A
deserter from the Thirteenth Massachusetts, and one from
the Fourth Maine, were shot.

MINE RUN. 109
1863. The corps moved two iniles nearer the river.
Sept. 27. rpj^g brigade inarched to Mitchell's Station.
Sept. 29. °
Sept. SO. Marched at three p.m. After traveUing two and a half
miles, camped in sight of a reb signal-station.
Oct. 2. One of the Ninetieth Pennsylvania shot for sleeping on
his post. It again fell to the lot of twelve men from
Company E of the Twelfth to carry out the sentence of
the court-martial. The surgeons, upon examining the body
of the poor fellow, found that two balls had entered his
heart, one his right lung, and one his shoulder.
Oct. 3. One of the regimental buglers was caught by guerillas
within a quarter of a mile of camp : he contrived to
escape.
Oct. 4. A battery opened on our teamsters while watering
their horses. In the afternoon the Sixth Corps halted
near by.
Oct. 6. Two of the Gettysburg prisoners — having managed to
elude their captors — rejoined the regiment. In the after
noon thirty conscripts came.
Oct. 10. Reveille at 2.30 a.m. ; marched at three a.m. Crossed
Morton's Ford at seven a.m. After a journey of six
miles halted for breakfast, between Culpeper Court House
and Stevensburg. As the rear of the First Corps left
Stevensburg the reb advance entered. The corps forded
Mountain Run and the Rappahannock, and camped on the
north bank of the river at three p.m. ; distance marched,
fifteen miles. The pontoons were destroyed after the
First Corps crossed.
Oct. 12. The Second, Fifth, and Sixth Corps, with Buford's cav
alry, returned to near Brandy Station. Buford pushed on
to Culpeper Court House.
Oct. 13. Marched at two a.m., hotly pursued by Stuart, who
captured many stragglers. At three p.m. the First Corps
reached Bristow Station.
Got. 14. Marched at 2.30 a.m., forded Broad Run, passed over
the Bull-Run stone bridge, and lay on arms all night.
Distance marched, thirteen miles.
Oct. 15. At six A.M. changed position to the rear about one and
a half miles ; then ordered to the stone bridge.
Oct. 19. Marched at nine a.m. At seven p.m. camped at Hay-

110 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 3. market. The reb pickets were so close that two men
were wounded in our brigade-camp.
Oct. 23. At flve P.M. marched four miles to the other side of
Thoroughfare Gap.
Oct. 26. Marched at 7.30 a.m. in a rain-storm to Bristow Station,
twelve miles. Halted here till railroad was rebuilt.
Nov. 4. Forty-eight conscripts arrived for regiment. Among
the conscripts who arrived at this time, was one J. Wes
ley Pratt, who, after his arrival, refused to bear arms, and
created quite a disturbance by so doing.
The following is a condensed account of his story as
told by himself, headed, " Case of a Non-Resident Con
script," and published in "The Boston Liberator" of
AprU 1, 1864: — QuiscT, Mass., March 16, 1864.
Friend Garrison.
The subjoined letter, with the personal narrative of my ex
perience as a conscript in the hands of the American Govern
ment, is sent to you with the request that it be published, if
agreeable. The language of the officers is simply the substance
without the attempt to quote the exact words, although, in
many instances, it is correct to the letter.
Headquakteks T-wbifth Mass. iNrANTET,
Camp neak Kelly's Fokd,
Dec. 14, 1863.
To Edwin M. Stanton, Secretary of War.
I have the honor, in compliance with the accompanying in
dorsements in communication in relation to John Wesley Pratt,
Company D, Twelfth Massachusetts, to report as follows: —
The day following his arrival he positively refused to do any
duty. I reported his case to my brigade commander ; and he
issued orders to punish him, and make him do his duty. He
continued to refuse; and I caused him to be tied to a wagon
near my headquarters, telling him, that, when he consented to
do his duty, I would release him ; at the same time calling the
attention of the regimental surgeon to the case, and requesting
him to examine the man, and if punishment was too severe, or
in any way endangering his health, I would release him.
At my request he consented to do his duty in the Pioneer
Corps, and was released. Soon after the regiment moved, he
abandoned his gun, equipments, and pioneer tools, and straggled.

MINE RUN. Ill
186 3. When he joined his regiment, he was arrested, and placed under
guard. I received communication from said Pratt, whioh I for
warded at once to the regular military channels. Gen. Newton,
commanding corps (First), returned the communication with in
dorsements, with which I have complied. The result of Pratt's
behavior in the regiment caused another man in the same com
pany to refuse to do duty. Charges have been preferred against
Pratt for uttering treasonable language among the men of his
company, such as, "The South ought to be let alone," or words
to that effect. The statement that he was tied up in the woods
among mules is false ; neither was he tied so that his feet barely
touched the ground. He had the same shelter that the govern
ment furnishes other conscripts.
I have the honor to be,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
Benj. F. Cook, Major Comm'd'g RegH-
July 17, 1863, I was drafted in Taunton, and was notified
to appear at that place for examination. Was examined by
Dr. Hubbard, who made the following remarkable statement: —
" You don't look like a very well man; but the fact is (turn
ing to his assistant), we must take some of these men, or we
sha'n't get any soldiers:" and he pronounced me "sound."
The provost-marshal then allowed us to return home, saying,
" I won't be hard with you, but will allow you time to make up
your minds what to do." Paying no further attention to the
matter, I received a letter from Capt. Hall, ordering me to
report immediately, as I had not been discharged from the
draft. I immediately addressed a letter to Capt. Hall, provost-
marshal, which was as foUows: —
Sir, — Up to the breaking out of the present rebellion, I
was earnestly for peace. The excitement consequent on the
firing on Sumter carried me away in its almost irresistible
might, until I found myself advocating the carrying on of a
war more cruel and relentless than any yet recorded in history.
Two years have passed away; and no definite result has been
reached, save one : the passage of a law which, in its cruel
and despotic enactments, commends itself to the Autocrat of
Russia and the Sultan of Turkey ; unblushingly declaring in
the last half of the nineteenth century, and in the face of all
the sublime doctrines of the age (doctrines enunciated by Him
who died on Calvary's cross), that Peace and Christianity are
ideal names. " O Shame! where is thy blush? " I repudiate, I

112 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1863. denounce such infidelity, such practical atheism. I will obey
none of its requirements : in the midst of all this I am for
Peace. I loathe, I detest, war. I shall neither evade nor ob
struct the government except in the performance of my duty
to Humanity ; but I cannot fight.
J, Weslet Pratt,
Conscript Second District.
On Friday, Oct. 9, I was waited on by two officers. White
of Weymouth, aud French of Quincy. White, as I have since
learned, being armed with pistols and handcuffs, prepared to
take me " dead or alive," to Taunton. On learning their busi
ness, I asked for one day, in order to finish some work which
was begun, but was told by White that he could not comply, as
his business would not permit it; but he advised me to go to
Taunton with him, and he had no doubt Hall would grant me a
furlough for a few days.
Question by White. What kind of a letter did you write
to HaU ?
Answer. I wrote in substance, that war is opposed to
the spirit of Christianity, and I will obey none of the require
ments of the conscription acts. He took from his pocket the
letter from Hall, and read, " You can ascertain from Wyman
Abercrombie about this man Pratt. I conclude by his letter to
me that he is either a fanatic, a fool, or a dangerous man."
Reply. I expect to be called a fanatic; I may be a fool;
but my friends and acquaintances can decide whether I am a
dangerous man.
White. Well, what do you intend to do?
Reply. I shall go to Taunton as a prisoner.
White. Will you meet me at the depot in time for the
cars? To which I answered, " Yes; " and after supplying my
self with a letter from Abercrombie, recommending me for a
furlough, I did go, and went with White to Taunton.
On arriving in Taunton, I was taken at once to the office
of the " Capt.," — that worthy giving me a somewhat reserved
greeting, — and without any words handed my letter to him to
White, for his perusal and criticism. He pronounced it " a very
strange letter," which very sage conclusion was responded to
by Hall as follows: " Now, Pratt, what induced you to write so
foolish a letter ? Explain yourself, sir! "
Reply. It was written from convictions of duty, — duty to
myself, to freedom, and to humanity.
Hall. But you say you do not intend to evade or obstruct

MINE RUN. 113
186 3. the government. Why, this government, I calculate, is pretty
strong : do you expect you can evade or obstruct it ?
Reply. Every man's power to do either is just in pro
portion to his natural or acquired abilities.
Hall. You say you will obey none of the requirements of
the conscription act. Why, then, are you here?
Reply. I am here as a prisoner; and a prisoner, not in
consequence of violating " Law," but in obedience to a power
which I cannot resist.
Hall. Do you intend to pay three hundred doUars ?
No, sir.
What then ?
Does not my letter explain? I am conscientiously opposed to
bearing arms: in other words, I am a non-resistant.
He (Hall) then went into the causes of the present strife;
describing in a graphic manner how, "for fifty years, it had
been the determined purpose of the South to destroy the noblest
government which the world ever saw ; culminating in the attack
on Fort Sumter."
Reply. Listen for a moment tothe great Teacher: "All
things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye
even so to them."
Hall. Why, sir, Jesus Christ teaches obedience. He says,
" Servants, obey your masters."
Reply. Are you not mistaken? I supposed it to be St.
Paul who uttered that.
Hall. Well, it matters not, as Paul was a believer in Jesus
Christ. Reply. Then, we are to consider the language of a de
vout " believer " to be as authoritative as that of Christ?
Hall. I wish you to understand, that, when you attack a
law which I am sworn to protect, I shah protect it and enforce
it if it is in my power.
Reply. Now, captain, you are not the government. Your
language and manner would seem to convey the impression to
your hearers that you are, in fact, the government itself, in
stead of a mere servant of the government, charged with certain
duties. Hall. Yes : and I intend to do Ihem ! and to-morrow you
will have to put on a uniform, depend upon it, if it takes six
men to put it on
I then asked for a furlough; and, after making some in
quiry concerning my object in going home, he replied, "Yes, I
will give you a furlough; but you must first take the oath."

114 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
18 63. Reply. I shall take no oath, sir.
Hall. Then you can affirm: it is all the same.
Reply. I know it is, and for that reason I shall do neither.
Hall. Now, Mr. Pratt, you will gain nothing by such a
course; besides, your friends will think less of you than they
would if you do your duty like a man.
Reply. The warrior may gain the applause of the mul
titude, as he rides over human hearts. But who wins the ap
probation of his own soul ? The man who dares to do -right.
The morrow came ; and at about ten o'clock I was taken to
the clothing-room, to be arrayed in the costume of our vener
able " Uncle." The ofiicer in charge ordered me to put on the
clothes : I refused. "Come, now," said he, " I'U have no hum-
buggin'." "Well, then," said I, "put them on yourself: I shall offer
no resistance."
He then proceeded to strip me, clothed me in " army blue,"
put a knapsack on my back, and marched me back to the office,
where I refused to sign a receipt for clothing. We then started
for Long Island.
While in the cars, my friend, Mr. Thayer, came to me, and
said, " I wish to give you a word of advice "
Thayer. If you attempt to carry out the course you have
begun, you will be court-martialled and shot.
Reply. Let 'em shoot.
Thayer. Have you taken the oath?
Reply. No.
On arriving at the island, I took up my quarters with the
Thirteenth Detachment Massachusetts Conscripts.
On or about the 27th of October, I went on board the steamer
" Forest City," bound for Alexandria, on our way to become a
part of the Twelfth Massachusetts. Nothing occurred worth
mentioning here on our way to Alexandria, except that Sergeant
Snow of the Twelfth Massachusetts ordered me on guard-duty."
I refused, but no notice was taken of it. We arrived on Sun
day following the Tuesday on which we went on board.
On Monday, Nov. 2, we were taken to the arsenal to get our
guns; and the lieutenant who was charged with the duty of
distribution offered me one, which I refused to accept, saying,
" I have conscientious scruples against bearing arms."
Lieutenant. WeU, the government does not allow us to
exercise our own discretion in the matter; so I shall have to
strap it on your back. Lerigthening out the strap, he placed
the gun on my back. He then offered me a " roundabout. " On

MINE RUN. 115
186 3. my refusing to take it, he merely remarked, " I think you are
very foolish," and proceeded to strap it over the gun: in that
way I went to the Soldiers' Rest. The next day we were
ordered to put on our roundabouts, and "fall in."
The last order I complied with, but I did not put on my
roundabout. A corporal was detailed to distribute the guns ;
but I did not take one, and, of course, there was one left. The
captain (Brady) came in soon after, and, seeing the gun, in
quired whose it was. Nobody seeming to claim it, he tried to
flnd the owner by looking up and down the line: I, being in the
rear rank, he did not see me until we marched out of the hall.
On seeing me he exclaimed, " Here is the man that ain't got no
gun. Here, take this gun ! "
Reply. I can't do it
Brady. What is the reason you can't take this gun?
Reply. Because I am conscientiously opposed to bearing
arms. Brady. What do you suppose I care for your conscientious
scruples? Here! take this gun!
Reply. I will not.
Hereupon he ordered a " halt," and proceeded to strap
the gun on my back.
The Twelfth Massachusetts was then at Bristow Station,
distant some thirty-five miles from Alexandria. We arrived in
the afternoon; and I was attached to Company D, Twelfth
Massachusetts, Lieut. Bachelder commanding. After pitching
my tent, I called on the lieutenant and explained my position, —
that I was ' ' opposed to war as contrary to the spirit and teach
ings of Christ, and in violation of the best interests of man
kind." Lieutenant. Well, you had better do your duty : for
you will only make trouble for yourself; you will get in the
guard-house, which is a dirty place; and, if you do not change
your mode of action, you will be court-martialled and shot.
I repUed, " Well, let them shoot."
Lieutenant. I can't argue the claims of Christianity in
such a contest as this.
The next morning, at nine o'clock, I was waited on by the
sergeant of the company, and ordered to " turn out " for drill.
I answered, " No : I cannot drill."
Sergeant. Why not ?
Reply. I am conscientiously opposed to bearing arms.
Sergeant. But you must go on drill, or go to the guard
house.

116 THE WEBSTER EEGIMENT.
1863. Reply. Then, I will go to the guard-house.
He reported me to Major Benjamin F. Cook of Gloucester,
Mass., commanding the regiment. I was ordered to appear
forthwith at his headquarters.
Major. Do you refuse to drill this morning ?
Reply. I do.
Major. Why do you refuse to do your duty, and driU?
Reply. Because my conscience wiU not permit it.
Major (to his orderly). Take him out, and tie him among
the mules.
I was taken out, and tied to the hind wheels of the regimental
wagons; the major himself performing the operation, saying, at
the same time, "I'U see if you wiU refuse to do your duty." I
remained in this position from nine o'clock in the morning tUl
five in the afternoon, without my dinner. I was then released.
In regard to being " tied among the mules," I will state that the
mules were tied to the front of the wagon, while I was tied to
the rear of the same. '
While I was so tied, the major came to see me, and said,
" Well, Pratt, are you ready to do your duty now? " — " Not
military duty, sir." — " Well, what are you here for? " — " Be
cause I could not avoid it." — " Why didn't you pay three hun
dred doUars?" — " One reason is, I hadn't it to pay." — "Well,
I want you to understand, that, while you are here, you have got
to do military duty, or I will have you court-martialled."
The next order was to go on dress-parade at sunset. I re
fused; but no notice was taken of it until the usual drill- time
the next morning, when, refusing again to do duty, I was again
summoned before the major.
Major. Do you still refuse to do duty?
Answer. I do.
Major. " Take him to his tent, put a knapsack on him,
and drill him in the facings," addressing a corporal, who had
previously been detailed for that purpose.
After performing that feat for some minutes, and being
advised by the corporal to " submit to a power that I could not
resist," I said, "It is useless to attempt to dissuade me from
my purpose, for I will die rather than fight. ' ' The major ordered
me to take my gun, and drill in the manual of arms. Refusing,
he said, " I'll fix you so that you'll not refuse again to drill! "
I was again taken to the wagon and tied to the same wheel,
with my hands behind me, and drawn up between my shoulders
so that my feet could just touch the ground. In about half an
hour after I was tied up, he (Cook) sent his orderly to inquire if

MINE RUN. Ill
18 63. I was ready to do my duty. I answered, " I am not. ' ' Soon the
Nov. 4. major came out, and asked mc if there was no kind of duty that
I was ready to do. I replied that I had never refused to go into
the hospital, but that I should continue to refuse to bear arms
from principle. He then offered to place me on the pioneer
corps, for the time being, and to use his influence to get me a
situation in the hospital. He said that the pioneers had no
drilling or fighting to do; that there was an order requiring
them to carry a gun, but it was not always enforced. I told
him I should not carry a gun, but would try pioneer's work.
On these conditions I was then released; the major coming
again in the mean time in company with the colonel of one of
the Pennsylvania regiments, and Lieut.-Col. Allen of the
Twelfth Massachusetts. As I had expressed a desire to talk
with the major, he asked me what I had to say.
Reply. My religion is the religion of Christ.
Allen. Poh! That's played out.
Soon after I was released, orders came to pack up, and
march. Feeling quite unwell, and unable to carry a load, in
consequence of an attack of lumbago, I went to the surgeon,
and asked him to get my things carried. He replied, "IwiU
if I can." Soon after, I went to him again; and he said, " I
will see you again. I cannot carry your things." Weak and
in pain I sat on the ground and waited, hoping that some
friendly wagon would assist me; but they all left camp, and I
was alone : then taking up my knapsack, haversack, and can
teen, but leaving the gun on the ground, I dragged myself along
in the direction of the train, arriving in camp at Catlett's Sta
tion at eleven o'clock, and lay down completely exhausted till
daylight. The next day I addressed a letter to Gen. Baxter, brigade
commander, of the same general import as my former ones, but
received no response. On the following day, as we were about
starting again, I went to the surgeon to get some relief from
the incessant pain I was suffering, and also to have my load
carried. He gave me some medicine, but said he could not get
my knapsack carried. During the march of three days and
two nights I slept in the open air. When we arrived at Brandy
Station (the regiment arrived one day in advance of me) I felt
more dead than alive. When we -Were again about to start, I
applied to the surgeon to assist me by carrying my things ; but
he referred me to Cook, saying, " I will assist you if the major
says so." I appealed to the major, who said, " I told you I
would try to get you a place in the hospital if you would do
your duty; and is this doing it ? Where is your gun ? "

118 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 3. Answer. I left it on the ground at Bristow Station.
jSTov. 4. Cook. Is this the way to do your duty ?
Answer. Did I not tell you that I would not carry a gun?
Cook. Well, I don't intend to show many favors to a man
that shirks his duty as you have done.
Answer. I have shirked nothing.
Finding I could get no assistance, I was obliged to march
with the rest. Our course was back again, across the Rappa
hannock, as far as Bealton: here I placed myself under the sur
geon's care, expecting to find relief from my sufferings, and in
a few days began to feel better.
One incident in passing. On the morning after our arrival in
Bealton, I called on Lieut. Bachelder, commanding the com
pany, and asked for a copy of the revised " Army Regulations."
He said he had none, but asked me what I wished to know, as
he could give me any information necessary. I told him I
wished to know it officers had a legal right to punish a private
severely, by torture, without a trial. " Yes," he replied, " to
any extent that is necessary to enforce obedience."
Reply. I thought there was at least a show of justice in
the army; but, if your interpretation is correct, then I am mis
taken "
Lieutenant. Who is defending your home from invasion,
if it is not this same army ? We are acting purely on the de
fensive. It is a case of life and death. What would you do if
a madman should come into your house, and attempt to murder
your family? Would you not fight? We came here to defend
Washington. The rebels would have burnt it long ago, had it
not been for this army. What kind of a government would you
have, if you had your way?
Reply. In extreme cases that you mention, I know not
what I should do. I would have a government where all for
eign, all intestine, differences are settled by arbitration.
My answer caused dissenting replies from several members
of the company gathered around us, the lieutenant saying.
" Well, when you find such a government as that, the millenium
will not be far distant. I believe I understand the position of
the government : that it is battling against a horde of despica
ble, though powerful, traitors, who are seeking to rend asunder
the fairest and best-organized institutions the world ever saw;
that we are not mere neighbors, living side by side, but one
great family of States; and, therefore, ours is an internecine
war, and it must assert and maintain the majesty of the law,
or to ' night and silence sink forever more.' "

MINE RUN. 119
1863. I saw plainly, that, by consenting to do " duty," I was assist
ing directly in the war; and this, after weighing the matter
thoroughly, prompted a letter to Cook, which time and space
forbid publishing. After writing this letter I was thrown
into the division guard-house, by command of Gen. Newton.
Charges were preferred against me for " uttering treasonable
language." First, " mutiny and disobedience of orders."
But, finduig that this could not be laid against me, it was so
changed as to make it necessary to lay the matter before the
government, and await the slow process of its complicated ma
chinery. On the 26th of November the army moved beyond the Rapi
dan. On starting I had not even a crumb of bread or a mor
sel of meat in my haversack; and yet we are told by Cook
" that Pratt received the same shelter and rations that govern
ment furnished the other conscripts."
At this place (Kelly's Ford) I applied for a trial, — once to
Cook, and once to judge-advocate (Lieut. Meade), — but got
only evasive answers from Cook, and downright incivility from
Meade. On the 11th of January I had orders to " pack up,"
and report to the provost-marshal, Lieut. Mason of the Twelfth,
who read to me an order from Secretary Stanton, requiring him
to release J. Wesley Pratt from military duty, on giving my
parole of honor to return when called for. I gave my parole,
and came on to Washington.
Nov. 6. At four P.M. marched seven mUes to Catlett's Station.
Nov. 7. At 3.30 A.M. the First, Second, and Third Corps
marched to Morrisville, fourteen miles.
Nov. 8. Forded Kelly's Ford at six a.m., and marched to
Brandy Station, ten miles.
Nov. 9. Marched at five p.m. to Bealton Station.
Nov. 10. Moved one mile farther. One hundred men detailed to
work on railroad. Balance on picket for three days.
Nov. 17. Ninety men for picket ; twenty-two men to corduroy
roads and bridges.
Nov. 20. Brigade inspection.
Nov. 23. Marched at eight a.m.. Major Cook in command. After
a three-mile journey, camped.
Nov. 25. One man joined the regiment, — a volunteer.
Nov. 26. Drew ten days' rations, and at six a.m. marched to
Culpeper-Mine Ford. Crossed the Rapidan, and bivou
acked. Distance fifteen miles.

120 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
186 3. Part of the Third Corps made a wrong move, and so
delayed the army, that, instead of surprising Lee by con
centrating at Robertson's Tavern and Parker's store, the
day was occupied in passing the Rapidan.
Nov. 27. The First Corps marched at six a.m., reaching Robert
son's Tavern at eleven a.m., and finding Warren engaged
with the enemy. Our division crossed the plank-road to
re-enforce Warren, whereupon the rebs retreated to a
strong position on the west bank of Mine Run.
Nov. 28. At daybreak moved a half-mile, and relieved Hay's
division. Marched two iniles more, and formed line of
battle near Mine Run, where Lee was concentrated and
intrenched. At a little after dark the Twelfth went on
picket. The line of battle was six miles in length, and
consisted of the Second and Sixth Corps, two divisions of
the First Corps, and part of the Third Corps.
Nov. 29. The regiment lay on its arms all day.
Nov. 30. Meade announced his plan of battle. At eight a.m.
Warren was to assail the right : one hour later Sedgwick
was to attack the left, while the First and Third Corps
were to assault the centre. The artiUery promptly opened ;
the skirmishers in the centre dashed forward ; Sedgwick
was all ready ; but Warren, after a careful examination,
pronounced the scheme hopeless ; and Meade acquiesced
in Warren's opinion.
Dec. 1. In the morning the Twelfth shifted to the left of the
turnpike, and at four p.m. started for Germania Ford,
where it bivouacked, after a ten-mile march.
Dec. 2. Crossed the Rapidan at five a.m. on pontoons ; marched
three-quarters of a mile and stacked arms. At ten a.m.
were sent to support a battery. At noon marched, and
bivouacked to the right of Brandy Station after a twelve-
mile journey.
The campaigning of 1863 was over. Since crossing
the Potomac, on July 18, the regiment had marched
nearly three hundred miles ; and, though not actually en
gaged with the enemy to any great extent, it had borne
its full share of hardship and privation. When we recol
lect the duties of an army commissary, the following story

MINE RUN- 121
1863. told by the Eleventh Pennsylvania Volunteers is certainly
^^'^' ^' a vivid coniment.'iry on how the men in the ranks must
have fared.
In speaking of the Mine-Run campaign, the historian of
the Eleventh Pennsylvania says, —
" Even the brigade commissary was on short allowance, as
the novel mode to which he resorted to supply himself will fully
attest. Riding off some distance from the troops to a fine-look
ing residence, he represented himself to the family as an officer
of Stuart's cavalry, disguised in Yankee uniform the better to
watch the movements of the Yankee army. Without a question
he was taken into their confidence. AU the information they
had was readUy communicated, and — better still for the cap
tain — preparations were at once made for dinner. An old
colored woman who overheard the conversation, unperceived by
the family, started off in all haste for the nearest body of
soldiers. She was not long in finding some one to listen to
her story, and a lieutenant and a squad of men were despatched
to make the arrest. The squad arrived at the house as the offi
cer was sitting down to the table. Expostulation was useless;
they had no time for delay; and he yielded himself a prisoner
to the guard. Taken before the corps commander, of course he
was recognized as Capt. Bucklin, commissary of the second
brigade; but it was Capt. Bucklin without his dinner." ^
^ Story of the Regiment, p. 311.

122 THE WEBSTER EEGIMENT.

CHAPTER X.
THE LAST WrUTEE.
1863. i T nine a.m. marched without rations, crossed Moun-
Xl tain Run, and waded Kelly's Ford — water waist deep.
Camped on the north side of the river.
Dec. 4. Re-crossed, and camped on the south side.
The Ninth New York, in their regimental history, say of
this, —
" The object in fording the river twice in twenty-four hours
through the dead of winter was a mystery ; but the supposition
was, that it was the ebullition of angry feelings from the one
that ordered it. However, it was uncaUed for." i
Dec. 5. General at two p.m. ; after getting all packed up, the re
call sounded at six p.m. New clothing arrived. At night
the rebels fired on our pickets.
Dec. 6. Thirty -three conscripts joined.
Dec. 10. Ordered to get ready for winter quarters.
Dec. 12. Formally ordered into winter quarters.
Dec. 13. The men having been working on their houses since the
Sth, on this day completed and occupied them.
Dec. 14. Clear and cold.
Dec. 19. Mud knee-deep. An orderly brought to the camp news
of rebel cavalry lurking in the vicinity.
Dec. 20. Cars from Washington passed through to Brandy Sta
tion for the first time in six days.
Deo. 23. Received marching orders.
Dec. 24. ReveUle at four a.m. ; marched at seven a.m. Major
Cook left for home sick ; and Capt. Hastings took com
mand of the regiment. Marched fifteen mUes, and camped
near Cedar Run.

THE LAST WINTER- 123
186 3. After a hard day's work, got into the second winter
Deo. 25. ."JO
1864. quarters.
Jan. I. Ordered to Cedar Mountain.
Jan. 2. In a driving snow-storm, marched at six a.m.
Jan. 4. Shifted camp about oue mile. Rainy.
Jan. 5. Ordered to Culpeper, which place was reached at dark.
Capt. D. D. Jones, quartermaster, assigned the regiment
to some buildings on corner of Davis and Commerce
Streets. They had formerly beeu used as warehouses by
the Adams Express Company. From their resemblance
to the historic prison at Richmond, these quarters were
promptly nicknamed " The Libby." The Twelfth Massa
chusetts and Eighty-eighth and Ninetieth Pennsylvania
were assigned to provost duty, reUeving the Fourteenth
Brooklyn.
Jan. 6. Capt. Hastings left for home on ten days' leave of ab
sence ; Capt. Hazel in command of the regiment.
Jan. 10. Sunday. Several reb deserters came in. Furloughs
began to be granted.
Jan. 11. Six volunteers joined regiment.
Jan. 12. One of the brigade ambulances was seized by Virginia
cavalry, and taken to Richmond.
Jan. 21. Gen. Newton's family arrived.
Jan. 25. At night our pickets heard some firing along the reb line.
Jan. 27. In the morning thirty-eight reb deserters came in. The
firing heard on the night of the 25th was caused by the
rebs endeavoring to resist the departure of ninety-eight of
their comrades.
Jan. 29. Movcd OH the SperryvUlc pike, one and a half mUes
from town, and built the third winter quarters.
Jan. 30. The rest of the brigade arrived, bringing two plagues,
— the enrolment officer and the small-pox. A few were
persuaded to re-enlist.
Jan. 31. The month closed with a snow-storm : there were but
two pleasant days in it.
Feb. 1. Rain. One hundred and three reb deserters came in at
night.
Feb. 4. In the evening a delegation attended a concert in Cul
peper, given by the Fourteenth Brooklyn. At eleven
P.M. received marching orders.

124 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1864. Marched at 6.30 a.m. Firing heard in direction of
Feb. 5. Uaecoon Ford. The rebs were plainly visible, and now
and then a shot from their batteries went over our heads.
The batteries with us made no reply, orders being not to
bring on an engagement. The violent rain made the road
a sea of mud, through which we fioundered till nightfall,
when the regiment bivouacked in a field near Raccoon
Ford.
Feb. 7. The rebel artillery fire grew so hot that at seven a.m.
the regiment shifted camp. During the day we changed
camp three times. Twice the rebs tried to break our
picket-line, but failed. At 5.30 p.m. we started back for
Culpeper, distant nine miles. The roads were frightful.
Often the artillery had to double up, and the infantry help
puU the guns. During the day the regiment marched
twenty miles, reaching Culpeper at nine p.m. We found
our old camp untouched, but the troops in Culpeper were
all packed up and waiting orders.
Feb. 9. The paymaster arrived, and the concerts of the Four
teenth Brooklyn were well patronized.
Feb. 13. One volunteer joined the regiment.
Feb. 15. Cold, with many cases of frost-bite. The first and
second divisions were reviewed.
Feb. 20. Major Cook returned from sick-leave, and resumed
command. A violent rain-storm raged for thirty-eight
hours.
Feb 22 Fourteen reb deserters came in.
Feb. 24. Gen. Newton reviewed the corps.
Feb. 28. The Third and Sixth Corps passed camp. At eleven
P.M. received orders to be ready to move at a moment's
notice.
Feb. 29. Furious rain-storm. At noon one of Company H died
in hospital. His body was sent home to Massachusetts.

THE LAST CAMPAIGN. 125

CHAPTER XI.
UNDER GRANT. — TEE LAST CAMPAIGN,
^864. TTLYSSES S. GRANT was made lieutenant-general,
^ and placed in command of all the armies of the
United States.' Four conscripts joined regiment.
Mar. 2. Gen. Grant visited Meade's headquarters very pri
vately, and, on departing for Nashville, left orders for the
camps to be cleared of women and non-combatants.
Mar. 8. The Third and Sixth Corps returned from their expedi
tion. Four deserters from the Forty-eighth Mississippi
came in.
Mar. 10. The ladies were all gone.
Mar. II. Rain, hail, snow, thunder, and a furious wind. Rained
steadily for the next two days.
Mar. 17. One volunteer arrived.
Mar. 18. Received orders to move. This was modified to simply
hold yourselves in readiness, and then changed to " stay
in present camps."
Mar. 19. Snow. Paymaster Came.
Mar. 21. Tcuts ari'ivcd for Grant and staff". Twelfth on picket.
Mar. 24. Grant came. The First and Fifth Corps were consoli
dated ; Newton being relieved, and Warren taking the
command. Our badge now was the white disk of the
First Corp, with the blue Maltese cross ofthe Fifth Corps
resting on it.
Gen. Newton, in his farewell address, said, —
" In relinquishing command, I take occasion to express the
pride and pleasure I have experienced in my connection with
you, and my profound regret at our separation. Identifled by
its services with the history of the war, the First Corps gave at
Gettysburg a crowning proof of valor and endurance in saving

126 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1864. from the grasp of the enemy the .strong position upon which
the battle was fought. The terrible losses suffered by the corps
in that conflict attest its supreme devotion to the country.
Though the corps has lost its distinctive name by the present
changes, history will not be silent upon the magnitude of its

Mar. 25. The Fifth Corps, with Warren and stafl", joined the
First Corps ; and in the consolidation we retained our
brigade and division organization : the four divisions of
the Fifth Corps being led by Griffin, Robinson, Crawford,
Wadsworth.
Mar. 26. Corps reviewed by Grant, Meade, and Warren.
Mar. 28. Col. Batcs returned, and took command of regiment.
April 1. Heavy rain, causing freshets which carried away the
bridges near the town, thus blockading the trains and
stopping the mails. On the trains thus delayed were one
hundred and three conscripts on their way to the regi
ment.
Aprils. The following letter, written April 8, 1864, to the adju
tant-general ofthe Fifth Army Corps, by Col. Bates, tells
plainly the strength of the Twelfth at that time, also the
amount of work which was required of it. He says, —
" I have the honor to call your attention to the enclosed
table of men detached from the regiment within and without
the corps. Our morning report shows 207 enlisted men present
for duty, and 144 men detached within this department or
corps, and 37 men detached without the corps, making 181
under other authority than mine. I had the honor, nearly a
year ago, to send Gen. Reynolds, commanding the First Corps,
a similar detailed account; and he ordered all men in excess of
our due proportion to be returned to duty with the regiment,
and that no more men should be detailed from the Twelfth.
Before any action was taken upon the subject, the Gettysburg
campaign commenced. Gen. Reynolds was killed ; and nothing
has been done about it, and the details have continued in about
the same proportion as before. This has ever kept the regi
ment small. It has ever been a fighting regiment. It is diffi
cult to keep up that esprit du corps with so few men as I have
at present; and my object in this communication is, to plead to
have my men returned to me. Should every man be returned,
1 The Story of the Regiment, p. 321.

THE LAST CAMPAIGN. 127
18 64. and we have no men detailed away, stiU our proportion would
be larger than that of the details of any other regiment in the
Army of the Potomac I firmly believe it to be simply just to
the regiment to have these men returned, sorae of whom have
been absent for more than two years."
April 14. One conscript came.
April 21. Eighty- nine conscripts reached camp, the balance of
the one hundred and three sent being missing.
April 25. Received marching orders.
April 26. The wagoners detailed from Company H returned to
the regiment.
Mays. Received marching orders.; moved at midnight. The
right wing was composed of the Fifth and Sixth Corps,
the Fifth Corps leading, with Wilson's cavalry division
ahead.
May 4. At noon crosscd the Rapidan at Germania Ford. Halted
about an hour, and were joined by two other corps.
Marched at 1.15 p.m. Went flve miles on the plank-road,
and bivouacked at Old Wilderness Tavern. The Twelfth
was sent on picket. Total distance marched, seventeen
miles. Though — as it afterwards appeared — the rebels
were but two miles away, neither side was aware of the
other's proximity.
May 5. At four A.M. marched in direction of Parker's store.
After travelling a short distance, Crawford's division
struck Hill's column, which was advancing to meet us.
Grant, and Meade rode up, but would not believe it any
thing other than a strong rear-guard. (They speedily
learned otherwise.) Crawford was instructed to hold on
to the plank-road, while Griffin and Wadsworth, sup
ported by Robinson, attacked. The enemy were found to
be strongly posted. On our right the Sixth Corps gave
way, but the rebs kept on the defensive. After losing
three thousand men, Warren fell back and formed a new
line. Wadsworth's division was sent with our brigade
to assail Hill's flank and rear. After a tiresome march,
at about dark, we got into position, and then advanced
one mile, firing rapidly. At this juncture some of Com
pany E, which was the right of the line, saw a column of

128

THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.

18 64. rebs moving to our right to outflank us. Part of the
Twelfth changed front to the right, and delivered a de
structive fire, which broke the rebel line ; but it soon
raUied. It was now 8.30 p.m. ; and we rested on our
arms for the night, so near to the reb skirmishers, that, as
Lossing says, " the combatants drew water from the same
brook." Lieut.-Col. Allen, who was serving on Gen.
Robinson's staff, was killed during the day.
The total casualties were, —

Killed .
Wounded

OFriCEBS.

ENLISTED MEN.

TOTALS,

. 2

18

15

. 5

37

42

57

May 6. At daybreak the Twelfth was thrown out as skirmishers,
and, advancing on the double-quick, — • closely followed
by the rest of the brigade, — drove the enemy about two
miles, gaining possession of the plank-road. The woods
were so thick that at no time were a thousand men visible
from one point. Grant issued his famous order, " Attack
along the whole line at five o'clock ; " and, with the
Twelfth as skirmishers, the corps of Hancock and War
ren advanced to the assault. Our brigade encountered a
battery which fired showers of grape and canister, but so
dense was the forest that very few casualties occurred.
In this advance, part of the regiment marched directly
across the plank-road, continuing onward ; but part ob
liqued to the right : it was night before the regiment re
united near the De Lacey House.
The brigade also got separated, part throwing up in
trenchments under command of Col. Bates, part being
sent under command of Col. Coulter to support Hancock.
Gen. Baxter was wounded on this day.
The regimental loss was, —
KiUed Wounded . 25
The total loss to date being ninety-three.

OFnCBKS.

ENLISTED MEN.

TOTALS.

1

3

4

4

17

21

THE LAST CAMPAIGN. 129
18 64. In the morning four companies under Capt. Hastings
"^ ¦ w-ere attacked, but handsomely repulsed their assaUants,
losing two killed and four wounded. At nine a.m. the
regiment was relieved by the Fifteenth New York Heavy
ArtUlery ; and shortly afterwards the balance of the bri
gade, under Col. Coulter, rejoined us. Remained here tiU
nine p.m., when the march to Spottsylvania Court House
commenced ; the Fifth Corps moving on the Brock Road
via Todd's Tavern.
Mays. At three A.M. halted. Resumed the march at five a.m.
At Todd's Tavern found our cavalry blocking the way.
The Twelfth was in the advance. Adjutant Wehrum riding
ahead. Suddenly " a solitary horseman " rode out from
the forest, and reined his horse in front of our adjutant.
" What regiment is this? "
" The Twelfth Massachusetts."
" Order them to deploy on the left of the road. What
regiment comes next? "
" The Ninth New York."
" Order them to deploy on the right of the road."
' ' By whose order ? ' '
The figure raised the flapping brim of his felt hat, and
answered with the single word, " Sheridan ! "
Col. Bates and Col. Coulter rode up. The latter re
ceived the orders direct from Sheridan, every sentence
being bitten oflT with a "Quick! Quick!"
The deployment was made swiftly enough to win ap
proval, even from the fiery cavalryman ; and the lines swept
on for about two miles, when they became entangled with
Merritt' s calvary. Trees felled across the paths so barri
caded the way that it was eight a.m. before Robinson's
division — the advance of the Fifth Corps — emerged from
the forest into the clearing at Alsop's Farm, near Spottsyl
vania Court House. Here we encountered a fierce fire
from the woods, the Twelfth deploying as skirmishers, and,
after a struggle, driving the enemy's line of dismounted
cavalry about three miles.
In this charge Gen. Robinson was wounded ; and the
division began to recoil, when Warren came up with the
balance of the corps, and re-formed the lines. We had

130 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1864. met the advance of Longstreet's corps under Anderson.
The Fifth Corps steadily advanced, but found Spottsylva
nia Court House in possession of Longstreet. The firing
was so furious that the Maryland brigade of the Fifth
Corps gave way, and almost created a panic ; but Warren,
seizing one of their regimental colors, succeeded in rally
ing them. The Twelfth, by Gen. Warren's orders, fixed
bayonets, deployed under a murderous fire, and stopped
the flight of fugitives toward the rear. The Twelfth here
lost five kiUed, eleven wounded. Col. Coulter took com
mand of the division. Col. Bates was in command of the
brigade, Lieut.-Col. Cook in charge of the regiment.
The Fifth Corps formed line of battle, and intrenched :
five-days' rations were issued. In the midst of this, the
brigade was summoned to support the Sixth Corps, which
was being hotly attacked. After several wild attempts to
break our Unes, the enemy desisted from further efibrt.
During the day we changed positions several times, and
at three p.m. massed under direction of Col. Coulter.
At night the brigade drew thirty-five thousand rounds of
ammunition. Col. Coulter, in his report for this day,
says, —
'• The disability of Gen. Robinson at this juncture was a
severe blow to the division, and certainly influenced the fortunes
of the day. The want of our commanding officer prevented
that concert of action which alone could have overcome the
enemy in front. ' ' ^
May 9. Owing to scarcity of officers and men, the division was
broken up ; our brigade reporting to S. W. Crawford's
division, where we met our old friends, the Pennsylvania
Reserves. The day was spent in intrenching, and, with
the exception of some skirmish firing, was quiet. Gen.
Sedgwick, commanding the Sixth Corps, -was kiUed by a
sharpshooter.
May 10. Early in the morning moved to Jones's plantation. At
noon the brigade drove in the enemy's pickets, and got to
within seventy-five feet of their works, which were on
Laurel HiU, and very strong. Webb and Carroll had
' story of the Regiment, p. 332.

THE LAST CAMPAIGN. 131
1864. failed to carry them during the morning, and our charge
was but a prelude to the assault made by the divisions of
Cutler and Crawford. At three p.m. the attack was made,
the works were carried, and at five p.m. turned over to
the Second and Fifth Corps. The regiment had been
under fire six hours, losing, —

KiUed .
Wounded

OFFICERS.

ENLISTED MEN.

TOTALS,

. 3

2

5

. 7

11

18

23

The woods caught fire, and many of the wounded were
lost.
May II. At eight A.M. the corps began a series of assaults on
the enemy's position. An officer ofthe brigade says, —
" Our lines moved to the assault with firm and steady tread,
but life was completely thrown away. It was madness to at
tempt the charge. The troops behaved handsomely, however;
but none were braver, or faced the deadly shot of the enemy
with more heroism, than the old and tried Twelfth Massachu
setts. A finer body of men never fought the Confederates."
The regimental loss was, —
Killed ....
Wounded 24
At noon it began to rain, and the rifle-pits speedily fllled
with water. Being constantly under fire, it was impossible
to pitch tents.
May 12. The regiraent went on the skirmish-line ; Col. Bates
being in command of the corps-skirmishers, -with instruc
tions not to withdraw except by express order from
Meade. At eleven a.m. orders came to withdraw, and at
2.30 P.M. we began the movement ; Capt. Hazel and Com
pany K covering the rear, which was so hotly pressed by
the enemy that we were compelled to " close up on the
centre, and form Une of battle." At dark the withdrawal
was continued, and on reaching the Second-Corps lines a

OFFICERS.

ENLISTED MEN.

TOTALS,

3

7

10

4

10

14

132 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1864. delay of an hour ensued — owing to Hancock having no
pickets out — ere the regiment passed into the Union
lines.
May 15. Marched at 3.30 a.m.; halted at army headquarters,
where, at noon, the Fifth Corps arrived, and we rejoined
our brigade. Still raining.
May 17. At scvcu A.M. movcd about two miles to left and front,
— under fire, of course, — and threw up breastworks.
During the night the Ninth New York — which picketed
in front of us — kept up such an unnecessary firing that
Col. Coulter went out to silence them. He being wounded,
Col. Bates once more assumed command of the brigade;
Lieut.-Col. Cook taking command of the regiment.
M^y 18. Heavy artillery firing in our front. At five p.m. were
ordered to support the heavy artillery division near the
Fredericksburg pike. Went about two miles, part of the
way double-quick, and found the " heavies " engaged with
Ewell, who was trying to capture our supply-train parked
near b}'. We were placed in reserve, but the " heavies "
repulsed Ewell without our assistance.
May 19. At five A.M. moved a mile to the front ; found Ewell had
decamped. At 6.30 a.m. moved back to our previous
position.
May 21. At 10.30 A.M. Commenced a forced march, reaching
Guinea Station at flve p.m. Crossed the Matapony, and
encountered a rebel cavalry division, which retreated as
we advanced. The regiment was sent on picket.
May 22. At five A.M. the brigade started on a reconnoissance.
Drove a rebel calvary regiment about three miles ; halted
at the Telegraph Road, and learned that Ewell and Long-
street had, during the night, marched southward. Col.
Bates forwarded this information, with a batch of prison
ers, to Gen. Crawford, and received orders to call in all
advanced detachments, and withdraw his pickets. By
11.30 A.M. this was all accompUshed; and the brigade
started to rejoin its corps, having obtained important in
formation, which determined the future movements of the
whole army. For this the brigade was complimented in
General Orders. After a fourteen-mile tramp found the
corps in bivouac at Harris's store.

THE LAST CAMPAIGN- 133
1864. Marched at six A.M. After six miles our advance met
"^ " ¦ cavalry and light artillery. These were soon routed, and
our column pushed on to the North Anna. At three p.m.
crossed at Jericho Ford, and formed line of battle, — Cutler
on the right. Griffin in the centre, Crawford on the left.
The Twelfth was detailed as skirmishers for the brigade,
was posted, and ordered to lie down. For three-quarters
of an hour shot and shell flew lively ; but only one casualty
occurred, — Private Chase of Co. I.
At six P.M. two of Hill's divisions attacked Griffin, but,
being repulsed, turned their fury on Cutler. Our brigade
was ordered to report to Cutler, who split it up, taking
part to fiU gaps in his line, and placing the Twelfth in
reserve. A report that we were being outflanked resulted
in orders for the Twelfth to reeross the river and investi
gate. Finding it a false rumor, the regiment again crossed
the river. The night was spent in intrenching, but dur
ing the darkness Hill withdrew.
May 24. On picket. Advanced, and captured many prisoners.
At 10.30 A.M. moved down the right bank of the river to
where the Ninth Corps was trying to cross. Formed line
of battle with both flanks resting on the North Anna.
Intrenchments were thrown up, and thcTwelfth — deployed
as skirmishers — became engaged immediately. The
enemy were in strong force ; but, being sheltered by thick
woods, our loss was slight. Remained on picket all night.
Capt. Hastings of Company H, going beyond the line to
reconnoitre, was captured.
May 25. At four A.M. movcd a half a mile forward. Fought
alone and unaided for nearly two hours, when Cutler came
to our support. We re-formed in rear of the brigade,
which had erected breastworks. The losses this day
were, —

OFFICEKS.

ENLISTED MEN.

TOTALS,

iUed

2

1

8

/^ounded .

1

18

14

17

May 26. Marched at nine p.m. ; but, the roads being blocked, we
made slow progress. Crossed the river soon after mid
night.

134 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1864. Marched at five A.M. Continued travelling in a south-
*^ ¦ easterly direction till the morning of May 28, when the
whole army was across the river, and in communication
with its new base of supplies at White House.
May 28. At slx P.M. built works on south bank of the Pamunkey.
Warren moved out from Bethesda Church, and met
Rodes's division, with cavalry. Col. Hardidg's brigade
of our division was the first to encounter Rodes : the re
serves were brought up, and the Confederate reconnois
sance was repulsed.
May 29. Was dcvotcd to marching and countermarching.
May 30. Our brigade reported at nine a.m. to Gen. Lockwood
for reconnoitring duty, and soon was briskly engaged.
Col. Kitching's Maryland brigade broke and ran, and we
had to fill the gap. After an hour's severe struggle —
during which Col. Bates had a horse shot — the enemy
was repulsed. Our loss was, —

KiUed ....
Wounded 8
We remained in the intrenchments till June 1 .
Janei. At six A.M. advanced about a mile, and found the enemy
strongly intrenched in a thin belt of woods on the farther
side of a broad, open field. We built breastworks, and
staid in them till five p.m., when we marched by a cir
cuitous route to the Cold-Harbor Road, and spent the
balance of the night in constructing works.
June 2. Very rainy. At daylight the lines advanced, the
Twelfth doing skirmish duty for the brigade. We drove
the reb skirmishers, and occupied their position. Re
peated but unsuccessful attempts were made to evict us.
Four men joined the regiment as volunteers.
June 3. Orders were issued far a general assault at 4.30 a.m.
At four A.M. the skirmishers, with the Twelfth holding the
right of the line, advanced. In the face of a tremendous
flre our skirmishers drove the enemy from their rifle-pits.
The contest lasted without intermission all day, but the
Fifth-Corps line was so extended that it could only hold
on to its positions.

rCERS.

ENLISTED

MEN.

TOTALS,

0

2

2

2

4

6

THE LAST CAMPAIGN. 135
1864. Early in the morning repulsed an attack made by the
enemy's skirmishers in front of our brigade. We cap
tured a lieutenant and two men. Our loss was three,
slightly wounded.
Junes. At eleven a.m. the brigade moved four miles to the left,
to Bethesda Church, and labored for the rest of the day
in the trenches. So keen were the sharpshooters on both
sides, that it was very injudicious to keep otherwise than
well covered.
June 6. An armistice of a few hours was arranged to enable the
dead — many of whom had been lying between the lines
for four days — to be buried.
io!°^ Was spent in intrenching.
June II. At five A.M. moved toward White-Oak Swamp. Marched
all day and night.
June 12. StiU marching. At afternoon the brigade camped on
a fine farm.
June 13. The corps marched to within two miles of White-Oak
Swamp Bridge, and halted. Our brigade was ordered to
relieve Wilson's cavalry, said to be at the bridge. Found
the enemy instead, strongly posted, with a square redoubt,
mounting two guns, covering the bridge. Formed line of
battle under a severe shell-fire. The enemy advanced to
within three hundred yards of the bridge, and intrenched.
The Twelfth — on skirmish-line — kept them busy. Sev
eral times the rebs endeavored to put a battery into posi
tion, but they failed to succeed. The Twelfth lost four
wounded. At dark we were withdrawn, and followed our
corps toward the James River. Marched all night, halt
ing at St. Mary's Church. Since June 11 we had marched
fifty- five miles.
June 14. At five A.M. marchcd toward Charles-City Court House.
Camped three miles from the Court House. In the even
ing a pontoon bridge — over two thousand feet long —
was laid across the James River, and the corps began to
cross.
June 15. still in camp, near the Court House.
June 16. Marched to the river. Crossed on steamers ' ' Joseph
Powell" and " James Brooks." Reached Petersburg at
dark, and found the Ninth Corps hotly engaged. Our

136 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
18 64. division was sent to support Burnside. Advanced through
tangled thickets and marshy ground, under a heavy fire,
and captured some prisoners. A general assault was then
made, and bloodily repulsed.
Juno 17. The balance ofthe corps arrived. Our brigade, with
Griffin on our left, and Burnside on our right, led another
assault ; the Twelfth being on the skirmish-line. Orders
were to drive the foe from their intrenchments on the rail
road. Col. Bates, in his report, says, —
" This was performed under Lieut.-Col. Cook in gallant
style, advancing so far that the remainder of the brigade
thought they had been taken prisoners."
The assault was made by our brigade and Griffin's
division : the Ninth Corps never stirred.
Abbott's " History of the Civil War " says, —
" The gallant assailants drove the rebels from their position,
and captured a stand of colors, six guns, and four hundred
men." At night, after a hard day's desultory fighting, the
troops intrenched in a line three hundred yards from the
enemy. The Twelfth Massachusetts and Eighty-eighth
Pennsylvania were on skirmish-line, and kept matters so
hot, that in one instance a reb gunner, within easy range,
after loading his piece was unable to withdraw his rammer,
and so fired it into our lines. The losses in our brigade
during the day were heavy.
June 19- Remained in the trenches under a continuous fire. The
dead and wounded were cared for under a fiag of truce.
June 23. Our lines were extended to the left, and the men were
kept busy digging a covered way to the road.
Relieved by Col. Wilcox of the Ninth Corps, and moved
two and a half miles to the left under a heavy shell-fire.
Here ended the regiment's active service. It had been
almost constantly on duty in this campaign as skirmish
ers, having been specially selected for this duty on ac
count of its steadiness and reliability. During the
advance to Petersburg the regiment captured more than
its own strength in prisoners.
According to the memorandum kept by Col. Bates, from

THE LAST CAMPAIGN.

137

1864.
June 24.

May 5 to June 25, — a period of fifty days, — the regiment
had been under flre forty-one distinct times. The same
authority declared, that "it never flred into its friends,
and always manifested a Prussian stoicism."
The following table shows the losses in the regiment
during the same space of time : —

Killed.

-W-Quuded.

Missing.

Total.

Agg'gate.

Off.

Men.

Off,

Men.

Off.

Men.

Off.

Men.

5

41

3

120

8

8

164

172

One officer and twelve men were taken prisoners.

Grant's campaign has been a subject of much contro
versy and severe criticism. Perhaps the worst blow
aimed at it is found in Badeau's defence ofthe movement.
It is reasonably certain, after considering the opera
tions, that Grant never intended to fight in the Wilderness ;
that he — in common with so many Western generals —
thought that there was not much fight in Lee's army ; and
that, had he only been able to divest himself of .this
notion, much bloodshed might have been averted. His
movements acknowledge the Wilderness campaign a fail
ure ; for, after all the slaughter from the Rapidan to the
Chickahominy, he brought up just where McCleUau had
been two years earlier, and where he could have got
without losing a man. The moment he crossed the James
River he only vindicated his assertion made before his
promotion to the chief command, that " the true way to
Richmond was by approaching from the south." And
the moment he adopted that plan, the Confederacy began
to gasp for breath.
All praise is to be awarded to Grant for his steadfast
ness, pertinacity, and bull-dog determination to "flght
it out on this line if it takes all summer ; " but the fact
will ever remain unshaken, that the overland route from
the Rapidan to the James cost far more than it was worth,
and that the loss inflicted upon the enemy was much
smaller than our own. The way in which the army was

138 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1864. handled, however, showed that a skilful hand was at the
"'^^*' helm; and the continual fianking movements, flghting at
every opportunity, tended greatly, no doubt, to weaken
and discourage the rebels, and make final success in the
spring of '65 possible.

HOMEWARD BOUND- — MUSTER OUT- 139

CHAPTER XII.
HOMEWARD BOUND. —MUSTER OUT.
18 6 4. rpHE re-enlisted men and conscripts were turned over to
une 25. j^ ^^^ Thirty-ninth Massachusetts ; and at three p.m., the
regiment — numbering eighty-five men — marched for City
Point. " The Boston Journal's " correspondent wrote, —
" This regiment, noted for its modesty as well as gallantry
and heroic conduct, retired so quietly from the lines that its
absence was not generally known till it was far on its way for
home. Had its departure been known in time, it would have
received such demonstrations of respect as have been accorded
to none other."
June 27. Remained at City Point until June 27, when embarked
on steamer " Vanderbilt," reaching Washington at ten
A.M. June 28. In the afternoon took cars for Boston.
When near Havre-de-Grace, a member of the regiment
was severely bruised by collision with a bridge.
In passing through New York, the regiment received a
very cordial welcome from their old comrades the Ninth
N.Y.S.M. ; and an exhibition driU by Company H of the
Twelfth was greeted with hearty applause.
All along the route the regiment kept sweUing its num
bers by receiving men who had been absent on detached
service, or in hospital ; so that, on the morning of July 1,
it reached Boston with one hundred and seventy men.
July 1. Breakfasted at Beach-street barracks ; and at eleven
A.M., escorted by the Westborough Independent Company
of MUitia, Capt. C. B. Winslow, with GUmore's full
band, the Twelfth Massachusetts commenced its last
march, — to Faneuil Hall. " Repeatedly were the veter
ans greeted with the heartiest cheers of welcome."

140 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
18 64. The following is the Ust of officers who returned with
" ^ ¦ the regiment : —
Colonel. — James L. Bates.
Lieutenant-Colonel. — Benjamin F. Cook.
Adjutant. — Capt. Charles C. Wehrum.
Quartermaster. — George E. Muzzet.
Surgeon. — W. H. W. Hinds.
Assistant Surgeon. — Charles A. Wheeler.
Company C. — Capt. F. B. Pbatt.
Company D. — First Lieutenant C. Batchelder.
Company E. — First Lieutenant R. M. Mason.
Company G. — Capt. J. B. Whitman.
Company H. — First Lieutenant Edward Lewis.
Company I. — First Lieutenant Frank A. Lancaster.
Company K. — Capt. Edwin Hazel.
Other officers of the regiment were absent wounded,
on detached service, or in rebel prisons.
Companies A, B, F, brought home no officers.
Company A brought home three men only in its ranks.
Capt. Moses N. Arnold remained in the service on
Gen. Crawford's staff.
" The Boston Herald " gave the following account of
what happened at Faneuil Hall : —
"The regiment reached Faneuil Hall about noon, and par
took of a good collation prepared by the City Committee.
" The hall was nicely decorated, and the galleries were filled
with friends of the regiment.
"Mayor Lincoln, after the edge had been taken from the
appetites of the soldiers, addressed the men of the Twelfth.
He welcomed the regiment home after its three-years' honorable
service. Referring to the organization of the regiment, he said
it was no holiday display that induced the men to offer their
services to defend the common fiag, and every man composing
the regiment expected he would have to fight to crush the rebel
lion. " Mayor Lincoln passed a feeling tribute to the memory of
Col. Webster, and closed by introducing Adjutant-Gen. Schouler,
who welcomed the regiment in behalf of the governor of the
Commonwealth, who was prevented from being present by im
portant official business. He thanked the commander, officers,
and men of the regiment for their three-years' service, and

HOMEWARD BOUND. — MUSTER OUT. 141
1864. highly complimented them for their bravery. He spoke of his
acquaintance with the late commander of the regiment, and re
lated some reminiscences of him. He also spoke of the others
who had fallen in battle and by disease, and said that their
services would be ever honored. In closing he complimented
Col. Bates for his bravery, and again extended a hearty wel
come to the whole «)ommand.
"Col. Bates was then called on, and took the stand amid
loud cheers; GUmore's band playing ' The Bo wid Soldier Boy.'
"Col. Bates heartily thanked the mayor and adjutant-general
for the elegant reception, and said, that, the day previous to the
expiration of the regiment's term of service, it was under the
heaviest fire of the campaign, yet not a man shirked; though —
if ever shirking could be justified — it would be at such a time.
"Dr. Shurtleff made a few remarks in answer to a call; the
regiment was furloughed till ten a.m. on Monday, July 8; and
the men then left the haU for their homes."
July 8. On July 8 the regiment re-assembled on Boston Com
mon : the roll was called for the last time by First Lieut.
P. B. C. Moroney, Fourteenth United-States Infantry ;
and as he pronounced the words, " The Twelfth Massa
chusetts Volunteers are hereby mustered out of service,"
the Webster Regiment passed into history.
July 12. On Tuesday, the 12th of July, the citizens of Weymouth
gave the members of Company H an enthusiastic recep
tion. All who had served in the regiment were invited by
the selectmen of the town. Company H and those resid
ing in the vicinity met the remainder of the regiment at
the station in Weymouth Landing at noon ; and a proces
sion was formed under the chief-marshalship of Nathaniel
Blanchard, Esq. The march was taken up to the town-
house, where addresses were made by distinguished citi
zens of the town. Col. Bates, and others. Instrumental
music was furnished by Stetson's Weymouth band, and
vocal music by a select club. At the close of the exer
cises a bountiful collation, provided by the ladies of Wey
mouth, was partaken of. The men greatly enjoyed the
occasion, and will ever remember the kindness of the
friends of Company H.
Dec 11 Oil Dec. 11 , 1864, the colors which the Twelfth brought
home were formally presented to the State ; many of the
regiment being present on the occasion.

142

THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.

18 64. Strength of the Twelfth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry
from June 26, 1861, io July 8, 1864-.

Origi Off.

nal No.
Men.

Vols.

Con
scripts.

Agg'te.

Mustered in June 26, 1861 .
Received to June 30, 1863
to Aug. 16, 1863 .
to Oct. 6, 1863
to Nov. 4, 1863
to Nov. 26, 1863 .
to Dec. 6, 1863
to Jan. 11, 1864
to Feb, 13, 1864 .
to March 1, 1864 .
to March 17, 1864 .
to April 14, 1864
to April 21, 1864 .
to June 2, 1861

38

1,002

87 1 6
114

176 304833 4
- 1
103

1,040 87
176 80
48 1
33 6
1
4 11
103 4

38

1,002

100

398

1,636

There were reported as " deserted," —
Volunteers .....
Conscripts . . . . .

93
112

205

Of these, many were taken prisoners on the march; but, hav
ing no official notice thereof, they were reported as " deserted."
Doubtless many of them fill unknown graves in the South.

Losses of the Twelfth Massachusetts in Action.

Place.

TotalLoss.

Killed.

Wounded.

Missing.

Off.
Men.
Off.
Men.
Off.
Men.
Cedar Mountain .
Thoroughfare G-ap
Bull Run, Second
South Mountain .
AntietamFredericksburg .
Chancellorsville .
Gettysburg .
Grant's campaign
11 2
138 2
283 109 6
119 180
1I 32 2 6
13 1
6715 7
41
31 19
9 8
3
6
1
69
174 83 2
.39
110
13 1
21
62
30 4
6019
Aggregates .
860
16
144
34*
473
6
178
* Two of these died of wounds received, making 18 officers killed and died of
wounds.
HOMEWARD BOUND. — MUSTER OUT.

143

1864.

Losses by Death in each Company.

Killed,
Wounded, Missing.

Died of
Disease.

Corapany A, lost
B, "
C, "
D, "
B, "
F, ¦•
G, "
H, "
I, "
K, "

94 87
80
¦ 8586 77
85
48 8583
6
3 7
32 6
3 5
3 6
810
43
List of Officers Killed, or Died of Wounds.
Col. Fletcher Webster .
Lieut.-Col. David Allen .
Major KUsba Burbank .
Asst. Surgeon Albert A. Kendall
Capt. Richard H. Kimball
Capt. Nathaniel B. Shurtleff .
Capt. John Ripley .
Capt. John S, Stoddard .
First Lieut. William G. -White
First Lieut. Arthur Dehon .
First Lieut. Lysander F. Cushing
First Lieut. Francis Thomas .
First Lieut. Charles G. Russell
First Lieut. "William Robinson
First Lieut. David B. Burrill
First Lieut. James G-. Smith .
Second Lieut. George W. Orne
Second Lieut. Edward J. Kidder
. Killed Aug. 30, 1862.
. Killed May 6, 1864.
. Wounded Sept. 17, died Nov. 30, 1862.
. Killed Sept. 17, 1862.
. Killed Aug. 30, 1862.
. Killed Aug. 9, 1862.
. Wounded Dec. 13, died Dec. 25, 1862.
. Killed May 10, 1864.
. Wounded and died Sept. 17, 1862.
. Killed Deo. 13, 1862.
. Killed Sept. 17, 1862.
. Killed July 1, 1863.
. Killed July 1, 1863.
. Wounded and died May 14, 1864.
. Killed May 24, 1864.
. Wounded .and died June 4, 1864.
. Wounded Sept. 17, died Oct. 8, 1862.
. Killed May 10, 1861.
Of many testimonials which exist touching the estima
tion in which the Webster Regiment was held, the follow
ing unsolicited and unexpected tribute is copied from ' ' The
Boston Journal." Walnut Street, Philadelphia,
Sept. 1, 1881.
To the Editor of " The Boston Journal."
In reading your paper this moment laid down, my eye was
attracted by an article headed " Twelfth Regiment, Webster."
I think it will give pleasure to those that survive of that regi
ment to know what their commander. Gen. Meade, thought of
them. We met in Independence Square, and I questioned the
general as to the fighting qualities of our soldiers. He spoke
in a general way of all, not detracting from any; but he said,
the Massachusetts Twelfth he thought the finest regiment in
144

THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.

1864. the service. These were his words; and, if there is an officer or
soldier of that regiment now living, he should transmit to his
descendants these noble words. A. L. Elwyn.
Dr. Elwyn is a retired physician, living at 1422 Walnut
Street ; and his reputation for veracity is unquestioned by
PhUadelphians. Members of the Regiment buried al Andersonville, Ga.

Company

Name.

Rank.

Died.

Grave.

I .
H .
D .
G .
I .
H .
I . .
1 .
A .
A .
K .
I .
F .
H .

Isaac Burnham *
C. B. Cushing .
William Emerson
A. Frisby .
Henry Harrison f
F. Harrington .
Leonard B. Holmes * .
S. Laint .
W. H. Seavey .
W. McGown
M. Murphy .
W. H. Smith .
Warren Smith .
L. Torrey .

SergeantCorporal
First sergeant.

Aug. 13,1864,
June 12, 1861,
April 7, 1864,
Sept. 8, 1864,
April 14, 1864,
July 24, 1864,
Aug. 5, 1864,
Aug. 24, 1864,
Sept. 3, 1864,
Aug. 11,1864,
June 6, 1864,
March 25, 1864,
March 5, 1864,
April 7, 1864,

6,5401,809 418
8,186 556
3,901 4,816
6,7667,7076,2801,680 164 9
407

Buried in Antietam Cemetery, Md.

Co.

Name.

Rank.

Date of Death.

Grave.

Lot.

Sec
tion.

G .

James Fitz .

Nov. 6, 1862,

101

B,

C .

Moses Haseltine .

Oct. 17, 1862,
135
c.
F .
Hiram Hurd
51
A,
D .
James Means
_ _
182
c,
B .
James D. Murphy
Oct. 26, 1862,
138
c,
G .
E. G. Poole .
Oct. 14, 1862,
102
B,
B .
Granville H. Smith
Oct. 19,1862,
103
B,
Buried at Gettysburg Cemetery, Penn.
Co.
Namk.
Rank.
Died.
Grave.
Sec
tion.
I .
H .
K .
William Carr .
George F. Lewis
Hardy P. Murray
Sergeant .
13
1415
C0
C
* McFarlan of Company E says Holmes died June 28, 1864, and that Burnham
died June 21, 1864.
t Probably meant for Hens C. Hansen, t Probably meant for Sanford P. Lane.
1864.

HOMEWARD BOUND. — MUSTER OUT-
Buried at Arlington Cemetery, Va.

145

Name.

Oo.

Died.

o

o

-g

M

Remarks.

'¦A

M

02

s

Daniel Donovan .
B,
July 2, 1862,
32
16
E,
2
Rem'd fr'm Warr's
Farm burial-place,
near Manassas Sta
tion.
Charles Young .
A,
Sept. 8, 1863,
58
4
E,
2
Rem'd f'm Bowen's
Land, near Eappa
bannock Station.
Buried at Chester, Penn.
WiUiam H. Sanborn, Co. A, died June 10, 1864.
Buried at Frederick, Md.
John B. Jenks, Co. C, died Oct. 7, 1862 (Area M, western
side), said to be removed.
Alfred J. Snow, Co. G, died Oct. 19, 1862 (Area O, south
ern corner). Buried along Orange and Alexandria Railroad.
Henri Birkenholz, Co. A, died Jan. 13, 1864.
F. Brown, Co. G, died Jan. 18, 1864. (See Culpeper Court
House, Va.)
WilUam F. Kohle, Co. C, died March 7, 1864, at Culpeper
Court House, Va., Block 1, Section A, Row 2, Grave 63.
S. Stone, Co. F, died Jan. 11, 1864.
Rufus S. Wadleigh, Co. K, died Jan. 2, 1864. The head
board reads  J. Wadleigh, Co. K, died Jan. 13,  .
Buried at Annapolis, Md.
P. Butler, Co. A, died Dec. 8, 1863.
P. W. Haugh, Co. B, died Sept. 3, 1863.
J. H. Stewart, Co. I, died Nov. 9, 1863.
Found on the Battle-fields of Wilderness and Spottsylvania, and
buried there.
Second Lieut. Edward Kidder, Co. E (should be Edward J.
Kidder, Co. I).
L. S. MiUer, Co. E.
Capt. J. S. Sladdard, Co. F (should be John S. Stoddard).
Buried at Culpeper Court House, Va. (having been removed from
Culpeper Cemetery).
J. C. Brown, Co. G, died July 18, 1864. No. 155, Row 5,
Section A, Block 1.
146 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
1864. W. F. Kohle, Co. C, died March 7, 1864. No. 63, Row 2,
Section A, Block 1.
J. Welsh, Co. K, died Jan. 3, 1864. No. 146, Row 5, Section
A, Block 1. Buried at Lynchburg, Va.
Charles Reed, Co. F, died Aug. 9, 1862.
Buried at Seven Pines, Va.
Z. Blackman, Co. I, died 1862. Lot 129, Section B (prob
ably John H. Blackman, Co. H).
Buried at Alexandria, Va.

Co.

Name.

Rank. Died.

No. of
Grave.

H .

John Atkins .

Dec. 8, 1863,

1,127

H .

George Bacon .

June 6, 1864,
2,039
B .
William D. Cata
_
April 21, 1864,
1,774
F .
Andrew J. Frost
March 19, 1864,
1,642
A .
James Gettings
Jan. 2, 1863,
666
I .
John Goulding
Corporal
March 22, 1864,
1,583
K .
Charles Messenger
Sept. 20, 1864,
2,693
E .
Charles H. Puffer
-
Feb. 7, 1863,
717
G .
John G. Taylor
_
Deo. 30, 1862,
644
C .
J. F. Thorndike
Nov. 16, 1863,
1,058
F .
John F. Vickery
-
Aug. 12, 1864,
2,563
Buried in Military Asylum Cemetery, Washington, D. C.
M. Dahlberg, Co. F, died Dec. 17, 1863.
W. K. Porter, Co. G, died Oct. 24, 1863.
J. D. Palmer, Co. A, died Jan. 17, 1864.
George Walker, Co. F, died Sept. 24, 1862.
Buried at Arlington, Va.
W. H. BartoU, Co. K, died July 1, 1864.
C. E. Dunn, Co. C, died May 31, 1864.
J. Evans, Co. A, died June 7, 1864.
C. Johannis, Co. C, died June 10, 1864.
J. D. Lane, Co. G, died May 18, 1864.
J. Merrow, Co. D, died May 25, 1864
F. B. Potter, Co. D, died June 5, 1864.
J. G. Smith, Co. G, died June 17, 1864.
C. Pickfire, died Dec. 19, 1864. Harmony Cemetery.
Buried at Poplar-Grove Cemetery.
Charles Reese, Co. F. Division E, Section E, Grave 163.
1864.

HOMEWARD BOUND. — MUSTER OUT. 147
Buried at Salisbury, N. C.
Luther Hun, Co.  , died Jan. 14, 1865.
Buried at Augusta, Ga.
D. Smith, Co. G, died AprU 1, 1864.
Buried in National Cemetery, Richmond, Va.
E. T. AUen, Co. K, died Dec. 5, 1863. Pneumonia,
J. E. Arnold, Co. E, died AprU 15, 1864.
John Barnes, Co. F, died Oct. 29, 1863. Pneumonia.
G. W. Bryant, Co. I, died Dec. 25, 1862. Wounded Dec.
13, 1862.
J, C. Burnes, Co. H, died Feb. 25, 1864.
WUliam F. Dean, Co. I, died Dec. 27, 1863. Scorbutus.
R. Gold (should be Reuben Gould), Co. I, died Feb. 2, 1864.
T. M. Gorfrey, Co. F, died Jan. 23, 1864.
A. H. Kenball (should be Asa H. Kimball), Co. I, died March
25, 1864.
R. Leroy, Co. B, died Feb. 26, 1864.
P. J. Mahoney, Co. D. Shot by guard.
T. MUler, Co. I, died Feb, 22, 1864. Grave 195, Section C,
Division 1.
H. Moss, Co. F, died March 13, 1864.
C. PriU, Co. E, died March 23, 1864.
S. B. Young, Co. A, died Feb. 27, 1864.

Buried in National Ceme

ery, Fredericksburg, Va.

Co.

Name.

Died.

Div.

Sect.

Grave

Removed from —

F .
D .
G .
H .
a .

B. F. Bennett .
John D. Harvey,
R. M. Hanes
John Mundall .
J. A. Tolman .

May 7,1864,
17, 1864,
7, 1864,
5, 1863,
13, 1864,

C .
A .
C .
B .
A

A .
A .
A .
D .
0

268 83
260 99
324

Wilderness.Woollen-fact'y lot,
Fredericksburg.-Wilderness. Aldridge Farm,
Spottsylvania Co.
Laurel Hill.

ROSTER OF THE OFFICERS.

FLETCHER WEBSTER.
Organized Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteers April 21-23, 1861;
chosen colonel May 4, 1861; mustered into the United-States service
June 26, 1861 ; mortally wounded, at the second battle of Bull Run,
Aug. 30, 1862, and died upon the field.
J.VMES L. BATES.
Enlisted April 25, 1861, in Company H; elected captain April 29;
mustered into United-States service June 26, 1861; provost-marshal
July 7, 1862 ; promoted major Thirty-third Massachusetts Aug. 5,
1862; colonel Twelfth Massachusetts Sept. 9, 1862; joined regiment
Sept. 21, 1862 ; wounded in neck July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg; detailed
on recruiting service in Massachusetts July 24, 1863; returned March
28, 1864. Commanded second brigade from May 8, 1864, to June
25, 1864; mustered out with the regiment July 8, 1864.
TIMOTHY M. BRYAN, Jun.
Enlisted April, 1861; elected lieutenant-colonel May 11, 1861;
mustered June 26, 1861; resigned Oct. 7, 1862; commissioned colonel
of the Eighteenth Pennsylvania Cavalry.
DAVID ALLEN, Jun.
Enlisted in Company K, April 19, 1861; mustered June 26, 1861,
as captain; wounded at Antietam and Fredericksburg; promoted to
lieutenant-colonel Oct. 8, 1862; appointed on the staff of Gen. J. C.
Robinson „ second division. First Corps, as division inspector, July 13,
1863 ; kUled May 5, 1864, while on staff duty.

150 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
BENJAMIN F. COOK.
Enlisted as private. Company K, April 19, 1861; elected second
lieutenant; mustered as first lieutenant June 26, 1861; captain Com
pany E, May 2, 1862; provost-marshal second division. First Corps,
Jan. to Sept., 1863; major Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteers July
23, 1863 ; lieutenant-colonel May 6, 1864 ; in command of regimental
skirmish-line Sept, 17, 1862. Commanding regiment Sept. 17 to 22,
1862; Sept. 11 to Dec. 19, 1863; Feb. 20 to March 27, 1864; May 8
to June 25, 1864; mustered out July 8, 1864.
ELISHA M. BURBANK.
Enlisted April, 1861; elected major May 9, 1861; mustered June
26, 1861; died Nov. 29, 1862, of wounds received at Antietam, Sept.
17, 1862.
DANIEL G. HANDY.
Enlisted June 21, 1861; mustered as captain Company C, June 26,
1861; proraoted major Nov. 30, 1862; resigned July 22, 1863
EDWARD P. REED.
Enlisted April 30, 1861, in Company G; mustered as first lieuten
ant June 26, 1861; promoted captain June 25, 1862; major May 6,
1864; wounded at Antietam and Fredericksburg; on detached ser
vice on account of wounds from July 26, 1868; mustered out with
regiment.
JEDEDIAH H. BAXTER.
Mustered as surgeon Twelfth Massachusetts June 26, 1861, dis
charged April 17, 1862; surgeon United-States Volunteers April 4,
1862; brigade surgeon April 17, 1862; brevet lieutenant-colonel March
30, 1865, " for meritorious and faithful service in the recruitment of
the armies of the United States; " brevet colonel March 13, 1865, " for
faithful and meritorious service during the war; " lieutenant-colonel
and assistant medical purveyor U.S.A., July 20, 1867; brevet colonel
U.S.A. July 20, 1867, "for faithful and meritorious service during
the war; " lieutenant-colonel U.S.A., chief medical purveyor, March
12, 1872; colonel and chief medical purveyor U.S.A. June 23, 1874.
JOHN McLEAN HAYWARD.
Mustered as assistant surgeon Twelfth Massachusetts Volunteers
June 26, 1861; surgeon April 29, 1862; captured and paroled, War
renton, Va., November, 1862; discharged April 22, 1863; major
United-States Volunteers, "for faithful and meritorious services
during the war, to date from March 13, 1865." (General Order 148,
Washington, Oct. 14, 1865.)
WILLIAM H. W. HINDS.
Mustered as assistant surgeon Seventeenth Massachusetts Aug. 21,
1861; promoted to surgeon Twelfth Massachusetts May 26, 1863;
mustered out July 8, 1864, with regiment.

ROSTER OF THE OFFICERS. 151
ALBERT A. KENDALL.
Mustered as assistant surgeon April 29, 1862; kiUed at Antietam
Sept, 17, 1862, while caring for the wounded on the battle-field.
JOHN H. McGregor.
Mustered as assistant surgeon Aug. 13, 1862; resigned Sept. 2, 1863.
CHARLES A. WHEELER.
Enlisted Nov. 7, 1861, in Company B, Fifteenth Massachusetts;
served in the ranks until May 25, 1862; then detailed to hospital de
partment of regiment; served there until after battle of Antietam,
when he was detailed as acting hospital steward of field hospital at
Smoketown, Md.; Nov. 29, 1882, ordered to report to surgeon-general
of Massachusetts for examination before medical board; commis
sioned assistant surgeon Twelfth Massachusetts Dec. 17, 1862; de
tailed for duty in Third Regular battery. Eighty-third New- York
Volunteers, and Third Maryland; wounded May 6, 1864, in battle of
WUderness; mustered out July 8, 1864.
IRA M. PERRY.
Commissioned assistant surgeon Dec. 1, 1882; declined.
EDWARD L. CLARK.
Mustered as chaplain June 26, 1861; resigned June 16, 1862.
ISRAEL WASHBURN.
Mustered as chaplain Sept. 1, 1862; fought in the ranks at An
tietam; resigned May 26, 1863.
RICHARD H. KIMBALL.
Enlisted April 20, 1861; mustered as captain Company A, June 26,
1861; wounded at Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862; killed at second
BuU Run, Aug. 30, 1862.
GEORGE W. MURCH.
Enlisted April, 1861; mustered as captain Company B, June 26,
1861; resigned July 27, 1862.
NATHANIEL B. SHURTLEFF, Jun.
Enlisted April 22, 1861; mustered as captain Company D, June 26,
1861; killed at Cedar Mountain, Aug. 9, 1862.
EDWARD C. SALTMARSH.
Enlisted April 29, 1861; mustered as captain Company E, June 26,
1861; resigned May 1, 1862, to receive commission in United-States
marine service.
ALEXANDER HICHBORN.
Enlisted April, 1861; mustered as captain Company F, June 26,
1861; resigned May 13, 1862.

152 THE WEBSTER REGIMENT.
IRA BLANCHARD.
Enlisted April 29, 1861; mustered as captain Company G, June
26, 1861; resigned June 24, 1862.
JOHN RIPLEY.
Enlisted April 29, 1861 ; mustered as captain Company I, June
26, 1861; slightly wounded at Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862; severely
wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862; mortally wounded at Fred
ericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862; died Dec. 25, 1862.
ALPHEUS K. HARMON.
Enlisted April 27, 1861, in Company F; mustered as first lieu
tenant June 26, 1861; captain May 10, 1862; wounded at Cedar
Mountain Aug. 9, 1862; wounded at second Bull Run Aug. 30,
1862; under medical treatment until June 3, 1863; then ordered on
duty at Boston provost-marshal's department; assigned to Company
E; mustered out July 8, 1864.
CHARLES T. PACKARD.
Enlisted in April, 1861; elected second lieutenant Company B;
mustered June 26, 1861; promoted to captain Aug 20, 1862; wounded
at Antietam and Fredericksburg; mustered out July 8, 1864.
J. OTIS WILLIAMS.
Enlisted in April, 1861, in Company D; mustered June 26, 1861,
as flrst lieutenant; promoted to captain Oct. 8, 1862; wounded at
Antietam Sept. 17, 1862, and at Gettysburg July 1, 1863; dis
charged on account of wounds June 11, 1864.
CHARLES W. HASTINGS.
Enlisted April 25, 1861, in Company H; mustered as first lieu
tenant June 26, 1861; promoted captain Aug. 10, 1862; commanded
regiment from July 20 to Sept. 11, 1863, and from Dec. 6, 1863, to
Feb. 20, 1864, excepting ten days' leave of absence; prisoner May 24,
1864.
ERASTUS L. CLARK.
Enlisted June 10, 1861, in Company E; mustered as first sergeant
June 26, 1861; promoted to second lieutenant Dec. 19, 1861, and to
captain Sept. 19, 1862; wounded at Fredericksburg Dec. 13, 1862, and
at Gettysburg July 1, 1863, while commanding Company A; trans
ferred to Veteran Reserve Corps Feb. 3, 1884.
EDWIN HAZEL.
Enlisted in Company K, April 19, 1861; mustered June 26, 1861,
as first sergeant; promoted to second lieutenant May 3, 1862; first
lieutenant Sept. 18, 1862; captain Sept. 1, 1862; commanded regi
ment Jan. 6-19, 1864; wounded at Antietam, Fredericksburg, and
Gettysburg; mustered out July 8, 1864.

{ <

ROSTER OF THE OFFICEES. 153
FRANCIS B. PRATT.
Enlisted April 25, 1861, in Company H; chosen second lieutenant
AprU 29, 1861; mustered June 26, 1861; flrst lieutenant July 7,
1862; detailed acting adjutant September, 1862; captain Nov. 30,
1862; wounded Dec. 13, 1862, being shot through shoulder, losing
shoulder-blade; mustered out July 8, 1864.
ANDREW J. GAREY.
Enlisted April 29, 1861, in Company H; second lieutenant Oct. 3,
1862; flrst lieutenant Aug. 11, 1862; captain Dec. 21, 1862; wounded
May 8, 1864; mustered out July 8, 1864.
JOHN S. STODDARD.
Enlisted April 27, 1861; mustered June 26, 1861, as private; pro
moted second lieutenant May 13, 1862 ; first lieutenant Dec. 14, 1862 ;
captain July 23, 1862; wounded at Antietam; taken prisoner at
Gettysburg, and escaped from the enemy; kiUed at Spottsylvania,
Va., May 10, 1864.
CHARLES C. WEHRUM.
Enlisted April 23, 1861, in Company E; corporal; sergeant Jan.
2, 1862; second lieutenant Aug. 21, 1862; flrst lieutenant Nov. 30,
1862; captain Feb. 4, 1864; appointed adjutant April 1, 1863;
served as adjutant until mustered out July 8, 1864; acting assistant
adjutant-general second brigade May 8 to June 25, 1864; severely
wounded at Antietam and at Gettysburg.
MOSES N. ARNOLD.
Enlisted May 19, 1861, in Company G; promoted from sergeant-
major to second lieutenant Sept. 1, 1862; flrst lieutenant July 2,
1863; captain May 6, 1864; aide-de-camp on Gen. Baxter's staff
since July 8, 1863; wounded at Antietam; mustered out July 8,
1864.
JONATHAN B. WHITMAN.
EnUsted AprU 29, 1861; first sergeant Company I, June 26, 1861
second heutenant June 24, 1862; detached on recruiting service
first lieutenant March 9, 1863; captain Company G, May 11, 1864
mustered out July 8, 1864.
THOMAS P. HAVILAND.
Appointed adjutant June 8, 1861 ; mustered June 26, 1861 ; taken
prisoner at Bull Run, Aug. 30, 1862; resigned March 8, 1863.
DAVID WOOD.
Mustered as first lieutenant and quartermaster June 26, 1861 ; re
signed May 16, 1862.

154 THE WEBSTEE EEGIMENT.
WILLIAM G. WHITE.
Enlisted in April, 1861, in Company E; mustered as first lieuten
ant of Company A, June 26, 1861; died of wounds received at
Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
FREDERICK R. SHATTUCK.
Mustered as flrst lieutenant in Company B, June 26, 1861; de
tached on Signal Corps Aug. 11, 1861; resigned July 6, 1862.
EDWARD T. PEARCE.
Mustered as first lieutenant of Company C, June 26, 1861; de
tached as acting assistant commissary of subsistence on Gen. Hamil
ton's staff Aug. 1, 1861; on provost duty in Boston since April 11,
1864; mustered out July 8, 1864.
GEORGE H. DAVIS.
Mustered as flrst lieutenant June 26, 1861; resigned Dec. 18, 1861.
CHESTER CLARK.
Enlisted April 29, 1861; mustered as flrst lieutenant Company I,
June 26, 1861; resigned June 23, 1862.
SAMUEL APPLETON.
Enlisted April 29, 1861, in Company E; mustered as second lieu
tenant June 26, 1861; promoted to first lieutenant Dec. 19, 1861;
detached to serve on Gen. Abercrombie's staff Sept. 19, 1861; dis
charged by special order from war department Oct. 10, 1863.
LORING W. MUZZEY.
Quartermaster-sergeant May 23, 1861 ; commissioned regimental
quartermaster May 17, 1862; captain and commissary of subsistence
United-States Volunteers March 30, 1864; brevet major United-States
Volunteers, "for efiicient and meritorious services," July 8, 1865;
resigned and honorably discharged in November, 1865.
GILMAN SAUNDERS.
Enlisted April 19, 1861, in Company K; mustered as second lieu
tenant June 26, 1861; promoted flrst lieutenant May 2, 1862; dis
charged for disability Sept 10, 1882.
ARTHUR DEHON.
Joined the regiment Jan. 16, 1862, as second lieutenant; promoted
May 13, 1862, to flrst lieutenant; killed at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13,
1862, while serving on Gen. Meade's staff.
WARREN THOMPSON.
Enlisted April 29, 1861 ; second lieutenant Company I, June 26,
1861 ; on detached service in ordnance department at Harper's Ferry ;
prisoner at Col. Miles's surrender September, 1862 ; flrst lieutenant
June 24, 1882; prisoner at Gettysburg July 1, 1863; resigned.

ROSTER OF THE OFFICERS. 155
LYSANDER F. CUSHING.
Enlisted in April, 1861, in Company G; mustered as second lieu
tenant June 26, 1861; promoted to first lieutenant June 25, 1862;
killed at Antietam, Sept. 17, 1862.
FRANCIS THOMAS.
Enlisted April 29, 1861, in Company H; mustered June 26, 1861;
transferred to non-commissioned staff; commissioned second lieu
tenant Sept. 9, 1862; first lieutenant Sept. 11, 1882; assigned to
Company A; killed in action July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg; brigade
inspector, second brigade, second division. First Corps.
CHARLES G. RUSSELL.
Enlisted in Company D, AprU, 1881; mustered as sergeant-major
June 26, 1861; promoted to second lieutenant Sept. 6, 1861; first
lieutenant Sept. 18, 1862; kiUed July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, Penn.
JOHN H. RUSSELL.
Enlisted April 23, 1861, in Company B; mustered as first sergeant
June 28, 1861; promoted to second lieutenant July 8, 1862; first
lieutenant Oct. 8, 1882; taken prisoner at Gettysburg, Penn., July
1, 1863 ; mustered out Jan. 3, 1885.
CALVIN WALKER.
Enlisted in Company K in April, 1861; mustered as sergeant
June 26, 1861; promoted second lieutenant Aug. 11, 1862; first
lieutenant Sept. 1, 1862; discharged for disability July 30, 1863;
wounded at Fredericksburg, Dec. 13, 1862.
GEORGE H. FRENCH.
Enlisted as private in Company B, April 23, 1861; mustered as
private June 26, 1861; promoted to second lieutenant Sept. 11,
1862; first lieutenant Dec. 21, 1862; wounded at Antietam, Sept. 17,
1862, also at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863, losing the left arm; resigned
Oct. 28, 1883; appointed lieutenant Veteran Reserve Corps, October,
1883; brevet captain and major, March 13, 1865, to date from July 1,
1863 ; mustered out in March, 1866.
WILLIAM ROBINSON.
Enlisted in Company C in AprU, 1881; mustered June 26, 1861;
promoted to second heutenant Dec. 14, 1862; first lieutenant July 2,
1883; wounded at Antietam; died of wounds received at Wilderness
May 14, 1864.
JAMES A. ALLEN.
EnUsted in Company F April 27, 1861; mustered as sergeant June
26, 1861; sergeant-major Jan. 26, 1862; promoted second lieutenant
Dec. 21, 1862; flrst lieutenant July 23, 1863; wounded May 8, 1864;
niustered out July 8, 1864.

156 THE WEBSTER EEGIMENT.
ROYAL M. MASON.
Enlisted April 29, 1861, in Company I; mustered as corporal June
26, 1881; promoted to sergeant 1882; commanding company at An
tietam, Sept. 17, 1862; second lieutenant Oct. 8, 1862; first lieu
tenant July 24, 1863; brevetted captain; provost-marshal second
division. First Corps, and third division. Fifth Corps.
GEORGE E. MUZZEY.
Mustered as quartermaster-sergeant June 6, 1862; commissioned
second lieutenant Oct. 9, 1882, and appointed acting quartermaster;
promoted first lieutenant July 31, 1862; appointed regimental quarter
master April 30. 1864; mustered out July 8, 1864.
DAVID B. BURRILL.
Enlisted in Company H, April 29, 1861 ; mustered June 26,
1861; promoted to sergeant May 10, 1862; second lieutenant Nov.
30, 1862; first lieutenant Oct. 11, 1863; kUled May 25, 1864, at
North Anna River, Va.
EDWARD LEWIS.
Enlisted in Company H, April 29, 1861 ; mustered as corporal June
26, 1861; sergeant Sept. 8, 1862; sergeant-major May 10, 1863; first
lieutenant Oct. 28, 1863; taken prisoner at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863;
mustered out July 8, 1864.
CORNELIUS BACHELDER.
Enlisted in Company D in April, 1861; mustered June 26, 1861;
promoted second lieutenant March 9, 1863; first lieutenant Feb. 4,
1884; wounded at Gettysburg, July 1, 1863; mustered out July 8,
1884.
FRANK A. LANCASTER.
Private Company I, June 26, 1861; promoted to corporal; prisoner
at Chancellorsville ; returned for services rendered in rescuing wounded
from burning woods; sergeant-major; first lieutenant May 15, 1864;
came home in command of company; mustered out July 8, 1864.
CHRISTOPHER T. BAILEY.
Enlisted April 29, 1861, in Company H; mustered June 26, 1861;
discharged for disability June 20, 1862; appointed first lieutenant
May 26, 1864; transferred to Thirty-ninth Massachusetts as first
sergeant.
ANDREW A. CHIPMAN.
Enlisted in April, 1861, in Company D; re-enlisted Jan. 6, 1864,
and promoted to first sergeant; first lieutenant May 26, 1864; trans
ferred as first sergeant to Thirty-ninth Massachusetts.

EOSTEE OF TBE OFFICEES. 157
JAMES G. SMITH.
Enlisted in Company G in AprU, 1861; mustered June 26, 1861;
re-enlisted Feb. 20, 1884, and promoted to flrst sergeant; first lieu
tenant May 26, 1864; died of wounds received June 4, 1864.
GEORGE W. ORNE.
Enlisted in Company A, April 20, 1861 ; mustered as second lieu
tenant June 26, 1861; died of wounds received at Antietam, Sept.
17, 1862.
HARLAN P. BENNETT.
Enlisted in Company C in April, 1861 ; mustered as second lieu
tenant June 26, 1861; discharged Oct. 2, 1862, on account of dis
ability.
GEORGE B. DRAKE.
Mustered as second lieutenant. Company D, June 26, 1861; second
lieutenant. Sixth United-States Infantry, Aug. 26, 1861; brevet
colonel United-States Volunteers, March 13, 1865.
HIRAM W. COPELAND.
Enlisted in Company F ; mustered as second lieutenant June 26,
1861; resigned Jan. 8, 1862.
MARCUS M. LOUD.
Enlisted in Company G in April, 1861; mustered as private June
26, 1861; promoted to second lieutenant June 25, 1862; resigned
Dec. 30, 1862.
JAMES B. SAMPSON.
Enlisted in Company F in April, 1861 ; mustered as private June
26, 1861; promoted to secoud lieutenant Sept. 18, 1862; taken pris
oner at Gettysburg July 1, 1863, and absent in hands of the enemy
when the regiment was mustered out.
EDWARD J. KIDDER.
Enlisted in Company A as private, and mustered July 9, 1861;
wounded at Antietam; promoted to second lieutenant Sept. 18, 1862;
killed at Spottsylvania, Va., May 10, 1864.
GEORGE E. WHITMAN.
Enlisted in April, 1861, in Company A, as private; mustered
June 26, 1861; promoted to second lieutenant Sept. 9, 1862; dis
charged April 16, 1864, for disability.

APPENDIX.

FLETCHER WEBSTER.
ORGANIZER AND FIEST COLONEL OF THB TWELFTH MASS. VOLS.
BORN in Portsmouth, N.H., July 23, 1813. Son of Hon. Daniel and
Grace (Fletcher) Webster. Fitted for college at the Boston Latin
School, and graduated from Harvard in the class of 1833. Studied
law with Mr. Walcott in Hopkinton, Mass., commencing to practise in
1838. Near the close of this year he married and removed to Detroit,
Mich. In 1837 he went to Peru, IU., remaining there tUl 1840, when he
was appointed under Secretary of State in Washington, D.C, his father
then being at the head of the State Department. Sailed for China in
1843 with the Hon. Caleb Cushing, where he served nearly two years as
Secretary of Legation. Jan. 20, 1845, he became Surveyor of the Port
of Boston. In 1861 he resigned, and organized the " Webster Regi
ment." His subsequent history is the history of that organization.
On Saturday, Aug. 30, 1882, at the battle of Manassas, or Second BuU
Run, whUe gallantly leadii-ig his regiment. Col. Webster fell, wounded
in the arm and chest, a few moments before we retired. He was struck
while waving his sword, and cheering on his men. The adjutant of the
regiraent (assisted by two of the "tenth company"') removed hira a
short distance to the rear, and remained with him until taken prisoner.
At that time the colonel was still alive, although sinking rapidly; suffer
ing greatly, but uttering no word of complaint; calm, while recognizing
the fact that he was dying ; and, to the last, considerate for the welfare and
safety of his friends. The existence of positive orders forbidding the re
moval from the field of any Union soldier rendered fruitless all persua
sion and pleading to that end, and he was left alone to die. And this is
really all we know of the last moments of Col. Webster ; although some
i So Capt. Williams always said.

160 THE WEBSTEE EEGIMENT.
letters on the subject have been received, among which is the following
from an ex-Confederate officer : —
" I received your letter of recent date, requesting me to give you any facts
or incidents I may remember connected with the death of Col. Fletcher
Webster of the Twelfth Massachusetts Eegiment, who died on the field
from wounds received at the second battle of Manassas, Aug. 30, 1862.
" It is out of ray power to furnish you with any accurate information as to
his death, as I was only with him for a short time just after he was wounded ;
and he was still alive when I left him, although in a dying condition. This
was about four o'clock in the afternoon, and some time before the fighting
ceased. He was probably wounded when the battery his brigade supported
was taken, as I found him lying on the ground within a short distance of
the captured guns; and supposed, therefore, from his position, that he fell
when our troops made the final assault upon your lines.
"He was suffering great pain, and had but little to say: but I remember
that he asked me for some water ; and, when I took off my canteen and held
it to his lips, he drank all the water it contained, and asked for more. I
also remember that the oflScer who remained with him behaved with great
manliness, and did every thing he possibly could, under the circumstances,
for the comfort and relief of Col. Webster, regardless of his own personal
safety. I have never known his narae until your letter was received in
forming me that he was T. P. Haviland, adjutant of your regiment. I did
not take him prisoner, as stated in your letter, or In any way prevent his
attentions to the wounded man. When I left him, an oflicer and three or
four men from some other regiment came up; but whether he was taken to
the rear by them I cannot state.
" On the night of the 30th, private Brough of Corapany G, Eleventh Vir
ginia Eegiment, came into camp with a haversack found on the field, which
evidently belonged to Col. Webster, as sorae letters and other personal
effects were found in it. I requested him to give me the letters, as I de
sired to return them to Mrs. Webster with his field-glass, which I had. Un
fortunately, however, these letters were captured two days afterward in my
valise at Leesburg; and the glass was stolen from a gentleman to whom I
sent it for safe keeping until it could be returned, otherwise I should have
sent it to Mrs. Webster at the first opportunity.
" Tours, very truly,
"Wm. H. Blackfokd."
In March, 1878, the widow of Col. Webster received a letter from Mr.
Louis T. , Jones of Fort Valley, Ga., in which the writer offered to send
her a ring which was upon the flnger of the colonel when wounded. The
ring, a valued souvenir in the Webster family, was soon after received.
The facts connected with its recovery are deeply interesting, and furnish
evidence of what has always been well known to all ex-Uuion soldiers;
viz,, that there were men in the Confederate ranks possessed of the very
flnest qualities. Briefly summarized, the story, as gained from the

THE WEBSTER REGIMENT. 161
original letter, and two others recently received, is as follows: On the
morning after the battle, George T. Jones, father of Louis T., then
quartermaster of Garnett's brigade (formerly commanded by Pickett and
afterward by Hun ton), was passing through the ranks of the Nineteenth
Virginia Regiment. A soldier of Capt. Ellis's company stepped up to
him, and, handing him the ring, asked him to keep it for him. He then
stated to Quartermaster Jones, in a very earnest way, as though deeply
moved, that he had found upon the field a Federal officer, mortally
wounded; that he had done for the corafort of the sufferer aU that tirae
and opportunity aUowed; he had given him a canteen of water, bathed
his wounds, and covered him with a rubber blanket; and, in return for
his kindness, the officer had thanked him, and given him this ring. The
soldier then gave the quartermaster a description of the place where the
wounded man was lying, and asked him to go there and do what he could
for his aid. Quartermaster Jones was then under orders to take his
wagon-train to Grordonsville for supplies, and on the way searched for
and found the Federal officer in question: but he was beyond all human
help; the .spirit had taken its flight; and only the body, cold and motion
less, lay there. On a bush near by was a little slip of paper, on which
was written, " Col. Fletcher Webster, Twelfth Massachusetts Regi
ment." The Confederate officer saw no one upon the battle-field, of
either army; and he hurried on to rejoin his train. He never again saw
the soldier who had given him the ring; for seventeen days afterward, at
the battle of Antietam, the man was struck down by a Federal bullet, —
a fate from which his antagonists would gladly have spared him had they
known of his kind acts, and had they been able to have done so. Soon
after the battle of Fredericksburg, a relative of the soldier came to
Quartermaster Jones, and claimed the ring. Jones was intending to
send it to the soldier's widow, and was now puzzled as to what to do.
The matter was left to Capt. Ellis, who decided in favor of the relative.
Quartermaster Jones then bought it of the clairaant, and afterward gave
it to his son, Louis T. Jones, then a little boy, who has now given it to
Mrs. Webster, as stated above. Capt. Ellis was killed at Gettysburg.
The ring is an old-style bloodstone seal-ring. On it is the letter W.,
above which is a horse's head.
After the fight was over, Lieut. Arthur Dehon obtained permission to
go inside the enemy's lines to search for Webster's body; though he was
told that the Confederates intended to hold every one found upon the field.
He was detained: but Dr. McFarland, medical director of Pope's army,
told Dr. Guild, Gen. Lee's medical director, of the circumstances ; and
the latter very kindly released Dehon, and gave him a pass. He found
the body after a long search, strapped it upon the back of his horse, and,
though beset with raany difficulties, reached the Union lines. Here an
ambulance was obtained, and the body conveyed to Alexandria, where it

162 THE WEBSTEE EEGIMENT.
was embalmed. From Washington it was accompanied to Boston by
Mr. George J. Abbott, of the State Department, and lay in state in
Faneuil Hall from eleven a.m. of Sept. 8 to the same hour the next day,
guarded by the Independent Corps of Cadets, and visited by thousands.
In the days of the American Revolution, at the battle of Bennington,
Col. Eben Webster, the grandfather of Fletcher, commanded a regi
ment. The flag borne in that fight had been preserved, and its folds
were now upon the coffin of the grandson.
The body was dressed in a new uniform throughout, and reposed in
an elegant rosewood casket, lined with white satin. The top being of
glass, a view of nearly the whole body was had. The process of em
balming had preserved the freshness of life and the swarthiness of com
plexion which exposure to a Southern sun had given to the face. As
there was no wasting sickness, there was but a slight change from the
features as they were in life. In this sleep of death there was a closer
resemblance to the noble father than was ever noticeable while the son
was living. The massive forehead and heavy eyebrows were only needed
to complete the resemblance. The inscription on the casket read
thus : — COLONEL FLETCHER WEBSTEE,
TWELFTH MASS. VOLS.
Born in Portsmouth, N.H., 23d July, 1818.
Fell at the head of his regiment in
the battle of Bull Eun, Va.,
30th August, 1862.
The gentlemen who served as marshals at the reception of the Hon.
Daniel Webster in July, 1852, and who acted iu the same capacity on
the occasion of his obsequies, assembled at the armory of the Ancient
and Honorable Artillery at half-past ten in the forenoon, and partici
pated in the exercises attending the funeral of Col. Webster. At
11.20 A.M., Sept. 9, the long funeral procession i moved over the foUow-
1 Detachment of Police.
First Battalion of Cavalry, Major Wilder commanding, comprising the Boston Light Dra
goons, seventy-iive men, Capt. Stevens; and tho National Lancers, eighty-three
men, under Capt. Slade. Chelsea Brass Band, mounted.
Independent Corps of Cadets, forty men, under Major John Jelfries, jun. Boston Brigade
Band.
Hearse dra-wn by four black horses. Cap, sword, and belt of deceased lying upon the
coffin. Pall bearers ; Four colonels, one lieutenant-colonel, and one miyor from
other Massachusetts regiments.
Col. Webster's horse, led by his groom.
Chief Marshal, Leverett Saltonstall. Aids : B. F. Edmands, F. W. Lincoln, W. C. Endi-
cott, and David Sears, jun.
Delegation of nine officers and men of the regiment. Germania Band.
Carriage containing the officiating clergyman, the Rev. Chandler Robbins.

THE WEBSTEE EEGIMENT. 163
ing route : through Merchants Row, State, Court, Tremont, Beacon,
Park, Tremont, Boylston, Washington, and Summer Streets, to the
stone church at Church Green. At 12.20 p.m. the church was reached,
where, after a dirge upon the organ and a vocal selection by the choir.
Rev. Chandler Robbins read the burial-service of the church, and then
said, —
" In devout recognition of the providence of Almighty God, and in
humble submission to his holy will, we come into this temple to bury
our soldier and our brother, not to praise him. We have come simply
to read over his remains the solemn burial-service of the church to which
his family are attached. But there is one feeling in our hearts which it
would be untimely and ungracious for us not to utter. There is one
debt which we should be individuaUy unthankful not to pay. We can
not forget, while that body lies lifeless before us, that the last throbs of
the warm heart which animated it, and the last struggles and sufferings
which it endured, were for our native land. He knew the peril which
awaited him as he went down into that disastrous battle, and solemnly
registered his vow, ' I am determined not to spare myself.' FaithfuUy
and nobly has he redeemed that pledge. He gave himself a willing sac
rifice for the defence of that country which both the impressive precepts
and Ulustrious example of him whose name he bore had taught him to
serve with unselfish devotion, and to love better than life. We count
him happy in the opportunity and the purpose of his death. We ac
knowledge to his honor, and with thanks to the Great Appointer of our
times, that he died weU; and we feel with tenderness and gratitude that
he has died for our country and for us."
At the close of the services the body — in charge of Messrs. Dehon,
Butler, aud Eaton, of the Webster Committee — was taken to Marsh-
field, and lay that night in the library of the Webster mansion, in
accordance with Col. Webster's oft-expressed wish.
On Sept. 10, after services conducted by Rev. Mr. Alden of Marsh-
Carriages containing family and relatives of deceased.
Carriage containing the Executive Committee of the Webster Committee.
Twenty -three carriages containing a delegation of citizens of Marshtield.
Officers Massachusetts Militia.
Volunteer Officers.
Officers of the regular army and navy.
G-overnor Andrew and Staff.
The Mayor and Aldermen of Boston.
The President and Members of the Common Council.
Class of 1833, Harvard College, in twelve carriages.
The Chief Marshal and assistants who officiated at the funeral of Daniel Webster.
Atlantic Band.
Citizens generally.
The following gentlemen acted as Marshals of Divisions : Josiah Bardwell, J. D. Bryant,
W. P. Lee, C. H. Dudley, W. W. Clapp, jun., Henry Saltonstall, Edward Motley,
Granville Mears, Ives G. Bates, S. Endicott Peabody, and H. S. Shurtleff.

164 THE WEBSTEE EEGIMENT.
field, the body was placed in the Webster tomb, — the Defender beside
the Expounder of the Constitution.
Many tributes to our colonel have been written aud spoken. The fol
lowing, from the pen of the Hon. George S. Hillard, is given. It ap
pears iu Harvard Meraorial Biographies, vol. i.: —
. . . "Col. Webster showed himself possessed, in no common measure,
of the qualities of a good commander. His discipline was firm and uni
form, but not alloyed by petulance or passion. His regiment acquired a
good name from the neat and soldier-like appearance of the men, the quick
ness and accuracy of their drill, and the orderly arrangement of their camp.
His men were warmly attached to their colonel. They appreciated his
manly frankness, his simplicity of character, his kindness of heart, and the
cheerfulness with which he bore the hardships and privations of the service.
. . . Col. Webster was long mourned and affectionately remembered by the
officers and men who served under him."

JAMES LAWRENCE BATES,
The second colonel of the regiraent, was born in the town of Wey
mouth, Mass , Aug. 11, 1820. He was a son of Elijah and Sally (Tor
rey) Bates. With the exception of a few terms of advanced studies at
Monson and Andover Academies, his education was gained in the com
mon schools of the town. He commenced life for himself as a teacher
in the schools of Weymouth, and in this profession was very successful
and popular. In 1849 he went to California in the ship " Edward
Everett" from Boston. He resided there one year, and then, in com
pany with others, purchased the ship, and sailed for Peru. Returning
to the East, he was for a few years engaged in the manufacture of boots
and shoes in South Weymouth. The outbreak of the war found him in
the leather trade in Boston. He immediately joined those who were
raising Company H, in Weymouth, and was chosen their captain April
29, 1881. He became at once an exceUent drill-master, infusing energy
and thoroughness into his command. At the seat of war he was ever a
" tower of strength " in the regiment; his dignified bearing, his moral
example and influence, and his unswerving integrity, gaining for him
the esteem of all. On the 5th of August, 1862, he was commissioned by
Gov. Andrew as major of the Thirty-third Massachusetts Volunteers.
Sept. 9, 1862, he was promoted to colonel of the Twelfth, on the
recommendation of Gen. Hartsuff, and took command Sept. 21. He
handled the regiment with skill and efficiency at Fredericksburg, Chan
cellorsville, and Gettysburg. At the latter battle he was wounded in
the neck, but remained at his post. In the fall of '63 he was called by

THE WEBSTEE EEGIMENT. 165
Gov. Andrew to assume charge of the conscript camp on Gallop's
Island, Boston Harbor; and here for several months he rendered efficient
sei-vice. He returned to the regiment in the spring of '64 ; and on the
3d of May, when the army advanced under Gen. Grant, he assumed
command of the brigade as senior colonel. From that time till the ex
piration of his term of service he continued to be brigade commander;
and, for a successful reconnoissance near the North Anna River, he was
complimented in General Orders. The brigade obtained information at
this time which caused a change in the movements of the whole army.
He returned home with the regiment, and was mustered out of service
July 8, 1864. He then became cashier of the South Weymouth Bank,
which position he held two years. On leaving the bank he engaged in
the banking business in Boston, and continued in this pursuit till his
death. In December, 1868, he was brevetted a brigadier-general by Con
gress for gaUant and meritorious service in the war.
He was a charter member of Post 58, G.A.R., on its formation, July
14, 1868, and its commander till January, 1870, when he was elected
Commander of the Department of Massachusetts, G.A.B., which posi
tion he held one year; and, on retiring therefrom, he again became com
mander of Post 58, and continued in office till his decease.
Gen. Bates died on the 11th of November, 1875. The disease was
diabetes, caused, no doubt, by the hardships of military life ; for, up to
within a few months of his decease, he had enjoyed exceptionally good
health. Those who knew him when a soldier will not soon forget his
robust physique, and his grand, noble voice; and all who saw him during
his sickness, day after day growing weaker and weaker, wondered that
one so strong should fail so fast.
When the news of his death reached the officers of the regiraental
association, they iraraediately set about to secure the attendance of as
many members of the regiment as possible at his funeral, which oc
curred at South Weymouth, Sunday, November 14. A liberal use was
made of mail and telegraph, as well as the press: a special train from
Boston was secured, and Martland's Brockton Band engaged. A floral
offering was sent, and mourning rosettes and badges were prepared to
be worn by the men.
The floral testimonial was beautiful and massive. It represented the
badge of the second division. First Army Corps, the circle being formed
of choice white flowers; while in the centre appeared the Maltese Cross of
the third division. Fifth Corps, in blue.
The train from Boston arrived in South Weymouth at two p.m.; and
those upon it found many of their comrades, and Post 58, G. A.R., wait
ing for them at the railroad station. The line was formed, with seventy-
two members of the regiment in the ranks; and, preceded by the band,
the march was taken up for the late residence of the deceased. Many

166 THE WEBSTEE EEGIMENT.
other organizations came on the same train, and these followed; and,
when the house was reached, all were assigned to their positions in line.
When all was ready the remains were borne from the house and placed
in the hearse, surrounded by a guard of honor of twelve men from Post
58. The procession then took up its march for the Congregational
Church.i The procession was over a mile in length ; and, during the march to the
church, the bells of the town were tolled, the bands performed dirges,
and the scene was one of deep solemnity. Arriving at the church, the
different organizations formed in mass on either side of the main en
trance ; and, while the men stood with moistened eyes and uncovered
heads, their brave and loved commander passed them in a last review.
When all were inside the structure, it was found to be densely packed.
Mourning emblems were upon every hand; and in front of the altar,
where reposed the remains, a splendid painting of the general in uni
form was hung, the property of Post 58.
The services were conducted by the pastor of the church. Rev. George
M. Stanton, who pronounced an eloquent eulogy upon the life of the de
ceased. The music was exceedingly fine, being rendered by a select
double quartet.
At the conclusion of the services all present took a last view of the
face of the dead ; and then the line was re-formed, and the procession
moved to the cemetery. Rain was now descending heavily, as if the
heavens, too, wished to offer a tribute to the sad occasion. Arriving at
the burial-place, the various organizations formed around the open grave
in a solid square; and, after prayer. Department Commander Merrill, of
the Grand Army of the Republic, delivered a short but eloquent eulogy
1 Martland's Brockton Band, William J. Martland leader, twenty-three pieces.
Twelfth (Webster) Regiment Association, Lieut.-Col. B. F. Cook commanding, seventy-
two raen.
Hearse.
Gen. Reynolds Post 68, G.A.R., of Weymouth, two hundred men.
Gen. Lander Post 5, G.A.R., of Lynn.
Charles Ward Post 62, G.A.R., of Newton.
Paul Revere Post 88, G.A.R., of Quincy.
Charles Russell Lowell Post 7, G.A.R., of Boston.
John A. Andrew Post 15, G.A.R., of Boston.
Fletcher Webster Post 13, G.A,R., of Brockton.
Justin Diraiek Post 124, G.A.R,, of East Bridgewater.
Gen. Sylvanus Thayer Post 87, G.A.R. , of Braintree.
Hartsuff Post 74, G.A.R., of Rockland.
McPherson Post 73, G.A.R., of Abington.
E. Humphrey Post 104, G.A.R., of Hingham.
Gen. James L. Bates Post 118, G.A.R., of Swampsoott.
Department Commander of the Grand Army of the Republic,
Major George S. Merrill, and staff.
Members of the Loyal Legion of the United States.
Citizens of South Weymouth, on foot and in carriages.

THE WEBSTEE EEGIMENT. 167
upon the general's militaiy services. Then the remains were lowered
into the grave, and a salute was fired by a detachment from Post 58
under coraraand of Capt. Charles W. Hastings, of the Twelfth Regiraent.
And now, as the shades of evening began to gather, and the deep black
clouds overhung the scene, with the raindrops falling thick and fast, a
farewell was taken of our dear comrade till we all meet, nevermore to be
separated, in the brighter land beyond.
In the cars on the way back to Boston the men were called together
by the president of the association, Lieut -Col Cook, and a committee
was appointed to draught resolutions expressive of respect and esteem
for the deceased. Subsequently the following preamble and resolutions
were prepared, and, after having been engrossed and framed, were
forwarded to the family of the deceased : —
Whereas, Our beloved colonel, James Lawrence Bates, having accom
plished the high purposes of his life, is now mustered out of service here,
and has responded to roll-call in the ranks of our comrades over the border;
therefore. Resolved, That we, his surviving comrades, former soldiers of the Twelfth
Eegiment of Massachusetts Volunteers, sharing deejjly in the sorrow which
pervades many hearts at the loss which the countiy has sustained in the
death of this loyal citizen and gallant defender of our liberties, bear un
qualified testimony to his bravery in battle ; tohis rare skill and ability in
command of the regiment, and for a long time, in the most critical period
of the war, of a brigade; to his decision of character and great executive
ability; to his personal dignity and worth; to his Itindness of heart, his
affable manners, and his consistent devotion to truth, virtue, and temper
ance. Resolved, That these resolutions be placed upon the records of this Asso
ciation, and that a copy be forwarded to the family of the deceased, to
whom we offer our sincere sympathy and condolence.

YALE UNIVERSITY

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