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HISTORY OF THE
First Light Battery
Connecticut Volunteers,
1861-1865.
PERSONAL RECORDS AND REMINISCENCES.

THE STORY OF THE BATTERY
From Its Grc.axiz.vtion to the Present Time.
compiled from
Official Records, Personal Interviews, Private Diaries, War
Histories and IndiAddual Experiences.

ILLUSTRATED
BAT ORIGINAL DRAWINGS, ETCHINGS, PORTRAITS AND MAPS.

HISTORIAN,
HERBERT W. BEECHER.

VOLUME II.

New York:
A. T. De La Mare Ptg. and Pub. Co., Ltd.,
<• TO 8 DUANE STREET.

^/.LE

MEMORIAL ilONUMENT
TO BE ERECTED AT BAY VIEW r.\RK, NEW HAVEN, TO THE MEMORY OF M.\ JOR-GEN' ERAL TERRY AND THE SIXTH AND TENTH REGl.MENTS
CONNECTICUT VOLUNTEER INIANIRV AND THE FIRST CONNECTICUT LIGHT BATTERY.

FIRST CONNECTICUT LIGHT BATTERY PRESENTING A FLAG TO THE BATTERY'S
SUCCESSOR. (See page 835.)

fcC}p)NITElNTS?i

VOLUME II.
CHAPTER XXIV.
IN BATTERY NUMBER ONE.
In the intrenchments; a false alarm; in camp on Jaraes River; "turn out the guard;
Comrade Shields surprised ; "here's Old Abe and Beast Butler;" Griswold's .story
of Lincoln's visit to camp; General Walker, C. S. A., a prisoner; robbed of his
buttons ; Comrades Tallmadge and Abels have a narrow escape ; Captain Rockwell
made Chief of Artillery ; brigade commander ; Captain Rockwell's story of the flag
of truce ; Comrade Fowler and his watch ; how the rain and wind destroyed the
camp; special order against communication between pickets; ''Fairy Bell;" how
the pickets exchanged papers; Captain Rockwell promoted; leaves Battery;
Comrade Hotchkiss' letter to his sister; Captain Rockwell's description of the old
battlefields as seen in 1899  . 456
CHAPTER XXV.
WARE BOTTOM CHURCH.
Phil Sheridan at Cold Harbor ; General Grant regrets his action at Cold Harbor ; Army
of the Potomac crossing the James ; General Ewell, C. S. A., tells his government
that it had better make terms; "Baldy" Smith defends himself against Grant;
General Gillmore removed; General Terry in command; a sharp skirmish; Ware
Bottom Church ; right section and the 100-day men ; Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson
strikes men on back with his sword; sinking the boats to obstruct the James;
contempt for the enemy's guns; Battery praised by Colonel Howell; Sergeant
Sayers' (loth Connecticut) great bravery ; Confederate reports ; General Beauregard
criticises General Smith; three days' losses; Comrade Sloan and the Brigadier-
General    477
CHAPTER XXVI.
FOUR MILE CREEK.
Grant and the interviewer; a darky orders Grant to stop smoking; Lieutenant Clinton
promoted Captain; other promotions; Grant visits the camp; Butler's removal of
Gillmore criticised; pontoon bridges; Grant's new plans for capture of Richmond;

X COXTEXTS.
Comrade Hotchkiss makes a shelter of bales of hay; commissary's difficulties;
Battery divided up into six parts; skirmish at the Grover House; Btitler threatens
Sraith ; Smith retorts ; finding a pot of gold and silver coins ; mad rush for the
spot; Sheridan bivouacs near Battery camp; Sheridan at Trevilian Station;
Comrade Griswold talks with General Grant; Butler's "gilt and feathers" . 492
CHAPTER XXVII.
LIFE AT DEEP BOTTOM.
Hare House; lines around Petersburg; bomb-proofs; the gunners prove their skill;
Deep Bottom; gathering roasting ears of corn; Independence Day in camp; "air
damp, without the 'p;'" 104 in the shade; order to march; three days' rations
given out; news of the destruction of the Alabama; shells drop in Battery carap;
Comrade Hotchkiss|describes the action; ammunition used by wholesale; Battery
lost two horses ; disabling gunboat Mendoia; General Grant under fire ; Confeder
ate report  506
CHAPTER XXVIII.
ON THE NEW MARKET AND MALVERN HILL ROAD.
Strong position captured by nth Maine ; two sections of the Battery in the engagement ;
"go home, you red devils;" "we don't want to hurt you 'uns;" Lieutenant
Dickinson in command of two sections; 200 shots fired; Hancock's instructions;
Comrade Griswold's description of the capture of four 20-pounders; Battery saves
the guns from recapture ; Colonel Plaisted officially praises Lieutenant Dickinson
and the Battery; right and centre sections settle down for a. rest; boots and
saddles ; firing at an unseen enemy ; right and centre sections at Grover House ;
driving the enemy from the rifle pits ; Comrade Hotchkiss and the hungry German ;
2d Corps ordered to march in a hurry ; leave lots of camp equipments and personal
property behind; explosion of the mine; the crater; Burnside's failure; Comrades
Waldo and Shields capture a porker ; Comrades EUis, Doran and Lane cross the
river and capture some horses and mules; trading the mules; Comrade Lane tells
how they did it; great surprise when the stolen horses were found in Battery camp;
General Foster sends for Comrade Lane ; " if you want any raore scouting, come to
me ;" Comrade Hotchkiss tells the story in his graphic manner; "don't halt soldiers
beyond the line— shoot first;'' "who stole the horse?"; a photographer visits the
camp; execution of a deserter; Captain Follet in command of brigade .... 517
CHAPTER XXIX.
DEEP RUN.
How a Confederate got a torpedo on board a Union ammunition barge ; explosion at City
Point ; Maxwell, C. S. A., tells the story ; belief that Petersburg had been blown up;
sharpshooters in the trees ; Grant instructs Captain Clinton to fire on them ;

CONTENTS. xi
Sergeant Tuttle's good shot ; Grant praises the Battery ; Lieutenant-Colonel
McGilv.ery in command of brigade; nth Maine and loth Connecticut in gallant
charge, protected by Battery ; Comrade Sloan describes the charge ; only time
Battery witnessed a battle in which it was engaged ; Confederate reports ; right
section on picket line ; left and centre sections in redoubt ; cutting a way through
pine woods for Battery ; Comrade Griswold tells how a sharpshooter descended
a tree in double-quick ; General Birney and the colored brigade ; negroes lose their
heads ; Grant and the wounded soldier ; Grant watching Comrade Griswold cut the
fuse; Comrade Fowler and the sharpshooter in the road; Corporal Lawrence's good
shot; enemy's line broken by Battery; Hancock's flag of truce; Captain Clin
ton on Grant's coolness under fire ; a Seneca Indian's clever capture of a sharp
shooter for a wager ; congratulatory orders ; Comrade Hotchkiss writes graphically
of the action; Butler and the "Virginia Reserve;" "we gave you hell at Chicka
mauga"  536
CHAPTER XXX.
FORT STEDMAN.
Attempt to explode a mine in front of Butler's line; marching in the rain; shelling
Petersburg ; march to Fort Stedman ; Comrade Griswold the historian of the march ;
Comrade Dickinson tells of the Hare House; seeking safety in bomb-proofs; beans
sprinkled with red clay ; "step lively and keep your heads low;" Comrades Guptil
and Griswold have a narrow escape; Comrade Griswold's rerainiscences; how
Corarade Scranton silenced a gun ; coraplimented by the Lieutenant-Colonel com
manding ; three corarades stunned by an exploding shell ; left section firing into
Petersburg; Corporal Huntington's gun detachment; doing double duty, but not
getting double pay ; life at Fort Stedman described ; dead bodies lying unburied ;
"get down there, Yank — we're going to fire;" death of Lieutenant-Colonel
McGilvery; Comrade Sloan and the dying commander; Comrade Clark's poetic
description of the flying shells; Comrade Abels gathering flowers; "drive him
away, quick ;" Comrade Doolittle and the fried onions ; the " Petersburg Express ;"
evacuation of Atlanta; "I say, Yank, what the hell was all that firing about?";
Sheridan's ride; Lieutenant Seward proraoted; Comrades Scranton, Farrell and
McGee have a hairbreadth escape ; bullet-dodging ; the enemy's compliment to
Battery ; Lieutenant Smith _appointed Acting Assistant Inspector-General . . 553
CHAPTER XXXL
FORT HARRISON.
" Surprise and capture of Richmond;'' Battery at Jones' Landing; "hope we go South;"
"where are we going?"; Fighting at Laurel Hill; Fort Harrison; mud sticking
closer than a brother; Comrade Tuttle arrives with recruits; dead man at window;
Johnson's farm; Comrade Smith never expected to see his comrades again; Battery

Xll CONTENTS.
holding Chaifin's Blufi ; General Birney shelled out of headquarters ; official praise
of Lieutenant Smith ; Grant and the Presidential election ; the election ; how the
Battery voted ; Butler's congratulatory order reviewing the work done by the
Array of the James . . ...  577
CHAPTER XXXII.
DARBYTOW.N ROAD.
Reconnoitering; sharp skirmish; JIajor Camp killed; loth Connecticut retreats for first
time ; heavy losses ; Comrade Griswold tells of Camp's death ; Comrade Clark
describes the retreat; General Pemberton, C. S. A., records a deed of bravery;
Corarade Fowler wanted to play ball; no pay for seven months; butter $i a pound;
general order on death of General David B. Birney; the tented city; amusements
in carap ; singing class ; sixteen of the corarades honorably discharged ; Comrade
Clark's envy ; Comrade Griswold tells of his journey home ; Comrade Barber tells
how the colored soldiers lost their coffee  , . . 507
CHAPTER XXXIII.
Johnson's k.\km.
The midnight visitor to the Captain; "break carap;" the loth and i8th Corps on the
march ; deserters flocking into camp ; fighting all along the line ; shelling the
enemy's rifle pits; General Longstreet's compliment to the Battery; his story of
the day's fighting; how the sutler got scared; apple sauce in plenty; changing
the Battery guns ; making a fire for others to enjoy .  607
CHAPTER XXXIV.
SKIRMISHING IN FRONT OF RICHMOND.
Eight comrades honorably discharged; Comrade Fowler's experiences; no stateroom for
a private soldier ; tendency of war to make people imperialistic ; officers' uniforra
a passport; trouble with the new guns; Battery divided again; erratic orders;
Comrade Clark expresses his disgust ; Comrade Hotchkiss describes guard duty ;
many promotions; camp uncomfortable; Lieutenant Upson's coolness; retreat;
Battery firing and retreating \v\th. pro longe; building log houses; "cuss words"
frequent; ten tons of turkey gone astray; Thanksgiving dinner a day late; "cold
toes and cold nose ; " bounty jumpers; reward for capturing a deserter; loth Corps
discontinued; Battery attached to colored corps; snow and wind . . gig
CHAPTER XXXV.
IN FRONT OF RICHMOND.
General Weitzel in command; Battery short of men; a comrade's experience with
negro bedfellows; recruits robbed of their clothing; machine guns; effective shell
ing; Chaflin's Bluff; visiting civilians dodging shells; Comrade Gesner tells

a

CONTENTS, xiii
good "bean" story; Christmas Day inspection; pork and beans for dinner; old
faces missed; 300 deserters from the enemy; Fort Harrison; Lieutenant Upson
with the Fort Fisher expedition ; how a shell tore up twenty feet of solid earth ;
raaking corduroy roads ; drawing lots for furloughs ; Battery firing on the enemy's
gunboats; the Onondaga's cowardice; "the devil to pay and no pitch hot;"
Lieutenant Smith resigned; the Confederate Peace Commissioners pass Ihrough
the camp; drivers hurt , . . . .  ... 631
CHAPTER XXXVI.
IN WINTER QUARTERS.
Mules and niggers; 3,000 mules braying every morning; Comrade Henry Hotchkiss
writing love-letters for the negroes; Corarade Joseph Doolittle and the shells; a
young card-sharper ; "ray very best trick;" Comrade Welch trades his watch for
whisky; making money selling fire-water; playing chess; singing songs; brigade
drills; rumor that Richmond was to be evacuated and the cotton and tobacco
burned; President Lincoln to review the 25th Corps; Battery disappointed;
Comrades Clark and Hotchkiss on the President's raistake ; how Chief of Artillery
Langdon nearly got arrested; camp fires to be kept burning; stripped for a fight;
surplus baggage sent across the James ; the fight at Fort Stedman ; Sheridan at
Five Forks; "big news from Petersburg;" General Lee advises evacuation of
Richmond ; Lee in retreat . . ... ... ... 648
CHAPTER XXXVII.
THE ENTRY INTO RICHMOND.
How Comrade Hotchkiss told the news to Captain Clinton ; Richmond on fire ; Lieutenant
Scranton describes the scene; "dey am runnin' from Richmun' — glory! glory;"
buried torpedoes to blow up the Yankees; warning flags; the strong rifle pits; no
stragglers; "on to Richmond;" line thronged with excited people; "bress de
Lord, de year ob jubilee hab come ; " the excitement of the colored population ;
"see all dem darky soldiers — dey jist look like blackbirds;" Lieutenant Upson's
narrow escape ; Mrs. Pickett describes the evacuation ; Battery with the first troops
to enter Richmond; raising the Stars and Stripes ; General Grant's report ; Captain
Clinton first officer of patrol; Lieutenant Upson and Mrs. Hall; "Lee has sur
rendered;" " dey's all gone;" good rifles manufactured in Richmond  660
CHAPTER XXXVIII.
IN THE SURRENDERED CITY.
How the President entered Richmond ; evades the escort; "let 'em up easy;" President
Davis issues an address; Battery officer and General Lee's wife and daughter;

xiv CONTENTS.
amusing stories of the -.vay the oath of allegiance was taken ; the young lady who
said "damn the Yankees;" surrender of Lee; generous terms; Battery marches out
of the city ; Comrade Clark describes the march ; Comrade Lane has an exciting ex
perience; comrades visit the crater; assassination of President Lincoln; Battery
fired the official salute ; an English paper on the assassination . . . . 678
CHAPTER XXXIX.
PEACE AT LAST.
Court-martials ; surrender of Joseph Johnston ; Lieutenant Clark and the beautiful
Southern girl who gave him a bouquet ; "break camp ;" arrival at City Point ; rumor
that the Battery was to be sent to Mexico to fight the French ; Light House Point;
Comrade Leroy Upson's experience in fetching the library ; official praise of Lieu
tenant Upson; Camp Lincoln; order to muster out the Battery; a delay; horses ex
changed for those of Tully's Battery ; back to Manchester ; hauling the big guns ; a
week's fun at Manchester ; turning over the stores to the United States Govern
ment ; sailing from Fort Monroe ; arrival in New York  695
CHAPTER XL.
" HO.ME, SWEET HOME."
How the news was received in Connecticut; Battery first State organization to return;
every one talking of its record ; New Haven puts on gala attire ; crowds at the depot ;
official welcorae horae ; uniforms riddled with bullets and spattered with Virginia
mud; marching through New Haven; Mayor Scranton's welcome; the banquet;
"fall in for grub;" the jV£7i/ Haven Palladium, Xhs New Haven Register &nA.
the Journal and Courier describe the home-coming ; mustered out ; Comrade
Upson's comments on Battery record  705
CHAPTER XLL
WHAT THE CITIZEN SOLDIER DID FOR THE NATION.
Slavery declared by the founders of the nation to be a menace ; the war caused the
republic to be respected in Europe ; revolutionized the nations of the world ; gave
new life to the oppressed ; taught the world how to build a strong navy ; war
created a united nation; rally of citizens republic's strength; no professional
soldiers could possess the enthusiasm of citizen soldiers ; not a love of adventure, but
pure patriotisra; a nation greatest that depends on its citizens; Napoleon and
Switzerland; the war in South Africa; cost of the war; "a bankrupt nation;" the
men who fought the battles returned to pay the debt ; a republic that relies on a
standing army is sure to become an empire; citizens ever ready to defend free
institutions . .   -i.

CONTENTS. XV
CHAPTER XLII.
A CONNECTICUT WOMAN AT THE FRONT.
President Lincoln's tribute to American women; woman's work in the ho.spitals; as
teachers ; many lost their lives by their devotion ; Harriet Foote Hawley ; her sister's
tribute ; Comrade Griswold tells how the comrades loved her ; Mrs. Hawley at Beau
fort; housekeeping under difficulties; at Fernandina ; hospital nurse; back in Wash
ington ; at Wilmington ; prisoners being returned from Andersonville ; " no one can
ever describe their condition ;" how Mrs. Hawley was injured in Richmond; Com
rade Griswold tells of her visit to the State camp ; her appearance ; tablet to her
memory in Hartford ; "she lived not in vain" ... .  721
CHAPTER XLIII.
THE MUSTER-ROLL OF HONOR.
General Terry's tribute; General Hunter pleased with the Battery; taking part in 25
engagements; in the Petersburg trenches; ancestral military history of officers;
non-commissioned officers, privates and recruits ; dates of enlistment; corrected list
of casualties; killed; wounded; injured during service; died from disease during
active service  . .  729
CHAPTER XLIV.
THE VETERAN ASSOCIATION.
How the Veteran Association was founded ; facsimile of call ; what the Soldiers' Record
said; a virulent "copperhead;" the annual reunions; names of officers, etc. 825
CHAPTER XLV.
THE battery's SUCCESSOR.
Governor Buckingham's desire to have a light battery ; General Russell sends for Comrade
Griswold; Guilford Light Battery; Lieutenant Edward Griswold; destruction of
the Maine; Light Battery volunteers ; Camp Haven ; Veteran Association presents
a silk flag to Battery A; Comrade Dickinson's oration; banquet; Battery stays in
carap ; Comrade Griswold's views on light batteries as a State force ; officers
for 1901   835
CHAPTER XLVI.
ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES AND REMINISCENCES.
Comrade Wakeley tells of the destruction of the Bridgeport Farmer; how a peace
meeting was broken up under leadership of Barnura and others; ante-bellum feel
ing in Virginia; Comrade Beecher's father has many exciting experiences; "chas-

xvi

CO.VTEXTS.

ing the d  d Yankees out of the country;" how a good woman saved Abram
T. Beecher ; General Custer's murders ; Beecher and General Jackson ; taken
prisoner; escape; General Custer's story of the daring of Mosby's raiders; Comrade
Cannon's experience at the opening of the war; Comrade Griswold adds to the
story of the Guilford "send-off;" a rauscular Christian's sermon; petition of
corarades for new election at Camp Tyler; Comrade Sanford's good shot; Comrade
Griswold and the "laundress;" first gun practice at sea; Comrade Abels on the
EUwood Walter; Beaufort incidents told by Comrade Sanford; Comrade Clark
and the darkies at Beaufort ; burial of a horse ; Comrade Wakeley and his attempts
at riding; Comrade Barber tells an amusing raule story; Corarade Marcus Hall tells
graphically aboui his "coffee-pot ;" "before Christ" crackers ; praise for the Battery
frora New York Herald; how Corarade Turner got off the field at James Island ;
horrible suspicion against a doctor recalled by Comrade Sanford ; his experience
after Secessionville ; Corarade Seward tells some incidents about "Sod" Blatchley ;
"we went to fight, not to quibble about the value of money ;" Comrade Durgin's
loyalty; curious punishments; amusing guard duty incidents; Comrade Blodgett
firing a salute; how he landed in Florida; Comrade Doolittle's narrow escape at
Proctor's Creek; Comrade Sloan compares the mortality in camp with Spanish-
American camps ; Comrade Huntington talks about Comrade Lewis Sykes; "get
off that horse;" a Four Mile Creek incident; Corarade Savory and his horse
Deacon ; a thrilling episode ; how Generals Crook and Kelly were captured by
the Confederate Rangers ; the clergyman and the captain ; a clever way to obtain
whisky; copy of Comraile Wakeley's discharge papers ; Major Seward's experience
in Honolulu; how Comrade Beecher was wounded; a strange sermon; a seces
sionist clergyman's bad break; epilogue  . , . 841

Memorial Monument 
Presenting Flag to Battery's successor

Frontispiece Frontispiece PAGE

General Foster and Staff at Deep Bottom .  
Line of Defense, Bermuda Hundred , . ... . 
Trading for Coffee Between the Lines ... . . .
On Picket  
Army of Potomac Crossing the James ....
A Wagoner's Shanty .  ....
Pontoon Over James River at Deep Bottom ... . 
Troops in Position at Berrauda Front . 
Anticipating an Attack on General Foster's Force at Deep Bottom — following page .
Picket Camp . . . . ...
Bomb Proof . . ... . .....
Officers' Quarters, Deep Bottom 
Rifle Pits, Deep Bottom . .
Beefsteak Rare ... . . ....
Newspapers in Camp  
Washing Day ... 
Shooting a Deserter . . . . 
Centre Section and One Piece of Right Section in Redoubt, Deep Bottom — following
page . . 
City Point, Va. . . . . . . 
First Connecticut Light Battery in Camp at Deep Bottom — following page
Posting Guard in the Rain . . . . 
Gopher-Hole Bomb Proof . . 
In Petersburg Trenches . ...
Remains of Unburied Soldiers . 
Section of Fort Stedman . . . .... ...
Confederates Laid Out for Burial .  ...
Railroad Bridge Destroyed . . . 
Coming Into the Lines  
Zouaves Halting at a Spring . . 

456a 460 470474
480 491497502 504 505
508510 514
516 520526 534536537
552 554557560 565568572 574586592

XVlll

ILLUSTRATIOXS.

Newspapers for the Army — a Race for Camp . .
Telegraphing from the Field to Headquarters . . .
A Sutler's Tent ...
A Deserted Picket Post ...
A Commissary Tent .
A Picket Post in Winter ...
A Christmas Dinner on Picket
Building a Corduroy Road
A Magazine 
Winter Quarters in the Trenches .
Home, Sweet Home
Fall In for Soup
Abattis .......
Richmond After Evacuation .
Burned District of Richmond
Guarding the Hard Tack . .
Gathering Up the Dead .
Facsimile David Waklee's Coraraission as Sergeant, October 7
Facsiraile David Waklee's Commission as Ensign, May 23, 177S
Facsimile of Call for First Reunion
Palmetto on the St. John River

1762

PAGE 592
600 614617624
630638642644647
652658662 668
674 677
686796 800
826874

PAGE
Map of the Fortifications around Petersburg   575
Map of the Approaches to Richmond  68g
Map of James Island, Showing Defenses of Charleston  862
Map of James Island, Showing Plan of Attack on Secessionville  866

PAGE
Bacon, Morrison  743
Barnes, Samuel  764
Baird, Geo. W  763
Barber, Geo. M   747
Beecher, H. W  748
Bishop, Alfred G. . . .  765
Bishop, Luther  804
Blodgett, Ralph  766
Brown, Williara  767
Brown, Leeds  . 759
Brown, Geo. M   805
Burnham, Charles G   749
Chapman, John   742
Collins, Richard ...   808
Dickerman, James E  . 809
Dodd, Henry A   . 750
Doolittle, Horace A  769
Doolittle, Amasa L  . 751
English, John C. .    770
Evarts, Charles E  ....  752
Evarts, Horatio W   743
Griswold, Edward  775
Gillette, Nathan  . . 774
Gillette, George   752
Hall, Titus A  753
Hanks, Andrew J  778
Hawley, Mrs   723
Harvey, Byron C   811
Holly, James  . 754
Holman, William H   753
Hotchkiss, Henry E  . 812
Hull, Samuel H  779

XX PORTRAITS.
PAGE
Hull, John R   760
Ingram, George R   780
Ives, William B  . . .  78i
Jagger, Lucius H. .   5I2
Jillson, Charles E. .  74i
Johnson, Harvey N. . .  ¦ • 7^0
Lane, Charles W, . . .  689
Lord, Thomas M  757
Loveland, Edwin ...  . .  8x4
Merwin, John H. . ... .  744
Minor, Alfred . . .... . . . .  783
Pattison, Frank .   816
Porter, Seldon T, ...   733
Penhallow, George W. .  . . . . ... 570
Ramsey, Adam .   ... 817
Reynolds, Ed. B, .   472
Remington, Geo. F   786
Roberts, E. M. B.   787
Roach, Peter .  . ...  8x8
Sanford, Joseph W. .   . 788
Savory, Jonathan . . .  ....  789
Scranton, S. W    740
Sloan, John T. .  . .  791

Stevens, Samuel N.

792

Skinner, Harvey D  , .   790
Starr, Geo. H.   792
Tallmadge, Henry H   793
Taylor, Alonzo . . . .  75g
Thompson, James H. . . . .  7g4
Thompson, Francis H   ... 797
Upson, Theron  .  .  736
Upson, Le Roy    608
Van Horn, Edgar ....   820
Van Horn, George  ... .  758
Waldo, Loren A. . . .  8ox
Welton, Alex, W,   585
Wells, James H, .  8q2

Welch, Fernando C.

80X

ERRATA.
Page 46. James H. Reynolds, wounded at Proctor's Creek, Va., May 14,
1864, instead of Chester Station (see page 423).
Page 77. Line 2, Comrade Mark Hall was a painter, not a butcher.
Page ro8. Last line, read "dollar label for one dollar," instead of ten dollars.
Page 135. In notice of Comrade Joseph Fowler, read Lieutenant Cannon
for Lieutenant Cameron.
Page 139. On page 139 and wherever Fort Pemberton is mentioned, read
Fort Lamar.
Page 182. Line 22, read service instead of Ritual.
Page 193. Line 10, Comrade Ingraham should be Ingram.
Page 296. Sixth line, instead of Lieutenant George Metcalf, read "under
command of an infantry lieutenant."
Page 357. The paragraph commencing "This engagement," and to the
end of the chapter, should follow the paragraph on page 355
commencing "During the night," etc., and before the paragraph
commencing "While the right section," etc.
Page 420. Comrade John E. English should be Comrade John C. English.
Page 572. For Peter Magee, read Peter McGee.
Page 604. Lyman C. Jerome should be Luman C. Jerome.
Pages 711 and 712. The figures given are from the official reports. The
corrected list of casualties will be found on pages 822
and 823.

CHAPTER XXIV.

IN BATTERY NUMBER ONE.

THE Engineers had been working by night and day to
make the line of intrenchments at the point where
the curves of the James and the Appomattox bring
those two streams within three miles of each other.
Butler's right rested on the James at Dutch Gap and
his left on the Appomattox at Point of Rocks. The
position was one of the strongest that could be made
and was absolutely impregnable against assault. The only disadvantage
was that the enemy had only to throw up another line running parallel
across the same neck of land, and the Army of the James would be power
less to move.
Along this line of intrenchments was a series of forts named bat
teries and bearing consecutive numbers. The First Connecticut Light Bat
tery was assigned to Battery No. i.
General Butler, by Special Order, dated May 17, placed Colonel Henry
L. Abbot, ist Connecticut Artillery, in command of all the siege artillery of
the Army of the James, except Battery M, 3d Pennsylvania Artillery, sta
tioned at City Point. Colonel Abbot was to be entirely independent of the
division commanders and ordered to report direct to General Butler, only
consulting with the commanders of the 10th and i8th Army Corps, as to
positions of the siege guns within their lines.
The ist Connecticut Heavy Artillery reported with i, 700 men, but 349 of
them were honorably discharged, a few days later, on account of expiration
of term of service, but was reinforced by a battery of the 3d Pennsylvania
Artillery, eight light batteries in Terry's division and six light batteries,

•^^/s^ja^i.^^^ii^j^"

GENERAL FOSTER AND STAFF AT DEEP BOTTOM.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 457
with eight mounted howitzers in addition, in Turner's division, making a
total of eighty-two light guns and 17 heavy guns.
A reserve depot of ammunition consisting of xoo rounds per gun, was
established near Hatcher's house, and a regular system of supplies for the
batteries was organized.
No sooner was the Battery settled in the intrenchments than orders
came for all to be set at work strengthening the defenses. Gen. Butler de
claring that the work must be " pressed with the utmost diligence," and
half an hour after the order had been received, General Gillmore replied :
Gillmore's May 17, 1864.
General Butler: I have ordered fatigue parties to work on the intrenchments
to-night along my whole front. Q. A. Gillmore, Major- Genera/.
Similar orders were sent to General Smith, commanding the 18th
Corps and on that night the two army corps were at work all along the Hne.
The line of works at Bermuda Hundred was exceeding strong. First,
there was a strong line of earthworks, consisting of redoubts and intrench
ments, with embrasures made more efficient by bags of sand. Outside of
this was a ditch, with abatis in front, and outside of all a row of pointed
palisades of timber, inclining toward the approaches of assailants.
Late in the afternoon Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Campbell, command
ing the 85th Pennsylvania Volunteers, reported that while on picket his
lookout discovered a body of the enemy, moving from the direction of
Richmond toward Petersburg on the turnpike. The infantry was followed
by a train of about 100 wagons. General Gillmore at once ordered Colonel
Benjamin F. Onderdonk, commanding the ist New York Mounted Rifles, to
move on the turnpike to endeavor to capture what was evidently a commis
sary train, but he found the enemy in such strong force on the picket line
that he was ordered to retire.
During that night the Battery was called up by " Boots and Saddles "
bugle and the comrades turned out lively, expecting to have some hard fight
ing, but after waiting an hour or so, hitched up, the order to unhitch was
given and the comrades and horses returned to their well-earned rest.

45S HISTORY .AXD REMIXISCEXCES
" We did some hard digging to strengthen our position," wrote a com
rade under date May 19, 1864, and another comrade enlarged on it by stat
ing that he was called up at three o'clock in the morning to start work.
The enemy shelled the works all morning very vigorously, one man of
the ist Heavy Artillery losing a leg. It was particularly hard in his case,
for he had only two more days to serve before his time expired.
Two sections of the Connecticut Light Battery were sent to camp on
the banks of the James River about three-quarters of a mile in the rear of
Battery No. i. From this point could be seen the gunboats and monitors in
the river, two monitors being just opposite the camp. A comrade wrote that
the monitors did not fire often, "but when they did their heavy guns made
everything jingle."
The camp was located near the edge of a large tract of wood, through
which was a road that passed the camp. Over this road the officers and
their staffs frequently passed. Every time an officer rode by the camp it
was the duty of the soldier on post to cry out:
' ' Turn out the guard ! "
On hearing this it was the duty of the sergeant, or corporal, in charge
of the guard at the tent, to promptly order out the guard and salute the
officers as they rode by, which was done by the men standing at "attention,"
in line, presenting sabres. It was the duty of the man standing guard to
keep a sharp watch in every direction to see that intruders, spies or scouts
from the enemy did not pass his beat, and also to keep a sharp lookout for
any officer that chanced to be passing near the camp. It was his duty to de
tect them far enough away to give the guard, not on the beats, but, resting
in the guard tent, time to turn out, get into line and be ready to salute the
officers as they passed.
The road through the wood was partially hidden from view by the over
hanging branches, which made it possible, if the guard was not specially
vigilant, for an officer to emerge from the wood suddenly into the camp
without being seen far enough away to give the guard a chance to tum out ;
whenever this occurred there was usually considerable confusion among them,
which the officers appeared to enjoy, as they caught the guard napping.
One day Comrade Patrick Shields, a very tall Irish lad, was walking his
beat nearest the road that entered the camp from the wood ; as he was pac-

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 461
ing along leisurely, his back turned toward the road, he suddenly turned and
faced about and caught sight of a group of officers riding in a swift gallop
out of the wood and almost right up to him. To see unexpectedly such a
gathering of generals almost on top of him and knowing he should have
seen them before they reached the camp, gave him such a shock that under
the excitement, he forgot his military manners and hysterically called out:
"Great God! Turn out the guard! Here's Old Abe, and Beast Butler."
Before the guard could turn out, the distinguished Commander-in-chief
and generals rode by the guard, smiling.
This group of officers consisted of President Lincoln and Generals Grant,
Sherman and Butler.
They rode by the camp, stood in the fort on a platform beside one of the
guns a few minutes, and wheeling about rode off, disappearing as suddenly
as they had appeared. It was a matter of great regret that Comrade Shields
did not see them in time to turn out the guard for a salute. It is said that
President Lincoln laughed heartily at the announcement made by the ex
cited and disconcerted guard.
Comrade Griswold mentions the visit of the President in his Reminis
cences in this way :
" While stationed in these lines President Lincoln visited us and rode
down the line of works with General Grant. It was; the first time I had .seen
either Grant or Lincoln. How awkward and even peculiar the President
looked to us, his silk hat down to his eyes, and his tall, lank form I shall never
forget; but we were also surprised at the plain-looking General who had the
command of an army of a million men. No gilt, no fuss, no feathers, but
one could almost feel and realize that we had a man now in command of
our armies who was honest. "
Constant firing all along the picket line kept the comrades on the alert
and the firing, by the enemy, of the English "Whitworth" shells was
watched with great interest.
On the morning of the 20th General Beauregard attempted to carry out
his plan of forcing back the entire line as outlined by him to the Confederate
Government as follows:
" The enemy has retired to his lines across the Neck; our forces are in
position in his front. His lines of skirmishers will be driven about daybreak

462 HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES
to-morrow to determine location and strength of his works. A battery of
rifled field-pieces has been ordered to be constructed at Hewlett's to com
mand the James River, so as to prevent his passage of transports. The
junction with Whiting's forces was made about midday. They formed my
right wing."
On the morning of the 20th a strong demonstration was made by the
enemy on the Union position, in which he succeeded in gaining possession
of the advance rifle-pits on General Ames' front, and a portion of General
Terry's. The fight was a severe one, both sides contending with extraordi
nary courage. Twice the enemy was driven back, but the numbers were on
his side, and the Unionists were driven back. General Ames attempted to
regain his ground, but failed. General Gillmore ordered Howell's brigade
to move out and retake the rifle-pits from which the enemy had driven the
Unionists. After a serious fight, in which the brigade lost a total of 149
killed and wounded, the lines were re-established. The Union loss in that
engagement was 702, while the enemy acknowledged a loss of 800, includ
ing Brigadier-General W. S. Walker, who was wounded and taken prisoner.
General Walker was taken through the camp of the First Light Battery
about five o'clock that same afternoon, being carried on a stretcher. " He
was a very tall man, with high forehead and long hair," says a comrade who
saw him carried down inside the line. General Walker was not feeling very
amiable and it is asserted that he used language more suited to the wilds of
his State of Texas than a parlor. Some of the soldiers who were near him
clipped buttons from his uniform to keep as souvenirs. They had almost
divested his clothing of buttons before the officer in charge discovered that
button-grabbing was going on. Then it was at once stopped and punish
ment threatened if it should be renewed. General Walker told the com
rades of the Light Battery, that Battery No. i. was a strong one, and that
it would have been almost impossible for his troops to enter it, even if it
were not so well defended.
On the following morning the enemy charged the rifle pits again and a
hot and heavy firing took place along the line for fifteen minutes. Then the
artillery opened on both sides and the firing was more rapid than any before
that morning. The Connecticut Battery escaped, the heaviest firing being
near the river, where the gunboats were ready to return the fire. A shell

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 463
burst in the camp and struck a caisson in the adjoining fort blowing it to
atoms. Though the shells were as "thick as blackberries in Autumn," the
guns continued firing, " not stopping for such trifles," wrote a comrade.
The enemy's sharpshooters proved troublesome and even during the
night bullets passed unpleasantly close. Comrade Tallmadge tells of one
little incident which will bring back many remembrances to the minds of
the comrades. He says: " Comrade Oliver Abels and I were lying alseep
when something came whizzing by our heads, and, of course woke us, when
we found that it was a bullet that had passed just over our heads and hit our
haversacks, which were immediately behind us, and tore everything to
pieces in them. My tin plate, cup, spoon and other things were completely
smashed to pieces."
Comrade Oliver K. Abels, in his diary, wrote: "May 24, 1864. Pleas
ant and warm. Got up twice last night on account of picket firing,
but did not open any artillery on the enemy. The rebel sharpshooters shot
through my tent and into my haversack, breaking the handle of my knife.
The bullet came very near my head. "
Such little incidents were reminders that even when asleep, and dark
ness reigned over Virginia, the soldiers were not safe from the bullets of the
enemy. A very great honor was paid at this time to the First Connecticut Light
Battery through its able captain, in the following General Order:
General Orders ) Hdqrs. ist Div., loth Army Corps.
No. 8. j Bermuda Hundred, Va,, May 22d, 1864..
Battery M, ist U. S. Artillery, Captain L. L. Langdon commanding,
having been transferred to the 3d Division, loth Army Corps, Captain
Alfred P. Rockwell, First Connecticut Light Battery, is announced as chief
of artillery on the staff of the brigadier-general commanding, and will be
obeyed and respected accordingly.
By order of Brig. Gen. Alfred H. Terry. Adrian Terry,
Assistant Adjutant-GeneraL
On the day previous, namely May 21, General Ames had asked Captain
Rockwell to apply to have the First Connecticut Light Battery transferred
to his division. This would have made Captain Rockwell chief of artillery

4i;4 HISTORY A.XD REMINISCENCES
on General Ames' staff. It was a great compliment both to Captain Rock
well and the Battery, but the honor was declined, as the Battery preferred
to be under General Terry. Captain Langdon's regular battery was then
transferred and Captain Rockwell became chief of artillery on General
Terry's staff.
A week later Captain Langdon was again in the ist Division, and, being
a regular army officer, would take precedence over Captain Rockwell, but
General Terry wanted the latter to remain chief of artillery in his division,
a great honor which many men would have accepted, but Captain Rockwell
declined and so was relieved, and Captain Langdon became chief of artillery
on the staff of the division commander. But on the same day he was ap
pointed brigade commander by the following order:
Special Orders | Hdqrs. ist Div., xoth Army Corps,
Xo. 25. ) Berviuda Hundred, Va., May 28, 1864.
The light batteries of this division, viz.. First Connecticut Light Battery,
5th New Jersey Light Battery, Light Company E, 3rd U. S. Artillery, are
hereby organized into a brigade under the command of Captain Alfred P.
Rockwell, First Connecticut Light Battery, to whom the commandingofficer
of the two batteries last mentioned will report at once.
By order of Brig. Gen. Alfred H. Terry.
Adrian Terry.
Assistant Adjutant-General.
On June i, 1864, Captain Langdon was relieved from duty and Captain
Rockwell became chief of artillery on General Terry's staff:
Glneral Orders, I Hdqrs. First Division, ioth Armv Corps.
No. 10. j hi the Field, near Curtice, Va., June i, 1864,
Captain Loomis L. Langdon, ist U. S. Artillery, having been relieved
from duty. Captain Alfred P. Rockwell, First Connecticut Light Battery,
is announced as chief of artillery, staff of the brigadier-general commanding,
and will be obeyed and respected accordingly.
By order of Brig.-Gen. Terry,
Adrian Terry,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
The honor was well deserved, for Captain Rockwell had proved himself
an efficient artillery officer and an able commander.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1S65 465
Captain Rockwell has furnished a little interesting incident which
occurred on May 22, 1864.
" I was sent with a flag of truce to try to recover the body of an officer
killed on the lothof May," he says. "While waiting an hour for an answer we
all sat down, smoked and drank and chatted about various matters. We ex
changed late papers, we gave them some cigars, for they had none, and whis
key, which the Confederate Colonel said they could not raise in their camp for
$200 (Confederate) a gallon. They were North and South Carolina troops, and
strangely enough. Colonel Wallace, commanding a brigade, told me he was
on James Island at the battle of Secessionville, two years before. One
Colonel drank ' to the end of the war.' He was a West Pointer and many
of his classmates were in our army there. One of them asked me if it were
true that the order had been given for our line to advance and attack them
in that thick fog of the i6th of May. I answered, yes, for I had heard the
order given to General Terry. 'Well,' he said, 'I wish you had; there
would not many have got back through that slashing.' The whole front of
their second line at Drewry's Bluff was well protected by heavy slashing.
Tt would have been perfect madness to assault."
While the Battery was stationed at Bermuda Front the troops were re
inforced by three regiments of hundred-day men from Ohio. They were
men of more years than the average soldier, and most of them were very in
telligent; but in coming straight from home, without drill or experience in
military duties, they seemed very much out of place, and as one comrade
said, "very green." But they had one trait of character that pleased the
soldiers: they were so enthusiastic that they would do as much digging in one
hour as an old soldier would in two.
The Connecticut Battery had a camp in Battery One, each section
having its tents arranged in a separate street. To keep out the rain and
ward off the heat, posts and cross pieces were erected and the canvas sides
of the tents spread out, making a continuous tent, on the top of which pine
boughs were spread.
Comrade William Fowler had purchased a very large watch — it was
almost as large as a clock — and hung it on his tent post. The rain
had made the mud ankle-deep and still the rain continued to fall. One day
a gust of wind accompanied the rain and from left to right the tents of the

466 HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES
centre section swa3'ed gently at first, then faster, until ihey were all down in
the thick red mud. The right section was congratulating themselves on
their good-fortune, when their tents shared the same fate as those of the
centre. The men groped in the thick mud for their things, and many were
far from amiable. As for Fowler's watch, that was so heavy that it
sank several inches into the red mud, and presented a sorry spectacle when
it was fished out. Comrade Fowler thought that while the rain and
mud lasted he would be more comfortable in a bomb-proof and he shared
one with Corporal Merwin.
Though Butler's army was " bottled up," it gave the enemy quite as
much as he wanted and Beaurgard was so harassed that he had to get re
inforcements. General Smith wanted to act on the offensive, believing that
with such an army as Butler commanded much could be done; he won over
General Butler, and a move would have been made had not Butler procrasti
nated so long that General Grant thought him unable to accomplish any
thing. On May 26, 1864, General Grant directed Butler to retain only such
troops as were actually necessary for defense, sending all others to join the
Army of the Potomac. That column was to be placed under the command
of General Smith. One or two batteries and a regiment of cavalry was to
go with it to cover the landing at White House, on the Pamunkey. General
Grant desired that either Gillmore or Weitzel should be placed in immediate
command of the entire defensive line, as they were more familiar with de
fensive works.
At eight o'clock on that same night General Butler reported: "Orders
have been given to put, say, 17,000 infantry in condition to move at once,
leaving what may be sufficient only, in the judgment of myself and officers,
to hold the line of defenses between the James and Appomattox, near Point
of Rocks, which is our defensive line."
The command of the entire line of defense was given to General Gill
more at Grant's suggestion, and the disposition of the troops changed.
Kautz was placed in command of the position which had been occupied by
General Smith, the cavalry was dismounted, and the horses pastured. Gen
eral Terry was to occupy the line held by the loth Army corps, though with
so few men that it seemed almost impossible for him to do so, especially as
he had to have one brigade in reserve posted near his centre. All the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 467
troops that could be spared from each division were ordered to withdraw
from the line and encamp near it, but out of sight of the enemy, upon such
roads as were convenient for the purpose.
A great deal of curiosity was manifested in the inner circle of the army
by this move. It was expected that General Gillmore would have been
withdrawn and General Smith placed in command, especially as Brigadier-
General Meigs, quartermaster and Brigadier- General J. G. Barnard had
just sent a note to General Grant's staff two days before, in which they said:
"What ought to be done is either, first, to place an officer of military
experience and knowledge in command of these two corps (the loth and
i8th), thus making them a unit for field operations, and then assume the
offensive; or, second, to withdraw 20,000 men, to be used elsewhere. Gen
eral Butler is a man of rare and great ability, but he has not experience and
training to enable him to direct and control movements in battle. A corps
gives its commander full occupation on the battlefield, and leaves him no
time to make suggestions to the commander-in-chief as to the movements of
two corps. General Butler is satisfied with the ability and aid of General
William F. Smith. He does not appear to be satisfied with General
Gillmore. General Butler evidently desires to retain command in the field.
If his desires must be gratified, withdraw Gillmore, place Smith in command
of both corps under the supreme command of General Butler; let Smith
put Brooks in command of one corps, and Weitzel of the other, unless you
can send here better officers. You will thus have a command which will be
a unit, and General Butler will probably be guided by Smith, and leave to
him the suggestions and practical execution of army movements ordered.
Success would be more certain were Smith in command untrammeled, and
General Butler remanded to the administrative duties of the department
in which he has shown such rare and great ability. "
The Confederates knew of the withdrawal of a large portion of Butler's
force on the same day, for General Dearing telegraphed to Beauregard that
"the enemy are striking tents and preparing to retire."
During the weeks spent in Bermuda Hundred the pickets and skirm
ishers often advanced close enough to the enemy to converse and as the men
had no personal animosity frequently the enemies fraternized and exchang-

46S HISTORY AXD^REMIXISCEXCES
ed papers, tobacco and other things. So constantly did this occur that we
find General Beauregard issuing orders concerning it, as follows:
Special Orders, Hdqrs. Dept. of N. C. and Va.
No. 15. May 2Q, 1864.
It having been reported to these headquarters that our pickets and
skirmishers have allowed those of the enemy to advance to within very short
distance of our lines, and that the pickets of the two lines are becoming too
familiar, it is hereby ordered that no communication whatever should be
had between our pickets and those of the enemy. The latter must be fired
upon whenever they are seen within range of our guns; due precaution,
however, being taken to prevent waste of ammunition. No exchange of
papers will be permitted, and no communication of any kind allowed, ex
cept under flag of truce sent by a division commander by direction of these
headquarters. Division commanders will see that this order, all other
general and special orders, relating to their commands, is read to the troops.
This order is dictated by a stern military necessity, as the forbidden prac
tice affords positive advantages to the enemy in procuring information and
directing his force; but even if this necessity did not exist, the commanding
general still deeply deplores the moral disgrace incurred by his troops in
anything like voluntary or unnecessary association with the savage foes who
are not only warring against us, but persecuting our women and children,
and destroying private property. The hands of such a foe are unworthy
the friendly or courteous touch of a Confederate soldier.
By command of General Beauregard : Jno. M. Otev,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
The practice continued at every opportunity, both sides feeling that the
fight was between their respective States and that individual animosity had
no cause to exist in any save rare cases.
A very great many were beginning to believe that the war was unnec
essarily prolonged and we find recorded in Comrade Hotchkiss' diary this
sentiment :
"There have been some severe fights along our lines, and a great
many killed on each side. Most of the slaughter was on our left, and all
for naught. The prayers of the nation should go up as from one man, that

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FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 471
the Almighty should stay the tide of blood and misery, and give us peace
once more. Those traitors in the North, who are hindering the Nation,
ought to be down here and put in the front rank ; we ought to compel them
to go through the hospitals first and witness the misery and carnage of war,
and then let them dodge bullets for a time: it would do them good."
A story is told of some Union pickets who started singing a song
entitled " Fairy Bell," and when the time came for the chorus, the enemy's
pickets on the post opposite struck up and their voices blended with those of
the Pennsylvanians. In a letter home a Connecticut soldier wrote :
"The rebs. rigged up a plank, with a sail and rudder attached, and on
it placed a drawer, evidently taken from an old secretary, in which they
put two Richmond papers, and on top a half plug of tobacco, with a written
request for a New York Herald, and stating that ' they would come over and
have a little chat ' if we would pledge faith. This kind of intercourse, though
indulged in, is forbidden on our part."
So often was this exchange of papers effected that the custom got to be
called "The Newspaper flag of truce," and under that waving newspaper
coffee, tobacco, sometimes whiskey and all sorts of things were traded or
exchanged. On May 27th Colonel Redfield Duryee resigned his commission as
Colonel of the 6th Connecticut; failing health, it was said, incapacitated him
for active service in the field. The vacancy in the 6th Connecticut Infantry
caused one also in the First Connecticut Light Battery, for Captain Alfred
P. Rockwell was selected to fill the position vacated by Colonel Duryee.
However, Captain Rockwell did not receive his promotion and commission
until June 18, 1864.
On June 2nd the enemy commenced a fierce attack on the Union lines
and drove in the pickets, killing several, and taking a few prisoners.
The assault was so vigorous that the pickets were driven over a second
line of rifle pits for about three-quarters of a mile, when the enemy fell
back and occupied the first line of rifle pits from which they had driven the
Unionists. The artillery duel was hot for a few hours and for some time it seemed
as though a decisive battle would be fought. The skirmishing was brisk.

472

HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES

the enemy appearing at the edge of the woods and opposite Battery Pride.
A hot fire of canister made them beat a hasty retreat.
The pickets of the 7th Connecticut at this time lay just in advance of
the fort in charge of a Captain and Lieutenant, but they could not hold the
line without assistance. General Terry ordered a sufficient force to save
the line. Confederate Colonel Dantzler's tody was brought into the Bat
tery, he having fallen in the early part of the skirmish.
General Beauregard reported :
" Enemy's advanced line of rifle pits near Ware Bottom Church were
taken this morning with about 100 prisoners from 7th Connecticut. Our
loss is trifling." In Battery Pride was an old comrade of the
First Connecticut Light Battery, Edwin B. Rey
nolds of Columbia, who had been mustered into
the United States service at Camp Tyler, had left
the Light Battery after serving one year, and re-
enlisted in the ist Connecticut Heavy Artillery in
December, 1863. He was able to renew his ac
quaintance with the comrades, and many a time
they met around the camp fire.
The First Connecticut Battery was hitched up
and ready to take part in the duel or retire to where
it could do more good, but the comrades had no
more chance to distinguish themselves at that
time. The enemy very early got the range on the house
where General Terry had his headquarters, and the shots and shells
fell around it so lively that the General and staff had to vacate it.
"It is an ill wind that blows no one any good," is an old proverb,
and Comrade Hotchkiss says that the front door, which had been
blown from its hinges, proved a very useful article for him. He used
it at night as "an improved bedstead," and in the day as a table.
He says, " The door had glass in it at some time and looked the worse for
wear, but it was just right for my bunk with a blanket spread over it, and
in the daytime I set it up on a pile of bread boxes and it makes a table."

EDWIN B. REYNOLDS,
of Columbia.
Enlisted Oct. 5, 1861 ; mustered
in Oct. 26. i86i ; Discharged Oct.
20th, i8r.-. ; enlisted Co L, 1st C. V.
H. A. Dec. 7, 1863; mustered out
Sept. 25, 1865.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 473
This comrade tells us that the living was better at that time, for he records
that he "had bean broth with pork for dinner, and very good hard tack. I
get at intervals a ration of soft bread baked at Fort Monroe. I get fresh
meat once or twice a week and I sometimes get a chance to buy dried apples,
potatoes, pickles, etc. Yesterday I bought nine cans of tomatoes for the
fresh meat soup, got a little butter for my own larder at 60 cents a pound,
so I can once more have my bread, butter and coffee." In a letter to his
sister he gives a picture of camp life, which will help to recall that time to
the comrades: In Camp, June 7, 1864.
My Dear Sister:
There is not much going on here at present. Once in a while we have
some pretty sharp firing, and sometimes the horses are all hitched up ready
to move to the rear in case the rebs. make it too hot here in camp. They
will have to drive in our pickets and open heavy with artillery, though, be
fore we should have to move.
From here we can see along the line of our forts and when we have a
smart artillery drill, it is a splendid sight; yet I can't say it is & pleasant one.
Well, Captain Charlie Mills is a prisoner and severely wounded ; the rebs.
were too much for our boys that day. The 7th stood up nobly, but the
regiments each side fell back and as the 7th don't do such things the rebs.
gobbled them up.
I wish Uncle Sam would send men enough next time to wipe this war
out so clean and so quick it would make your " head snap. "
You ask me if I have anything to eat where I am ; I think we do. I
draw all that U. S. furnishes to us and buy dried apples, potatoes, spices,
etc., besides canned tomatoes for soup. Yesterday we had a good fresh meat
soup for dinner; then we have good beans; rice and hominy are now pro
vided. Yet, withal, our boys grumble a good deal. Yes, and soft bread,
most every day ; if not, then first-rate hard bread.
When we first came, of course, we could not have all this and came
down to pork and beans, hard bread and coffee with sugar.
It is not likely our Battery will move from here at present, as we are
now doing garrison duty.

474 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
I have heard no firingj up toward Richmond since the sorry one of Fri
day last, and I am a little afraid Grant got the worst of it; shall know soon.
Can buy butter now, only 60 cents per pound, and I want some. Supper
is over, hominy, molasses (first time since leaving Folly Island) and coffee.

ON picket.

I got some butter and with soft bread and tea I made a good meal, rather
natural. The firing up toward Richmond is heard this p. m. I can hear the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 475
guns now, but all is quiet here. I bought nine cans of tomatoes to-day at $7
per dozen, for company mess; I have paid 75 cents each before.
Affectionately yours, C. A. Hotchkiss.
The First Connecticut Light Battery reserve camp was a cool, comfort
able place. The comrades trimmed up the trees in a beautiful cedar grove and
made pleasant quarters for both themselves and their horses. "Those who
were on the picket line had to burrow under sand bags and shelter in bomb
proofs," says one comrade. In front of the officers' quarters the comrades
erected a pyramid of shot and shell and bullets which the enemy had fired in
that direction, and as a comrade wrote in his diary: " It looked quite harm
less just then, but how much blood has been shed by those innocent-looking
shells is quite another tale."
A rumor reached the camp that the Battery was to be sent to Washing
ton to guard the Capital, and before that rumor had gone the rounds,
another, which was believed by very many, was circulated to the effect that
the Battery was to be sent to New York to quell the draft riots and help
enforce conscription.
It is interesting to know how time has changed the appearance of the
battle fields on which the First Connecticut Light Battery proved its devo
tion to the cause of the Union. General Rockwell, writing to the Battery,
August 2 2d, 1899, said:
" On the 6th of May last I made a day trip from Fort Monroe up the
James River to Richmond, and the next day drove over the turnpike to see
Petersburg. I wanted to test my accuracy of my recollection of the region,
and to see how the ground looked from the Confederate works.
"I, unfortunately, had not time to make an exhaustive examination, but
what I did see was most interesting. City Point and Bermuda Hundred
Landing looked just as they did thirty-five years ago when we landed there.
Deep Bottom was unchanged.
"Above Dutch Gap Canal it was all new, and as we passed under the
precipitous bluff, on which Fort Darling (Drewry's Bluff) was built, it was
easy to see why the navy could effect nothing so long as the Confederates
held that bluff. The next day I visited the fort on the bluff. It is about
eight miles from Richmond, and about one mile from the turnpike. It is

476 HISTORY A.XD REMIXISCEXCES
now covered with trees, the growth of thirty years and more, which no
doubt have protected the surface from the heavy rains, for the works were
in surprisingly good state of preservation. The very heavy embankments
that traverse the ditch outside and the exterior slope all indicated a works of
very great strength.
"Our operations from the 12th to the i6th of May, 1864, hardly
threatened it, as we never ventured beyond their line of intrenchment.
"Grant certainly believed that if Butler had pushed vigorously with
the thirty odd thousand of the Army of the James immediately on landing,
that is, on the 6th or 7th of May, he could have taken Richmond; but it does
not seem clear to me that he could. Fort Darling was easily reinforced
from the other side of the river, and was too strong to be taken by assault,
and yet it would have been rash to leave it behind.
"The line of breastworks, where the action of the i6th of May was
fought, was still distinct where it crosses the turnpike. The 'Halfway
House ' is still standing. I recognized several points on the turnpike,
especially the road joining it from Bermuda Hundred and the one to the
west where Metcalf with his section did such good service on the morning of
the loth of May, and where a little later the two other sections took a hand,
having come at a brisk trot from near Port Walthall Junction. The railroad
embankment, where the turnpike crosses, is, of course, unchanged, and the
little meadow on the east with its brook, where we watered the horses on
the afternoon of the 9th, was just as I remembered it. The growth of trees
in what was then open fields, and the more recent clearing of what was then
forest, changed everything greatly in some places. Swift Creek appeared
much less of an obstacle than I had supposed. The Confederate works on
the side toward Petersburg were not very serious where the road crosses it,
and I think there is hardly a question but that Butler could have taken
Petersburg on the 6th, 7th, or 8th of May. The Confederate records show
clearly that they had but about 5,000 up to the end of the 9th in or about
Petersburg. "The forts aboutPetersburg were very much changed, excepting where
special care had been taken to preserve them, especially about the
'crater' over the mine. The failure to take advantage of that break in
the enemy's line would not be believed, had it not occurred. The capture
of Petersburg would have been certain had ordinary energy and promptness
been shown."

CHAPTER XXV.

WARE BOTTOM CHURCH.

ffi

.^

S THE army under Butler was hermetically
sealed up at Bermuda Hundred, the enemy
was enabled to transfer many of its reinforce
ments brought from the South by Beauregard,
to the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded
by General Robert E. Lee. General Grant saw
that Butler could very well defend his position
by a much smaller force than he had in his com
mand, so he directed that all the available
forces, leaving only enough to secure what had been gained, should be sent
forward, under command of General W. F. Smith, to reinforce the Army of
the Potomac. While waiting for these reinforcements Grant extended his left toward
Cold Harbor, sending Sheridan with cavalry and artillery to secure that
place. Sheridan took possession of Cold Harbor, his troops having orders
to hold it until relieved by the infantry. For 24 hours the intrepid cavalry
general held the position, though suffering great loss. Reinforcements
numbering 10,000 arrived during the day under General Smith. At the
same time the enemy's line had been extended in the same direction, so as to
cover all roads leading to Richmond.
When the entire army was in its new position at Cold Harbor, eight or
nine miles from Richmond, with the Confederates but a little distance in
front of it, an attack was planned for the next morning.
At half-past four three army corps began the attack as planned. They
moved rapidly forward under a most destructive fire of artillery and

4.78 HISTORY AXD REMIXISCEXCES
musketry, and carried the first line of intrenchments. A division of
Hancock's Corps struck a salient and a hand-to-hand contest ensued. The
fighting was desperate, but the Unionists captured the salient and 300
prisoners. Every assaulting column, on reaching the enemy's line, was met
by a cross-fire from carefully-placed artillery, and not a man could go any
farther. General Meade, acting under special instructions from Grant,
suspended the attack, though heavy firing continued all day.
In the evening the corps, commanded by Generals Wright and Smith,
attacked the Confederate intrenchments. Along most of the front they
were obliged to cross open ground that was swept by artillery and musketry;
but they never stopped, moving forward steadily, losing heavily, and
filling up the ranks with glorious courage, carrying the first line of works,
and capturing some hundred prisoners. They were stopped by the second
line of works. They intrenched and held the position they had occupied ;
but the victory at Cold Harbor had been a costly one, for the loss amounted
to more than 2,000 in killed and wounded, including many officers.
The fighting had been at such close quarters that it was im
possible to care for the wounded that lay between the contending armies,
except by a cessation of hostilities. General Grant asked an armistice for a
few hours in order to recover the wounded, but General Lee delayed it with
various trivial excuses for nearly 48 hours, at the end of which time all but
two of the wounded were dead.
General Grant acknowledges in his Memoirs that the attack on June 3d,
at Cold Harbor, was the most regrettable act he committed during the war;
the officers knew that it was likely to be costly and useless though not one
of them protested but went to his death, winning glory and an immortal
name. Among the wounded officers, Connecticut men found the name of
General Tyler.
General Grant kept his force close to the enemy as long as possible,
to prevent the Confederates from detaching a force to act against Hunter in
the Shenandoah. He deterrained to move by the left flank, swing his army
across the James and invest Richmond from the south. But to effect the
result it was necessary to capture Petersburg, for the south bank of the
James is lower than the city of Richmond. On the south side was included

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FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 481
in the main line of the defences of Richmond and, therefore, an attack
in that direction was out of the question.
A military commander never had a more difficult operation to perform
than that which confronted Grant. He was in close proximity to the enemy
and had to march fifty miles, cross two rivers and bring his vast army into
a new position.
He made a cavalry demonstration on the James, above Richmond, to
destroy Lee's lines of supplies from the Shenandoah; he made a line of
intrenchments along the north bank of the Chickahominy, from his position
at Cold Harbor to the point where he intended to cross; ordered General
Butler to send two vessels loaded with stone to be sunk in the James, as far
up stream as possible, to prevent the enemy's gunboats from attacking the
army when crossing.
The Army of the Potomac began its march on the evening of June 12th,
and at noon on the following day a pontoon was thrown across at Long
Bridge, 15 miles below Cold Harbor.
The 2d, 6th and 9th Corps crossed the Chickahominy a few miles farther
down; while the i8th, under command of General Smith, had embarked at
White House to be sent around by water. The sth Corps reached Wilcox's
Landing on the James, on the evening of the 13th, a few miles below the
point where McClellan had reached the river at the end of the Peninsula
campaign. The river at the point is 2,000 feet wide; but between four
o'clock in the afternoon and midnight a pontoon bridge had been laid and
the troops commenced crossing. The artillery and trains were sent over
first and the infantry commenced its march across the river, occupying 48
hours in doing so. Thus we find that an army of over 100,000 men marched
50 miles, crossed two rivers, and was placed in position to threaten the
capital of the Confederacy without a mishap.
General Ewell, of the Confederate Army, declared that all v/as lost when
the great Army of the Potomac crossed the river, and he advised the
Government to make the best terms possible.
During all this time, the First Connecticut Light Battery was waiting
for orders to take part in what was believed to be the final struggle. " We
heard the noise of the battle at Cold Harbor," wrote Comrade Sloan, "and
at night we could see the flashing, of the guns."

4S1' HISTORY AXD REMIXISCEXCES
When General Grant commenced to cross the James, the enemy in front
of the Bermuda line of intrenchments began to retire.
On the night of June 14, 1864, the comrades were called up and ordered
to get everything in readiness to move at a minute's notice. The horses
were harnessed and hitched up and the battery looked as though it were
ready for action. That the projected movement was considered serious was
proved by the order that all the comrades should sleep on their arms, fully
accoutred. Before daylight the bugle called the men, and with three days' rations
prepared, the march commenced.
General Grant says that " after the crossing had commenced, I pro
ceeded by a steamer to Bermuda Hundred to give the necessary orders for
the immediate capture of Petersburg. The instructions to General Butler
were verbal, and were for him to send General Smith, that very night, with
all the troops he could give him without sacrificing the position he then held.
I told him that I would return at once to the Army of the Potomac, hasten
its crossing and throw it forward to Petersburg, by divisions, as rapidly as
it could be done; that we could reinforce our armies more rapidly there
than the enemy could bring troops against us. General Smith got off as
directed, and confronted the enemy's pickets near Petersburg before day
light next morning, but, for some reason that I have never been able to
satisfactorily understand, did not get ready to assault his main lines until
near sundown. Then, with a part of his command only, he made the
assault, and carried the lines northeast of Petersburg from the Appomattox
River, for a distance of over 2^ miles, capturing 15 pieces of artillery and
300 prisoners. This was about 7 p. m. Between the lines thus captured and
Petersburg there were no other works, and there was no evidence that the
enemy had reinforced Petersburg with a single brigade from any source.
The night was clear, and the moon shining brightly and favorable to further
operations. General Hancock, with two divisions of the 2d Corps, reached
General Smith just after dark, and offered the service of these troops as he
(Smith) might wish, waiving rank to the named commander, who, he natur
ally supposed, knew best the position of affairs and what to do with the
troops. But, instead of using these troops and pushing at once into Peters
burg, he requested General Hancock to relieve a part of his line in the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 483
captured works, which was done before midnight. By the time I arrived
the next morning the enemy was in force."
General Grant's report, from which we have quoted, was not written
until a year after the occurrence, and he, no doubt, unintentionally, does an
injustice to General Smith. In General Smith's report we read:
"I was aware of the crossing of the James River by Lee's army that
night. I deemed it wiser to hold what we had than, by attempting to reach
the bridges, to lose what we had gained, and have the troops meet with dis
aster. Heavy darkness was upon us and the troops were placed so as to
occupy the commanding positions and to wait for daylight."
General Smith had asked to be relieved on account of sickness, but
General Grant wished him to remain in command. It may have been that
physical weakness temporarily deprived him of his usual vigor.
General Smith arrived at Bermuda Hundred on the night of June 14.
His troops, having rested on the transports, were fresh, and early the next
morning they cros.sed the Appomattox on a pontoon bridge, and before noon
were in front of the defenses of Petersburg, north-eastward of the city. The
troops had marched in three columns. General Kautz had kept well to the
left, and threatened the defenses of the Petersburg and Norfolk Railroad.
Brooks led the centre, and Martindale the right. On the way General Hinks,
with his negro brigade, had carried advanced rifle pits and captured two
guns, and the whole column was inspirited with the expectation of a quick
and easy victory. But this glorious hope was dampened when a reconnois
sance revealed the fact that there was a strong line of works on their front,
the guns of which swept the ditches and ravines, which cut through the
valley in various directions, over which the Union Army must pass to the
assault. A part of General Smith's troops, under Generals Martindale, Brooks
and Hinks, forming a heavy skirmish line, pressed forward, and at seven
o'clock in the evening drove the enemy from formidable rifle pits. Pushing
on they captured a powerful salient, four redoubts and a connecting line of
intrenchments along a distance of two and a half miles.
General Gillmore was relieved from command of the loth Army Corps,
and General Terry, as senior officer, was ordered to assume command of the
entire line between the Appomattox and the James temporarily. His first

484 HISTORY AXD RE.MIXISCEXCES
special order was to appoint General Robert S. Foster to the temporary
command of the First Division, an appointment which gave great satis
faction. Two sections of the First Connecticut Light Battery were sent out on the
14th to take part in an engagement with the enemy and aid General vSmith
in his as.sault on the northeast of Petersburg. The battery fired 200
rounds of ammunition and inflicted considerable loss on the enemy, suffering
none in return.
The day was intensely hot; many of the soldiers were incapacitated for
duty through sunstroke. In the afternoon the rain descended in torrents,
and the heat added to the humidity became almost unbearable.
The loth Corps suffered heavily during that day and the men were
almost disheartened, for the results gained seemed scarcely worth the sacrifice.
Generals Smith and Terry spent most of the 15th in reconnoitering the
defenses of Petersburg, which they found to be but lightly manned.
About 10 o'clock on the night of the 15th, Lieutenant-Colonel Greeley,
loth Connecticut Volunteers, in command of the picket line on the right of
Butlers intrenchments, discovered that the enemy were moving in their
works, and crawling forward on his hands and knees close up to their pickets
at different points, ascertained between 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning of
the 16th that a large number had withdrawn, and that the movement was
still going on. This he reported to General Terry about 3 o'clock in the
morning. Early on the morning of the i6th Colonel A. C. Voris, commanding the
67th Ohio Volunteers, who was division officer of the day, reported that the
enemy were abandoning their works. General Foster, commanding ist
Division of loth Army Corps, at once ordered the pickets pushed forward
to occupy the enemy's abandoned line, and for the balance of the line to be
in readiness to move at a moment's notice. An hour later, five o'clock.
General Terrv instructed Foster to take as large a portion as could be
spared from each brigade and push forward in pursuit of the enemy, and, if
possible, ascertain their intentions and true position.
General Foster ordered three regiments each from Colonel Howell's
brigade. Colonel Hawley's brigade, and Colonel Plaisted's brigade to move
forward and carry out the wishes of the General commanding the loth Corps.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 485
In the meantime the pickets had advanced beyond Ware Bottom
Church as far as Dr. Hewlett's house, and occupied a line extending from
that point toward the Appomattox, which was the line that had been
abandoned during the night by the enemy.
Generals Terry and Foster were at the front personally directing
operations, and Colonel Howell, commanding the ist Brigade, was ordered
to move his column to the position and place where he had captured the
Confederate General Walker three weeks previously. From the Widow
Clay's house Howell sent forward the 39th Illinois Infantry as skirmishers.
The regiment advanced past the enemy's last line of rifle pits, and after
some pretty severe skirmishing succeeded in reaching a position, with the
right extending along the ridge beyond the house and shop, to the cross
road a little east of the pike, and the left wing rested on the Peters
burg pike.
The 3d New Hampshire Infantry proceeded on the road toward the
pike, halting near the shop which had been used by the enemy as a hospital.
The loth Connecticut, commanded by Major Greeley, advanced rapidly
as skirmishers, and before 8 o'clock had obtained possession of the main
line of the enemy's intrenchments in front of Ware Bottom Church and
reaching to the James River. Skirmishers were advanced to the second
Confederate line, about 700 yards to the rear of the main line, the enemy's
skirmishers being driven therefrom.
Colonel Plaisted was directed by General Terry to hold the left of the
enemy's fortifications, from Ware Bottom Church to the river, about three-
quarters of a mile, while the brigades commanded by Howell and Hawley,
and Ames' division advanced to destroy the railroad. Intrenching tools
were sent for, and the pioneers of Plaisted's brigade ordered up. A
banquette was constructed on the front of the enemy's works, thus shifting
their front and turning them on the enemy. The abatis and Chevaux-de-
frise constructed by the enemy were removed, and numerous rifle pits
and some regular approaches in the rear were leveled off.
The nth Maine was strongly intrenched at the church, and free com
munication opened for artillery from the church to and through the enemy's
fortifications. The left section of the Connecticut Battery fired 120 rounds,
but failed to rouse the enemy to reply.

480 HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES
The right section joined Howell s brigade near the Clay House, and
was supported by the 133d Ohio Regiment of hundred-day men. Howell
subsequently moved his whole command forward, and took possession of
the enemy's rifle pits in front, the right section of the Connecticut Battery
being placed so that it commanded all approaches to the pits, the 39th
Illinois being still forward as skirmishers.
About 2 o'clock Lieutenant Gillen was ordered to place a piece of
artillery on the brow of the hill commanding the enemy's rifle pits beyond
the hollow; that gun was served splendidly under the command of the
lieutenant. Soon after Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson brought up the left
section and placed it at the disposal of Colonel Howell. The pieces were
posted in a line with the gun on the left, placed by Captain Hooker; the
battery opened with grand effect on the enemy.
Comrade Griswold says that when the sections of the Connecticut
Battery were raoving out to the front, many of the comrades "were
whacked on the back by Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, of the regular army,
with his sabre, because he thought they were not sitting up straight enough.
Colonel Jackson was chief of artillery of the loth Army Corps, and had but
few friends among officers and men of the volunteer regiments,"
It was reported that General Beauregard commanded the enemy during
the early hours of the day, and that in the afternoon, when the fighting was
fiercest. General Lee directed the operations.
The hundred-day men of Ohio behaved splendidly. There was a fear
that when under fire they might weaken, but they stood as firmly as the
veterans. Speaking of these men. Comrade Griswold says: " In one of the
engagements of June i6th, the enemy was coming down through the
woods in large force, evidently with a view to capturing our battery. The
only troops we had near us for support was a regiment of 100-day men from
Ohio, who had just arrived and had never been in action. We, of course,
had no faith in them as a support, and imagine our anxiety; but we were
greatly surprised when they were ordered in as our support at the splendid
fighting they did, receiving not only the praise of our Battery, but of General
Terry likewise."
The Battery was ordered to return to the intrenchments about 4 o'clock,
Howell's brigade retiring to the rifle pits on a line with Ware Bottom Church.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 487
Brigadier-General Foster, in his report, says that the eneray rallied in
the afternoon and "continued to advance and develop, a force approaching
on my right, evidently intending to get between my rigjit and the intrench
ments. This force advanced in three distinct lines of battle, one in rear of
the other, in view of which I ordered my whole line to pass toward the right.
During this time the enemy kept up a sharp firing, and moved a force toward
my left and General Ames' right, which was reported to be in two lines of
battle, preceded by skirraishers. I immediately sent word to General Terry
requesting hira to move up the 67th Ohio, of Colonel Howell's brigade, to
check the enemy advancing on my right, which was done. Upon his coming
into possession of the facts, I received his order to retire to the right, and
subsequently to retire in rear of the swamp, which order I obeyed, and re
mained in this position something over an hour. The enemy failed to make
any successful advance on this position. During this time, that portion of
my line occupied by Colonel Howell, commanding ist Brigade, and Lieu
tenant-Colonel Plimpton, of the 3d New Hampshire, and part of the 7th
New Hampshire, was closely engaged with the enemy. Meantime the
enemy was reported moving troops toward ray left. After taking measures
against any possibility of the eneray's turning my left flank, I received an
order from Brigadier-General Terry tc retire to the line of works erected
by the enemy between the old and new turnpikes, my left resting at Mrs.
Clays house, which position I occupied until ordered to return to the
intrenchments. " During the withdrawal of my line I was closely followed by the
enemy, who seeraed to be in considerable force, they following my comraand
to the intrenchments running frora Doctor Hewlett's house to that of Widow
Hewlett's, which they occupied as seen as I had passed them. I retired to
a position at Ware Bottom Church, extending to the left along the edge of
the woods in front of these works, about 400 yards distant. As soon as the
enemy obtained possession of these works they attacked ray line, apparently
in larger ferce and with greater vigor than in any previous attack. Having
received orders frora the Brigadier-General commanding te hold this posi
tion and retire ne farther, after a sharp and severe fight we maintained the
line and compelled the enemy to give up the pursuit, and held the line with
a strong picket force. "

488 HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES
General Butler gave orders that shell should be dropped on the turn
pike, over which Lee must march, once every five minutes. A 30 pound
Parrot was used for this service, and Colonel Abbot, chief of artillery of the
intrenchments, reported that the 30-pounder was an old gun and that it would
be too severe a strain to fire it oftener than once in ten minutes. To this
report General Butler replied : June 16, 1864.
General Terrv :
Fire at once on the turnpike every five minutes, as has been ordered.
If the gun bursts let her burst.
BUTLER,
Major- General.
Through the night the gunboats and the batteries shelled the "pike"
and kept it clear of the enemy.
While the fight was proceeding near Ware Bottom Church, General
Butler instructed General Weitzel to sink two boats, or as many more as
might be necessary, at such a point on the James as would block the channel
and at the same time be under cover of the Union guns. At midnight of
the 15th, Admiral Lee reported that five vessels were sunk that day at
Trent's Reach Bar, but that Grant was much annoyed at the delay, as he had
ordered Butler te have them sunk several days before.
General Butler, at 5.45 p.m., instructed General Terry te hold the picket
line on the line of the enemy's works from Howlett'sto the front, and to hold
Ware Bottom Church with a strong reserve, not relinquishing it without a
struggle. General Terry charged Fester with the execution of this order,
and a section of the First Connecticut Light Battery remained on picket
that night.
On June 15th, three guns taken from the eneray were taken into the
Connecticut Light Battery camp, and Comrade Hotchkiss says: "Three
great, clumsy guns captured and if they are a specimen of the enemy's
artillery, I am surprised."
During the day there were some remarkable instances of personal
bravery, which won the praise of the officers in command. Colonel Howell,
commanding the ist Brigade, who had his horse shot under him, bore
testimony to the courage of his command in these words:

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 489
" I wish te speak in the highest terms of praise of my brigade, field
and staff, line of officers, and enlisted men, and all the artillery that served
with me. Braver men never drew a sword, carried a musket, or fired
a gun." Sergeant Sayers, of the loth Connecticut, with eight men, captured 26
prisoners, including two commissioned officers, in a body, and, with three
men, five prisoners, with one commissioned officer. " Having conducted
his prisoners to the rear, and delivered them to the provost-marshal,"
reports Colonel Plaisted, "he returned te the front and asked permission
with his three corarades, ' again to go in and see if he could not get a few
more of 'em before night. ' He was sent in on Howell's front as scout, and
performed such valuable services in discovering and reporting a flank raove
ment of the enemy that Colonel Howell tenders him a formal expression of
his satisfaction with raany thanks to the ' brave and intelligent sergeant.' "
Major-General Bushrod R. Johnson, Confederate States Army, says that
in the engagement of June 16, "Johnson's brigade took as many of the
enemy prisoners as they themselves had men engaged." Lieutenant F. M.
Kelso, commanding 2d Company, 25th Tennessee Volunteers, says: "The
enemy about 5 p. m. made two charges. The first was repulsed when the
second was bearing down upon the extreme right, moving right oblique.
Myself and 17 men moved into the interval between the right of 44th and
Battery No. 15, and engaged the enemy, who were rapidly advancing. I
deployed my men, covering about 50 yards of the interval. The enemy
continued marching until they arrived within 50 yards of our intrenchments,
which I had but recently occupied. One of the colors was shot down six
times. There was a ravine within about 50 yards of our intrenchments in
which they laid down and commenced waving their handkerchiefs, and I
ordered my men to cease firing, and called upon them to surrender. They
continued waving their hats and .handkerchiefs. I still demanded their
surrender. I then brought my men to a ready, and told the eneray if they
did not come in they would be fired upon. The firing was again com
menced, and the enemy still holding out, waving handkerchiefs, hats, etc.
I then with my men marched out of the works and demanded the sur
render, which they did, and marched them inside of our works. I found
another line was advancing rapidly, and I ordered the prisoners to march

490 HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES
up the line, which they did, and I got my men back in position and drove
the eneray's line back."
General Johnson Hagood, commanding Hageod's Brigade, Confederate
States Army, bears testimony to the efficiency of the First Connecticut
Light Battery in his official report. He says: " The enemy's practice was
very accurate and inflicted some loss upon us. Vv'e had some pretty heavy
shelling from the enemy." And again: "The enemy shelled our position
furiously during the day, and the skirmishers were constantly engaged."
General Beauregard, recalling the action of June i6, 1864, in an article
in the North American Review, December, 1887, says: "Strange to say,
General Smith contented himself with breaking into our lines, and attempted
nothing further that night. All the more strange was this inaction on his
part, since General Hancock, with his strong and well-equipped 2d Corps,
had also been hurried to Petersburg, and was actually there, or in the im
mediate vicinity of the town, en the evening of the isth. He had informed
General Smith of the arrival of his command and of the readiness of two
of his divisions — Birney's and Gibbon's — to give him whatever assistance
he might require. Petersburg at that time was clearly at the mercy of the
Federal commander, who had all but captured it, and only failed of success
because he could not realize the fact of the unparalleled disparity between
the two contending forces. "
General Grant, reviewing the operations at Ware Bottom Church and
the crossing of the James by Foster's brigade, says: —
" On the i6th, the enemj', to reinforce Petensburg, withdrew frora a
part of their intrenchment in front of Bermuda Hundred, expecting, ne doubt,
to get troops from north of the James to take the place of those withdrawn
before we could discover it. General Butler, taking advantage of this, at
ence moved a force on the railroad between Petersburg and Richmond. As
soon as I was apprised of the advantage thus gained, to retain it I ordered
two divisions of the 6th Corps, General Wright commanding, that were
embarking at Wilcox's Landing, under orders for City Point, to report to
General Butler, at Berrauda Hundred, of which Butler was notified and the
importance of holding a position in advance of his present line urged upon
him. "About 2 o'clock in the afternoon, General Butler was forced back to

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865

491

the line the enemy had withdrawn from in the morning. General Wright,
with his two divisions, joining General Butler on the forenoon of the 17th,
the latter still holding with a strong picket line the enemy's works. But,
instead of putting these two divisions into the enemy's works to held them,
he permitted them to halt and rest some distance in the rear of his own line.
Between 4 and 5 o'clock in the afternoon the enemy attacked and drove in
his pickets and re-occupied his old line. "
General Humphreys, in his " Campaign in Virginia," estimates the
losses to the Union Army between the 15th and i8th of June, inclusive, at
9,964 in killed, wounded and missing.
Comrade Sloan says that the day after the battle at Ware Bottora Church,
" the 6th Corps came up and lay in our rear while receiving rations and am
munition. I went over te see them, and was asked, by a man in a private's
uniform, for a piece of tobacco, which I gave him, and while talking with
him saw that he was a brigadier-general, the only mark of his rank being a
small star on his cellar."

A WAGONER'S SHANTY.

CHAPTER XXVI.

FOUR MILE CREEK.

, , .'lill//} •:. ;

ACH hour brought fresh rumors, sorae mere
canards manufactured by the fertile imagi
nation of the narrator, ethers having a slight
basis of truth which was magnified into the
most appalling and startling reports.
The day after the fight at Ware Bottom
Church rumors were frequent that Lee was
going to reinforce Beauregard and overwhelm
Butler completely, and a newspaper raan called
on General Grant at his headquarters to find out what he thought of the
report. It was well known that Grant had no love fer pen-drivers and so he
froze as soon as the reporter made known his identity.
' ' General, if you flank Lee, and get between him and Richmond, will
you net uncover Washington and leave it a prey te the enemy ? " the
newspaper man asked, and anxiously waited the reply which would be
valuable copy for his paper.
General Grant, discharging a cloud of smoke, with a "silver lining,"
from his mouth, indifferently replied:
"I reckon so."
Then came question number two :
" General, do you net think that Lee can detach sufficient force from his
army to reinforce Beauregard and overwhelm Butler ? "
" Not a doubt of it," the General replied.
The pen-driver, becoming fortified by his success, and wondering what
had come over "the old man," that he should admit so much, asked:

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 493
"General, is there net a danger that Johnston raay come up and reinforce
Lee, so that the latter will swing round and cut your communications and
seize your supplies?"
"Very likely," was the cool reply of the General, as he knocked the
ashes from the end of his cigar with his little finger.
The newspaper man thought he had a "scoop" for his paper and made
his exit as quickly as possible, hastening to the nearest telegraph station to
communicate the "news."
Grant knew that no Union operator would wire such "news" without
authority, se he sent a courier after the reporter with a private message to
the operator at City Point, giving authority for the message to be sent, but
to Washington, not te the newspaper. Grant had a motive in allowing such
an interview te be forwarded ; he was being troubled a little by the poli
ticians, and he thought such an interview would cause them to see that he
must be left alone.
One day Grant was walking the deck at City Point, absorbed in
thought, and with the inevitable cigar in his mouth, when a negro guard,
not knowing the General, touched him on the arm, saying:
"No smoking en the dock, sir."
"Are those your orders?" asked the General.
" Yes, sir."
"Very good orders," said Grant, throwing the cigar into the water.
He never lost sight of that negro, but gave such hints that he was
speedily promoted.
"Glad I didn't know it was the 'eld man,'" said the negro later.
"Reckon I might not have seen the cigar if I'd known."
On June i8th 1864, Captain Rockwell received his commission as Colonel
of the 6th Connecticut Infantry Volunteers and the command of the Battery
devolved on First Lieutenant Clinton, who was acting-captain for nearly a
month. Comrade George P. Bliss was promoted to First Lieutenant on
June 19th, and Comrade Sylvanus C. Dickinson to Second Lieutenant on
June 20th. Comrade Theron Upson was appointed First Sergeant on
June 18th. These promotions clearly pointed te that of Lieutenant James
B. Clinton, but his commission as Captain did not reach him until July
loth, 1864.

494 HISTORY A.XD REMIXISCEXCES
General Grant visited the lines on June i8th, and those of the comrades
who had not seen him expressed their surprise at his appearance, for, as one
said, " he looked quite ordinary. "
Another comrade wrote in his diary:
"Some officers were eut on the banks of the river. One of our boys
remarked that one had three stars on his shoulder. I knew what that
meant. I edged out there. A monitor had just thrown a shell at Fort
Darling and the officer turned to General Butler and asked where that
struck. It was General Grant. He had come over frora the front of P.ich-
mend on the pontoon bridge. He is rather short, plain-looking, all covered
with dust, but looked cool and collected. He was plainly dressed; ne
fuss or flummery about him. "
There had been considerable friction caused by the removal of General
Gillmore bv Major-General Butler, and General Grant asked Butler te with
draw his order relieving Gillmore, promising to relieve hira at his own
request. Grant pointed out that "The way the matter now stands is
a severe punishment to General Gillmore, even if a court of inquiry should
hereafter acquit him." To this Butler agreed, and Gillmore was ordered to
Washington. General Brooks was assigned to the command of the xoth
Army Corps, the divisions being commanded by Brigadier-General Alfred
H. Terry, xst Division; Brigadier-General John W. Turner, 2d Division;
and the 3d Division, under the command of Brigadier-General O. S. Ferry.
To the xoth Corps the following batteries were assigned: First Connecticut
Light Battery; Battery M, ist U. S. Artillery; sth New Jersey Battery;
Battery D, ist U. S. Artillery; Battery D, 4th U. S. Artillery; 33d U. S.
Battery; Light Company E, 3d U. S. Artillery and Battery C, 3d Rhode
Island Artillery.
While the Union force was making its strong assault on Petersburg, the
enemy was corapelled te withdraw all his troops from Four Mile Creek and
General Weitzel at once sent a force of 1,200 to demolish the earthworks
erected by the enemy, and to cut timber impes.sible before on account of the
sharpshooters. A position was chosen en the left bank of the James
River, at Deep Bottom, and it was ordered that it should be held by 2,000
men. General Weitzel instructed Lieutenant Michie, U. S. Engineers, to
have strong works erected. The work was one of danger, fer the enemy's

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 495
pickets were within 300 or 400 yards of the place selected, so great caution had
to be exercised to prevent an alarm being given. Imraediately after dark the
pontoon boats were brought to the James River near the Commissary
wharf, one mile and a half above the point te be occupied, silently unloaded
and placed in the stream, and safely and quietly landed 1,400 men at the
designated spot in less then thirty minutes after embarkation. The pontoon
boats were then sent across and turned ever to the pontonniers for the
bridge. By 11 p.m. the details were at work as follows: 500 raen with
shovels, 200 with picks, and 200 with axes, a regiment being placed on picket
in advance of all. The pontoon bridge, roads, and approaches were all
corapleted before daybreak. General Weitzel was not satisfied, but the diffi
culties were great, and as he says in his report: "With ordinary soil the
works would have progressed raore rapidly ; as it was, we were only able to
throw up a single defensive line. The ground was raost unfavorable for
excavating and embankraent. It was a hard, white soil, breaking into
small lumps on every application of the pick, and of such a character that
the ravines formed were narrow, deep and steep. It was irapossible to use
the ordinary proportion of shovels and picks, requiring here, at first, one pick
to every shovel. At this point the James River is but 575 feet wide at high
water, but very deep. On June 21 the work was well under way. Captain
Eaten, ist New York Volunteer Engineers, was placed in immediate charge,
and 1800 of the 100-day men sent to de the fatigue labor."
The Army of the James was no sooner reorganized than General Grant
announced that he was about te comraence active operations against
Petersburg. The evening of June 20th, General Grant wrote to Butler as fellows :
"I have deterrained to try and envelop Petersburg se as te have the
left of the Army of the Potomac rest on the Appomattox, above the city.
This will make offensive operations from between the two rivers irapracticable
until we are fortified in the new position taken up. To release as many of
General Meade's command as possible you may extend your left so as to
relieve the 6th Corps, the right of the Army of the Potomac. Reduce the
force kept between the two rivers to the lowest number necessary to hold it,
and put all the balance, except the force sent north of the James, south of the
Appomattox and between the pontoon bridge and the present left of the 6th

496 HISTORY .AXD REMIXISCENCES
Corps. Make this change as soon as practicable, and so as to relieve the 6th
Corps by 12 m. to-morrow."
In carrying out these orders, General Brooks sent an order to General
Terry, comraanding ist Division, loth Army Corps:
"You will have two sections of light battery at these headquarters at
6 A. M. to-morrow (June 21) with araraunition complete and two days'
rations for duty with General Foster. One section will be rifles, the ether
smoothbores." General Terry selected the centre section of the First Connecticut Light
Battery and a section of the sth New Jersey Battery, and by Special Orders,
Ne. 3, ordered that ' ' they will net withdraw their pieces from the intrench
ments until 5 A. M. Lieutenant Clinton, First Connecticut Battery, will
take comraand of both sections."
On the night of June 20th General Butler, by a prorapt raove, had
thrown Foster's brigade across the James River at Deep Bottom, where he
formed an intrenched camp; and this post, within ten miles of Richmond,
was imraediately connected with the army at Bermuda Hundred by a
pontoon bridge. Then Smith's i8th Array Corps was transferred to
Bermuda Hundred and thenceforth served with the Army of the James a
greater part of the time during the siege. The lodgment of Foster and the
laying of the pontoon bridge at Deep Bottom provided a way fer Grant to
move heavy raasses quickly to the north side of the James, if desired. This
advantage was perceived by Lee, who met it by laying a similar bridge at
Drewry's Bluff, by which he could make countervailing movements.
On June 21 the centre section of the First Connecticut Light Battery
left the fortifications at 6 a. m. fer Jones' Neck, arriving there at 8.30,
Lieutenant Clinton in command. After a brief rest the section crossed the
James on the pontoon bridge and at neon went into the breastworks erected
near the river.
Comrade Hotchkiss was away from active service with the guns, being
Commissary Sergeant ; but he was very observant, and his diary is a faithful
record of the stirring events of the time. On June 21 he says that the
" shot and shell were flying lively in our camp. We raake shelter by piling
up bales of hay. The pew-wow between the enemy and our gunboats and
batteries was kept up all day. I couldn't cook er do much but keep covered

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865

497

and take a look at the fight of the big guns. I think our gunboats
must have been damaged, but the monitors did not mind it, but fired one of
their great shells every few minutes, and we could see sorae of them bursting
directly over the rebel works. All very nice to look at, but I had rather be
excused from being tee close to them. "
His difficulties were great. He had to keep the sections well provided
with food, and often the three sections would be in three different directions.
In one entry in his diary he says: " We went into camp at Deep Bottom

PONTOON BRIDGE OVER JAMES RIVER, DEEP BOTTOM, VA.
(Copied from a photograph taken while the Battery was stationed at Deep Bottom, 1864.)
on the James River, near Dutch Gap. The Battery is scattered, the right
section up in ' Battery i,' Butler's front, their horses and ammunition a mile
below; the centre section is across the river near our picket line, in a breast
work made in a hurry, as General Fester has only lately got a foothold on
north side of the James, abreast of Deep Bottom ; the left section is just
over the river, near the headquarters; near by is the Commissary Depart
ment. The centre and left sections, caissons, drivers, horses, etc., are en

498 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
this side. We are connected by a pontoon bridge, so in reality we are spread
eut in six different camps, and it keeps me busy to estimate, draw and see
that the rations are properly cooked and distributed."
Lieutenant Dickinson was sent to relieve Lieutenant Smith of the
centre section the following day. The troops were engaged fortifying the
position and skirmishes occurred every day.
General Fester's cavalry drove in the enemy's pickets toward New
Market and back toward the Kingsland road, developing a force of infantry
which was advancing toward his front. A New Jersey woman, Mrs.
Grover, who resided en the Kingsland read, told the General that Wright's
division was near her house the day before with 7,000 raen. She was very
communicative and it was easy to see that her sympathies were with the
Union cause. She described some strong works at Chaffin's Bluff and
said that a General Lee commanded the force at that point. General
Fester did not place very much reliance on j\Irs. Grover's report, believing
that she was over-sensitive and anxious. However, he asked that Colonel
Plaisted's Division should be called on to strengthen the picket line and ex
tend it to the river.
A brigade of the enemy gathered near Mrs. Grover's house on the
north side of the Jaraes, on the early morning of June 22nd. The
brigade consisted of about x,ooo men, and left the breastworks, five miles
from Richraond, en a scouting expedition. The brigade crossed the James
on a pontoon bridge belew Drewry's Bluff.
General Foster, at that time, held the Grover house and he resisted the
enemy in a fierce corabat. His vedettes were driven from the house and
severe losses were inflicted on both sides. General Brooks, commanding
the xoth Array Corps, rode over to Foster and impressed on him the import
ance of recapturing the house on account of its strategic position. He sug
gested that the picket line should be advanced to the crest running close
behind the house, and advised General Weitzel to move the pontoon bridge
up stream opposite the house.
General Weitzel complained that the bridge would be longer and more
exposed, but General Brooks replied that it would only be twenty yards
longer and less exposed to an enfilade from below, and could be protected
by a section of the First Connecticut Light Battery on the hill.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 499
General Foster was just as anxious to re-occupy the Grover House and
ordered the looth New York to charge the enemy there. The charge was
effectual; the enemy was driven out, and two companies of infantry placed
in possession. The enemy were strongly encamped near Ruffin's, about
400 yards in front of the Grover House, and were trying te throw up rifle
pits, but the gunboats shelled them continuously and drove many toward the
Four Mile Creek. Several prisoners were captured at the Grover House,
and many were able to give seme very valuable inforraation.
While these iraportant movements were in progress a rupture occurred
between General Butler and General W. F. Smith. Butler thought Sraith
rather dilatory and hinted that he had removed Gillmore for dilatoriness
and might have te remove others. He concluded his letter to Smith with
these words:
"In justice to him (General Gillmore) you will hardly expect me to
pass in silence a like fault where of less moment. The delay of Grouchy
for three hours lest to Napoleon, Waterloo and an empire, and we all
remember the bitterness with which the emperor exclaimed, as he waited for
his tardy general, '¦ H s' amuse a Gembloux,'" General "Baldy" Sraith was
in no huraer to be lectured ; he had performed herculean tasks and had often
had to do things at his comraanding general's order which he thought
iraprudent. In his anger he wrote :
"I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your extraordinary
note of 9 A. m. In giving to your rank and experience all the respect which
is their due, I must call your attention te the fact that a reprimand can only
come from the sentence of a court-martial, and I shall accept nothing as such.
You will also pardon me for observing that I have for some years been engaged
in moving troops, and I think in experience of that kind, at least, I am your
superior. Your accusation of dilatoriness on my part this morning, or at
any other time since I have been under your orders, is not founded on fact,
and your threat of relieving me does net frighten me in the least."
General Butler replied at 5.30 p. m. and again at 5.45 p. m., saying that
he was only writing in a friendly spirit and that he was sure General Smith
was sorry he had written as he had done. He practically apologized to
Smith, but that General sent the entire correspondence to General Grant
the sarae evening, with a request to be relieved from duty under Butler.

500 HISTORY .AND REMINISCENCES
Lieutenant-General Grant took no notice of the request, and "Baldy" Smith
continued in comraand until the raiddle of July. General Smith had been
an able commander of the x8th Corps, and the First Connecticut Light
Battery had always felt a pleasure in being attached to his command,
though only temporarily.
The work of fortifying was continued, though the enemy kept up a
furious cannonade, and a portion of the Confederate General Hoke's
coraraand attempted to charge the Union troops several times. At last the
pickets retired and allowed the eneray to occupy the advanced rifle pits. As
soon as the pickets were withdrawn the advanced line of the 3d Brigade of
the i8th Corps commenced a telling and rapid fire en the enemy, who had
been caught in a trap. They could not held the pits nor could they retreat
er advance. Those who atterapted to fall back were shot down; these who
came forward threw down their arms as a token of surrender. The loss to
the enemy was heavy, both in dead and prisoners.
On the evening of June 22d a comrade of the loth Connecticut was
amusing himself digging bait at a point near the pontoon landing, at the
edge of the ravine. His spade struck something hard. He thought at first it
was a stone, and was about moving a little farther along when something
roused his curiosity. He raay have read the stories of Captain Kidd and his
buried treasures, or, what was more likely, thought some resident, fearful of
the •' Yankees, " had hidden his valuables there ; but whatever was the in
spiration, he resumed his digging, and found a large earthen jar. He was
filled with excitement: he could not keep his surprise to himself; others
gathered round him, and helped him unearth the jar. The cover was taken
off and it was found to be nearly filled with gold and silver coins. What a
shout went up from that crowd, a shout which was quickly suppressed !
Those who were in at the finding divided the treasure, some of the com
rades of the Connecticut Light Battery get a share, and Comrade Sloan still
prizes as a souvenir, a French coin which he got from that jar.
Like the rush of gold seekers to Cape Nome or the Klondyke, the
soldiers lost no time in going to the river side and digging for treasure.
They sifted the sand, they searched under stones and tree roots, looked in
the crotches of the tree branches, and spent all their leisure time in the vain
search for treasure, vain, because that jar was the only treasure found.

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TROOPS IN POSITION AWAITIN.; ATTACK AT BERMUDA FRONT, PREVIOUS TO THE ARRIVAL
OK grant's army, JUNE 3, 1864,

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 503
The left section was sent to join the centre section and thus only one
section remained in Battery No, i. The left section encamped for two nights
upon the south side of the James, opposite Deep Bottom Bluff. On the third
morning the section crossed the river and relieved the centre section, which
was in the redoubt. That section was sent te the front, about half a raile,
to another redoubt.
While stationed there General Sheridan, "Fighting Phil," and staff
bivouacked on the ground near the camp. The dashing general, one of
the greatest cavalrymen of the century, had made one of his charac
teristic dashes across the country, a dash which proved that he was as able
a strategist as he was a cavalry general. Taking alarm, the Confederates
had gathered at Gordonsville to move down on Sheridan at Trevilian on
June i2th. Formidable rifle pits soon bristled within four miles of the
general. Sheridan found that he was badly prepared to meet the vastly
superior force of the enemy and he determined to avoid a general battle.
The right wing of the enemy was assailed with desperate valor, but his
superiority of strength and ammunition made the effort fruitless, and Sheri
dan planned a masterly retreat which should be as good as a victory.
A writer says: "Returning to Trevilian Station he ordered supper,
inviting his generals to sup with him ; and having given orders for the re
raoval of the wounded who could be removed, and detailed surgeons to stay
with those who were raost severely injured, and perfected his order of
raarch, he partook quietly of his tea, and then set about the withdrawal of
his force from a position in which nearly the entire cavalry of the rebel army
confronted it. While the train and the rear divisions were moving off with
the wounded, he ordered forty rounds of canister te be fired at the rebel
position; and when the enemy, sorely cut up by this fire, attempted to take
the battery by a bold, sudden dash, he charged upon them with a regiment of
cavalry, at the same time pouring in a full round of canister at very short
range, and hurled them back, while the gun was withdrawn, and then, when
they were retreating, moved quietly back; and all his men being, by day-
dawn, well out of Trevilian Station, he marched next day is miles to Troy-
man's store, without the slightest opposition, and the day following, June
14, reached the vicinity of Spettsylvania Court House, which a month
before had been the scene of such bloody and terrible battles. Here he

504 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
remained a day, and on Wednesday evening reached Guiney's Station, on
the Fredericksburg and Richmond Railroad, where he established his
headquarters for a time, but soon moved to White House, and thence
marched to the James to join General Grant. While moving toward the
James they were attacked by the enemy at Jones' bridge over the Chicka
hominy, and near St. Mary's Church, the enemy, on both occasions, in
strong force and fully confident of their ability to overwhelm him."
The left section was encamped near Four Mile Creek and in full view of
the river. Across the creek was the large field known as Strawberry Plain,
where the enemy almost daily fer a long time would roll down their
30-pound Parrots and fire upon the transports, until a monitor would get
into position and shell them out.
For several days everything had been quiet except for an occasional
duel between the Connecticut Battery and the enemy's field battery across
the creek. A monitor was lying peacefully in the James at the mouth of
the creek, and the men were scattered on the deck, when, without warning,
a shell passed over the monitor, at the same time the enemy sent up
such a yell that almost drowned the noise of the shell. The Union men
were in the monitor turret in quick time and commenced to fire, with such
good effect that the yell was no more heard and the battery was silenced,
for a time.
Comrade Griswold tells of an incident which is worth recording.
" It was near sunset en the 23d of June when the enemy's battery with
its 30-pound Parrots had been firing upon our transports," he says, "that
we were sitting upon the ground talking, when a plain looking soldier, with
his horse walking and he scanning the country in the direction of the
enemy, rode up to us, seeing us sitting down, and said : ' My men, where
was that rebel battery stationed that fired upon our transports to-day ? ' I
was satisfied that it was General Grant, and imraediately rose and saluting
him, answered his question. He made several enquiries, and then politely
thanking us rode on. I said : ' Boys, de you know who that is ? ' One of
the comrades sung out: 'No, he is some orderly.' I said, 'Not so, his
orderly will soon follow ; that is General Grant. ' They pooh-poohed it. We
had only seen Grant once near by, and that was when he rode down the
lines with President Lincoln. 'Well,' I said, 'see if his orderly does not

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THE FIRST CONNECTICUT LIGHT RATTKRV ANTTCIPATIXG A!

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865

505

follow.' Sure enough, in a few minutes an orderly dressed no plainer than
Lieutenant-General Grant, moved along, following him. Even then seme of
them would not believe it, and we decided that if the Emperor (General
Butler), with his suit, followed, then it would be Grant, sure. Only a
few rainutes later General Butler and staff, with his body-guard of 200 men,
appeared in the sarae track. We got away quick, as we were always afraid
of arrest, for seme unknown cause, if he happened along. He was rigged
out in gilt and feathers, and his staff looked like a Governor's staff on
an inauguration parade."

PICKET CAMP.

CHAPTER XXVII.

LIFE AT DEEP BOTTOM.

ENERAL FOSTER'S command on June 23d
consisted of the 8sth Pennsylvania, nth Maine,
24th Massachusetts, 39th Illinois, looth New
York, xoth Connecticut, a section of the First
Connecticut Light Battery and a section of the
5th New Jersey Battery. General Brooks, how
ever, soon relieved the 85th Pennsylvania and
39th Illinois by the ist Maryland (dismounted)
cavalry, and Warren's New Jersey section by
another section of the First Connecticut Light Battery.
The work of intrenching was carried forward with vigor and the
advanced works on the bluff were completed by the evening of June 24th.
There was a restless activity all along the line and rumors of all sorts
kept up the excitement. Sheridan was attacked at Charles City Court
House and met with such heavy losses that three regiments were sent from
the loth Array Corps to reinforce hira at Wilson's Wharf.
Deserters brought word that an attack was to be raade all along the line,
and it was necessary that the weakest points should be strengthened. Tur
ner's Division was sent to reinforce General Sraith, before Petersburg, with
hurry orders to raove from Point of Rocks on the night of the 23rd, and
reach a position in the line of battle by i a. m. on the morning of the 24th.
General Turuer took up a position with his right centre resting imraediately
in the front of the locality known as the Hare House, his right, retiring a
little, was connected with General Martindale's division, of the i8th Corps,
while his centre and left wing passed over the eminence on which the Hare

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 507
House stood and extended down the slope of the hill and over a small creek
at its foot, connected with the 9th Corps in a piece of woods a short distance
beyond. This made a connecting link between the two corps and strength
ened the line very materially.
On the afternoon of the 24th, he received an order from the Major-Gen
eral commanding te assault the enemy's advanced position in the front. A
misunderstanding caused a delay, and darkness coming on, the order for the
assault was indefinitely postponed.
The next day rifle-pits were dug in front of Turner's centre from 75 to
IOO yards in advance, and a battery of four 8-inch siege mortars put in posi
tion on his first line.
It had been intended that a section of the First Connecticut Light Bat
tery should have accompanied General Turner and had it done so the assault
would have taken place.
During the 24th the enemy's guns opened along the entire line, those on
the north of the Appomattox especially exerting their whole power with a
view to a vigorous attack on the Union right. General Beauregard had
ordered the guns to be fired from daylight until General Hoke could move
to the attack. The plan of action was fer Hoke te advance rapidly to attack
the Union position at the Hare House, making use of artillery to the best
advantage. Having taken the Hare Ho.use he was te continue the move
ment to retake the eld line of Confederate works between the Norfolk rail
road and the second line of works.
At the same time another division was to attack General Foster and
drive hira frora his position at Deep Bottom.
Only part of the plan was carried out; Hageod's Brigade attacked
with 400 skirmishers and captured a part of the line to the right of the Hare
House, but his small force was driven back, and the order for a general at
tack was countermanded.
The lines around Petersburg were materially strengthened and every de"
feet in their construction removed. A number of new batteries were erected
looking across the river and towards Petersburg. Some of these were con
nected by a covered way. In the batteries were heavy siege guns, mortars
and lo-pounder Parrots. Near each isolated battery good commodious
bomb-proofs were erected for the shelter of the men. These bomb-proofs

508

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

were built like a leg house, with substantial frames. The roofs were of logs
laid transversely, and covered with several feet of dirt.
It was feared that the eneniy would attack Foster in force at Deep
Bottom, and in anticipation of that attack the men were under arms for
several days. The eneray was very active and erected several batteries at
advantageous points which gave considerable annoyance to the Unionists,

-'.-32^.',,^

bomb-proof.

but also provided work for the First Connecticut Light Battery and enabled
the comrades to prove their skill as gunners.
General Foster reported that the enemy had three or four pieces
of heavy artillery firing on the gunboats belew the pontoon bridge and that
an observatory was being built. The quartermaster's tug, Francis King,
was struck by a shell, disabling her engine and shattering the legs of the
engineer. The enemy had a very powerful land battery at the junction of
the Kingsland and New Market roads, which the monitor failed te silence.
Navigation was closed during the day, as it was dangerous to run the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 509
gauntlet of the batteries, as the enemy had perfect range of the river. A
deserter reported that the eneray had received some reinforcements of
heavy guns which were being mounted at Hewlett's.
The enemy had a four-gun battery at Deep Bottom, situated 2,000
yards up Four Mile Creek, which commanded the river. It was in open
view of the Union intrenchments. General Fester instructed Admiral Lee
to try to silence it. The Saugus and Hunchback, two gunboats, fired on
the Confederate battery, but failing to silence it, the Admiral ordered up two
double-enders to attack it. One of the army tugs was crippled and nearly
destroyed. The enemy treated the gunboats after that with silence, for not
a shot was fired from the battery in reply to'the heavy firing from the boats.
A rumor was to the effect that the silence was a ruse to draw Fester into a
trap, another that the enemy had removed the guns during the night.
There was good ground for this belief, for early in the morning the enemy
opened a vigorous fire on Foster's earthworks, below Four Mile Creek, with
apparently two of the guns from the Battery. A Frenchman residing at
Allen's farm said the guns had passed there very early in the morning. No
damage was done to the garrison at that point, the shell falling short of the
camp. The rifle-pits were strengthened, making an infantry parapet of
them and putting abatis in front.
Deep Bottom was a sharp horseshoe-shaped bend in the James River,
en a level with the river, but a high bank was thrown up along the river side
to prevent the water flooding the land. Comrade Hotchkiss wrote in his
diary: "On the other side of the river is rebel territory, except a small
foothold just opposite our camp, with high ground all around us, over the
river. We are protected by our gunboats, or we could never held the place,
as the eneray could bombard us frora either side."
The centre section was stationed in a redoubt. "In front of us," says
Comrade Sloan, "was a cornfield from which we gathered roasting ears, and
between us and the river was open ground covered with tall grass, in which
were many blackberry vines. One day I went out to get seme berries,
going along picking them from the vines, which were along the ground ; on
straightening myself up I found that I was not far from a Confederate
vedette. I lost no time in getting down and hurrying back. Luckily, I was
not discovered and carried my berries safely into camp."

510

HISTORY AND REMIXISCENCES

The left section had taken the place of the centre section, having left
Bermuda Front on Sunday, June 26th, and after encamping two nights south
of the James, moved across the river on Wednesday, 29th, relieving the
section, which was sent to the redoubt half a mile forward.
Not far from the redoubt was the trench used by the Confederate, who
exploded a torpedo under and sunk the gunboat Paul Jones. The raan was

officers' quarters, deep bottom, va.
First Connecticut Light Battery.
From'a photograph taken while the Battery was at Deep Bottom in 1864.

SO elated that when he saw the explosion he stood up and cheered, but was
shot down by the Captain of the gunboat.
The opening of July, 1864, saw the headquarters of the Battery located
at Deep Bottom, and the Battery wagon and forge were moved up to
the river. Independence Day, the third spent in the array by the comrades of the
First Connecticut Light Battery, was passed in hard work, all who were not

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 511
on picket duty being engaged in filling sandbags and placing them on the
top of the empaulement as a protection in case of an attack. But the usual
celebration was not neglected, for it is recalled hew Acting-Captain Clinton
provided liquid refreshments and the Company's fund was drawn upen for
the solid part of a feast in honor of the day.
The comrades suffered greatly from the heat, and the dampness at
night gave many of them rheumatism. It was no wonder that they grum
bled, fer net one of them liked the Deep Bottom atmosphere, as Comrade
Charles Hotchkiss wrote: " It is too rauch for us; some of our boys call the
air damp, without the 'p'." "Talk about hot weather," wrote a comrade,
"they say it was bad in South Carolina, but Deep Bottom is ahead.
Wheat fields, as well as houses, burn easily here. It is now (July 7th,)
104 in the shade."
General Foster attempted to advance his position, pushing up front and
throwing up breastworks, but the enemy came down on him and opened
such a severe fire that he had to retire. Orders were given to the First Con
necticut Light Battery to be ready te move on the raorning of July 12th, and
to have three days' rations prepared. All were delighted at the thought of
moving, even if it meant a severe engagement with the eneray. Harness
was cleaned, all put into good shape, the horses fed and grooraed, and
the comrades awaited eagerly the order te move, but the 12th came and
the Battery remained in camp.
General Butler called for a volunteer party of two officers and fifty men
to go from Deep Bottom to Cox's Wharf on an expedition of great danger.
The party left Deep Bottom at 9 p. m. on July ixth, landed at Dutch Gap and
crossed to Cox's Wharf, where, in addition to getting the information needed,
they captured one officer and 12 men; burned a mill, shop, dwelling, and
outhouses, capturing a quantity of small arms, a galvanic battery, two
boxes of powder and a torpedo, returning to the camp without any less.
On the evening of July 12th there was the greatest excitement in camp
and such rejoicing that men grasped each other's hands and could scarcely
speak for the emotion they experienced. News had just reached the camp
of the destruction of the Alabama off the coast of England by the U. S.
man-of-war Kearsarge. The Alabama had been built and fitted out in an
English port, while the Kearsarge was American built. The Alabama had

512

HISTORY AXD REMIXISCENCES

been welcomed in every French and English port because she was destroy
ing United States commerce, and every ship carrying the Stars and Stripes
sent to the bottom, was considered an advantage to the trading nations of
Europe and especially of England, who claimed, as she did in 1812,
to be mistress of the seas. The guns of the Kearsarge were handled with
that skill which has always characterized Ameri
cans when behind the guns, and the Alabama
found that fighting a man-of-war was a different
M thing to firing into an unarmed merchantman.
In a very short time the Alabama had to strike
her colors and before she could get her beats
lowered she suddenly went to the bottom of the
English Channel, carrying an unknown number of
her men with her. Semmes, the gallant com
mander, brave as any man that ever trod a deck,
was saved by an English yacht. Once more the
superiority of American men behind American
guns in an American ship was made manifest to
the world. Although the sinking of the Alabama
had occurred on June x9th, it was not until July
12th that the news reached the camp at Deep
Bottom.
Camp life was net at all unpleasant. Comrade Abels wrote: "We are
having good easy times these days ; blackberries are plentiful, and all is quiet
except when the gunboats are firing at a rebel battery near Malvern Hill."
On the night of July 13th, the 2d Corps passed the Battery camp and
crossed the river on the pontoon and took up their old position en the ether
side of Four Mile Creek. At daylight the following morning orders reached
Commissary Hotchkiss to give out three days' rations all round, the orderly
saying that the Battery must report at headquarters in half an hour.
A Confederate light battery of Whitworth guns had been brought from
Malvern Hill to the banks of the river, near Haxall's Landing, and opened
fire on the gunboat Mendota,CommandeT Nichols. The gunboat replied and
for a long time the practice was quite lively, ending with the loss of one
man killed, two mortally and five badly wounded. After the gunboat re-

LUCIUS H. JAGGER,
of Hebron.
Enlisted and mustered in Aug.
14, 1862. Died at Deep Bottom,
July 16, 1864.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 515
tired the Confederates brought their guns to bear on the pontoon bridge
close te General Fester's headquarters, evidently with the determination of
destroying it. Not a shot struck the bridge, however, but several dropped
directly araong the headquarters' encampment, one rending the tent of
Assistant Adjutant-General Davis, destroying all his camp comforts, while
another went through his horse lengthwise, making the burial of the animal
a necessity. A random shell or two landed in the First Connecticut Light
Battery's park of caissons en the Jones Neck side of the river, exploding,
but, strange te narrate, c lusing no damage te the caissons.
General Grant had just landed frora the gunboat Chamberlain and with
General Butler was in the camp at the time. Grant returned to Point of
Rocks on the gunboat, though the shells were falling all around, and it was
e'vident the enemy knew the Lieutenant-General was on board.
Comrade Hotchkiss describes that moveraent very fully. He writes as
follows :
" We had it lively until we were ready to start. We crossed over en
the pontoon ; the bridge was blocked with teams, guns, mule trains and
troops. Our guns were all eut te the front, where the fighting was going on
lively, on both sides of Four Mile Creek. The day was hot, and many of
the soldiers were sun-struck, and with that and the rebels our forces were
getting cut up badly. It was sickening to see the poor fellows bronght in,
both Union and Confederate, and taken to the rear. Our Connecticut regi
ments lest heavily. The loth lost 15 officers, killed and wounded. Our
battery was out front all day and used up ammunition by wholesale. Strange
to say, not a man was hurt by shot er shell. The Battery was ordered back
at sundown on the X4th. Our train was just in the rear all day. On the
i6th, the Battery was near the mouth of Four Mile Creek, but was brought
up to headquarters and seen after the enemy opened on the Mendota, gun
boat, the pontoon bridge and the headquarters ever the bridge. Our cais
son camp was in range and we hitched up in a hurry and got out of the way
of the shot and shell which tore through the camp. One shell penetrated the
Mendota, killing and wounding several. But the gunboat soon silenced the
enemy's battery which moved down toward Bermuda Landing, where we
heard heavy firing. Our guns were not allowed to flre, but we lost two
horses. General Grant was here during the fighting. "

516

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

Colonel T. H. Carter, Commanding the Confederate artillery operations,
tells the story in this wise:
" The 20-pound Parrot Battery opened from Tilghman's Gate on the
morning of the i6th, on the pontoon bridge, the gunboat and camp of the
enemy at Deep Bottom. The gunboat was struck three times before
it retired under the bank of the river. It then gave up the contest and
allowed the battery an hour after to limber up and withdraw without
molestation. The camp was put in great commotion by the shelling. One
brigade marched out of the woods near Four Mile Creek at double quick and
took shelter in the trenches. The pontoon bridge was fired at several times,
but the mark is too small to waste ammunition on. It is rarely used during
the day, and there is but little travel on the river in the dayime. "
In the report of Hardaway's Light Artillery Battalion, C. S. A., the
Colonel commanding reports the engagement as follows:
" Graham's battery from its position at Tilghman's Gate shelled the
Yankee camp at Deep Bottom and the pontoon bridge, first running off the
Yankee gunboat Mendota, killing and wounding an entire gun detachment,
and so crippling her as to render her unfit for action. General Grant (see
Northern papers) was at General Foster's headquarters when the camp was
shelled by Graham's guns, several of the shots striking near Foster's head
quarters. General Grant left for City Point on a foundered horse. "

'.^f -*S^'.

BEEFSTEAK RARE.

CHAPTER XXVIII.

ON THE NEW MARKET AND MALVERN HILL ROAD.

HE eneray had a very strong battery on the New
Market and Malvern Hill road, a little below Four
Mile Creek. It was very essential that the battery
should be silenced and the position held by the
Unionists.
^' jji ' cujj.^ S-j>i'j Th® iitt^ Maine had taken the position on July
^^¦1  I 2 ist, but had been driven out again, only to re
capture it on the following day, when, with a loss of only one man, the
position was taken and with it fourteen prisoners, but Lieutenant-Colonel
Hill was unable to hold it with the small force at his command, and so fell
back to the redoubt en the bluff.
General Fester ordered Colonel Plaisted, commanding the xith Maine,
to retake the position and hold it until reinforcements could be sent to hira.
At daylight on the morning of the 23d, the xxth Maine advanced
through the strip of woods along the left bank of Four Mile Creek, and after
a close fight of twelve hours the enemy was pushed back, step by step, tree
by tree, beyond the Malvern Hill road and a position secured within so
yards of the read and about 100 yards from a Confederate battery,
commanding both. Rifle pits were dug, and the regiment held the position
through the night.
During the night reinforcements arrived. Colonel Currie bringing up
his brigade from the 19th Corps. General Foster had a long consultation
with Colonels Plaisted and Currie, and ordered Colonel Plaisted to advance
to the road at daylight and secure the position, if possible. After a

518 HISTORY A.XD REMINISCENCES
desperate struggle, the xxth Maine, which was the only regiment engaged,
captured the battery and road with a loss of four men and the same number
wounded. The Maine regiment was then relieved by two regiments
of Colonel Currie's brigade and retumed to camp after three days' constant
fighting. Colonel Currie could net hold the position on the New Market and
Malvern Hill road; his pickets had been driven in, and the woods on the crest
had been captured. Again the iith Maine was ordered to the bluff, and
Colonel Plaisted was placed in comraand of all the Union troops below the
creek. He threw forward two companies of the iith Maine en the left to
the entrance of the margin of the wood along the Four Mile Creek leading
to the enemy's position en the ^Malvern Hill road, and one company of the
sarae regiment he placed in a grove te the right; two regiments of Currie's
brigade were advanced a few hundred yards to the front and lay in line of
battle until morning.
Two sections of the First Connecticut Light Battery had been sent
forward with the xith Maine and were placed in a commanding position.
At daybieak on the following morning (July 26th, 1864), the Confeder
ates opened a heavy fire en the two regiments in the open field, forcing both
regiments to retire within the fortifications. Colonel Plaisted asked for re
inforcements, feeling sure that Currie's brigade could not be relied on to
retake the lest position on the Malvern Hill road. General Fester ordered
the loth Connecticut te report te Colonel Plaisted.
The Zouaves, who forraed part of Currie's brigade, were not liked by
the enemy, and when they retired to the fortifications the Confederates
shouted after them:
"Go horae, you red devils."
On the other hand the eneray respected the xith Maine and loth Con
necticut, the pickets often shouting to the Union pickets:
" What are you fellows coming for? We don't want to hurt you'un.s."
Colonel Otis, commanding the loth Connecticut, reported te Colonel
Plaisted, and his regiment was placed in reserve, while the iith Maine ad
vanced along the creek to the woods. Here the enemy was met in great
ferce, and made a stubborn resistance.

rr'A -

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 521
The Maine boys were like their forests: strong, sturdy and defiant, and
they fought with such magnificent bravery that the enemy was slowly
driven back until confronted in the line of rifle pits dug by the xxth Maine
on the night of the 23d. It was an absolute impossibility to dislodge the
enemy from that position by sharpshooting, so numerous were the forces of
the enemy, though in many places the opposing forces were only fifteen
paces apart.
Then Colonel Plaisted called on Lieutenant Dickinson, in command of
the two sections of the First Connecticut Light Battery, telhng him that all
depended on him. He placed the four guns in position and ordered the
Battery to open on the enemy's position.
How these guns did belch forth! It seemed marvelous the way they
were handled. Colonel Plaisted was elated at the vigorous shelling and
when the enemy was thrown into confusion he ordered a charge and carried
the rifle pits by assault.
Colonel Plaisted never forgot the glorious work of the First Connecticut
Light Battery, and at a re-union of the xoth Connecticut held in Meriden,
in 189s, he referred to it in these words:
" My signal officer signaled this battery where to direct their shot, and
they put in 200 shots in succession as accurately as they could have been
placed." It was not thought advisable to make any further advance that night,
as the front of the regiment would have been too much extended, though
the enemy showed signs of complete demoralization. A position had been
obtained comraanding Malvern Hill and New Market road within a few
yards of the eneray's main line of works, and a Confederate battery of four
20-peunder Parrots. The fight had been against great odds, for the oppos
ing force consisted of Kershaw's division of Longstreet's corps.
Sharpshooting was kept up until dark, when the loth Connecticut was
sent te the front to relieve the nth Maine.
On the afternoon of the 26th, three divisions of the 2d Array Corps,
General Hancock, left its camp at the Deserted House for Point of Rocks,
the column moving well to the rear te avoid being seen by the enemy. It
¦was after dark when the divisions crossed the Appomattox by the pontoon
bridge at Point of Rocks at Deep Bottom, taking a difficult road to the left

522 HISTORY .AXD REMINISCENCES
in order that the cavalry, which was crossing at Broadway Landing, raight
have an unobstructed road to Deep Bottom. General Butler had ordered
the road to be well picketed, and sraall fires were kept burning te facilitate
the march. General Winfield S. Hancock arrived at General Foster's headquarters
a little in advance of his command, and at the sarae tirae General Sheridan
also reached the loth Army Corps.
General Hancock says: "My instructions were te move rapidly from
Deep Bottom toward Chaffin'sBluff, and take up a position to prevent the
enemy frora crossing troops te the north side, and te hold the position, while
General Sheridan moved to the Virginia Central Railroad with two divisions
of cavalry. Further than this my movements were contingent upon General
Sheridan's success in operating toward Richmond. The success of this
movement depended upon the contingency that the enemy's works would be
thinly occupied, and the movement a surprise."
The upper and lower pontoon bridges were above and belew Four Mile
Creek, irapassable near its mouth. The enemy held, apparently in great
ferce, a strong position near the upper bridge, while their line appeared te
terminate nearly opposite the lower bridge. The plan agreed upon at first
was that the 2d Corps should cross the upper bridge while the cavalry was
crossing the lower. General Hancock did not like this plan, and after
consultation with General Sheridan and General Foster, a plan was agreed
upon which was submitted to Major-General Butler and approved by him.
The 2d Corps was to cross the infantry at the lower bridge and tum the
eneray's position, while General Fester with his ferce was te threaten the
enemy in the front. The cavalry was to cross immediately after the
2d Corps The infantry commenced crossing about 2 a. m. on the morning of the
27th, and massed behind a belt of oak trees near the bridge.
General Hancock says: "I ordered an advance as soon as it was day
light, the xst division, Brigadier-General Barlow commanding, leading. At
the sarae time a strong skirmish line from the 3d division was t'nrown out
te our right te feel the weeds bordering the New Market and Malvern Hill
road, and one from General Gibbon's division in the timber along the bank
of Four Mile Creek. The skirmish line of the 3d division from De

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 523
Trebriand's brigade, consisting of the 99th and iioth Pennsylvania
Volunteers, became sharply engaged and was reinforced by the 73d New
York Volunteers. Meanwhile the skirmish line of Miles' brigade of
Barlow's division, under command of Colonel J. C. Lynch, 183d Pennsyl
vania Volunteers, engaged the eneray farther to the left, driving hira into
the rifle pits along the New Market and Malvern Hill road, and by a well
executed movement captured four 20-pounder Parrots with their caissons,
and drove the enemy from their works."
Comrade Griswold, speaking of the capture of those guns, says:
"At daylight when the enemy's cannoneers were seated upon the
ground eating breakfast, never dreaming of danger, with that large open
field between them and their foe, a company of picked men crawled slowly
and quietly up over that large open field, through the grass, quietly
capturing the guard and grabbing the prolonges of the Confederate pieces,
started upon a run toward the James River. We on our side of Four Mile
Creek were on the banks and parapets shouting, the steamers and gunboats
on the James were whistling, Hancock's whole force was on the banks
cheering, and even the enemy shouted and laughed as they saw those
fellows run with their guns as though they expected every minute to be shot
in the rear. It was a successful raove, and one of those moves of which
Hancock had the reputation of being an expert."
According te the Confederate reports those guns had been previously
captured from the Unionists. The report of the enemy gives this version of
the early morning fray:
"Graham's battery took position at Tilghman's Gate, having an
infantry support of three brigades from Kershaw's division, with the
intention of again shelling the enemy's camps, pontoon and boats. It was
ascertained, however, that the enemy was making a movement en this side
of the river in force, and before permission could be obtained from General
Humphreys, commanding, for the guns to be withdrawn, the enemy had
made an attack on the left of the position. Our infantry support gave way
without making an effort to save the guns, and, though they were gallantly
served by Captain Graham and his men, they had to be abandoned fer want
of proper support. This was effected with the loss of one man captured.

524 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
The guns lost were four 20-pounder U. S. Parrots — three captured at
Winchester and one at Harper's Ferry."
The skirmishers of General Foster's ferce at the bridge, joined in the
advance. The enemy held the line weakly, and when broken retreated in
such haste that few prisoners were taken.
The loth Connecticut and nth Maine commanded the road leading
from the enemy's battery in the direction toward Spring Hill, and with the
assistance of the Connecticut Light Battery, opened such a heavy fire on
the enemy that the Confederates dare not attempt to recapture the guns.
The First Connecticut Light Battery shared in the glory of that early
morning victory, and it is certain that the guns, though captured by Han
cock's men, could not have been retained had it not been for the accurate
and deadly firing of the gallant beys from the Nutmeg State,
Colonel Plaisted gives the Battery credit in his official report, saying:
" Lieutenant Dickinson, First Connecticut Light Battery, performed excel
lent service with his four pieces, James Rifles. Without the support of his
guns success against such odds, if not impossible, would have been pur
chased at a much greater loss of life."
General Hancock pushed up the New Market and Malvern Hill road in
pursuit of the enemy, the 2d Division in advance. The eneray brought out
a battery opposite General Mott on the extreme right, but General Foster
had sent the left section of the First Connecticut Light Battery te that point
and the enemy's battery was soon driven off.
When the 2d Array Corps arrived at Bailey's Creek, the enemy was
posted in strongly constructed works on the opposite bank, a position
offering great advantages for defense. General Hancock says: "Bailey's
Creek is so much of an obstacle that a line of battle could not well cross it
under fire, and the distance from the creek to the works was about 1,000
yards, the intervening ground being perfectly open. The works appeared
to be filled with men, and a number of pieces of artillery were in position.
After a careful examination of the position it was decided that the chances
of a successful assault were unfavorable, and it was decided to maneuver to
the right, with a view of turning the position. Meanwhile the cavalry had
moved to the right toward Malvern Hill and to the front on the New
Market and Long Bridge road. Gibbon's division held the advance position

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 525
on the New Market and Malvern Hill road, while Barlow's and Motfs
divisions were pushed forward to the New Market and Long Bridge road,
connecting with the cavalry near the fork of the central road. General
Barlow, commanding xst division, made a close reconnoissance of the
eneray's line, but was unable to find the flank. The cavalry, by one or two
spirited charges on ray right, gained possession of some high open ground
which it was hoped might enable them to get in the rear of the enemy's line :
but, as subsequently ascertained, the enemy's line was refused on this flank,
turning sharply to their left near FusseU's Mill. About 3.30 p. m. Lieutenant-
General Grant visited the line, but I did not see him. Having examined the
position, he left me a note saying that he did not see that much could be
dene, but that if it was possible for me to roll up the enemy's left toward
Chaffin's Bluff, and thus release our cavalry, he desired it done. He
stated that according te his information the enemy had in my front seven
brigades of infantry and a sraall force of cavalry. Night coming on put a
stop to further operations."
The right and centre sections of the Connecticut Battery settled down
to enjoy a good rest. The comrades made a shade with the branches of the
trees to ward off the effects of the sun. The morning of July 29th was the
hottest of the season and the shade proved very acceptable. Some of the
corarades began to feel the heat and only by the greatest care did they es
cape prostration. In the distance the heavy boom of the cannon was heard
and all knew that fighting was going on. It was tee hot to wish for any
participation in the fight, net even glory could tempt the comrades to desire
active service, but just when the day was hottest the bugle rang eut:
"Boots and Saddles!"
It is a soldier's dutyte obey and there could be no shirking, ne dallying;
excuses about the heat would not avail, and so the two sections were ordered
to the front. The march was half a mile forward te the upper redoubt.
The right section was only just in position when the order came to
load and fire. The eneray could net be seen, but an officer told the direction
and the guns were sighted and fired, winning the approval of the officer in
command, who stood glass in hand watching the effect of the shells.
On the afternoon of the 29th General Foster was directed te co-operate
with a movement of the 2d Corps, and he advanced a line of skirmishers of

526

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

the ist Maryland (dismounted) cavalry and the 24th Massachussetts, their
right resting on Four Mile Creek, and their left near the Grover House. The
right and centre sections of the Connecticut Battery were again moved
forward and placed in position on the right of the Grover House. The gal-

WASHING DAY.

lant fighting of the skirmishers and the successful shelling by the battery
drove the enemy within their main line of rifle pits, from which it was im
possible to dislodge them without employing a much larger force. The

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 527
right section's guns kept up an incessant firing for over an hour, when the
order came to withdraw te the original line. General Hancock's move
ments had attracted so large a portion of Lee's army that Lieutenant-General
Grant thought it an excellent time to assault Petersburg, and Hancock was
instructed to proceed te that place with a portion ofhis command.
Comrade Hotchkiss tells of an incident of the 29th, which is interesting.
That very careful observer writes in his diary:
"Late in the afternoon of the 29th the troops began coming ever the
pontoon at Four Mile Creek, evacuating the whole position. The troops
were passing our camp all night. A cavalryman, in passing, saw me serv
ing rations and came up and saluted me; he wanted seme hard tack. He
was a German and had been out scouting in 2d Cavalry Division. He said
that during the fight on the 29th, his brigade lost 200 men in killed and
wounded. He was very hungry. I had no legal right to give away army
rations, but I gave him a half-dozen, as I have done several times lately. He
took an old wallet from his pocket and wanted te pay for a haversack full of
biscuits. I could not sell any, but as our men had enough and te spare I
filled his bag and he went on his way rejoicing. The man looked as if he
had seen rough times, and was tired and hungry. A company commissary
must keep his eyes open, must know ahead where he is te draw rations, no
matter how much his brigade is cut up or scattered; he must know where
the food for the men is to be obtained. He cannot draw from another depart
ment, he must go to his own. Very often, men during a fight and changing
of troops, would stop at my kitchen and beg food, some having been without
all day, but I had te let them go hungry. Hew little the men of the North
knovir of the suffering and misery caused by this war! Here, last night,
could be heard the strains of a fine brass band, but they did not drown the
groans of the men who have had an arm or leg amputated; sorae of them
will groan no more, their sufferings have ended. Who is to blame for all
this? May God have mercy en us all! This place is completely filled with
camps, and this evening it is a fine sight to see the whole place lighted up,
for most ofthe troops have had candles issued. "
The order fer the 2d Army Corps to move towards Petersburg caused
the reserve camp to be deserted. Comrade Hotchkiss says :
"The reserve camp is ence more alone in its glory. Troops have all

528 HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES
gone. The 2d Corps, the 19th Corps and Sheridan's cavalry and artillery
commenced te move on the night of the 29th toward City Point at 9 o'clock.
The sick and wounded were taken off first, then hospital corps, then the
reserves, and after that the fighting troops, everything and everybody;
no, not everything, for they left muskets, rifles, cooking utensils and
other things; one of our men found a very handsome flute. The men left
in the night and in a hurry, and that is the reason why se many things are
left en the grounds. We found dead horses, j'es, and the body of a Union
soldier in the bushes bordering the river. A letter directed te a party in
New York was found on him. He was buried and the letter sent on. The
letter was unfinished; we added the news of his death. Our position over
Four Mile Creek has been entirely evacuated and the pontoon bridge swung
around te this side. The weather has been very hot all through this fight."
For some days the greatest excitement had been manifested near the
centre of the Union lines in front of Burnside's Corps. A regiment of Penn
sylvania miners had dug a tunnel under the nearest point of the Confederate
works. These works consisted of forts and redans at intervals connected by
lines of riflepits. The tunnel was directed under one of the forts. The work
of tunneling had to be done with the greatest secrecy; it was commenced in
a ravine, to be eut of sight of the enemy, and the earth was carried away in
cracker boxes, and hidden under brushwood. The enemy shrewdly found
out what was going en and commenced counter-mining, hoping te strike the
tunnel and so prevent disaster, but in this they completely failed. A rumor
spread that the city of Petersburg was being undermined and the greatest
alarra was felt. The work occupied a clear month and when finished con
sisted of a straight tunnel five hundred feet long, ending in a cross gallery
seventy-five feet long, in which 8,000 pounds of powder, with slow matches,
were placed. The time fixed for the explosion was the morning of the 30th
of July. It was in order to detract the attention of the enemy frora it, and
diminish, if possible, the force that held the lines imraediately in front of
Petersburg, that Hancock was sent across the James at Deep Bottom. This
had the desired effect, as Lee, anxious for the safety of Richmond, hurried
a large part of his array acros<^ at Drewry's Bluff to confront Hancock.
This strategic raovement was the only redeeming feature of the
whole plan, fer everything else was badly managed. The explosion of the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 529
mine could do but little good, unless it raade such a breach in the enemy's
lines that a strong column could be thrust through and take the enemy's
works in the rear. The troops selected for that work failed. A few minutes
before five o'clock in the morning the comrades in the batteries and
redoubts were on the lookout for the explosion. A terrific noise shook the
country for miles around, a vast mass of earth, surrounded by smoke, with
the flames of burning powder playing fantastically through it, rose two
hundred feet in the air and seemed to be lost in the clouds, fer it poised a
moment, and then fell. About three hundred men, the fort and its guns
were completely destroyed, and in place of the fert a crater two hundred feet
long and thirty feet deep was left. Immediately the heavy batteries in the
Union line opened fire upon the enemy to protect the assaulting column
from artillery fire. The Union troops detailed for the assault rushed for
ward into the crater and there stopped. For thirty minutes, says one of the
officers, they waited for orders what to do, and during that time the oppor
tunity was lost, for the enemy rallied to their guns and commenced pouring
into the crater a hurricane of shells. The Union army lost about four
thousand men in killed, wounded and prisoners, while the enemy lost only
about a thousand.
General Bumside took the failure te heart and asked to be relieved of
his command. During the few days following the explosion of the mine the Battery
was guarding the forts at Deep Bottom, and, as no enemy appeared to en
liven the monotony of the dull routine of camp life, some of the comrades
thought they must de something to create a diversion. On the evening of
the 3d of August some of them saw some pigs on the other side of the river.
Comrades Waldo and Shields got a boat and paddled over, captured a fine
perker and retumed with it in safety. They reported that they had seen
horses and mules ever there and no enemy in sight.
Corarade Charles Ellis was noted for his irregularities in the way of
foraging, though he had never been known, before this, to lift anything
bigger than he could carry. The story of the horses and mules fired his
ambition, and, imparting his ideas to Comrade Charles Lane, they both
agreed te secure some of the enemy's stock.
Comrades Ellis, Alexander Doran and Lane left camp on the 4th of

530 HISTORY .AND REMIXISCEXCES
August, and without perrait, rowed across the Jaraes River to the Aiken
farm, and found some full-blooded stock, a mare and a colt especially
attracting their attention, as they knew they were of pure Messinger stock.
They secured two mares, two celts and two mules, and reaching the river in
safety swam them across into camp. Comrade Ellis had ne idea of handing
the captured stock over to the government. He thought he would be able
to keep the mare and colt at the expense of the government and when dis
charged in a few weeks' time take them home with him.
Before going to camp the comrades met a sutler who had a pair of
mules branded with the Governraent brand, and on that account for seme
reason which he did not explain, was very anxious to get rid of them, ex
changing thera for a pair not branded, and to which the Government could
lay no claim. The comrades were not slew in taking advantage of the situ
ation, for they saw, at a glance, hew they could turn the branded mules
over to the Government without comment or fear of detection, so they pro
posed to trade the mules with the sutler fer a consideration, and after some
dickerinjj, settled upon $iio, which the sutler paid, and turned the branded
mules over te Comrade Lane, who handed them over to the Gov
ernment, but kept the money; this they considered a fair commission fer the
risk they took, so it was equally divided between Comrades Lane, Doran
and Ellis, and for a few days they lived high and had a right royal time.
Comrade Charles Lane tells the story in this way:
"While we were lying at Deep Bottom, on the south side of the James
River, in the caisson camp, the guns being on the north side, we could see
some horses, mules and pigs. I with two ethers concluded we would have a
little fresh pork, so Charlie Ellis, Alexander Doran and myself, crossed to
the north side in a dugout and captured a nice pig. While we were
capturing the pig we raade up our minds we would have those two mares
and their celts, and then, we thought we might as well have a pair of mules
too. We led the mares into the river and towed them behind the boat, the
colts jumped into the river and swam across; then we went back for the
mules, one was led into the river all right, the other would not move an inch
toward the water, so I took off my clothes, got on the mule's back and rode
him into the river, while Ellis had a line from the boat to the halter;
as soon as we got him into the water I slid off his back, held my arm over

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 531
his neck and in that way get the mules across the river. That night
we traded the mules with the sutler who wanted to change because his were
branded and ours were not, we got seme raoney te boot, which was divided
up. It was one of the best trades I ever made in the horse line. We did
not know the danger we ran or we might not have gone. The mules were
captured right behind the ememy's picket posts." The raare and colt were
too valuable te be slipped away so easily. The ladies who were look
ing after the farm, reported the loss te headquarters and a careful
search was made through all the camps, and of course the animals were
found in the camp of the First Connecticut Light Battery, to the very
great surprise of the officers, as no capture of extra horses had been re
ported. Corarade Ellis had been careful to keep the raare and colt
tied just outside the regular battery stables, so in case the officers of
the guard should notice thera they might think they belonged te a sut
ler, er some camp follower. The officers did not relish the idea of the
Battery being branded with the crime of horse stealing, se a rigid exarai
nation was commenced and the facts brought out. Ellis clairaed that
he found the mare and colt roaming about loose and wild, and had just
caught them to save for the owner. Inasmuch as he had the animals around
the carap for several days without reporting the catch, it was quite evident
that he intended to get sorae one to ship thera north at the first opportunity.
Comrade Charles Lane says that he was ordered to appear before Gen.
Fester, who asked him about the affair. Lane said he had been out scout
ing and seeing the animals loose thought he might assist in bringing them
within the lines.
"Do you not know that had you been caught outside the lines you
would have been treated as a deserter?" Gen. Foster asked.
"Yes, General, but I was scouting."
" If you want te do any more scouting come te me, and I'll give you all
you want. You are lucky in not being either in a rebel prison or in the
guard house waiting to be shot as a deserter, and that would have been
an end of you."
Lane listened, but was all the time laughing to himself and thinking of
the fiio and the pig which theyhad captured, and of which the General
knew nothing.

53-2 HISTORY .A.XD REMIXISCE.XCES
Comrade Hotchkiss, speaking of this episode, says:
"A party went over the river, going nearly up te the Aiken farm,
secured and drove down two mares, two mules and two celts, swam them
over the river into our carap. They saw but one rebel, and would have
captured him if they had had any arras about them. General Foster heard
of the affair and sent an aide to look at the animals. He told the boys to turn
them ever to the Quarterraaster's Department and consider themselves lucky
in escaping the guard house for going beyond our lines. Orders to our
pickets are not to halt soldiers going beyond the lines, but shoot first; as
there are no pickets at our camp er anywhere around Deep Bottom,
there could of course, be ne shooting, and opposite our camp on the other
side of the river is rebel territory."
This atterapt at horse stealing furnished a little diversion among the
comrades; they frequently laughed and teased Ellis, telling him that it was
well he was under the protection of Uncle Sam, for had he been a civilian
he would have been hung the same as all horse thieves. They carried en
this tantalizing se unmercifully at times that he became mad and threatened
to whip the  that dared to call him a horse thief. As none of the
comrades cared to fight or get a whipping about the subject, they would let
Ellis cool down before joking him again, but it was periodically referred to
until the Battery changed to another camp nearer Richmond. One of the
methods of keeping the joke alive and passing it around, especially when
Ellis was in a fighting mood, was fer a comrade in that part of the camp
farthest from, and out of sight of, Ellis, to shout out:
" Who stele the horse ? "
A reply would come from another part of the camp:
"Ellis stole the horse 1"
This would be repeated several times through the camp until it seemed
to come from every part except that where Ellis was stationed.
On August 6th, 1864, a photographer visited the lines and was
permitted to take a number of photographs. Among those taken were
several of the First Connecticut Light Battery, which are reproduced in this
histon,'. As the "Sun can never lie," Dr. Livingston, the great African
explorer used to say, the comrades can see exactly how the Battery looked

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FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1861-1865 535
while at Deep Bottom, in the last year of the greatest war the world has
ever known
On the 8lh the whole command was called out to witness the execution
of a deserter. Private McElheney, of the 24th Massachusetts, who was
reported as having committed a murder in his native state before enlisting,
got into some trouble with his officers and deserted from the regiment at
Newberne, breaking out from the guard house in which he was confined.
Not satisfied with breaking faith with his nation, he joined the eneray in
North Carolina and while on picket at Deep Bottora with the enemy, he
again deserted and by accident came within the Union lines. Strange it was
that he should fall into the hands of his old regiment, and, in fact, was
arrested b)' the company from which he had first deserted. He was chained
to a tree in front of the First Connecticut Light Battery camp until tried
and sentenced to death. After a short time in the guard house, where all
chance of getting away was removed, the sentence was approved and he was
taken out of the camp on a baggage wagon, seated on his coffin, the
chaplain standing beside him. On reaching the field en which the troops
were massed en three sides, the coffin was placed near an open grave en the
fourth side, and the deserter made to kneel on it. A firing party from his
own regiment had been selected as his executioners. The first volley did
not kill him and he was drawn up again on the coffin and another volley
fired. After the shooting the troops all marched past the dead body.
On the day of execution the condemned man was quite jocular and said
that his father had often predicted that he would be hanged before he was
twenty-one, and, said he, "I am twenty-one to-day, and have not been
hanged yet." He had met his fate firmly and without flinching, but
Comrade Clarke says "he manifested no signs of repentance."
Captain F. M. FoUett, 4th U. S. Artillery, being the senior officer of
artillery, was ordered by Major-General Birney to assume command of the
Artillery Brigade of the xoth Army Corps, and to establish his headquarters
in the vicinity of Hatchers. Comrade Clark wrote: " Captain Follett has a
regular staff the same as a general officer, and all the orders for the First
Connecticut Light Battery are received from hira."

CHAPTER XXIX.

DEEP RUN.

VERY daring and highly successful movement by
the Confederates was made at daybreak on the 9th
of August. Although successful, it did not achieve
all it was hoped to accomplish, for nothing else
than the killing of Lieutenant-General Grant and
all his staff was the object aimed at.
John Maxwell, of the Confederate Secret Ser
vice, entered upen the task of destroying the Union
vessels in the Jaraes River by means of an Horological torpedo. On August
2d he learned, that vast quantities of stores were being landed at City Point
and that some barges loaded with ammunition were lying close to the head
quarters of General Grant.
Accompanied by R. K. Dillard, who was well acquainted with the
locality. Maxwell reached City Point at daybreak on the 9th of August with
a small quantity of provisions. The journey from Isle of Wight County had
occupied six days, for most of the distance had to be traveled by night and
under the shelter of fences and trees, some portions necessitated crawling
on their knees through the long grass, as only by that way could the pickets
be passed. Arriving at a point about half a mile from the wharf, Dillard
was bidden stay behind, while Maxwell went forward carrying his small tor
pedo under his arm. He found that the Captain of an ammunition barge
had come ashore and that gave him his opportunity. One of the wharf
sentinels stopped him and asked his business. Maxwell boldly declared

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I at the time l

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 537
that the captain had bidden him take the box on board. The sentinel asked
him for the password, but that Maxwell could not give.
" Then you cannot pass."
" All right," said Maxwell, " I suppose you can send this box on board
to the Captain's room? "
The sentinel looked at the box. It was an innocent looking affair and
might contain almost anything. The Secret Service agent had provided for
its harmless appearance. A man was called from the barge:
"Place this box in the Captain's room," the sentinel ordered.
"All rio'ht."

, war Time Photograph.! ^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^
Maxwell set the clockwork in motion and gave the box te the man. He
then rejoined Dillard and retired to a safe distance to witness the effect of
the explosion. Maxwell tells the story in these words:
"In about an hour the explosion occurred. Its effect was communi
cated to another barge beyond the one operated upen and also to a large
wharf building containing their stores (Union), which was totally

538 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
destroyed. The scene was terrific, and the effect deafened my companion
te an extent from which he has net recovered." (This report was written
December i6, four months after the explosion.) " My own person was
severely shocked, but I am thankful to Providence that we have both
escaped without lasting injury. The enemy estimates the loss of life at 58
killed and 126 wounded, but we have reason to believe it greatly exceeded
that. The pecuniary damage we heard estimated at $4,000,000, but, of
course, we can give you ne account of the extent of it exactly.
" I may be permitted, Captain, here te remark that in the enemy's
statement a party of ladies, it seems, were killed by this explosion. It is
saddening to me te realize the fact that the terrible effects of war induce
such consequences; but when I remember the ordeal to which our own
woraen have been subjected, and the barbarity of the enemy's crusade
against us and them, my feelings are relieved by the reflection that while
this catastrophe was not intended by us, it amounts only, in the providence
of God, to just retaliation."
So skillfully did Maxwell carry eut his undertaking that the Unionists
attributed the explosion to accident. Brigadier-General Rufus Ingalls,
Chief-Quartermaster at City Point, reported :
"A barge with ordnance stores was accidentally blown up just now
while lying at the wharf. There has been considerable destruction of
property and loss of life. It is probable we shall never knew how the
accident occurred." General Grant reported that "An ordnance boat
exploded, carrying lumber, grape, canister, and all kinds of shot, over this
point. Every part of the yard used as my headquarters is filled with
splinters and fragments of shell. Colonel Babceck is slightly wounded in
one hand and one orderly is killed and two or three wounded, and several
horses killed."
The explosion roused all the comrades of the First Connecticut Light
Battery from slumber and all sorts of wild rumors were circulated through
the camp. It was supposed that the City of Petersburg had been blown up
and it was not until late in the day that the truth was known.
While the Battery was located at Deep Bottom it was frequently ordered
farther to the front on reconnoitering expeditions. This occurred one time
when General Grant inspected a certain part of the line. He noticed, at

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 539
about 1, 600 yards distance on the Confederate line, a group of officers and
sharpshooters. The officers were under a tree, and it was evident they were
giving orders to the sharpshooters, who were in the trees, to fire at the
Union officers. General Grant instructed Captain Clinton to fire into the
clump of trees. Lieutenant Bliss was in command of the right section and
to him Captain Clinton gave the order. Sergeant Tuttle was the gunner
and he placed the first shot right at the foot of the trees, where it exploded,
scattering the group of officers and sharpshooters and putting an end to
further annoyance. General Grant praised the Battery on that occasion for
its excellent shooting, and personally complimented Captain Clinton on the
fine marksmanship displayed by the Connecticut men.
Reliable information reaching General Grant that the enemy had sent
north two er three divisions of infantry, twenty-three pieces of artillery
besides the dismounted cavalry and some regiments te Charleston, he
determined to try to force the enemy to return and so give the Unionists
an advantage. Te accoraplish this he ordered another move frora Deep
Bottora; the 2d Corps te march to City Point and embark in steamers, under
the impression that they were going te Washington, the commander being
the only one knowing the real destination. Te facilitate the embarkation,
ostensibly, the artillery and transportation were to go to Bermuda Hundred
on the night of the 12th of August, and at midnight the pontoon bridge was
to be laid at the same place as formerly, so that the cavalry and artillery
could commence crossing. The infantry, on stearaers, would sail se that
they would reach Deep Bottom about 2 a. m. on the 14th. General Butler
was told that he must spare all the men he could to co-operate on the 14th
with the 2d Corps, and he was also informed that one man te six feet would
be the greatest abundance to held the line at Bermuda, and one man to four
feet for the line north of the Appomattox.
On the next morning the Battery commissary was ordered to prepare
three days' rations and the order went to Captain Clinton te have the
Battery ready to move at a moment's notice. The Artillery Brigade of the
loth Army Corps was now commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Freeman
McGilvery, and consisted of the First Connecticut Light Battery, the 4th
New Jersey Light Battery, Battery C 3d Rhode Island Light Battery, and
Batteries C and D of the ist United States Artillery.

340 HISTORY .AND REMINISCENCES
Soon after daylight on the morning of the 14th, the Connecticut
Battery, carrying three days' rations, started across the river te the north
side. The morning was exceedingly hot and marching very uncomfortable.
At four o'clock Colonel Plaisted received orders to be in readiness with
the nth Maine to attack the enemy at daylight. Three hundred and
twenty-five of the regiment were on picket, extending from the Grover
House to the Four x^Iile Creek, a distance of more than one mile. The
Deep Bottom road divided this front in two equal parts, the nth Maine was
to attack en the right between Deep Bottom read and Four Mile Creek ;
the xoth Connecticut on the left of the road. The few officers and men in
camp were ordered te join their respective companies on the picket line at
ence. The xoth Connecticut reached the position at 4.30, and immediately
connected with the x xth Maine. Then the entire line of skirmishers pushed
forward and became engaged with the enemy's pickets, who were very
strong in numbers and well protected by rifle pits. The enemy was too
strong and the 24th Massachusetts was sent forward to the assistance of the
harassed Unionists. Orders were given te form in double column and charge
the eneray's position. The charge was perfectly successful; the enemy
being driven from two lines of very strong rifle pits, with considerable
loss. The xoth Connecticut and the nth Alaine suffered severely both
in killed and wounded. " For two hours the nth Maine was hotly engaged
along its whole front 'with a superior force of the enemy strongly posted,
pressing him closely, all the time suffering and all the time steadily
advancing," reports Colonel Plaisted. Colonel Rockwell came up with the
6th Connecticut, divested of knapsacks, and iramediately charged upen the
enemy, capturing two lines of earthworks and driving the enemy back
to Strawberry Plain. As Colonel Plaisted says: "In an instant the line
(the nth Maine and the 6th Connecticut), sprang forward, and, regardless
of numbers, over the enemy's intrenchments, and without halting even
to gather up the prisoners, throwing down their arms and announcing their
surrender, followed the fleeing rebels, with hurrahs, so closely they had not
time to form behind their rear defenses, ever two strong lines of which they
were driven in succession. Through the woods some 400 yards the pursuit
was continued to the open field at the foot of Spring Hill. Here along the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 541
edge of the woods in a last line of rebel rifle-pits the nth Maine was halted
and the skirmish line reformed. "
Glorious as was the valor of these infantry regiments, they could not
have accomplished so much had they not been well protected by artillery,
and when we remember that the First Connecticut Light Battery fired ever
200 rounds of ammunition, and knowing that no shot or shell fired by the
Battery was ever wasted, it is no imaginary piece of fiction, nor even egotism,
te say that much of the glory belongs to the accurate and constant firing of
the Battery. Skirmishing continued until 3 p. m., when, by direction of General
Terry, General Foster ordered Col. G. B. Dandy, with the looth New York,
supported by the 6th Connecticut (Colonel Rockwell), to move to the right,
and, if possible, connect with the 2nd Corps on the lower bank of Four
Mile Creek. The regiments moved across the field in line of battle under a
very heavy fire of artillery, capturing four 8-inch howitzers, and forming
the desired connection with the 2d Corps.
During that brisk fight the Connecticut Battery enjoyed witnessing the
charge, and, in fact, most of the skirmishing. Comrade Sloan describes the
events of that day, in these words :
"Crossing the Jaraes on the lower pontoon bridge, which was laid from
City Point to Strawberry Plains, the advance was made by a division of
the loth Corps which occupied the ground as ordered. The division was
relieved by the 19th Corps, which had been attacked during the night and
driven back to the cover of the gunboats. In the raorning we found that
the enemy had thrown up light earthworks along the line of Four Mile
Creek, and orders were given to take them. The Connecticut Light Battery
was moved along the banks of the river to a position which enabled us to
enfilade these works, and for some tirae we kept up a brisk fire. The order
came to cease firing, and the infantry charged and took the works. This
was the only time in our service that we were spectators te a charge or saw
anything of a battle in which we took part. The infantry formed and made
a rush for the works; reaching a point not far from them, they took
advantage of a depression of the ground, where they dropped and re-formed.
As soon as the new alignment was complete they rose, and charging, cap
tured the works. This charge was to us like looking at a parade. I remem-

542 HISTORY AXD REMIXISCEXCES
ber the comraander rode his horse during the entire movement and was,
of course, much exposed. While the men were lying down, the officers were
moving about on foot, seeing that their orders were obeyed. As they went
forward a second time, one man who was struck jumped up and turned
around and then fell to the ground."
Brigadier-General John Bratton, Confederate Army, reports the
engagement of the 14th of August, giving credit to the artillery practice.
He says: "We remained in our position en New Market Heights with our pickets
well out in front, enjoying freedom from the presence of the enemy, until
the morning of the X4th of August, when the eneray assaulted, and after
three efforts succeeded in driving in my pickets, capturing and killing some
of them. It was here that Captain Beatty, of the Palraetto Sharpshooters,
one of the most efficient officers of this brigade, fell mortally wounded. The
enemy in his front was successfully repulsed; he was slain, and some of his
men captured by the enemy, who had driven in the pickets on our left and
came up in rear of our lines. I mention this as due to the gallant officers
and men who were captured there. Our picket line was finally driven in,
pretty badly mutilated. The enemy opened a furious cannonade upen our
line, which, however, did net last long."
At 7.20 p. m. marching orders were received fer the xoth Army Corps
to "march proraptly to the rear of the position of the 2d Corps, bivouacking
at a spot to be indicated by Captain Briscoe, aide-de-camp. The command
of Colonel Dandy will remain in its present position with its pickets out.
The pickets of the corps will be withdrawn at i a. m. under direction of the
corps officer of the day. They will fall back on the two reads to the
intrenchments at the pontoon bridge. Ammunition trains and batteries and
all wagons and ambulances will cross at the pontoon near General Foster's
and recross at the lower bridge ; park for the night, and be harnessed at
daylight. Commanding officers should at once send out patrols for
stragglers who fill the woods with fires and tents. Brigadier-General Birney
will detail two regiraents and a competent officer to command thera, to
garrison and hold the fortifications at Deep Bottora. The First Connecticut
Light Battery will report to that comraanding officer; the detachment of
New York Mounted Rifles will also report to him."

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 543
The left and centre sections were ordered into the redoubt, the right
section being en picket line. The reserve camp was ordered back to
Deep Bottom.
On the 15th skirmishing continued during the entire day. Major-
General D. B. Birney reported that the enemy was in great ferce en his
whole front with heavy artillery, and he ordered General Terry to advance
his skirmish line at once and connect with Hancock's Corps. The 3d
Brigade commenced to move early on Monday morning, August isth, in a
northerly direction, some four miles te a point near FusseU's Mill, bivouack
ing in the edge of the woods with strong pickets thrown out all through
the day. The whole day was spent in reconnoissances and feints to test the
strength of the enemy, and find out the best way to attack him successfully.
At 3.30 A. M. on August x6th orders were given to the 3d Brigade to
raove forward to the right to support Colonel Hawley's Brigade, but subse
quently was ordered to engage the enemy on the right of Hawley's Brigade
in the woods.
Colonel Otis, commanding the xoth Connecticut, received orders to form
his regiment in line of battle and threw forward skirmishers te connect with
those of the 2d Brigade en the left and the 24th Massachusetts, of Foster's
Brigade, on the right. The regiment was ordered forward, and, pushing
through a dense growth of small pines, entered a deep ravine.
The nth Maine was formed in the woods te the right of the loth Con
necticut and 24th Massachusetts. Three companies were thrown out as
skirmishers, under Captain Merrill. Two corapanies were left in reserve
on the right of the skirmish line to be put forward en the skirmish line if
the direction of the line of march necessitated it. The line of battle was
then advanced in the direction designated by the General, but proved to be
too far to the right. Plaisted then received orders from General Foster to
advance without regard to his right flank, which would be protected by the
Maryland cavalry, and pivot on the xoth Connecticut.
Colonel Otis had by this time lost all connection on his left and Colonel
Dandy reported te him that his regiment was formed in echelon en the left,
and prepared te protect the flank, while the xoth Connecticut was pushing
the enemy from his next line of rifle-pits. Colonel Otis at once ordered a

544 HISTORY A.XD REMLXISENCES
charge and the whole command moved forward at a run, driving the enemy
from a second line of pits with considerable loss, taking about 40 prisoners.
The 24th Massachusetts charged the enemy at the same time. The rapid
movement of the two regiments separated the loth Connecticut from Colonel
Dandy's regiraent and allowed the enemy to get in the rear of the skirmishers
en the left, taking three of them prisoners. This compelled the loth Con
necticut to swing back the skirmishers on the extreme left of the line until
the arrival of Colonel Dandy, when they ence more advanced. Colonel
Dandy, with his gallant New York beys, again took a position on the left of
the loth Connecticut and pushed forward until another deep ravine was
reached, the sides of which were so steep as to be almost impassable. The
ground in front of the enemy's position was densely wooded and cut up by
a number of these ravines, making it difficult te advance in good order.
The brigade had cut a way through the pine woods and this enabled the First
Connecticut Battery to get into position in a field beyond, where it did good
service. The enemy's sharpshooters were stationed in the tops of trees and
the fighting was dangerous and destructive. Comrade Griswold says: "Over
to the right of us was Malvern Hill, McClellan's old battleground. We had
been firing but a short time when the enemy opened a cross fire upon us
from Malvern Hill. Fortunately for us their ammunition was poor, for while
their range was good, shell after shell ricochetted over our horses but did
little damage, as they did not explode. When these shells passed over the
horses each pair would drop upon the ground as quick as though they had
been shot. Our lieutenants became somewhat alarraed at this cross-fire
and seeing General Terry coming they rode up to him, but what he said we
never knew. The enemy ceased firing and we retired to the rear of the
large field and awaited orders. While sitting on the ground, we were an
noyed by rifle balls striking near us, and some were hit by them, but, as the
woods were far away, we could net for a long time locate the sharpshooter
who was using us as a target. We finally, by the use of a glass, discovered
him half a mile away, in the top of a tree. We turned one of our guns en
him and the shell passed through the top of that tree, causing him to come
down on a double-quick. "
A large farm house had been taken by the enemy and strongly fortified,
the house, outbuildings and hedges forming an excellent cover fer the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865. 545
sharpshooters. The right section of the First Connecticut Battery was placed
at the entrance of a lane at the edge of the cornfield, which was in front of the
farm house, and was directed to fire at the house. In a few minutes the
sharpshooters were routed. Near this point was a line of works which had
been captured from the Unionists. Brigadier-General William Birney
brought up the colored brigade and pointing to the line of intrenchraents
he wanted them to storm, said :
" I know you will take them, but what I am afraid of is that you will
go too far. Just as soon as you take the works, stop ! Don't go any
farther" Several times he cautioned them not te go beyond the intrenchments
they were ordered te capture. At the command "Charge!" the troops
made a glorious and rapid rush through the cornfield. When the right section
had routed the sharpshooters, the infantry captured the intrenchments with
out rauch difficulty, but when they reached the works and saw the enemy
running, they could not resist the temptation to chase thera farther, and
contrary te their orders they followed until they brought up in front of a
fort which they had net noticed, and from which a murderous fire was
poured into their ranks, doing great damage, killing and wounding many
and throwing the line into a sudden collapse, which, but a second before,
had been chasing the enemy enthusiastically, flushed with victory. This
was a serious blew to the brigade and occasioned by not obeying orders.
General Birney knew what was in store for them beyond, but they heeded
not his instructions, and were sacrificed through disobeying orders, proving
that they had mere zeal than judgment, net having learned the lesson of
paying attention and implicitly obeying orders under all circurastances.
Comrade Griswold, speaking of that engagement, says:
"An event connected with this engagement was deeply impressed upen
my mind. The fighting had been severe, and the stretchers were busily
going and coraing, carrying off the wounded and sunstruck. About two rods
in the rear of where I was preparing ammunition lay a wounded raan, and
from his low, deep moans I knew he must be badly wounded. He lay
right in the middle of the lane and in the sun. I could not leave my pest to
go to him, but after a time, in glancing back, I saw a soldier coming up the
lane on a horse. I looked again and recognized General Grant; he was

546 HISTORY AXD REMIXISCEXCES
looking and watching the effect of our shells, when he heard the low, deep
mean of the soldier on whom his horse was nearly stepping. He reined in
his horse, looked a moment at the wounded raan, disraounted and beckoned
his orderly, who came up and also dismounted. General Grant took the
soldier by the head and his orderly took the feet, and in this way they
carried him gently sorae little distance and placed him in the shade of a
tree. General Grant said something to his orderly, who mounted and
galloped away, returning a few minutes later with a hospital squad carrying
a stretcher to take the wounded man to the rear. General Grant mounted
his horse, rode up beside me, glanced a moment to see me cut the fuse for
the shell, and then rode away. No human being but the orderly and m3'self
saw this kind act of the General who was in command of a million of raen,
and none but soldiers farailiar with the scenes of a battlefield can fully
appreciate the act."
During one of the engagements around Deep Bottom, one of the guns
from the right section occupied the middle of the road. About i,ooo yards
off a sharpshooter managed te crawl into the road and dig a small rifle-pit,
just large enough te hide and protect him. From this position he fired
several shots before he was discovered, one of which passed ever the heads
of the right section gunners and hit a man in the rear who was not, at that
time, en duty. Comrade William M. Fowler was the first te locate the sharp
shooter and with seme ferce said to the gunners:
"Look here, we'll have to get that fellow out of the way or he will
hurt some of us.''
Corporal Lawrence elevated the gun se that it would be right for the
little fortification in the middle of the road; Comrade Fowler selected the
shell and cut fuse for i,ooo yards, then Corporal Lawrence gave the order
to fire and the shell did the rest. It landed squarely in that little fort and
blew sharpshooter, gun, and his fortification out of sight, and the boys had
ne further annoyance from that direction. About this time the enemy made
several attempts te form fer a charge, but the rapid firing of the Battery
broke their formation each time and threw them into confusion.
At four o'clock on the afternoon of the i6th Major-General Birney
reported to General Hancock that the attack would be resumed at five
o'clock and that General Miles had formed on his right flank, covering the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, lS61-L<i(;5 547
enemy to the rear. The eneray, he said, seemed to be in strength, though
he had succeeded in reversing their first line. At 5.S7 p. m. he wrote again
to General Hancock as follows :
" I advanced my skirmishers, and after a reconnoissance have concluded
net to attack. The enemy have massed in my front, and in my opinion,
even after taking the works, my force could not de mere. Colonel Srayth,
Second Division, reports troops and artillery passing two hours to ray front.
I sent another flag captured this raorning. Four raore are reported; I have
not seen thera."
The 17th passed without any heavy fighting ; the 2nd and loth Corps
occupied the same ground as held by them on the night of the x6th ; Miles'
Brigade and ..th Brigade of xst Division on Major-General Birney's right;
Mott's Division holding the left of the line, his extreme left resting on
Bailey's Creek. On the previous day the xoth Corps had captured an 8inch
howitzer, but had been unable te remove it, because it was under the eneray's
fire. On the early morning of the 17th General Mott succeeded in getting
it off the field. At neon General Hancock sent out a flag of truce te
propose to the eneray a cessation of hostilities to enable hira to get the dead
and wounded of both sides from between the lines at FusseU's Mill, where
the fiercest fighting had taken place on the i6th. Major Mitchell, aide-de
camp te General Hancock, describes his adventures and the danger he ran,
even when carrying a flag of truce :
" I took an orderly te carry the flag and rode out in front of the line in
a meadow, where the lines were close together; the enemy's works, filled
with their troops, ran around the crest of a hill, which rose from the
meadow. As soon as I get within musket range some of these men fired at
myself and the orderly, notwithstanding my flag was plainly visible. I rode
on, however, toward them, and then an officer jumped ever the parapet and
waved a newspaper as a recognition of my flag of truce and their men
ceased firing on me. I was just going to order our pickets (whose line I had
only passed and who were protected by little half-moons which they
had thrown up) to commence firing, when I saw the officer coming to meet
me as he jumped over the parapet. When I met the officer I gave him my
opinion in plain language of the conduct of his troops in firing upon me
when I was a bearer of a flag of truce. He apologized for the brutality of

54S HISTORY A.XD REMIXISCENCES
his men and said they had fired without having been ordered te de so.
I reported the circumstance of the flag having been fired upon to General
Hancock when I retumed. I informed the officer of the object of the truce,
when he returned to his commanding officer, agreeing to let me know
at three o'clock whether the proposition for a short_truce will be acceded to
en their part. I returned to our lines and the firing recommenced. At
3 p. M. I again went out with a flag of tmce and met an officer of the
rebel service, who stated that they agreed to a truce from 4 to 6 p. m.
Truce commenced at 4 p. m. accordingly, when we met the eneray's
officers near FusseU's Mill; they delivered up our dead within their lines,
while we did the sarae for thera. There were no wounded living between
the lines ; all were dead. During this truce we delivered te the enemy the
body of Brigadier-General Chambliss, who had been killed on the x6th and
teraporarily buried at the 'Potteries.'"
Until the afternoon of the i8th, the most of the time was spent
fortifying the front.
About 5 p. .M. the enemy raade a deraenstratien along the front of the
whole corps. The pickets were drawn in and the raain line attacked. The
xxth Maine was in front, and the First Connecticut Light Battery did good
service. A comrade wrote in his diary: "Our guns were worked fer all
they were worth."
The fighting lasted only half an hour, but was very fierce while it con
tinued. The enemy was driven back with great loss. While the enemy was
attacking the loth Corps, a considerable force swept over the Charles City
Road and across White Oak Swamp, driving Gregg's cavalry away frora the
cross-road and obtaining a position on the sarae, three railes in rear of Gen
eral Gregg's position at Deep Creek. Hancock sent General Miles to sup-
pert Gregg, but the infantry did not engage the eneray. The cavalry main
tained its communication with Deep Creek by an interior weed road,
and the enemy retired frora the cross-road on the following morning.
Captain Clinton tells of being to the front en that day near a large co
lonial house, when General Grant and staff rode along the line. The Gen
eral halted at the house, took out his glass and commenced te inspect the
Confederate lines. The enemy evidently saw him, for they fired at the
house with shell, and the sharpshooters had the range. The house was

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 549
struck several times. General Grant paid no attention te the shots, but
kept on inspecting the lines just as if there were ne danger.
An amusing story is told of a Seneca Indian who was in the 14th New
York Artillery. The sharpshooters were annoying the artillery consider
ably and the Indian, seeing one perched in a tree in front of the Union line
on the morning of the 19th, raade a wager that he would bring hira in alive.
His raanner of accomplishing this was as ingenious as successful. Procuring
a quantity of pine boughs, he enveloped himself with them from head to
foot, attaching them securely to a branch, which he lashed lengthwise
of his body. When completed he was indistinguishable to a casual obser
ver from the surrounding foliage, and resembled a tree as closely as it was
possible for his really artistic efforts to render him. Thus prepared, and
with musket in hand, concealed likewise, he stole by almost imperceptible
moveraents to beneath the tree where the sharpshooter was lodged. Here
he patiently waited until his prey had eraptied his piece at one of the Union
men, when he suddenly brought his musket to bear on the sharpshooter,
giving him no time to reload. The Confederate was taken at a disadvan
tage. To the demand to come down he readily assented, when the Indian
triumphantly marched him a prisoner into camp and wen his wager.
On the 19th another pontoon bridge was built just above the one belew
Four Mile Creek, The work was done so promptly that although the order
only reached Captain Lubey, commanding the pontoon bridge at Deep
Bottom at II A. m., the bridge was in actual use at 7 the same evening.
The loth Army Corps had been fighting almost continuously from the
X4th te the evening of the 19th and had achieved much glory. Major-Gen
eral Butler sent his congratulations in these words :
Major-General Birney:
Dispatch received. All honor to the brave loth Army
Corps. You have dene more than was expected of you by the Lieutenant-
General. B. F. Butler, Major- General.
On the evening of the 19th, General Birney issued congratulations to
his corps.

55(1 HISTORY AXD REMIXISCE.XCES
General Orders, ] Headquarters xoth Armv Corps,
X. .. 25. j In the Field, FusseU's Mill, J 'a. , August ig, 1864.
The Major-General commanding congratulates the xoth Army Corps
on its success. It has on each occasion, when ordered, broken the enemy's
strong lines, and has captured, during this short campaign, 4 siege guns,
protected by the raost formidable works, 6 colors and many prisoners. It
has proven itself worthy of its old Wagner and Sumter renown. Much
fatigue, patience and heroism may still be demanded of it, but the Major-
General commanding is confident of the response. To the colored troops
recently added to us and fighting with us, the Major-General commanding
tenders his thanks for their uniform good conduct and soldierly bearing,
setting a good example to our veterans by their entire absence of straggling
on the raarch.
By command of Major-General Birney.
Ed. W. Smith,
Assistant Adjutant-General.
The last three days of the skirmishing had been in the most disagreeable
weather; the rain was falling incessantly, and many of the men were wet to
the skin all the time. It was no wonder that the doctor had enough to do
with malaria and rheumatic patients.
On the 23d a flag of truce steamer reached the landing, having on
board a nuraber of men, who were exchanged. They were glad te be back
with their comrades ence more, and the whole camp gave them a hearty
welcome. ' »n the morning of the 25th all three sections ofthe Battery returned to
the reserve camp. The whole Battery was together once more and many
stories were exchanged. Corarade Hotchkiss says that glad as they were
te be together, the "Boys left the forts with regret." In the afternoon
marching orders were received and "At 4 p. m. our guns, caissons,
reserves, etc., left here. I was left in charge of stores fer want of trans
portation," says Comrade Hotchkiss; "I slept on a pile of bread boxes last
night, with high fever and about played eut. Everyone busy with his own
duties and I have to attend te my duties, for there is no one te whom I could
delegate them, so I get along the best I can with the help of the cooks. As
we were in detachments, seme with rations ahead, some with none, rations

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 551
to be cooked and issued and seme to be drawn, another could not very well
fill my place, especially as we are on a raove. Another battery takes our
place up front, and their reserve camp is near here. The nights are
terribly hot and the mosquitoes awful.
"August 26th. Here we are yet. Captain Clinton left me in charge
of all the stores, forage, ammunition, hospital, etc. , with eleven sick men
and hospital steward, who gave me seme heavy doses of quinine. The whole
camp could be cleared out for all I could do, for my bones seem to be all out
of joint. Our teams have been turned in te the Quartermaster and so we
must wait for transportation. Seven p. m. Teams came in at sundown.
We started out and brought up at Artillery headquarters at 9 p. m. When we
got there I tumbled on a pile of oats and lay still until my brother, who
was detailed here, found me and took me te his quarters in an old house,
and for the first time since leaving New York, seven months previously, I
slept under a reef. Colored troops are relieving Fester's brigade, which is
passing here, going toward Petersburg. The eft'ects of the 120-pound solid
shot from the enemy's rams could be seen about this camp.
"August 27th. Started at 8 a. m. Traveled all forenoon, crossed the
Appomattox and got so near the enemy's lines that we were favored with a
few shots, and at 2 p. m. we reached our camp in front and east of Peters
burg, which can be seen from the rise of ground in front of us. I was tired
and sore all over, but the men were waiting for me. Rations had to be
drawn and cooked, soon as possible, and I was kept busy until dark."
In this graphic manner did the comrade confide his troubles and sorrows
to his diary, and his record will live through all ages in the pages of tliis
history. During the stay of the Battery at Deep Bottom many interesting inci
dents occurred, and General Butler has often told some of them in his own
inimitable way. Among the prisoners taken before him was one who de
clared that he had get into the Union lines by mistake. His appearance was
rather unmilitary, a suit of black, wet and glued te the skin, a stovepipe hat,
and — what all thought a curiosity — a black satin vest. General Butler had
been led to believe the prisoner was a spy, but when he saw him he could
scarcely restrain his laughter.
"Who are you?" thundered Butler, cocking that peculiar eye of his.

552 HISTORY A.XD REMIXISCEXCES
" Sir, I am one of the Virginia reserves."
General Butler, thinking only of the man's singular attire, remarked:
" Indeed, and are there many more like you in the city ?"
"I will answer all proper questions," replied the unfortunate individual,
"but sir. General, do not ask me to betray my cause; do not expect me to
inform you as to our military resources."
Butler looked at the man and biting his lip, a habit he had when greatly
amused, glared like an ogre and shouted:
"Ah! we do not call such as you, soldiers, sir; for persons in a dress
like yours we have another name ; we call them SPIES." The last word
was thundered out so loudly that the man thought it meant that he would be
shot on the spot, but drawing himself up with all the dignity of a member
of one of the F. F. V 's, he pledged his sacred honor that he was a gentle
man and a soldier. Butler was se amused that he ordered the "Virginia
Reserve " to be taken through the lines and released.
On one occasion a number of men were before hira to take the oath of
allegiance. One of thera, a wag in his way, looked at the General, and with
a peculiar Southern drawl, said:
" We gave you hell at Chicamauga, General!"
The General was furious at the man's familiar impudence and threatened
hira with all sorts of punishraent, but again came that drawling voice, repeat
ing the first part of the statement, but he was stopped by the General, who
ordered him te take the oath of allegiance to the United States at once or
he would have him shot. After some hesitation, looking into General
Butler's fierce eye, he reluctantly consented to take the oath. After taking
the oath, he looked calmly into General Butler's face, and drew himself up
as if proud to become a citizen of the United States and a raember of the
Yankee Army, and said: "General, I suppose I am a good Yankee and
citizen of the United States now ?" The General replied in a very fatherly
tone, "I hepe so." "Well, General, the rebels did give us hell at Chica
mauga, didn't they ?" A peculiar twinkle was in his eye as he emphasized
the "us" in his statement. Butler could appreciate a good thing, even
when it told against himself, so he only ordered the repentant one te leave
the room.

THE FIRST CONNECTICUT LIGHT BATTERY IN CA]
[From a fhotograpli

)EEP BOTTOM, JULY AND AUGUST, 1864. (See page 525,)
'p Bottom, August b, iSb4.'\

CHAPTER XXX.

FORT STEDMAN.

f' HE Battery left Deep Bottom en August 25th, being
I relieved by the 17th New York Light Battery
(Captain Clark). The Battery left the reserve
camp at 2.30 p. m. and marched te Point of Rocks,
,/«*:-<§')-&¦> I ;;: -- reaching that place at 3.4s; after resting half an
ii ¦*<3*i7i hour the march was resumed and the Appomattox
a_ \^^ crossed. The order had been to proceed towards
' Petersburg, but a staff officer met the Battery
and ordered it to return to Redoubt Converse en Spring Hill, the 29th
Connecticut being ordered in support. An attack was expected at any
minute and the Battery was kept harnessed up.
The expected attack did net take place ; the reason was known later,
when the telegraphic code used by the Confederates had been captured and
the messages intercepted. They showed that a daring attempt had been
made to explode a mine in front of Butler's line, and, during the confusion,
an attack was to take place with the object of capturing the pontoon bridge
across the Appomattox. For some unexplained reason the mine did net
explode and the movement was countermanded.
Major-General Ord, of the x8th Army Corps, had assumed temporary
command of the Army of the James during the absence north of Major-
General Butler, and he ordered the First Connecticut Light Battery to
report at his headquarters, near Petersburg, as early as possible.
At sunset on the following day the Battery marched from the Redoubt
Converse to the headquarters, arriving there at n p. m. The rain was
descending heavily making the march an unpleasant one; the comrades

554

HISTORY .AXD REMIXISCEXCES

were feeling far from happy, for they had pitched their tents at Redoubt
Converse, expecting to stay at least a few days.
The fortifications in front of Petersburg, a greater portion of which
had been corapleted by the end of July, commanded the admiration of the
railitary world, and Grant was in a position te choose his own method of

POSTING GUARD IX THE RAIN.

warfare— whether by direct assault; the slower process of a regular siege,
er by heavy operations on the flank of the enemy. Day after day, every
five minutes, a 30-pound Parrot shell was thrown into the city. Heavy siege
guns had been put into position and the practice was commenced of throw
ing a shell into the city every is minutes during the night. The shells ex-

FLRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1 sii5 555
ploded with a roar like thunder, crashing through roofs, firing buildings
and startling people in the dead of night. The city was doomed, not to a
swift and terrible destruction, but to a slower one, wherein every hour of
the day and night would be one of intense horror. At first, people tried to
find refuge in cellars; then they get careless and trusted to "luck"; the
highl}--nerveus were hysterical and some became insane. It was a new
feature in warfare, introducing fresh horrors and causing a tremendous
amount of suffering.
The First Connecticut Light Battery was sent te Fert Stedman and
redoubts within two miles of Petersburg. Comrade Griswold tells of the
march to the redoubt at the front in this graphic manner:
"We crossed the James River, went up the Bermuda Hundred road,
passed along our old line of works, crossed the Apporaattox, passed Fort Sted-
raan and along the line of works until directly in front of Petersburg, when we
went into camp, but we were soon drawing the enemy's fire and got out
of that and were sent into redoubts at the front. The centre section
was sent to the Hare House redoubt, and the left section, in which I
served, was sent into a redoubt to the left of them. We entered the works
through a deep cut-road at night, so as not to draw the rebel fire. The re
doubt was built of bags of sand, and the parapets and traverses were high
enough to protect us from the rebel sharpshooters. The embrasures were
covered by what were called mantlets, made of rope cloth and rawhide
some six inches thick. These mantlets were very tough when dried.
They had a small hole, about large enough for the muzzle of the piece to go
through, which was covered by a shutter, when the piece was with
drawn. We had a heavy built bomb-proof right in the rear of our guns,
and here we had orders always to go when the enemy's mortar batteries
opened on us. The bomb-proof was roofed with several layers of heavy
pine logs and then covered with several feet of pounded earth. It pro
tected us from many a bombardment and proved to be really bomb-proof."
Fort Stedman was named after Colonel Griffin A. Stedman, of the nth
Connecticut, who was mortally wounded in front of Petersburg August s,
1864. "The centre section was placed in the Hare House Battery, the right
section in Fort Stedman, and the left in a redoubt to the left," says Com-

556 HISTORY .A.XD REMIXISCEXCES
rade Dickinson. "The next morning, as soon as it was light enough to
see, the Johnnies discovered the colored troops in the trenches, and in their
rage they opened a terrible fire which they kept up for several hours, and
it was days before they could accept the situation with any degree of equa
nimity. The Hare House Battery was onh* enclosed on three sides, the
rear being open. The house was named after its fermer owner, an old bach
elor who had lived there, if rumor were true, in a rather riotous fashion.
The chimneys of the house were standing, like monuments, and the flower
ing vines were climbing up the few reraaining portions of the frame. The
field in front sloping gently down te a shallow ravine was where his race
track was located, over which, before the war, he used te run his horses for
the entertainment of his guests who held high carnival at the house. The
15th New York Engineers had charged the enemy's works on that field in
the previous June, and, one day, when there was a truce for something, our
men went out and on their return, said that among the debris could be
found old muskets and canteens by the side of half-covered men in blue.
We used te watch the enemy go down the ravine, on Sundays, on their way
te Petersburg, te church most probably. We had our bomb-proofs in the
Battery, in which we used to take refuge when a certain big shell from
beyond the Appomattox came ever. It would come with a shriek and a
rear, and then a few seconds later we would hear the explosion in the woods,
away in our rear. There was nothing dull about our life there, though it
did not pay to be too curious, and most of the boys were quite content to
meet trouble when it came, without looking for it."
In the redoubt occupied by the left section there was a strong bomb
proof directly in rear of the guns ; under this bomb-proof the detachment
had to sleep and spend all the time when net engaged in working the guns;
nowhere else could the comrades be safe from bullets and pieces of shell.
As it was the danger was great, though often mortar shells landed en
the top of the bomb-proof, entered the dirt a few feet and exploded, with
out doing any damage, other than shaking the dirt down on the comrades
as they slept. Sometimes the mortar shells fell en the bomb-proof while
the comrades were eating breakfast or dinner, and then the coffee was
thickened with dirt and the beans and soup se thoroughly sprinkled with

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 557
it that the food had all the appearance of having been seasoned with red
clay spread over its surface by a pepper-shaker.
A comrade says that more than a dozen shells burst on that bomb
proof, while he was doing duty there, without doing any other harm than
spoiling the food, and covering the comrades with red dirt.
The redoubts were within 300 yards of the enemy's lines and the slight
est movement, er noise, would draw the fire of the ever alert enemy. Com-

hP'^t '

- ¦ '. . ' ' ^'-SV H
¦'.v.?' / .'"'•¦.,"': ' •¦

[From a \\ai time pliologiapli.J
"GOPHER HOLE" BOMB-PROOF.
A hole dug in the ground for soldiers to crawl into to protect themselves from pieces of shells.

missary Hotchkiss tells of the difficulty in getting the rations to the men.
" Sending up rations is no easy thing te de, " he says, " I started with the
team and after going down the first rise of ground and across a corduroy
bridge, shot and shell began to fly about us quite lively and we got behind a
deep cut in the road for shelter. The noise of my team drew the fire of the
enemy, and we had to carry the rest of the rations up by hand. We had to
step lively and keep our heads low. When 'we got to the rifle-pits we had

558 HISTORY AXD REMIXISCEXCES
te poke about to find our men. They were in three different places. I finally
found the centre section, gave eut their 'grub,' and to get to the left sec
tion had to pass an open space, kept our heads down and hurried up, but the
riflemen saw us and fired a few shots. However, we got te the left, gave
eut their rations and started to the right section, to whom we gave the bal
ance of the rations. We could not leave the shelter for some time, fer the
rebs. were firing lively. We finally started down with our camp kettles,
reached the team and hurried back to camp, where I found orders from head
quarters not to take the team up there again. All quiet as soon as we got to
camp." Comrade Hotchkiss had a great fund of humor in him, though it was
often latent. In his diary we constantly meet with such a statement as this :
" The men have to keep covered er get shot. It is a very hot day." And
when suffering from chills and fever he would write: " Had an awful
shake to-day, but all quiet in front."
The left section had orders te silence a certain battery whenever it
opened fire en the Union line, and Corarade Griswold says, very naively:
"This we always succeeded in doing." The lines virere so close together
that the pickets had to live in holes burrowed in the ground, firing at each
other through loop-holes. "We could hold a hat up at any time, " says
Comrade Griswold, "just above the parapet and immediately it would be
riddled with bullets. One day, at about sunset, we were standing around
one of our guns and leaning against the traverses, when a spent ball just
grazed my hat and buried itself in the traverse beyond. When I told the
boys that the ball grazed my hat they pooh-poohed it. I took it off, but
could find no hole in it. I had only just put it en again when another ball
struck it again and this time hit a comrade in the back. Then we began to
look for the sharpshooter and discovered him in the top of a tree over half
a mile off. Our gun was turned upon the tree and Mr. Sharpshooter was
down in a hurry. One day, while lying in our bomb-proof, Edwin O.
Blatchley (' Sod ') thought the eneray's battery we had orders to respond
to had opened fire, so he went out te see and on going te a loop-hole in the
parapet, was about to leek through when a rifle shell came through the
top of the parapet, emptying the sand upon 'Sod,' and when we got out
to work the guns there was ' Sod' sticking his head through a pile of sand.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 559
Another day, while the writer was standing, leaning against a gun wheel,
talking with Comrade Guptil, who stood between the other gun wheel and
gun, a rifle shell came through the mantlet, passing between the comrade
and myself and going down the cut road just beyond, exploded in the midst
of a colored regiment, killing and wounding many of them. It was their
marching up the road which had drawn the enemy's fire. I was dazed for
awhile after the shell had passed me and it seemed as though my breath was
gone, but I did not lose consciousness and seen was all right; but Comrade
Guptil was insensible and for a long time stood like a statue and I thought
he was dead, but after awhile he roused himself. We were not three feet
apart and the shell went between us. The section at the Hare House
redoubt was still closer to the eneray, in fact, a stone could have been tossed
over the parapet into the rebel rifle-JDits. A company of engineers was at
work continually to see that the redoubt was not undermined."
One of the enemy's guns was doing considerable damage and annoying
the defenders, and Comrade Scranton of the centre section was called on to
silence it. He watched his opportunity and sighted his gun so accurately
that the first shot went straight into the muzzle of the obnoxious gun and
effectually silenced it. He was complimented by the Lieutenant-Colonel
commanding the Light Battery Brigade en his splendid marksmanship.
One day while three comrades were standing talking, net more than
three or four feet apart, they were surprised by hearing a sudden rustling
sound, and felt something pass swiftly by them creating a current of
air very much like that produced by a train of cars passing at the rate of a
mile a minute. Before they had time to think or move, a large mortar
shell entered the ground near thera and exploded, shocking thera into un
consciousness, filling their eyes, mouth and ears full of dirt. The comrade
who tells of the experience, says he was thrown down and when he recovered
his senses he found his mouth, ears and eyes so full of dirt that he was
unable to breathe until, with his finger, he had cleared the dirt from his
mouth, and then with great effort by gasping and coughing until his breath
returned, fer it appeared to him that his breath had been literally knocked
out of his body. He looked around for his comrades and not seeing them
made up his mind they were killed and buried under the dirt the explosion

560

HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCENCES

had thrown up. He went to the bomb-proof and was surprised te find them
all safe and sound; they had gone through the same experience, and each
thought the ether killed until they met. The mortar shell must have
passed very close to stun them, and it entered the ground less than ten feet
from where they were standing. The shell buried itself in the ground
several feet, before exploding, or all three would have been killed, as it was
they were blown up and the mass of dirt between them and the shell saved

[From a war time photogmifh.] IN PETERSBURG TRENCHES.
.\ Confederate soldier photographed where he fell.

them from being mangled, but, as a comrade says, "we were knocked out
and just as badly frightened as we could be and yet live. "
On the 29th of August, Acting-Captain James B. Clinton received his
commission as Captain. The honer was well deserved, and the comrades were
all sincere in their congratulations. On that evening the left section fired a
dozen shells into Petersburg. On the same day 2d Lieutenant Hezekiah B.
Smith was promoted to xst Lieutenant, the usual form being complied with

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 561
He went before ist Lieutenant M. V. B. Richardson, 4th New Hampshire
Volunteers and commissary of Musters, 3d Division, loth Army Corps, and
was mustered out of the service as 2d Lieutenant and immediately mustered
in as xst Lieutenant. This method of procedure was adopted in case of all
promotions. A few days later there were in the Battery other promotions:
ist Sergeant Theron Upson was promoted to 2d Lieutenant, Sergeant
Arthur E. Clark to ist Sergeant, Corporal Sarauel Wilbur Scranton to
Sergeant, and Private George W. Penhallow to be Corporal.
Corporal Huntington has furnished a copy of the record of his gun de
tachraent, which will recall the routine of battery life to the comrades.
Each detachment had a Sergeant and two Corporals; one Corporal looked
after the caisson, and the other sighted the gun. The Sergeant's duties
were to look after the entire detachment, being held responsible fer the
conduct and conditions, and appearance of the detachment at roll call. If
a Sergeant was off duty tlirough sickness or any other cause, the ranking
Corporal took his place. Much of the time during the service Corporal
Huntington acted as Sergeant, doing double duty, but he says he never got
double pay. The following comrades composed Corporal Huntington's
squad, at one time, when the detachment was full.
No. I gun. Corporal Huntington, Acting-Sergeant.
CANNONEERS.
Geo. W. Penhallow, Henry E. Hotchkiss, Emery Norwood,
Charles A. Sykes, Lewis L. Fuller, Hezekiah Tuttle,
William Copples, Henry Rich, Hobart M. Dolph,
Alexander Wright.
DRIVERS.
Lewis Sykes, J. H. Gladding, Geo. M. Barber,
Andrew Nolan, Wra. Brown, Andrew Holbrook.
Changes were frequently raade owing to sickness, wounds er death, se
very few men served in the same detachment during the three years.
Again we quote from Comrade Hotchkiss' diary, as the description he
gives of the early days in the intrenchments before Petersburg are graphic
and interesting.Writing en the last day of August, he says: "There are lively times up
in front, our lines are so close to the enemy that any movement on our side

5(32 HISTORY .AND RE.MLXISCENCES
will be followed by a lively artillery duel. The enemy's sharpshooters are
the most dangerous, tne bullet reaches here before we hear the report; we
can see the flash of the big guns and cover, but we can't dodge bullets. I
have to carry up rations after dark new to avoid shot and shell. The Light
Battery camps of the xoth Army Corps, comprising sorae 12 or 14 batteries,
are all about our camp on a ridge in rear of our lines, the ridge where the
enemy made their first stand. The forts and rifle pits are plainly seen from
our lines stretching away te right and left as far as we can see. The ridge
shuts in from our sight the present Confederate batteries, but we can see
the flash of their guns. I take the old Petersburg and City Point Pike
to gain the ridge our guns are on, and send the team with rations to the
valley in rear of our lines and the men carry the rations up to the forts.
The valley is full of infantry camps, and, as the enemy often throw shells in
there, the men have to burrow in holes made for that purpose. The ridge in
rear of our lines is torn and furrowed, and the trees are shriveled and cut up
by cannon balls from the enemy's guns. The eneray can see the ridge and
if anybody appears on it, wee be to him ! A dead mule lies near our course,
but it cannot be covered; it is too dangerous to attempt it, se we get the
benefit of it. If the enemy's battery on our right keeps quiet we pass over
the exposed ridge, climb a deep trench, cross a small orchard of apple trees,
finding plenty of pieces of iron lying about in all directions, but we have te
hurry to our bomb-proofs and it is a relief to get under shelter. But my
work is not done, for I have to visit the other section and the way is not all
under cover. The raen must be fed and risks taken. The line of works
runs from the James River away te the southwest of Petersburg as far as
the eye can reach. One of our guns and eight men is in quite a large fort,
in which is also a mortar batter}-. After passing this large fort, I take rations
to the fort farther en te the left, where we have three of our guns; but to get
there we have to pass the most dangerous open space, and no dodging
is possible there. We have just to run across with a rush; we don't ' step te
view the landscape o'er, ' as the hymn sa\'s. In Fort Stedman is a large
bomb-proof to cover infantry. In the fort our guns are stationed with port
holes in front of each, the portholes are covered with a bullet-proof apron.
When firing it is drawn aside and closed again soon as gun is discharged to
prevent bullets from whistling inside. If you take a peep through the port-

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1861-1865 563
hole you will see a lot of white things scattered along between the picket
lines — they are bones of Confederates and Unionists, bones bleached in the
sun; they could not be got at and buried, and so there they lie."
Corporal Huntington tells how his detachment spent the tirae in Fort
Stedman. The comrades became se accustomed to the firing and bursting
of shells around them that they sat under the trees in the fort, playing
cards, nearly all day when not on duty, working the guns, or at meals.
When a mortar shell burst ever them and looked as if the pieces were
coming dangerously near, they would grab up the cards and run close up
under the fort, or into a bomb-proof. They were usually very quick
in these movements. The comrades slept close under the parapets and by
the guns, arranging their little shelter tents so they gave some protection
frora the rain and dew. Right in front of the fert lay several bodies of
soldiers, killed in the first advance on Petersburg, which the Confederates
would not allow to be buried because they were negroes. The stench
from these bodies was terrible, especially when the wind blew toward the
fert, sickening and threatening all with disease. The lines at this place
were se close together that the pickets on either side could lalk to each
other, and, frequently, by common consent, at mid-night by the light of the
moon, all firing would cease and conversation be carried on. When they got
tired talking, or conversation became dull, the Johnnies would cry out : " Get
down there, Yanks, we are going to fire." All would instantly cover and
firing at each other commence. This sportsmanlike way of conducting
war continued for only a few nights, when general orders 'were issued pro
hibiting such intercourse. After a time the wind blew steadily in the direc
tion of the enemy's lines giving them the full benefit of the stench. The
enemy was seen persuaded to allow the dead negro soldiers to be buried.
The Light Battery Brigade of the loth Army Corps had been under
the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Freeman McGilvery, xst Maine Light
Artillery, from August 13th, relieving Captain F. M. Follett, 4th Artillery,
who resumed the command of his battery. Lieutenant-Colonel McGilvery
was an efficient commander, but he did not live long to direct the operations
of the Light Artillery. In the battle of Deep Run, on August x6th, he was
wounded in the hand. He suffered greatly, but continued in command until
September xst, when the surgeons told him that his thumb must be ampu-

564 HISTORY .A.XD REMINISCENCES
tated. Chloroform was administered, but whether an overdose was given
him, or his nervous systera had been badly shaken, he never recovered
consciousness. On September i6th, Major-General Birney recommended
that the redoubts on his line should be named, commencing on the right —
McGilvery, Brooks, Plimpton, Henderson — "in honor of Lieutenant-Colonel
McGilvery, Chief of Artillery of the Corps, who died frora the effects of wounds
received at Deep Run, August i6th, 1864; of xst Lieutenant J. Howard
Brooks, ist New York Engineers, killed August 5th, 1864, while in the per
formance of his duty at Redoubt No. 2; and of Lieutenant-Colonel Plimp
ton, 3d New Hampshire Volunteers, and Lieutenant-Colonel T. A. Hender
son, 7th New Hampshire Volunteers, both killed August i6th, 1864, at the
battle of Deep Run. " General Birney pays a high tribute to these brave
officers, saying: "These gentleraen have an unbleraished reputation in the
army, and their meraories are deeply cherished by their brothers-in-arms,
and their names have been selected with great unanimity as to the peculiar
features and merit of the intended honor."
Comrade Sloan was detailed as orderly at the headquarters of the artil
lery brigade and spent his entire time fer the two weeks that Lieutenant-
Colonel .Mcljilvery was in command, with that unfortunate officer. He tells
the story of his wounding and death, as he recalls it after a lapse of thirty-
six years. Comrade Sloan says: "Some part of the artillery participated in three
different movements on the north side of the James, and I went with Colonel
McGilvery as orderly. Two of these times we had some pretty hard fight
ing. The third time, McGilvery and his aide. Captain King, went along the
skirraish line to arrange a place for a battery, taking me along with them.
We left our horses in a little hollow and were proceeding along the line,
when McGilvery and King were both hit. I carried the Colonel back to his
horse, King being able to get along himself, and brought him back te the
landing where the field hospital was, and while his wound was being dressed
spent my time in bringing water in canteens from the spring at the bottom
of the ravine for the wounded. It was a matter of wonder to me te see hew
much water sorae of them could drink. After the Colonel's wound was
dressed I succeeded in getting him in an ambulance, and by his order looked
up the commander of the moveraent and reported to him that the Colonel

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865

565

was seriously wounded. I took an order to Captain Langdon to assume
command of the artillery and crossed the river to my quarters. When the
Colonel died under an operation I spent the night in getting an embalmer
to take care of his body."
Every day there was an artillery duel and it was almost miraculous that
none of the First Light Battery received an injury. When night came the
eneray thought to take advantage of the darkness and threw innumerable

[From a war time photogr.apli.J
REMAINS OF UNBURIED SOLDIERS.

shells into the trenches. Comrade Arthur E. Clark, in his diary, under
date September 3, 1864, writes: "Saturday evening, and instead of
the quietude which used to reign in the 'long time ago,' when our fore
fathers considered the eve of the week the morn of the Sabbath, we have
the noise and realities of war. The heavens westward of us are tracked
with the fiery demons of destruction — mortar shells — the air is filled with the
sound of their explosions mingled with the sharp report of the rifles.

,-,(¦,(-, HISTORY A.XD REMIXISCE.XCES
Look ! There go two, three, four at a time, of these shining messengers fer
the beleagured city, carrying anything but love and peace in their wings.
They look like falling stars, and so they are. Yet, peace lasting and
honorable can only corae by the use of such means. Perhaps this is
no credit to human nature, but I believe it is the truth. What can we do
but fight so long as our foes are armed and defiant ? Shall we submit ? Not
yet. Let exhaustion complete and the irremediable be endured before
the right shall yield to wrong."
This extract shows the spirit which actuated the men of the First
Connecticut Light Battery, and the sarae applies to the vast majority
of these who enlisted in the struggle at the first. They were ne hireling
soldiers, no professional fighters, but men believing in the sacredness of the
cause, and ready to give their lives for their countr}- and country's flag. It
was this grandeur of character which raised the United States to the highest
position of honor among the nations of the civilized world, raade it stronger
as a nation than any large standing army of professional soldiers could have
done, and taught the world the grandest lesson ever promulgated that
in defense of liberty, fc)r the raaintenance of its flag, a raillion men would
spring to arms and fight with the valor and courage of the Crusaders of old.
As the Crusaders raised the Cross and flung on the wind the pennant: "In
this sign we conquer," so the citizens of the United States flung out the
folds of the Stars and Stripes and shouted with a voice raade eraphatic by
the leaping of a million swords from their scabbards: "For this flag we
can die; under this flag we will conquer."
Comrade Oliver Abels recalls an incident of flower picking under diffi
culties in front of Petersburg. He says: "When we went in front of
Petersburg, my section, the centre, went into a redoubt at the Hare House
and remained there all the time we were in front of Petersburg. It was a
verv exposed position and every night we used te have an artillery duel,
causing us te have a pretty lively time. The Hare House had in its day
been a very fine place, but there was nothing left but the eld chimney.
There was a ditch dug through the garden and sorae nice flowers were
growing near it. On one occasion I told the boys that I was going to get
into this ditch and gather seme flowers. No sooner had I commenced than
the Johnnies began firing, and every time I raised my hand to pick a flower

ir

¦^- : - .^

A SECTION OP FORT STEDMAN, SHOWING MANTLET.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 569
the bullets would whiz by. I know I thought, at the time, that it was
picking flowers under great difficulty."
One day Abels saw an old horse coming toward the bomb-proof, and
he very energetically called to the boys who were standing near the animal,
"don't let that old horse come up here, drive him away; drive him off
quick! or he'll get shot and we will have to drag him away to-night and
bury him." No one stopped the horse, and as he came in front of the bomb
proof the Johnnies fired hundreds of shots at him, but he kept on feeding
and nibbling the grass, taking no notice of the bullets that were being fairly
showered on him. At last one bullet struck a vital part and the poor old
horse fell right in front of the bomb-proof. " There, I gaddy! I told yen
so," Abels exclaimed, "we will have to drag that old horse off and bury him
to-night." "I went out one day between the lines and exchanged papers," said
Comrade Abels, " I told the Johnny that I thought he was getting the best
of it, for my paper was eight tiraes as large as his. I have a canteen that
I took frora a dead soldier at that tirae, which I prize very much. In front
of us, between the lines, the ground was covered with the dead bodies,
some having lain there several months. It was a sad sight. "
One evening Comrade Joseph Doolittle was promising himself a treat.
He was fond of fried onions. The very odor made his mouth water. To
get such a dish he was prepared to risk a great deal. At last he had as nice
a lot of onions as ever sizzled in a frying pan. He was cooking them over a
bright fire and anticipating the enjoyment he was to have in a few minutes,
when a great shower of sand and dirt fell over him like rain, covering him
and spoiling his onions. A mortar shell had exploded about ten feet back of
the bomb-proof and while it did not injure Comrade Doolittle it certainly
ruffled his temper, for he lost his onions.
On September 6th, Corporal Penhallow was slightly wounded in the
arm. In a letter to his sister, Comrade Charles Hotchkiss tells of this
wounding. "The rebs opened on us quite lively and made the dust fly,"
he wrote, "sandbags were knocked down from the parapet and seme of the
shells exploded directly over the fort. Only one of our raen got hurt and
that by a bullet through the port, giving him a flesh wound in the arm.
The ports are kept closed except when the gun is run out to fire. Open

57(1 HISTORY AND RE.MI.XISCENCES
the ports at any time and the bullets will come through lively from the
enemy's sharpshooters. "
 . When the news of the evacuation of Atlanta and
the entry of Sherman's soldiers into the Georgia
stronghold reached the Union array in front of Peters
burg it was resolved to at once celebrate it by firing a
shell into the doomed city from every gun within
range. "Over 400 guns were leaded, " says Comrade
Griswold, "and a man held the lanyard ready te pull
GEO. w. PENHALLOW, ^^ j-j^g siffual, which was the firing of a gun which had
of New London. & ' fe t>
Enlisted Dec. a. 1861 ; bccu named ' the Petersburg Exprcss. ' "
mustered private Dec. 3, o ±
&k .^'e"' promoted CoT- Licutenant-Colonel Jackson in his report says:
poral Sept. 4, '64: promo ., ,... -...^ /-1.
ted Sergeant \'ov. 20, '^4; 'A salutc of thirty-six shottcd guns was nred at
mustered outjune 11, 1865 1 1 P. M. yesterday (Septeraber 4) frora each battery,
in which about s°° rounds of ammunition were expended. The enemy
replied briskly from all their batteries along our front."
Comrade Hotchkiss says that "after the firing was all over and all
quiet, one of the Johnnies sang out, ' I say, Yank, what the h — 1 was all that
firing about ? ' The pickets are so near that many times they are able
to talk with each other."
There was considerable excitement in the reserve camp one Sunday
afternoon when, after a period of great quiet, suddenly a report was heard
and the shell was known to be going in the direction of the camp. "We
veterans know by the sound where a shell is going," wrote a comrade.
" Everybody jumped and the shell carae screaming directly over our
quarters, passed over another battery in rear of us, and struck just over the
new railroad track about thirty rods frora us. It was a spherical-case,
3-inch shell, the worst kind to explode overhead."
Corarade Tallraadge was detailed to assist Commissary Hotchkiss while
the latter was suffering frora the malarial fever, and enjoyed the change
even though his period of duty only lasted a few days.
On September 20th the following order was issued from the Head
quarters of the Army of the Potomac:
"A salute of xoo guns is to be fired at sunrise to-morrow from the guns

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l.S(;i—1865 571
bearing on the enemy on General Butler's line, on General Birney's line,
and on the portion of the line occupied by General Hancock's troops,
in honor of General Sheridan's victory in the Shenandoah Valley."
Close upon the fall of Atlanta came the news of the dashing cavalry
march through the Shenandoah and the rout of General Early's army. It
was a victory worth celebrating. General Sheridan reported : "I attacked
the forces of General Early, over the Berryville pike, at the crossing of
Opequan Creek, and after a most stubborn and sanguinary engageraent,
which lasted from early in the raorning until five o'clock in the evening,
completely defeated him, driving him through Winchester, capturing about
two thousand five hundred prisoners, five pieces of artillery, nine army
flags, and raost of their wounded. "
Comrade Hotchkiss describes this second grand salute in this raanner:
" Every gun was to fire ten rounds, right at the enemy, on a given signal
from the great mortar named 'The Petersburg Express.' There had been
heavy picket firing all night and until the great mortar, throwing a xs-inch
shell, belched forth. The shell could not have get to its highest altitude
before our batteries opened, and such a tremendous discharge as swept
along our lines, I think, was never before witnessed, and I think the
Johnnies must have been astonished, for not a gun was heard in reply
fer some time."
In the midst of the exitement the news came of two promotions which
were of especial interest te the First Connecticut Light Battery. Colonel
Hawley, who had se ably commanded the 7th Connecticut, and had always
taken the greatest interest in the Battery, was promoted to the rank
of Brigadier-General, and former Lieutenant Williara T, Seward, of Guil
ford, who had done so rauch to enlist the first men in the Battery, was
promoted te the rank of Captain, and was made Commissary of Subsistance.
Captain Seward had been for two years Brigade Commissary under General
Hawley and well deserved his promotion.
The Confederates had a large gun in a fort between one and two miles
to our right, selected so that they could cross-fire the works. Every day
shots were fired from this gun, shots passing in a direct line over us, says
a comrade, "but doing no damage. We lived in daily expectation that the
enemy would eventually get the right range and explode shells in our forts."

572

HISTORY A.XD REMINISCENCES

It has always been a wonder to the comrades that during the four or five
weeks that they were in the fort at which the enemy fired daily from this
cross-fire position, that they did not get a better range; apparently they
never altered the range from the first to the last day the Battery was in front
of Petersburg. The gun was either elevated too high, or on account of
position it was irapossible to depress it.
Comrade S. W Scranton tells of a mortar shell bursting over the heads
of Comrades J. Farrell, Peter Magee and hiraself, shocking their nerves.

IFrom a war time photograph.]
CONFEDERATES LAID OUT FOR BURIAL.
Gathered from different parts of the Battlefield.

These comrades were standing about three feet apart when the shell burst.
The pieces fell about them thick and furious, making the dirt fly in such a
manner as to sting each one. A bit of sandy reck hit Farrell on his back
just below the hips ; Magee was hit on the head, and Scranton in the palm
of his hand. As the wounds were made by dirt and sand they were not
dangerous, though they inflicted a disagreeable stinging sensation, and left
black and blue spots to mark the places. The comrades considered they

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 573
were in great luck to get off so well, they frequently recall this hair-breadth
escape. The last days of the Battery in the intrenchraents before Petersburg
were at hand. Many of the comrades preferred the active service on the field
to the work in th© redoubts, but their wishes were not consulted in the
matter, and so, like all good soldiers, they resigned themselves to accept
" what the gods provided."
Of those last days Comrade Hotchkiss writes:
"The enemy invariably open the ball and fire until our side gets mad.
It is amusing te see the men duck their heads when a bullet whistles past
them; veterans, as well as new recruits, will unconsciously bow tea bullet in
spite of themselves. I went up with the men to-day (September 23),
te distribute rations. The enemy's battery in front of our left fort was
bursting shells over our boys. I dodged across the open spaces and in
the fert just in time to escape a shot that went over to the rear before
exploding. I found our boys, under Lieutenant Upson, trying sorae new
ammunition, and I shinnied partly up the parapet and peeked through
a small opening between the sandbags. The enemy was loading a gun and
soon our lookout shouted ' cover ' and of course every man did. The ball
passed directly over us; I saw the flash before I covered. We fired several
rounds with splendid accuracy and then adjourned to dinner. The shells
passed our fort and went dangerously near my team down in the valley and
the team made for camp at once. Yesterday a bullet passed through the
wagon seat and just cleared the teamster, while waiting fer me in the valley.
The Battery is being relieved by another and all is bustle in the artillery
camps, troops are on the move, and I know that we shall leave soon for my
stores are cut down to as little as possible so that I can get all in one wagon
as well as carry the Commissary officer's traps. Quartermaster and Ambu
lance stores. I don't know where we are going, but large bodies of troops
are moving along the newly completed railroad."
This railroad was one constructed by the Union army in the rear of and
parallel with its long line of intrenchments, running from City Point to the
extreme left flank. This road was not particular about grades and curves,
but simply followed the natural contour of the ground.

574

HISTORY .A.XD RE.MI.XISCENCES

On September nth two guns were withdrawn frora the Hare House
Battery to allow the engineers to change the line at that point.
The enemy dreaded the First Connecticut Light Battery and tried in
every way to silence it. On Septeraber isth Major Prince reported to
General Butler that "the enemy was putting in a hea'vy gun, an 8-inch
Columbiad, in order to silence the First Connecticut Light Battery."
On September 9th, 1864, by Special Order Ne. 120, Lieutenant
Hezekiah B. Smith, of the First Connecticut Light Battery was appointed
Acting Assistant Inspector General for the Artillery Brigade, and ordered
to report for duty to Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Jackson, Assistant Inspector
General of the Brigade. The appointment was made by Major-General
David B. Birney, commanding the loth Corps.

'From a war time photograph.] RAILROAD BRIDGE DESTROYED.

Fortifications around Petersburg showing Fort Stedman, Hare House Redoubt and Battery „, where the guns ot the First Connecticut Light
Battery were stationed. The first Confederate works captured are numbered consecutively j to 22. ^°'""""''" '^'«*"

CHAPTER XXXI.

FORT HARRISON.

r

i I ' ''^ '^„- 1 i_

A\ --^^a^

N the 26th day of September, 1864, the First Connec
ticut Light Battery moved two miles to the rear into
a large field where the whole of the Artillery Brigade
of Light Batteries had camped. A number of recruits
had joined the Battery and on that day had their first
drill. In one of the early maneuvers an axle of one of
the gun carriages broke and the recruits were blamed, though in no way
could they be responsible for the accident.
The entire loth Corps camped close around General Birney's head
quarters. Every few minutes the trains brought loads of troops and the
scene was one of bustling activity. It meant a move of some kind and the
comrades asked each other what was te be the outcome. Not one could
answer correctly; it was only conjecture, and many thought that neither
General Ord nor General Birney knew where their respective corps were
going. This was perfectly true, for while orders had been given for the
Artillery brigade to "halt in the open field at the rear of headquarters," and
for the loth and i8th corps to be in readiness to march, it was not until the
evening of the 27th that Major-General Butler received his instructions from
Lieutenant-General Grant. In those orders the General instructed General
Butler to be ready to commence his march at night on the 28th, so "as to
get a considerable force north of the James River, ready to assault the
enemy's lines in front of Deep Bottom, where the two assaulting columns
will be in easy supporting distance of each other, as soon as the enemy's line
is broken at the dawn of da)-. "

578 HISTORY A.XD REMIXISCE.XCES
General Grant had resolved en a most daring plan of campaign which
required promptness of action and quick movement to make it a success.
He stated the object to be " te surprise and capture Richmond if possible.
This cannot be done if time is given the enemy to move forces te the north
side of the river. Success will depend on prompt movement at the start.
Should the outer line be broken, the troops will push for Richmond with all
promptness, following roads as near the river as possible." Much had to
be left to the discretion of the Generals, for as Lieutenant-General Grant
said, " It is impossible to point eut the line of march for an army in the
presence of the eneray, because the eneray may interpose such an obstacle
in the route as to raake it irapracticable. It is known that the eneray has
intrenched positions on the bank of the river between Deep Bottom and
Richmond, such as Chaffin's farm, which are garrisoned. If these can be
captured in passing, they should be held by suitable garrisons. If not
captured, troops should be left to held them in their position, and should
intrench to make themselves strong."
With that consummate genius which raised Grant to the very highest
pinnacle of fame, he provided for every emergency, telling Butler that if he
succeeded in getting into Richmond he need not fear "if the whole rebel
array was between hira and his supplies," for General ^leade had been
instructed hew to act in such an emergency, and that "communication
would be opened with you either by the south side or from the White House
before the supplies you would find in the city would be exhausted."
The First Connecticut Light Battery raoved from the loth Army Corps
headquarters at a quarter te one en September 28, and after crossing
the Appomattox halted on the north side at half an hour before sundown, to
water and feed; the Battery resumed the march at seven o'clock, reaching
Jones' Landing at 9.45 p. m.
All the batteries composing the Light Artillery Brigade, except the
First Connecticut Battery and Corapany C, Regular Battery, started at day
break the next morning for the front. It was generally believed that
these two batteries were detained at Jones' Landing through shortness
of araraunition. Comrade Hotchkiss says in his diary: "The whole corps is en the
move. Hope we go to City Point and ship south, it is getting too cold up

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 579
here. At 8 p. m. we went into camp five miles from Deep Bottom, but got
under way again; roads dark and muddy, rain falling heavily, one caisson
upset, horses used up, wagon stuck in the mud, stragglers, etc., to delay us.
One horse broke loose and bruised a corporal, but no bones broken ; finally
we went into camp at Jones' Landing at xo o' clock, night dark as pitch.
We are en the James River, and the i8th corps moving with us."
Comrade Griswold, in his rerainiscences, wrote: "We left the vicinity
of Petersburg just at night and very quietly, but found troops coraing
in on roads and by-paths in all directions and soon had a large column of
which fourteen light batteries brought up the rear. New comes the ques
tion : Where are we going ? It passed from raan to man and every one had
an opinion and each one different. The opinion among the officers and men
was universal that we were going somewhere to take transports, and
the opinion was divided between the Appomattox and Bermuda Hundred.
We moved slowly and arrived at the Apporaattox and crossed. New all con
ceded that we would take transports at the Bermuda Hundred landing;
we crossed, and then where — no one but General Grant seemed to know."
While the Battery was detained there seme desperate fighting was go
ing en across the river.
The xst and 2d divisions of the loth Army Corps broke camp near
Petersburg promptly at 3 p. m. on the 28th and took up the line of march to
the Appomattox, but owing te the delays in the wagon service the progress
was slow and the head of the 2d division did net reach the pontoon bridge
across the Appomattox until 8.35 p. m. and Deep Bottom at x.30 a. m. on
the 29th. Shortly after daylight the advance engaged the eneray and seme brisk
fighting took place; a very fierce and galling artillery fire from the light
x2-pounders at Laurel Hill Church and heavy artillery at Fort Harrison,
checked the advance for a time; General Foster re-formed his division in
the woods into three lines of battle, but the formation of the ground threw
them into echelon, the ist Brigade in advance, the 2d extending to the right
and the 3d to the left. An advance was ordered to dislodge the battery at
Laurel Hill Church, which was promptly executed, the enemy retiring in
such haste as to leave their killed in the field and the road strewn with artil
lery, ammunition and implements. At i o'clock the 2nd division was

580 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
to unite with Brigadier-General Birney's colored troops and General
Paine's command frora the i Sth Corps in an attack on Fert Gilmer. As they
advanced they found four ravines intervening and also that old trees had
been slashed and thrown down, rendering the advance very slow, and requir
ing a halt at the second ravine, and again just after the crossing of the 4th.
During all this time the 2d division of the loth Corps was exposed to a heavy
fire from the infantry, an artillery fire of grape and canister from Fort Gil
mer and shell and case from the two forts to the right compelling the di
vision te fall back. Reinforced by a brigade of Brigadier-General Paine's
command General Foster again ordered an assault, which was again unsuc
cessful, and the forces were obliged to retire, which they did stubbornly to
the New Market and Richmond road, when the line was once more re
formed. General Foster reported that "when my line advanced to the as
sault a body of troops of the enemy, apparently 500 or 600, moved from the
fort on the right, and reached Fort Gilmer in season to assist the garrison
in our repulse. In this assault the colors of the 3d New York Volunteers
were lost. I had the circumstances investigated and the report seems to
show that it was net through any unworthy act en thepartof the regiment."
The xoth Corps redoubled its effort to effect a junction with the i8th,
which it accomplished after considerable fighting near Fort Harrison. The
6th Connecticut, Colonel Rockwell in command, acted with splendid brav
ery, as it advanced up the Darbytown read until it reached a point within
three miles of Richmond, where the spires of the churches and the roofs of
the houses were easily seen.
Fort Harrison was a very strong earthwork of great advantage to the
Confederates. The position was of such value that it was not likely that it
would be surrendered without a severe struggle. The following day Lee
brought up additional reinforcements from Petersburg to hold their
position, but the Union fire was too strong for thera, and Fort Harrison was
captured. The Confederate Colonel, Jaraes R. Hagood, thus describes the battle:
"On the raorning of the 30th preparations were made to regain Fort
Harrison, which lasted till midday, when the attack began. We were then
1,000 yards from the point to be carried. Immediately the regiment on my
left began to double-quick, which soon increased to a run, thus exhausting

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 581
the men and wasting their energies at a time when both should have been
economized fer the struggle on the parapet. I was opposed to this, but,
believing it to be an order, acquiesced. The eneray shortly opened fire on
us, which increased in effect every raoment, and soon began to tell fearfully
in the ranks. At this critical moment the brigade which preceded us gave
way, and rushing through our line caused immediate confusion. Added to
this, the village of soldiers' huts which lay in our track offered the tempta
tion to skulk, which many failed to resist, and which was impossible in the
confusion to prevent. With those of ray raen who still adhered to their
colors I continued to advance until I attained a point within sixty yards of
the fort. Here, ewing te the little support which was accorded me by the
remainder of the brigade, I ordered a halt and began firing te divert my
men. I waited here fer ten or fifteen minutes for reinforcements, but their
failure to come up and the fearful destructiveness of the enemy's fire
impressed me with the necessity of falling back, which I accordingly did
I rallied my men at the earliest practicable moment and reported to the
Brigadier-General commanding, who instructed rae to return te my position
in the morning."
Lieutenant-General Grant reported te the War Departraent that
'' General Ord's corps carried the very strong fortifications and long line of
intrenchments below Chaffin's farm, with sorae is pieces of artillery and
from 200 to 300 prisoners. General Ord was wounded in the leg, though
not dangerously. General Birney advanced at the same time from Deep
Bottom, and carried the New Market road and intrenchments and scattered
the enemy in every direction, though he captured but few. He is now
pushing toward Richraond. I left General Birney where the Mill road
intersects the New Market and Richmond reads. The whole country
is filled with field fortifications. "
Comrade Griswold writes of the movement round Fert Harrison in this
manner: "We put across the James on pontoons, crossing rapidly and
pushed toward Richmond. It was there where General Terry's division
was in the lead that he uttered the famous command to a subordinate: ' Be
sure the loth Connecticut cresses first.' Our caissons got stuck in the mud
and Fort Harrison was captured before we were called into action. Fort
Harrison was one of the strongest earthworks ever built ; it was on the north

582 HISTORY AXD RE.MINISCENCES
side of the James and on the right of the long line of earthworks called the
outside line of Richmond intrenchraents. It was captured by bold,
desperate fighting before Lee's reinferceraents arrived. Soon after its
capture and the line of works connected with it, Lee appeared with large
reinforcements and it is said raade the three raost handsome and desperate
charges ever raade to retake a fortification. Three times he addressed his
troops, telling them that the works must be retaken. General Ord turned
the works as rapidly as possible after he had taken them se as to protect his
forces in the event of an atterapt te recapture. When Lee's charges were
made Ord had his forces formed four deep behind the breastworks, two
ranks loading and two ranks firing. It was said that Grant's determi
nation never showed itself plainer than it did on this occasion. He hurried
from Deep Bottom to Fort Harrison resolved to hold what had been gained,
which was the key to Richmond. His presence inspired the greatest con
fidence in the troops and they fought with desperate bravery. Lee had to
abandon the atterapt to recapture, and on the third charge many of his
men deserted and came over into our lines."
On October 2d the First Connecticut Light Battery was roused by the
" Boots and Saddles " call at s p- m- Supper was just ready, but that was of
no consequence; a soldier often finds his raouth watering at the appetizing
odor of food only to find a long raarch before him just when he is expecting
to eat. In less than an hour the Battery broke carap and raarched down
Deep Bottora to the old pontoon, crossed the river and raarched out beyond
the redoubt at the rear of the Grover House, where the Battery had
caraped two months previously. A comrade says: " The roads were mud
dy, regular Virginia mud, deep and nasty; it sticks to you like a brother.
One sergeant was thrown into a mud hole and lost his horse. The roads
packed with troops, artillery, arabulances, stores of ammunition, quarter
raaster's stores, etc."
On the following morning 14 new recruits arrived under command of
Sergeant Tuttle. News reached the comrades that the enemy had with
drawn from the works on the south side of Petersburg, across the Appomat
tox, abandoning the Hewlett House Battery, one of the most formidable
works on the Jaraes. This news caused great rejoicing among the comrades.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 583
and Sergeant Clarke wrote jubilantly in his diary as follows: " The eneray
has lest possession of five miles of the Danville road ; they have lost works
and guns around Richmond on this side of the James. Their friends in the
North are losing heart through a guilty conscience. Their ferce in the valley
has been and is being badly whipped and demoralized. O! Rebels! Without
an excuse fer your rebellion, ye are doomed to a miserable present and
notorious history. O, Southern people, may your rederaption corae soon ! "
The Battery was not to stay long at the Grover House, for on October
5 th orders carae to go to the front, and at noon the guns were in position on
the left of the 2d division of loth Army Corps just below Chaffin's Bluff
Battery and within rifle range of the enemy. The camp was about half a
mile to the rear of the guns.
Comrade Griswold writes: "Lee had retired into his second line of
works, leaving the ground covered with his dead and dying. Grant sent out
a flag of truce for the purpose of offering assistance in burying the dead.
The enemy fired upon this flag of truce and it was returned and the dead
lay unburied. When Lee sent out a flag of truce sometime after, Grant
would net recognize it. The ground in front of our guns was almost covered
with the dead and a singular thing was that, in what looked like a farmer's
yoke house, some two hundred yards in front of us stood a raan at the win
dow pointing his gun at us, but as he stood raotionless we became satisfied
that he had been killed in that position, but had not fallen, which proved
later to have been the case. The stench coming from the enemy's dead be
came so sickening that we were unable to eat anything, and we lived in
misery. After two weeks had thus passed and without any apparent, or known
order, the two armies went ever the parapets and together commenced the
work of burying the dead; when their work was done each returned to the
fortifications." On October 7th Kautz's division of about 1,700 men, including two
batteries, occupied an exposed position, partly intrenched, en the Darby
Town read near the enemy's intrenchments at Dr. Johnson's farm. Before
daylight his pickets were attacked, but they were immediately reinforced
by Colonel Spear, who personally attended to delaying the enemy. At
about 8 o'clock the enemy appeared in overpowering force. The situation
was so critical that it was necessary to send the horses to the rear, for they

584 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
would all have been killed by the time the dismounted men should be driven
from their intrenchments. The superior force of the enemy made it neces
sary to put every man who could be spared, in the rifle pits, which were
only partially corapleted. General Kautz reported that: " Four guns of the
4th Wisconsin Battery, supported by the ist Brigade, held the left. The
and Brigade held an unfinished rifle pit on the right, and Battery B, xst
U. S. Artillery, was thrown to the rear on coramanding ground and partially
intrenched. Colonel Samuel P. Spear on the right, having not more than
400 men, was assaulted by a line of infantry bearing four battle flags ; he
could not stand against this force and had to give way. This necessitated
the falling back of the left, which was simultaneously assaulted, also, by a
line with four battle flags. The artillery was well served, and to the last
moment, and the firing of the dismounted men was rapid and heavy."
The dismounted cavalry being unused to foot service became confused
and panic-stricken, and it was impossible to rally them. On the right was
a nasty swamp that was joined to another in the rear; there was a road
across these swamps, but it had been so badly cut up that it was almost im
possible te get the artillery along it. The leading gun got stuck in the
mire, and while the men were atterapting to get it released a regiment
of the enemy succeeded in turning Kautz's right and getting in the
rear, attacked the retreating men, shot the artillery horses, and the men and
officers were obliged to abandon the guns and caissons. Kautz took to the
woods and soon reached the New Market read, where he succeeded in rally
ing his men under cover of the xoth Corps, which was just moving out.
The enemy was not long in making an appearance at that point and
found ttiat the leth Connecticut and the xooth New York were ready for them.
A sharp fire thinned the eneray's ranks, but the enemy was too strong and
the New Yorkers had to give way. The regiment rallied, however, immedi
ately, and brought back to the colors. Adjutant Peck, of that regiment,
stood by the colors when they were almost deserted and was shot down
grasping the colors firmly as he fell. The loth Connecticut never did
braver or grander service than on that morning. Colonel Plaisted gave the
regiment the credit of standing " like a granite wall. " The enemy was
driven back, leaving the dead within a few yards of the Union lines.
Twice the enemy rallied, and in the dense thicket of scrub oaks and

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FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 587
tangled underbrush did considerable damage, but the enemy's advance line
was pressed back into their intrenched position, and again the enemy was
repulsed with great loss. Colonel Rockwell was in command of the 6th
Connecticut Volunteers, and he had just cause te be proud of the regiment,
for the Connecticut boys, he said, "behaved very well, standing up in an
unbroken line and delivering a steady and regular fire. "
Comrade Hezekiah B. Smith recalls that fight and says: "On the
morning when General Lee drove us back from the front of Richmond, I
was sent, with my section, to the right of the line to aid General Turner,
and we carae near being captured that day. I never expected to see the
rest of the Battery again. We had fired our last shot, the enemy hard upon
us and only for the 7th Connecticut Infantry driving them back we would
have gone to Richmond as prisoners of war. "
The other sections of the Battery fired but a few shots, but they were
effectual. Comrade Hotchkiss wrote : "The Johnnies came down on our
right flank, and drove our cavalry and infantry back to the New Market
read in our rear. Our Battery was actually outflanked until the xst divis
ion, loth Corps, under General Terry, met the enemy and drove thera back
with heavy loss. I happened to have been on the New Market road at the
time and would have been captured if General Terry had not come up in
the nick of time. He drove the eneniy off to the right of our camp or we
would have been in it. The result is, our lines are now advanced and our
Battery guns are holding the Chaffin Bluff forts. As soon as the enemy's
gunboats found us out they opened with x 20-pound shot and shell, and then
a fierce artillery duel commenced, killing one horse in our camp. Our re
serve camp was within range of their fire and we had to hitch up in a hurry
and get out of the line of fire. We went back of a hill and then the shots
went over us, crashing through the timber swamp in our rear. One large
sweet gum tree was struck just at the junction of the limbs and trunk, cut
ting off nearly the whole of the branches, and causing the top to come down
with a crash. The tree was only a few rods in our rear and we could not
help noticing how neatly it was cut down. General Birney was shelled out
of his headquarters, a house just in front of us. All sizes and kinds of
shells are lying all around us, showing the deadly peril we have been in.
Our horses are kept hitched up day and night, as the enemy raay come down

5^8 HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES
on us at any tirae. We are terribly craraped in our quarters under the hill,
but have te be content, for unless we keep under cover we may encounter
some of the shells which are flying over us at intervals."
During this campaign at Fort Harrison and Chaffin's Bluff, Lieutenant
Hezekiah B. Sraith, of the First Connecticut Light Battery, was Assistant
Inspector-General on the staff of Lieutenant-Colonel R. H. Jackson, Chief
of Artillery, loth Army Corps, and won special mention in the official re
ports. Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, in his report of the engagement of Octo
ber 7th, says: "Lieutenants Smith and King, acting Assistant Inspector-
General and Aide-de-camp, respectively, on my staff, behaved very gallantly
and meritoriously during the engagement."
When words of praise are so sparingly given as they are by commanding
officers, any one mentioned in an official report may knew that he has been
exceptionally brave or has performed some very great service te merit such
notice. The Confederate Colonel Hagood, commanding Hageod's Brigade, re
ported: " At sunrise on the morning of the 7th of October we attacked the
enemy on the Darbytown Pass and drove him from the line of works. My
regiment and Colonel Bowen's were advanced to storm the redoubt on the
enemy's extreme right, occupied by his dismounted cavalry, which was car
ried in fine style. General Field then directed me to change front to the
right and attack in flank with the two regiments a redoubt farther to the
right, which was defying the efforts of Anderson's entire brigade. I execu
ted this order, the men charging with great spirit and driving from the
work a body of the eneray. Anderson's brigade then came up, and we
awaited further orders. I was now ordered by the Brigadier-General com
raanding to move on the enemy's artiUery, posted on the farther edge of a
field, and which was still resisting. We reached it after double-quicking
for three- fourths of a raile; shot down the horses and secured the cannon.
After long delay, which has never been explained to rae, we followed the
enemy nearly to the New Market road, where they had retired after their re
verse of the morning and fortified. Their reinforcements had arrived, and
their position surrounded by a dense undergrowth impassable to a line of bat
tle, was thus rendered alraost impregnable. We attacked it and after a hard
fight were repulsed. A short time afterward we were withdrawn, abandon
ing all the ground we had gained in the morning."

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 589
At this time the Army of the United States was to Create a precedent
more remarkable than anything which had ever been recorded in history.
From the earliest times armies had been engaged in making and unmaking
empires and establishing monarchies; by ferce of arms a victorious array
had often overthrown a monarch and crowned its own general as king ; but
the army of the United States was te be the first in the known history of
the world to exercise the civil right of voting for a president of a Republic.
Four years before the men composing the army of the United States had
been at home, freemen, voting as freemen ought, but now another presi
dential election approached and a million of citizens were under arms and
according te the cede heretofore recognized, deprived of the franchise.
In a letter to the Hen. E. M. Stanton, Secretary of War, dated Septem
ber 27, 1864, Lieutenant-General Grant said:
" The exercise of the right of suffrage by the officers and soldiers of
armies in the field is a novel thing. It has, I believe, generally been con
sidered dangerous te constitutional liberty and subversive of military discip
line. But our circurastances are novel and exceptional. A very large pro
portion of legal voters of the United States are now either under arms in
the field, or in hospitals, er otherwise engaged in the railitary service of the
United States. Most of these raen are not regular soldiers in the strict sense
of that terra; still less are they mercenaries who give their service to the
Government simply fer its pay, having little understanding of political
questions er feeling little or no interest in them. On the contrary, they
are American citizens, having still their homes and social and political ties
binding them to the States and districts frora which they come, and to
which they expect te return. They have left their homes teraporarily to
sustain the cause of their country in the hour of its trial. In performing this
sacred duty they should not be deprived of a most precious privilege. They
have as rauch right to demand that their votes shall be counted in the
choice of their rulers as those citizens who remain at heme. Nay, more,
for they have sacrificed more for their country. * * '*
" The officers and soldiers have every raeans of understanding the
questions before the country. The newspapers are freely circulated, and so,
I believe, are the documents prepared by both parties to set forth the merits
and claims of their candidates. "

590 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
General Grant's reasons prevailed and the soldiers of the United States
were allowed to vote just the same as though they had been at home. A
Connecticut soldier's vote would be counted in his State and have just as
much weight as though he had cast it in New Haven or Hartford or Guilford.
On the morning of October x2th ballots were distributed among the
soldiers and the vote taken. The candidates for President were Abraham
Lincoln, Republican, and George B. McClellan, Democrat. The First Con
necticut Light Battery, with only six exceptions, voted for Lincoln.
On the same day the officers of the Army of the James read te their re
spective commands " Congratulatory Orders, " frora Major-General Butler,
and as the First Connecticut Light Battery had participated in all the suc
cesses and been engaged in all the movements of that army, every word of
praise belongs to the Battery as well as te each regiraent. As a subject
worthy of record the Battery History would be incoraplete without these
congratulations. Hdqrs. Dept. of Virginia and North Carolina,
Army of the James,
Before Richmond, October ii, 1864.
Soldiers of the Army of the James:
The tirae has come when it is due to you that some word should be said
of your deeds.
In accordance with the plan committed to you by the Lieutenant-General
commanding the armies, for the first time in the war, fully taking advan
tage of our facilities of steam marine transportation, you performed a
march without parallel in the history of war.
At sunset of the 4th day of May you were threatening the enemy's Capi
tal from West Point and the White House within thirty miles on its eastern
side. Within twenty-four hours, at sunset on the sth of May, by a march of
130 miles, you transported 3s, 000 men — their luggage, supplies, horses,
wagons, and artillery — within fifteen miles of the south side of Richmond
with such celerity and secrecy that the enemy were wholly unprepared for
your coming, and allowed you without opposition to seize the strongest
natural position on the continent : a victory all the more valuable because
bloodless.

MM .¦?¦

j~i^  . . ~"'"~ ^='^'-^ ^^ ^:': -S
[War Sketch by E. Forbes.] ,. ZOUAVES HALTING AT A SPRING.
a. NEWSPAPERS FOR THE ARMY— THE RACE FOR THE CAMP.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 593
Seizing the enemy's communications between their capital and the
south you held them till the 26th of May.
Meanwhile your cavalry, under General August V. Kautz, cut the Wel-
don read below Petersburg twice over and destroyed a portion of the Dan
ville railroad, while the colored cavalry, under Colonel Robert M. West,
joined you by a march from Williarasburg across the Chickahominy te Har
rison's landing.
On the X2th to the i6th of May, you " moved en the eneray's works"
around Fort Darling, holding them in check while your cavalry cut the Dan
ville road, capturing their first line of works, repulsing with great slaughter
their attack, which was intended fer your destruction.
Retiring at leisure to your position, you fortified it, repulsing there,
several attacks of the eneray, until you have made it strong enough to hold
itself. Fortifying City Point, Fort Powhatan, Wilson's Wharf (Fort Pocahon
tas), you secured your comraunications, and have practically moved Fortress
Monroe as a base within fifteen miles of the rebel Capital, there to remain
till that travels.
Re-erabarking after you had secured your position, with nearly your
whole effective strength, under Major-General Williara F. Sraith, you again
appeared at White House within forty-eight hours after you had received the
order to raarch, participating at the memorable battle of Cold Harbor with
the Army of the Potomac, where the number and character of your gallant
dead attest your bravery and conduct.
Again returning in advance of that army on the xsth of June, under
General Smith, the i8th corps captured the right of the line of defenses
around Petersburg, and nine pieces of artillery, which lines you have since
held fer three months.
On the i6th of June a portion of the loth Corps, under Brigadier-Gen
eral Alfred H. Terry, again threw itself on the enemy's communications be
tween Richmond and Petersburg, destroying miles of the road, and holding
the communications cut fer days.
The loth Corps, on the 14th day of August, passing the James at Deep
Bottom, under Major-General David B. Birney, by a series of brilliant
charges carried the enemy's works, near New Market, and, two days later.

594 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
another line of works at FusseU's Mill, defended by the best troops of Lee's
army, bringing back four guns and three battle flags as trophies of their
valor. Again crossing the James on the 29th of September, with both corps,
with celerity, precision, secrecy, and promptness of movements seldom
equalled, with both corps in perfect co-operation, you assaulted and carried
at the same movement — the loth Corps and the 3d division of the i8th
Corps, under General Birney — the enemy's strong works with double line of
abatis at Spring Hill, near New Market, while the remaining divisions of
the 18th Corps, under Major-General Edward O. C. Ord, carried by assault
Battery Harrison, capturing twenty-two pieces of heavy ordnance — the
strongest of the enemy's works around Richmond.
The army thus possessed itself of the outer line of the enemy's works
and advanced to the very gates of Richmond. Se vital was your success at
Battery Harrison that on the 30th of September under the eye of General
Lee himself, massing his best troops, the enemy made most determined as
saults upon your lines te retake it and were driven back, with the loss of
seven battle flags and the almost annihilation of a brigade (Clingman's).
After a week's preparation, massing all his veteran troops on your right
flank, en the 7th of October the enemy drove in the Cavalry, with the loss
of some pieces of horse artillery, but meeting the steady troops of the loth
Corps were repulsed with slaughter, losing three commanders of brigade-
killed and wounded, and many field and line officers and men killed, wounds
ed and prisoners.
Such is the glorious record of the Array of the James — never beaten in
a battle, never repulsed in an assault by a larger portion of its forces than a
brigade. All these triumphs have net been achieved without many loved and
honored dead.
Why should we mourn their departure? Their names have passed into
history, emblazoned on the proud roll of their country's patriot heroes.
Yet, we drop a fresh tear fer the gallant General H. Burnham — a
devoted soldier leading his brigade to the crest of Battery Harrison, where
he fell amid the cheers of the victorious charge. In his memory Battery
Harrison will be officially designated Fert Burnham.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 595
Of the colored soldiers of the 3d division of the 18th and loth Corps
and the officers who led them, the General, commanding, desires to make
special mention.
In the charge on the enemy's works by the colored division of the i8th
Corps at Spring Hill, New Market — better raen were never better led,
better officers never led better men. With hardly an exception, officers of
colored troops have justified the care with which they have been selected.
A few more such gallant charges and to command colored troops will be the
post of honor in the American armies. The colored soldiers by coolness,
steadiness and determined courage and dash have silenced every cavil of the
doubters of their soldierly capacity, and drawn tokens of admiration from
their enemies ; have brought their late masters even te the consideration of
the question whether they will net employ as soldiers the hitherto despised
race. Be it so ; this war is ended when a musket is in the hands of every
able-bodied negro who wishes te use one. * * *
The commanding General is quite conscious that in his endeavor to put
on record the gallant deeds of the officers and soldiers of the Army of the
James, he has almost of necessitv, because of the imperfection of reports,
omitted many deserving of mention; yet, as these gallant men will, on other
occasions, equally distinguish themselves, they can then take their due places
in their country's history.
By coramand of Major-General Butler.
Ed. W. Smith,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

CHAPTER XXXII.

DARBYTOWN ROAD.

lUST after sunset on the evening of October 12, 1864,
orders were received by Major-General Alfred Terry,
- »^' "r- III commanding the loth Army Corps, to have the xst
-y'^v' ^ III I and 3d divisions of the Corps, with three batteries

J

of artillery and Kautz's division of cavalry, ready to
'.^.V_--J, move on the next morning at 4 o'clock to the Darby-
*-< — 1 town road, the infantry by the road from Cox's house
te Johnson's field, the cavalry and artillery by the
road from Four Mile Church te the Darbytown road. The infantry moved
on time and in the manner directed, and arrived in due season upon the
ground which had been selected fer the formation on the right and left of
the Darbytown road and were ready to advance at sunrise, but, unfortunately,
the cavalry did not arrive on time and the attack was delayed.
Ames' division forraed on the right of the road, Birney's on the left, the
cavalry on Ames' right extending over to the Charles City read.
In obedience to orders from General Ames, three regiraents of the 3d
brigade, viz., the loth Connecticut, 24th Massachusetts and nth Maine
advanced frora camp a little before 4:30 a.m., following the xst brigade, the
2d brigade. General Hawley, followed in rear of the 3d. Moving forward,
the skirmishers advanced across an open field at Gerhardt's house and
entered a thick growth of scrub oaks. Advancing several hundred yards,
the enemy's pickets were met quite strongly posted in a line of detached
rifle pits. After a severe fight the pickets were driven in and the enemy's
skirmishers dislodged from their intrenchments. The line of intrenchments
was located on the crest which crosses the road perpendicularly near the
Cunningham house, and consisted of strong infantry parapets or rifle pits,

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 597
covered by slashing and strengthened by redoubts and emplacements for
artillery. One redoubt was situated en the Darbytown road, enfilading it
with artillery ; one other was near the Darby house.
East of the Darbytown road was an unusually thick growth of young
trees which rendered it difficult to ascertain the character of the line, thus
increasing the danger of an assault. The 7th Connecticut, Captain
Atwell commanding, advanced to the edge of the wood and was met by a
very severe fire. The green tops of the slashing in front rose several feet
high and thus prevented a good view being obtained of the line. Captain
Thompson of the 7th Connecticut climbed a tree and discovered that across
the slashing was a strong breastwork well lined by Confederates, and at
an angle there were two guns in position which were kept busy firing
shot, canister and spherical case.
By an unfortunate mistake the .skirmishers of the 2d brigade advanced
rather tee far and were fired into by their own comrades, which deranged
the skirmishers, but fortunately did no further damage.
As the expedition was purely a reconnoitering one General Terry re
ported the result and said that he would await further orders. After an
interval of two hours General Butler ordered Terry to retire at his leisure,
but in the raeantirae Ames had discovered a weak place in the enemy's line,
and, with Terry's permission, tried to ferce a way through. The attempt
was unsuccessful. During the afternoon the 3d brigade. Colonel Plaisted, was attacked
three times by the enemy, but in each attack was severely repulsed. The
loth Connecticut was early in the afternoon detailed te the xst brigade,
Colonel Pond. At 2 :3o p. m. the order was given to charge the enemy's
works, and the entire comraand moved forward with great promptness.
Colonel Otis, commanding the loth Connecticut Volunteers, reports: "My
regiment behaved splendidly, as did all the others in the assaulting column,
but the charge being through a thicket of scrub oaks so dense that men
could hardly push their way, the force of the charge was entirely broken
before reaching the enemy's works. Most of the way the column was sub
jected te a terribly severe enfilading fire, from which the men were falling
at every step. On coming within ten paces of the enemy's works the
severity of the fire and impenetrable nature of a narrow slashing in front

598 HISTORY .AND REMINISCENCES
of the ditch compelled the column to fall back. The men retired quite
deliberately, many of them returning the enemy's fire as they did so. The
enemy was well intrenched and the works strongly manned. My regiment
has taken part in more than forty battles and skirmishes, never before fell
back under fire, and never behaved better than on this occasion. But I
have no apologies te make fer it. I have not seen a more hopeless task
undertaken since I entered the service than that attempted by the
assaulting column to-day."
Among the killed was Major Carap, who lost his life within a few steps
of the enemy's works. Colonel Plaisted, coramanding the brigade, said of the
loth Connecticut and Major Camp: "The regiment participated in the
charge and behaved with its habitual gallantry. It lost mere than one-third
of the nuraber engaged. Major Camp was killed ; he fell among the fore
most of his comrades and within a few yards of the enemy's line. Our
cause cannot boast of a nobler martyr than Henry W. Camp. His name
will be recorded with those of Ellsworth and Winthrop, youthful heroeswho
have given their lives to their country."
Writing of the death of Major Camp, Corarade Griswold says: "The
loth Connecticut went in with only their old men and less than one hundred
recruits, and lest heavily. It was the first time the famous regiraent
in its three years' experience had ever retired under fire of the enemy,
but it was compelled to do so. Our battery was stationed behind a slight
breastwork on some high ground, shelling the enemy.
" We learned before the forces returned that Major Camp of the xoth
Connecticut, a model man and a brave soldier, a close friend of Chaplain
Trumbull, whom we had learned to love, was killed. His loss was deeply
felt by every member of the loth Connecticut. As they were coming back
and passing the Battery, without orders er words, every raember of the Bat
tery stepped to the front in line with his head uncovered as the small num
ber of this gallant regiraent went by. The Colonel and Chaplain were arm
in arm, and every raan in tears. It was one of the raost solemn and irapres
sive scenes I have ever witnessed, and I shall never forget it."
While the charge was in progress General Terry received definite orders
to retire leisurely. He commenced withdrawing from the right, beginning
with Spear's cavalry brigade, which had been holding in check a force of

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 599
cavalry and infantry on the Charles City road. The enemy's skirmishers
attempted te follow his withdrawal and the troops next his left, but the First
Connecticut Light Battery was posted where the old outer line of intrench
ments crossed the Darbytown road, and poured such incessant fire into their
ranks that they fell back in confusion. The troops were able te fall back to
the camp along the roads by which they had advanced in the morning.
Comrade Clark wrote in his diary : "Our Battery has moved from its
position on the left of second division to the right and near to the Head
quarters of the Light Artillery Brigade. Our guns were withdrawn from
their position in the earthworks on Wednesday. We left camp the same day
and joined the other batteries of the Brigade which were sent eut with the
ist and 2d divisions of the loth Army Corps upon what appeared to be a
reconnoissance in force. For some reason we halted until night and were
then ordered back. Bivouacked in the field we new occupy. Early en
Thursday morning, about 4 o'clock, resumed the march (the Captain and non
commissioned staff passed the night in our eld camp, where the battery
wagon and forge had reraained), and joined the forces on the road. Pro
ceeded to the extreme right of our line of works and went into battery be
hind them. The infantry engaged the enemy in front all day until about 3
p. M., with moderate success; at that time they charged the enemy's line and
were repulsed. The enemy followed them up. Our Battery expended 184
rounds of ammunition in covering the retreat. Arrived in our camp at
night, having no casualties to report."
Confederate General Pendleton reports a deed of bravery which deserves
mention. A shell, presumably from the Connecticut Light Battery, burst
in Flanner's Confederate battery, an explosion occurred among some ammu
nition improperly exposed, wounding six men, when Corporal Fulsher,
though wounded, caught up several shells with burning fuses and ex
tinguished them in a pool of water near by, and this when other shells were
bursting around him.
General Lee reported to the Confederate Secretary of War that, "At
7 o'clock on the morning of October X3th the eneniy endeavored to advance
between the Darbytown and Charles City roads, but was repulsed in every
attempt. The most strenuous effort was made about 4 p. m., after which
they withdrew, leaving many dead."

600

HISTORY .AND REMINISCENCES

Comrade William !M. Fowler relates an experience he had on this
occasion. The Battery was ordered into an open field beside the
Darbytown road and fired a few shots into a patch of woods in front.
After the Battery had ceased firing the infantry charged through the
wood, driving the enemy back and capturing a fort. While in battery

TELEGRAPHING FROM THE FIELD TO HEADQUARTERS.
waiting for further orders. Comrade Fowler saw a round cannon ball
rolling across the field directly toward him, and, as he thought, not going
very swiftly. His first thought was to put his foot in front of the ball and
stop it; it was rolling se slowly and seemed so easy to catch. As the ball
approached, he raised his foot te stop it, but in an instant, without any
special reason, he changed his mind and allowed the ball to pass. It flew

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 601
past him and out of sight ; had Fowler attempted to stop it, as he had first
intended, he would have lost a foot, perhaps his leg, and endangered his
life. Fowler only realized his narrow escape when he watched the ball
rolling past him, and far away out of sight. He bad no inclination after
that to "play ball" with those sent from a cannon, though his comrades
often joked him about trying to catch a cannon ball on the field of battle.
Once more the First Connecticut Light Battery arranged a camp,
making the best of everything, though feeling that camp life was one of
ups and downs, net always alike nor having the same amount of comfort.
A soldier soon learns to take things as he finds thera, though it would be
contrary to human nature if he did not object to what he did net like and
grumble when his comforts were denied him. Comrade Hotchkiss writes
under date October 15, 1864:
" A clear pleasant day, but the nights are cold. Comrade Charles F.
Hendee, our bugler, has joined forces with me, and we bunk together; it
is too cold to sleep alone. Our fare is poor; we cannot buy anything either
at commissaries or sutlers; the latter dare not open their stores up here for
fear of being captured, and away te the rear they charge $1 per pound for
butter; canned goods from $x to $1.50; pies, 80c. to f x ; bread, as large as
an ordinary biscuit, 15 cents. We have not been paid in seven months, and
so money is scarce, and the men are complaining about the grub. They
have never been cut down so close on rations, but they have fared better
than most of the troops. Then our quarters are cramped ; we don't have
time to fix things up comfortably; some of the time we are without shelter
at all. Don't wonder they complain. "
The camp was plunged into grief on hearing of the death of Major-
General David B. Birney, and the General Order, No. 135, in which Major-
General Butler announced the death, called forth the greatest expressions of
sympathy and grief. In the announcement General Butler said:
" With deep grief from the heart the sad word must be said — Major-
General David B. Birney is dead.
" But yesterday he was with us, leading you to victory. If the choice
and manner of death had been his, it would have been to have died on the
field of battle as your cheers rang in his ear. But the All- Wise 'determineth
all things well. '

602 HISTORY .AND REMINISCENCES
"General Birney died at his home in Philadelphia, en Tuesday, October
1 8, of disease contracted in the line of his duty.
"Surrounded by all that makes life desirable — a happy home, en
deared family relations, leaving affiuence and ease, as a volunteer at the call
of his country, he came into the service in April, 1861. Almost every
battlefield whereon the Army of the Potomac has fought has witnessed his
valor. Rising rapidly in his profession, no more deserved appointment has
been made by the President than General Birney's assignment to the com
mand of the loth Array Corps. The respect and love of the soldiers of his
his own corps has been shown by the manner they followed him.
"The patriot, the here, the soldier. By ne death has the country
sustained a greater loss.
"Although not bred to arms, he has shown every soldierly quality and
illustrated that profession of his love and choice.
"To him the word duty — with all its obligations and incentives — was
the spur to action. He had no enemies, save the enemies of his country.
A friend, a brother to us all, it remains te us to see to it, by treading the
path of duty as he has done, that the great object fer which he has struggled
with us and laid down his life, shall not fail and his death be profitless.
"Soldiers of the xoth Array Corps! Your particular grief at the loss of
your brave commander has the sympathy of every soldier in the array. It
will be yours to show your respect to his memory by serving your country
in the future as with you Birney had served it in the past."
While every word of this eulogium was true of General Birney, it was
equally so of every volunteer soldier who died in the great cause. Like him
each had left a comfortable home, left kindred and friends, given up posi
tions, which might never be recovered, risked health and offered life willingly
in response to the call of the President to save the Nation and preserve the
Union. The President never asked fer volunteers in vain. From all parts of
the country could be heard the response :
"You have called us, and we're coming, by Richmond's bloody tide
To lay us down for Freedom's sake, our brothers' bones beside;
Or from foul treason's savage grasp to wrench the murderous blade,
And in the face of foreign foes its fragments to parade.
Six hundred thousand loyal men and true have gone before :
We are coming, Father Abraham, three hundred thousand more!"

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 603
On October x8th all three sections of the Battery were again in one
camp, and quiet reigned in the neighborhood, only an occasional gun being
fired in the vicinity of Dutch Gap, The comrades set to work and leveled
the ground, clearing it up and raaking the site of the camp as pleasant
as possible, then camp streets were laid out, tents put in order and
a kitchen built; it looked as though the Battery was to stay there some tirae.
Where there had been a certain disorder, consequent on the constant
movings, new there was order, and a tented city arose like magic, recalling
Schiller's word picture of a military camp :
" Lo, there! the soldier, rapid architect!
Builds his light town of canvas, and at once
The whole .scene moves and bustles momently.
With arms and neighing steeds, and mirth and quarrel;
The motley market fills: the roads, the streams.
Are crowded with new freights; trade stirs and hurries.
But on some morrow morn, all suddenly.
The tents drop down, the horde renews its march.
Dreary and solitary as a churchyard
The meadows and down-trodden seed-plot lie,
And the year's harvest is gone utterly,''
Camp life was enjoyable after the hardships of several days' marching
and nights spent by the side of the guns, clothes wet frora the incessant
rain, sleep only obtainable at intervals and then on a kind of instalraent
lottery plan, the luxury of a good wash and change of underwear, even if
obtained under difficulties, made the thought of camp a pleasant one. A
soldier's life is spectacular to the outsider, who sees only the bright side, the
dress parades, the clean uniforms, the shining buckles on the harness, the
guns and limbers and caissons all spick and span, but to the soldier who sees
the other side, these bright features are only little glimpses of sunshine in
a lot of darkness. But with all the drawbacks to a soldier's life the thought
of camp was one of brightness.
Fer only three days was the Battery united. At the end of that brief
rest the right section was sent up into the fort, the centre and left remaining
in the camp.
All sorts of amusements were indulged in, quoits were played, horse
shoes being used in place of quoits, ball tossing and other sports occu-

604 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
pied the time during the intervals between duties. Comrade Hotchkiss
started a singing class and raost diligently tried to teach a score of corarades
how to read music and take a note from his tuning fork. But amid all the
restful pleasures of those few days there was a raging fever of excitement
in the camp, a fever of hope and despair, of joy and grief, one of excite
ment and depression.
And the cause ? Surely it must have been something most unusual
which could have produced such opposite feelings !
It was unusual. On the 26th of October, x86i, a number of men had
been raustered into the First Connecticut Light Battery fer a term of three
years, and now, the 26th day of October, 1864, had arrived, and the Battery
was to lose seme of its first members. The comradeship of three years was
to be disturbed, and sorae who on that morning were the uniform of a
soldier, would change it for that of a civilian before night.
The reveille would sound in the morning, but the honorably discharged
soldier could turn over in his bed and take another sleep ; taps would be
sounded at night, but the civilian would not heed its warning. For him the
discipline of the army would be ended, and he could please himself what he
did and hovi' he did it.
The exciteraent of the soldier who had reached his last day in the ser
vice was counterbalanced by the sorrow of those who were to be left behind,
sorae to face greater perils and endure hardships, but who would also par
ticipate in the closing scenes of the greatest war of raodern times.
Those whose terms of service expired on October 26th were: Lieutenant
George P. Bliss, who resigned his commission; Sergeants Horatio W. Evarts,
of Guilford; Hethcote G. Landon, of Guilford, and Elijah C. Tuttle, of New
Haven; Corporals — Warren H. Bissell, of Hebron; John F. Bliss, of Hebron,
and Henry S. Lawrence, of Meriden ; Artificer Harvey N. Johnson, of Hebron,
and Privates — Charles N. Bissell, of Hebron; Edwin O. Blatchley, of Guil
ford ; Edv/ard G. Evarts, of Guilford ; James Farrell, of Enfield ; Edward
Griswold, of Guilford; Lyman C. Jerome, of Bristol; John J. Mey, of Guil
ford, and Edward P. Norton, of Guilford. All were honorably discharged,
all had fulfilled their duty and had served their country with credit, winning
the respect of their comrades and going to their homes with the proud title

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 605
of hero, for each was worthy of the crown of heroism ; each had served his
country well and faithfully.
Of these Corporal Warren Bissell was detailed to the Knight's Hospital,
New Haven, and Private Charles N. Bissell, having lost an arm en May
X4th, 1864, was in the Invalid Corps and received his honorable discharge
on the same day as the comrades at the front.
Comrade Griswold says that when he went te get his discharge he felt
sad at heart because First Sergeant Clark told him that he had a grudge
against him. " I said that I was very sorry, for we had been so intimate,
and that I felt badly at parting with him feeling in that way. He assured
me that it was nothing to mar our friendship, and he should not lay it up
against me, but he said : ' I have been enjoying the thought that I had
been in more engagements than any other man in the Battery ; but in
making out the discharges I find that you stand at the head, and I am
beaten by one.' I shook his hand, knowing that the grudge he had would
only make us the warmer friends."
The hour for parting had arrived, and with husky voices the farewells
were uttered.
" On the morning of the 26th of October, with an honorable discharge
in our pockets, we were happy at the thought of going home, and yet
while we had longingly waited for that time when we should be homeward
bound, we really felt as though we would like to see it through, and we
fairly longed to stay with the boys we were going to leave behind," wrote
Comrade Griswold about that first break in the ranks of the First Connecti
cut Light Battery. " I went over to see General Hawley, whose regiment
was some half a mile or more away; he had some messages for home he
wished me to take, he told us there would be an engagement before night
and if General Butler found us starting he would be liable to de as he had
dene before in such cases: arrest us for being within the lines as citizens
without leave, and either set us to work in the trenches or send us to the
front. I went back and reported what he had said and we hustled and
gathered our things together, bade the boys good-bye and started, some
dozen of us in number. We had not gone far before we discovered General
Butler and staff, and we went out of our way to avoid him, fearing all the
while that he would stop us before we got to City Point. We arrived at the

606 HISTORY AND REMIXISCENCES
James River just at night, and were permitted to cress the pontoon. I had
drawn a pair of shoes before starting and they were se short that they were
hurting ray feet, so that a part of the time I had to go barefoot. It came on
very dark and after a few hours in the woods we were satisfied we had taken
the wrong path and were liable at any time, to be picked up by the rebels.
By the help of some colored people we finally got on the right read, and
what a tramp! My feet were se sore I could net wear my shoes and it al
most killed rae to walk without thera. A darker night I never saw. Just
before morning we came te the river and discovering seme sort of a house
nearby we started for it. We were very tired and went inside and at once
went to sleep. When we awoke in the morning we found we were in a hen
roost. We got out of it in a hurry and soon took a bath in the James River.
We could see City Point in the distance, and, when dressed, started for that
place where we got a good breakfast and found our steamer ready to start.
Homeward bound! How many times we asked each other if it could really
be true ! That we had seen three years of war — which seemed a life-time —
and were homeward bound safe and sound! We arrived at Fort Monroe and
were quartered in the outbuildings of a hotel fer a day or two. I bought a
pair of new boots, we called thera white people's boots, which cost me
twelve dollars. We signed the payrolls and got what pay was due us, and
then took a steamer for Baltimore; arriving there we stayed overnight and
took the earliest train for New York, arriving horae on Saturday night. I
found my eld father waiting at the depot for me. The safe arrival heme,
the sleeping in a house for the first time in three years, the resuming of a
civilian's life seeraed so strange that it was some time before I realized all
its pleasures." Comrade Barber tells of a little experience he had about this time.
" It was a cold, rainy morning," he says, "and a colored regiment lay near
us. There were five or six colored soldiers cooking coffee over a fire made
in a little pile of brick and stone. Among the stones they had, by some
strange chance, put an unexploded Confederate shell. When they had
their coffee nearly ready, the fragrant oder making their mouths water, the
shell exploded, scattering coffee, bricks, stones, ashes everywhere, but not
injuring one of thera. It was a sight worth seeing to look at those darkies'
faces when they recovered from their fright."

CHAPTER XXXIII.

JOHNSON'S FARM.

FAIR OAKS AND DARBYTOWN ROAD.
IDNIGHT, undisturbed save for the regular tread of
the sentries and the occasional boom of a distant
gun, a drizzling rain fell on the white-tented city, the
soldiers slept as though no enemy was near, they
dreamed of home, seme smiled in their sleep at the
thought that only a few days mere would pass before
they would be speeding north to the loved parents and
brothers and sisters who were anxiously watching fer them ; others thought
of the brave girls who had given their sweethearts to the cause, and in
anticipation, saw the loving sraile and blushing cheeks of the one who had
sent her hero-lover to the front and bid him do his duty, and
When Freedom's laurelled, then return
And these arms shall be your camp.
The*silence was broken by the sound of a horse's hoofs on the camp
streets. The orderly stepped at the Captain's tent; there were a few
hurried words, and then he galloped away ence more. But Captain Clinton
could not think of sleep after that ; there was work to be done, orders to be
given, preparations to be raade, for at 4 o'clock, the Battery was to be in
raarching order with three days' rations in the haversacks.
The cooks were busy in a few minutes cooking rations, the men were
preparing for the march, all was bustle and work. Three days' rations !
Every man knew that such an order meant the likelihood of a fight, not a
mere skirmish or reconnoissance such as often occurred, but it might mean
a determined march toward Richmond and the end, what would that be ?
Would it be an entrance into the capital city of the Confederacy or a repulse
with the battlefield thick with the nation's dead ?

608 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
Three days' rations ! The very order made them think, and seme of
those who were to be mustered out in a few days wondered whether they
would retum home with a crown of victory on their heads, or, and the
thought caused a cold shiver to pass over them, would their bones whiten
on the battlefield, er fill an unknown grave ?
Before daylight the troops were leaving camp. The loth and iSth
Corps were marching to the front, the reserve baggage supplies and stores
all sent to the rear; tents and knapsacks left in the reserve camp; shanties
that were finished and those still in an unfinished state were deserted.
Headquarters gone and only one small solitary tent left to mark the place
where the headquarters had been.
All three sections of the First Connecticut Light Battery left the camp
at daj'light. General Butler was about to make a most important movement which,
if successful, might lead to the capitulation of Richmond. He intended
making a demonstration on the right in order, if possible, to turn the left
of the enemy's intrenched and defended lines. From reconnoissances and
the reports of deserters, who were coming daily in large numbers into
the lines and taking the oath of allegiance, it was believed that the enemy's
exterior defended line extended only a short distance te the east of the
Darbytown road, and certainly not farther than the Charles City road.
General Butler supposed that if the enemy could be held in his intrenched
line by a demonstration in his front, that another column could turn his
line and force him to retire into his inner line or to attack the Union ferce
in the open field. To carry out this project General Terry, commanding
the xoth Army Corps, was to take all the troops he could spare, leaving only
sufficient to hold his lines. A reinforcement of 2,000 additional men was
to be sent te him, giving him a force of 8,500 effective infantry, together
with two light batteries of four guns each.
With this force General Terry was to feel the enemy's lines te the right
as far as possible, going up to the Charles City road, and by this movement
concealing another to be made by General Weitzel, who would, with a force
of 7,500 infantry and two light batteries of four guns each, march along the
Kingsland read, across the New Market road, by the drill room to the
Darbytown read, thence up that road to the Baptist church ; then by one of

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 609
the many divergent roads across to the Charles City road near White's Tav
ern. This march of Weitzel's would bring him within a mile of the rear of
General Terry's, near enough to support him in case of need, thus giving
Terry confidence enough to force a fight. If the enemy left his exterior line
for his interior line General Terry would be able to push him so that he
would be delayed, and give Weitzel an opportunity to press forward and
make an attempt to pass between or assault the enemy's line of redoubts
and enter Richmond. The troops were to be in light marching order, with
three days' rations in their haversacks, sixty rounds of ammunition in their
boxes and on their persons, and blankets rolled around them. In addition
to this, five extra days' rations and fifty rounds of ammunition were to be
taken en wagons. The loth Corps and cavalry wagons were to move by the
Deep Bottom bridge and the i8th Corps by the Varina bridge.
The troops were ready to start at 4 o'clock on the morning of the 27th of
October, 1864, the first division of the 10th Corps leading. The division
marched to the Darbytown road, striking it at the Johnson house, crossed
the read and halted under cover of the woods. General Ames, commanding
the division, threw eut the 7th Connecticut Volunteers as skirmishers, with
the order to feel the enemy vigorously. At the same time the 3d New
Hampshire, Lieut.-Col. Jaraes Randlett coramanding, moved forward as
skirmishers toward the enemy's works, his left resting on the Darbytown
road, the right joining Plaisted's brigade. The enemy's skirmishers were in
rifle pits before his works. After a severe fight, in which the regiment lost
three killed and three severely wounded, the enemy were driven frora their
position and forced to take up a place behind the main line of water
defenses of Richmond.
The fighting was now general all along the line, the loth Connecticut
was advanced across an open field into a growth of small pines in which
were a line of rifle pits, with twelve men in each pit. A vigorous assault
caused the enemy to fall back, and the gallant loth captured five prisoners.
The line of battle was then advanced with colors displayed, attracting the
attention and shells of the enemy. The line was then retired under cover
of the woods.
The 2d division of the loth Corps reached the Johnson house at about
7 A.M., and immediately sent out a strong line of skirmishers to the right

610 HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCENCES
of the Darbytown road, with a view of covering the right flank and dislodg
ing the enemy's skirmishers, who enfiladed the line from an old line of
works in front of the woods. General Foster moved his 2d brigade by the
flank up of the Darbytown road, through the old works, to the edge of the
woods, in full view of the enemy, then filed to the left along the edge of the
woods out of sight of the enemy, and formed in line of battle to the rear
and left of the xst brigade. The enemy received a strong reinforcement in
front of Fester's centre and succeeded in pushing his skirmishers back ashort
distance. Foster's line was strengthened later and he made a brilliant
effort to ferce the enemy back into his main works.
The First Connecticut Light Battery followed the 2d division of the
loth Corps and marched te the Darbytown road, where it went into battery
in an open field to the right of the line. It commenced a vigorous shelling
of the enemy's rifle pits and aided the skirraishers most effectivel)'.
About 4 p. M. General Foster received orders to raake a strong demon
stration en the enemy's works, te drive them from their rifle pits, and if not
developing too severe a fire to push forward and take their works, the main
object being to ascertain the strength of the enemy and their position. Obey
ing orders the entire line advanced, the skirmishers carrying two lines of rifle
pits, and driving the enemy into his main line of works. They were met
with a severe fire of grape and case-shot, but pushed their way until within
eight rods of the enemy's works, when it was found impracticable to proceed.
The 3d brigade moved forward at the sarae time, and after carrying two
lines of rifle pits on their front, were met with such a terrific fire frora four
pieces of artillery and from musketry that the assaulting force was broken
and part of it fell back in confusion, but immediately rallied and formed in
good order near the first line of rifle pits. The 2d brigade was then moved
near the woods on the Darbytown road, and in rear of the xst brigade in
easy supporting distance of both the right and centre. General Foster says:
" I ordered the right and centre to retire out of range bringing their dead
and wounded with them. I found the enemy posted in single line of battle,
behind a strong line of earthworks, with slashing and abatis in front. About
S o'clock I received orders to make ne further demonstration that night and
about dark I withdrew my division within the line of abandoned works, with

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 611
a strong picket line along my entire front, connecting with the ist division
on the right and the 3d division on the left."
While the loth Corps was pressing forward with vigor the 18th, under
command of General Weitzel, was equally energetic. The xst division and
two brigades each of the 2nd and 3d divisions and two four-gun batteries,
marched te the Darbytown read, thence up a cross road beyond Timberlake's
store, and to White's Tavern on the Charles City road. Here it was
met by Colonel West's colored cavalry. Colonel West had occupied that
road with his cavalry near the enemy's works for several hours. Preceded
by Colonel Spear's cavalry Weitzel raoved down the Charles City read, half
a raile thence by a cross road which passed Mrs. Hebsen's house through the
head of White Oak Swamp to the Williamsburg road, striking the road at
Heintzelman's old line of works en the old Fair Oaks battlefield. General
Weitzel describes his movement as follows :
" After passing about a mile and a half on the Williarasburg road I
struck the enemy's breastworks. I found them defended by only three
pieces of artillery and a sraall body of dismounted cavalry. I, therefore, di
rected an attack te be made by two brigades, one each frora the ist and 2d
divisions. This attack was made, but was met by a heavier fire than the force
could stand, the enemy having undoubtedly reinforced during the interval be
tween the time of my order and the time of attack, which, as is usual in such
case, is too great an interval. I assisted the attack of the two brigades with a
rapid and continuous fire from one of my batteries. While this was going on,
by direction of the general commanding, I sent Colonel Holman of the xst
brigade, 3d division, across the New Bridge road. Finding them thinly
manned, he attacked and carried the position, capturing two guns, and then,
by my order, returned to the main body en the Williamsburg road. His ad
vantage was gained toe late in the day to be of any service to us. Shortly
after dark I commenced to withdraw my command te the Charles City read
as directed by the general comraanding. This march, owing to the rain, the
intense darkness, the muddy and narrow roads, was the most fatiguing and
trying one that ever I have known troops te undertake ; and although my
rear guard did not get in until 7 o'clock next raorning, it was successfully
accomplished. This march, performed, as it was, after a long march and a
fight during the day, establishes beyond a doubt the high character of the
troops of this corps."

61-2 HISTORY A.XD REMINISCENCES
General Longstreet considered that the movement on October 27th
was the "most determined effort to take Richmond en the north side " made
up to that time, and he pays a compliment to the light batteries engaged
when he said that the retreat was covered by "a heavy artillery fire which
was kept up for about an hour." Comrade Clark says the First Connecti
cut Light Battery fired 148 rounds of ammunition, and as the Connecticut
men had the record for effective firing, we know that General Longstreet
had reason te remember that " heavy artillery fire, which was kept up for
about an hour."
General Longstreet's version of the moveraents of the 27th is an in
teresting contribution to the history of the day.
" Early on the morning of the 27th it became evident that the enemy
was moving to my left," he reported, "and about 9 o'clock heavy skirmish
ing, amounting in some places almost to attacks, was opened along my line
from the New Market to the Charles City roads. Under cover of this fire
the enemy pushed a column through the White Oak Swamp, cutting out
the obstructions at Hebsen's Crossing (a point about one mile and a half
below the line of works), and driving off the cavalry pickets stationed there.
Anticipating such a move, being convinced the skirmishing between the
New Market and Charles City roads was but a feint, and that the real move
was to flank our position by crossing the swamp and taking the unoccupied
works on the Williarasburg and Nine-Mile roads, down which they would
then sweep, I had ordered Field and Hoke te move by the left flank along
the works, leaving only strong lines of skirmishers on the fronts they were
leaving, and ordered Gary to the Nine-Mile road to held the works at that
point. This movement was made rapidly and continued till the left of
Field rested just beyond the Williamsburg road. Johnson's and Haskell's
battalions of artillery were moved with the infantry and placed in suitable
position along the line. When the head of the column reached the Williams
burg read the enemy were already advancing a strong line of skirraishers
on the works at that point. They were handsomely repulsed by our advance
by a portion of General Gary's command, and the column took position
along the old line of works.
"Hardly had Field located himself when an attack in very heavy force
was attempted on his front over the open ground on each side of the

A SUTLER'S TENT.

FIRSI LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 (JIS
Williamsburg read. This was repulsed with ease and small loss to our
selves, but with heavy loss to the enemy in killed, wounded and prisoners.
Major Johnson's artillery assisted materially in this success. No ether
effort was raade by the enemy at this point, and only a heavy artillery fire
kept up. In the meanwhile Gary had moved a part of the way ever to the
Nine-Mile road, when he sent word to rae that no eneray had appeared on
that road, and that his scouts reported none as being about. He was then
ordered to return and attack the force in front of Field on the flank. While
in the execution of these orders he received inforraation that the eneray
were attacking the sraall force picketing the Nine-Mile road, and he with
drew his coraraand to their assistance. Moving with proraptness he arrived
only in time to see his small squadron driven out of the salient at that part
of the line by the heavy ordnance of the enemy's skirmishers, supported by
a large ferce in line of battle, and about xoo yards from the works. A piece
of artillery had been captured. Immediately forming his lines at right
angles with the works, Gary charged down them, taking the eneray in the
flank, routing thera and re-capturing the piece of artillery. This was ac
complished with such rapidity that our loss was but slight.
"The fruits of these successes, so creditable to the officers and men en
gaged, resulted in the complete defeat of the most determined effort to take
Richmond on the north side, amounted to n stand of colors captured in the
assault of Field's position, and about 600 prisoners, most of whom were
taken through the personal exertions of Captain Lyle, of the sth South
Carolina. During the night the enemy withdrew tlieir forces to their origi
nal position. "
There seemed te be an apprehension that the enemy was gaining
ground, and that even the reserve camps were in danger. "We have
orders," wrote comrade Hotchkiss, "if an attack is raade on us, to
grab up what we can and skedaddle to the rear. A sutler, on our right,
got so scared that he forgot a half barrel of stewed and seasoned dried
apples for his pies, consequently, we are living on apple sauce. He also
left a barrel of dough, but that we could net use. Seme of our boys brought
in a lot of codfish and potatoes, so we are having high living just new."
The loth Connecticut remained in the open field near the Johnson
House during the whole of the 28th, and on the 29th the regiraent formed

616 HISTORY A.XD REMINISCENCES
on the right near the Johnson place, where the brigade was in line.
Skirmishers were sent out by the loth Connecticut and the nth Maine into
an open field, where they received a deadly fire from the enemy's skirmishers,
posted in a line of earthworks extending from the Eagle House on the left
across the Darbytown road on the right. Here the two regiments were
reinforced by a detachment of the nth Pennsylvania Cavalry, and an order
te advance was given. On the double-quick the Union troops advanced
across the field and drove the enemy from the works, with some loss. A
skirmish line was established in the works, which were held until dark, when
the entire brigade moved back to camp, leaving a cavalry squadron at the
line of works captured during the day.
The Union losses during the three days were 13 officers and 105 men
killed, 49 officers and 738 men wounded and 21 officers and 677 men captured
or missing. The i8th Corps suffered the heaviest losses. The First
Connecticut Light Battery returned to camp without any casualty.
While the Battery was away the enemy commenced a vigorous shel
ling in front of the reserve camp. The few guns left in the fort replied,
and the eneray did net continue firing. As Comrade Hotchkiss says: "They
didn't know what a chance they had." Those in camp were ready to fall
back at a moment's notice, but, doubtless, would have suffered some loss.
Orders came for Captain Clinton to take the Battery to City Point so
that the guns could be exchanged for light 12 -pounders. The comrades did
not like the idea of a change. One said: "It is a pity we have had to
change our guns. We have had them three years; our gunners can handle
them splendidly. They were rifled and they could put a ball just where the
gunners wished. But now we are to have guns about which we knew
nothing, and we may fire at random, unless we get long practice. I hear
the trouble was that we could not get enough ammunition for the eld guns,
there were no ethers like them in either the loth or x8th Corps."
Comrade Clark wrote in his diary in a similar strain. "Captain Clin
ton returned te camp with our new guns, I wish we had our old ones." he
wrote. " Our last practice with them was highly satisfactory to ourselves
and the commander of the Light Artillery Brigade and to the loth Army
Corps. Indeed, so well pleased were they that efforts were made by them
to have the guns retained in service; but, no, the drcree had gone forth —

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865

617

' Exchange ! ' Reason given was the difficulty of supplying ammunition of
3.80 calibre."
There was one consolation; every one knew that, however strange the
new guns might be, the Connecticut gunners would very soon learn to make
them effective.
A comrade tells an incident of a rainy night about the end of October
when the Battery was in front of the enemy's works near Fort Harrison.
He says: "We were wet and cold, and succeeded in feeling around in the
darkness and collecting some brush to start a fire, and by taking turns in
hunting brush and then warming ourselves on one side at a time we
managed to get comfortable, until we were nearly crowded away from the
fire by a lot of lazy soldiers frora a nearby regiment. Instead of making a
fuss over it we built another fire, and when the first died out the vaga
bonds left it and came over to our new fire, but that was too much, and we
became so vexed that we refused to let them get near our fire, se they were
obliged to find their own wood er go without the comforts of a fire."

A DESERTED PICKET POST.

CHAPTER XXXIV

SKIRMISHING IN FRONT OF RICHMOND.

"IHE second day of November witnessed the departure
from the Batterj- of eight whose time had expired,
they having been mustered in the United States
service en November 2d, 1861. Those who received
an honorable discharge on that day were: Sergeant
John H. Merwin, of Milford; Corporal George Van
Horn, of Milford; Artificer Leeds Brown, of East
Granby, and Privates Eugene Atwater, David Crossley, Edgar G. Davis,
Hobert M. Deloph, John C. English, Williara M. Fowler, Jaraes H. Glad
ding, Marcus M. Hall, George R. Ingram, Hart Landon, William McNary,
Lewis Sykes, John T. Sloan, W. D. Shepard and Lyman N. Tuttle.
The mustering officer told Captain Clinton that he was losing some good
men, and the Captain answered with a sigh that he knew it too well, but that
they would not re-enlist.
The comrades who declined to re-enlist were net less patriotic than the
ethers; they had served their country for three years, some even longer,
and they thought they had done their duty and that some of those who had
been taking it easy at heme should have an opportunity of proving their
patriotism by going to the front. Comrade Lewis Sykes said: "When my
time expired I felt that I had done as much as was expected of a citizen, and
not having very much of the ' die for my country ' spirit left in me after
three years of hardships in camp and field, I went horae."
Comrade John T. Sloan said that he was glad to hurry heme when he re
ceived his honorable discharge. It must be remembered that the members of
the First Connecticut Light Battery had made considerable sacrifices in serv
ing three years. They had left good homes, positions in the business world

FLRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 619
in which they had every chance of promotion, they had given up college
careers and gone to the front, actuated by no other motive than that of pure,
unadulterated patriotism. Having served three years they deserved well of
their country, and it was no wonder that they were "glad to get home."
The comrades who had re-entered civilian life journeyed together to
Aiken's Landing, from whence they went to Fert Monroe, where they
received their pay. Although they were then civilians and entitled to all the
respect due te good citizens, their trials were not over. Comrade William M.
Fowler says that he had to sleep en the floor of a slaughter house, which he
thought rather derogatory to a citizen of the United States. His experiences
on the way heme were far from pleasant. He took the first boat fer Balti
more, where he purchased some new boots, of rather a better quality than
those supplied by the government. He still wore his uniform.
Comrade William M. owler had left a good position in a New York
City store to enlist as a private soldier, with no other thought or ambition
than to help save the Union. For this self-sacrificing act he was commended
by all his patriotic friends and always treated with the greatest respect and
consideration, although he only wore a private's uniform wherever he went.
After serving his country for three years, participating in over a dozen
battles, enduring all sorts of hardships, braving dangers which only a soldier
could know anything about, and personally capturing a Confederate spy, he
returned home wearing his private's uniform and never suspecting that it
was net just as much a badge of honor, worthy of respect and a passport into
decent society, as when he enlisted. Iraagine his surprise te find a changed
sentiraent. Three years of war had turned the heads of some civilians,
causing them te regard a soldier wearing the uniform of a private as unfit
to associate with decent ladies and gentlemen, and denying them first-class
accommodations on steamboats. When Comrade Fowler arrived in New York
he naturally desired to get home as quickly as possible, and thought he
would take the midnight boat to New Haven, which happened te be the
Elm City, en which he had left New Haven at the commencement of his
service. Habited in his private's uniform, he stepped up to the purser's
office and asked for a ticket and stateroom, at the same tirae taking eut his
money to pay fer the same. The purser rebuked him in a most ungracious
manner, and in a gruff voice said:

620 HISTORY .A.XD REMINISCENCES
" We don't allow private soldiers on deck nor give them staterooms.
There is a place downstairs good enough for you ! "
The condition of things was se changed since the comrade enlisted
three years previously that he was completely nonplussed at the mo.st un
welcome reception. Surprised and indignant, he could not help wondering
if he had been dreaming, or if not, could it not mean that the purser had
suddenly become insane ? All at once it dawned upon him that he wore a
private's uniform, and that a sharp class line had been drawn between
officers and privates by civilians.
The tendency of war is to make people imperialistic. A new aristocracy
is created; society is divided between those who order and those who have
to obey. The officer with his gold braid and sword struts about, "dressed
in a little brief authority," and accustomed to command in his regiment, he
is looked upon as being superior te the raan who has to obey. Society pets
the officer, governraents reward him, though the private soldier does
the actual fighting and endures the greatest hardships.
" Such is the cold world's gratitude
To those who fight her virars;
She bows her head to epaulettes.
But maimed men she abhors."
The officer is promoted because his men fought well and valiantly. A
battle is won and the name of the commander goes on the page of history
as that of a great here, but
" What did the privates do, indeed?
Ah, they were gathering scars.
And helping some great officer
To shoulder-straps and stars ! "
The wearing of an officer's uniform was a passport every where ; the
wearer of a private's uniform was barred from the society of and prevented
mingling with so-called decent people.
Fowler thought of the welcome given to officers who visited their
homes, how jeweled swords and costly gifts were awarded them, and in his
heart he could not help praying:

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 621
"O patriot hearts, wipe out this stain;
Give jeweled cup and sword no more ;
And let no private soldier blush
To own the loyal blue he wore,"
Comrade Fowler was especially neat about his person and his uniform
was always scrupulously clean ; on this occasion he was doubly anxious te
present himself at his home in the best possible condition. He was proud
of his services, conscious of being as decent and respectable looking as the
purser, or perhaps any one en the beat, and by the uncivil treatment he re
ceived he was aroused to a state of anger he had never before experienced,
and he allowed himself to direct such a volume of language to the purser
that was more zealous than diplomatic. He tried to get at the purser,
but that official was secure behind the brass-caged front of his office, and the
comrade, failing to get at him te whip hira, declared that if ever he caught
him outside his cage he would whip him within an inch of his life. When
the comrade reached home and took off his private's uniform he was wel
comed everywhere and looked upon as a hero. It was only the snobbish
ness of a false-hearted set of civilians who had grown rich, it may be,
through army contracts that had set the fashion to treat the common soldier
with contempt, while the officer's uniform was treated as a badge of aristo
cratic respectability.
Comrade Fowler had a rich uncle, who, by the way, had been a prom
inent copperhead during the war, but he took especial pride in introducing
his nephew into society as a soldier who had served three years in the war,
causing a great deal of attention te be paid te the young patriot among all
classes, and in a manner compensating him fer the rough treatment he had
received when he tried te travel as a first-class passenger en the Elm City,
while wearing the loyal blue of the patriot soldier.
The true citizen remembered that all could not be officers, and that the
private soldier, the man who carried the musket, or drove the horses, or
sighted the gun, was worth his weight in geld, and that it was their patriotism,
their sufferings and sacrifices, their devotion to the flag that saved the
Union and made the United States respected the whole world over.
When the new guns arrived they caused trouble, for mistakes were
apt to arise through having the wrong ammunition, and the chests had

622 HISTORY .AND RE.MI.XISCENCES
te be altered, and all the ammunition te be repacked. The sections were
changed about almost erratically, and the new recruits had plenty of practice
in moving the guns. One section was sent en November 3d to Spring
Hill, the center section to the breastworks on the New Market read, the
other section remaining in camp, but en November 5th the section was
moved from Spring Hill te a redoubt on the right of Fert Harrison, while the
other section moved farther down the New Market road towards Signal
Hill to a fert pierced for 8 guns.
Work was commenced on a magazine, and the Battery beys cut the poles
and began te put them in place when Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson saw them
and ordered the colored soldiers to do the hard work.
There was considerable grumbling about the separation of the Battery,
some forts having portions of two or three batteries, instead of manning it
with one complete battery. The comrades could not see why the four guns
in Fort Harrison should not have all belonged to the First Connecticut
Battery; it would have been far pleasanter and the work would have been
just as effective. But fer some reason never explained to the Battery, all
the orders were erratic ; log houses would be built for shelter, and scarcely
were they finished before they were ordered pulled down. Comrade Clark
voiced the dissatisfaction of the comrades in his diary. He wrote:
"I am tired, and a trifle disgusted with military life. I positively
dislike this artillery brigade. One is kept constantly worried with
out good reason. Go here! go there! come back again! Build a house
te live in and tear it down the next day; go away to fight and come
back, whipped and weary. One section in one direction, another in
an opposite. Camp all dirt, only one team for all the work, supply
brigade headquarters with fatigue parties and tools — keep up the camp
guard with ne non-commissioned officers and very few men. Take good
care of the horses, ride two pair to water at the same time, send guns into
action with no breech-sights and new recruits to work them ; ammunition
chests filled with shot, shell, powder and friction primers, ne divisions in the
chests te keep things in their places. Bah ! This is folly for a commissioned
officer on the staff of the Lieutenant-Colonel commanding the brigade.
Our company is in bad condition for active service. General Ames is
commanding the loth Corps; General Terry commands the Army of the

za

ou

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 625
James during General Butler's absence north. General Hawley has gone
away, some say north, with a brigade including one or two batteries. Per
haps they will be needed home during the election. If traitors at home
attempt any disturbance during election I hope they will be dealt with
without mercy."
Net only was it annoying that comrades should be separated, but it made
the work harder for the non-commissioned officers and the commissary
sergeant. Comrade Hotchkiss complained of this, and the entry in his
diary will bring back to the minds of the surviving comrades many an inci
dent of that winter before Richmond.
He wrote, under dates November 7, 8 and 9: "I have to send rations
up to the guns in three different places, over 3^ miles of muddy roads,
reads in which the mud is red, deep and sticky. The duties of commissary
are now to be merged into the quartermaster's department and I am
appointed corporal; ' big thing, that!' We have lost fifty men whose time
had expired, which leaves us very short; there are only a few men in camp to
look out for horses, etc., so there is plenty to do. I am corporal of the
guard; we have only three corporals in camp, so guard duty comes every
three days instead of eight if the whole Battery was together. The corporal
of the guard posts every relief at intervals of two hours, and is not supposed
to sleep until the next corporal relieves him. As there are only two of us on
this beat we manage to sleep between reliefs, though we have to be up to
post guard every two hours day and night."
The comrades had settled themselves to sleep in the best way they
could on the night of November 9th ; they got as close together as possible,
for the night was cold, the rain seemed te freeze them to the marrow, and
discomforts of all kinds made them wish for sleep, if only that they might
seek oblivion for a few hours. But midnight had only just passed when the
bugle sounded the "Boots and Saddles," and every man had to be at his
post. The Battery was hitched up, and for the remaining hours of that
most miserable night the men had to be beside their horses and guns
awaiting the order te march.
Deserters had reported that the enemy was advancing down the
Charles City road in full force, and almost at the same time came the
report that the enemy's cavalry in some force had attacked the Union

626 HISTORY A.XD RE.MIXISCEXCES
pickets beyond FusseU's Mills and at the junction of the Charles City and
Long Bridge roads, but they were driven back.
After the Battery had been hitched up for several hours the order to
unhitch was given, and the comrades had been robbed of their sleep
for nothing. When taps were sounded on the night of the xoth, the men knew that
reveille would be sounded at 4.30 the next morning, and that coffee would
be served to them before they commenced a raarch.
General Terry, in temporary comraand of the Army of the James,
was not going te be taken by surprise. He, as well as Lieutenant-General
Grant, was anxious that the enemy should take the initiative and was well
prepared te resist any offensive moveraent. A strong rifle pit was dug from
the redoubt en the New Market road east of the Four Mile Church
redoubt to the Deep Bottora line, se that in a reasonable time the troops
could be placed in an almost impregnable position.
Early in the morning the enemy commenced firing from the Hewlett
House battery on Batteries Sawyer and Parsons, with two guns on the
former and one on the latter. The Union batteries replied, but as the enemy
was doing no damage it was thought well te save ammunition, so the Union
batteries ceased firing.
All day the raen reraained under arms ready te move, but when night
came it was known that the eneray had thought it inadvisable to risk a battle.
Lieutenant R. V. King, of the 4th New Jersey Battery, was assigned to
duty with the First Connecticut Light Battery during the absence of his own
battery. A few days later, however, word reached the Battery that the
Governor of Connecticut had proraoted Sergeant Clark to the position of 2d
Lieutenant, and, in consequence. Lieutenant King was detailed to another
battery. A number of promotions were made about this time: 2d Lieutenant
Dickinson being promoted to ist Lieutenant; Sergeant Welton to be
Quartermaster Sergeant; Corporals Morrison Bacon and Charles Gesner to
be Sergeants, and Privates George N. Barber, Henry A. Dodd, Joseph R.
Doolittle and Charles A. Hotchkiss to be Corporals. The camp became
more uncomfortable every day; the rain continued to fall, the men's quarters
were so cramped and crowded that they could scarcely move about under

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 627
shelter, the trees which had almost encircled the camp at first had been cut
down and so exposed the tents to the continuous rain and sleet, which, added
to the frost at night, raade life far frora pleasant. As one corarade said :
"The guard house is the only comfortable place, fer it is built of wood and
has a stove in it."
On one of the many demonstrations made toward Richmond on the
north side of the James River, the Connecticut Battery was ordered eut te
the turnpike, where it halted. Occasionally a solid shot fired by the enemy
came rolling down the road, furnishing a little excitement and relief from
the monotony of waiting. Lieutenant Theron Upson was detailed en
Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson's staff, but was frequently seen by the Battery
boys. On this occasion he had been ordered by Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson
te go forward and select a position for the artillery. As he rode down the
pike toward the skirmish line he was watched by the comrades, who
expected any minute to see him mashed by the big solid shot the enemy
were firing down the read. Just as Lieutenant Upson got about half way to
the skirmish line he saw a big, solid round shot bounding toward him. He
did not deign te halt, dodge or apparently notice it, but kept on until he
reached the skirmish line; then he dismounted, gave his horse to an orderly
to hold, and walked all along the infantry picket and skirmish lines looking
fer a position for the Battery. The country was flat lowland; a thick wood
and underbrush, vines and all kinds of briars and thorns that ever grew in
low, marshy lands made it almost impenetrable. Lieutenant Upson spent
nearly three hours on the skirmish line trying to find an open space where
artillery could be placed, but not in that whole section could he find a spot
open enough to even get one piece of artillery placed. Lieutenant Upson
returned and reported the condition to Colonel Jackson, who ordered an
immediate retreat. On that retreat the enemy followed so close and pushed
the Union force so hard that the Battery had to fire retreating with
prolonge, until it got out of range ; by this means the enemy was kept at a
respectful distance. Comrade Upson has often referred to that day's work
as one of the hardest he ever had; during the whole of the 24 hours he was
exposed to danger and hardship and had no other refreshment than one
hard tack.
For two or three days prior to that set apart for National Thanksgiving

628 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
the comrades were filled with anticipation of having a regular old-fashioned
Thanksgiving dinner for the report had reached the camp that the people
of the North had sent to the xoth Army Corps ten tons of fine turkeys and a
corresponding quantity of other good things. November 24th came and
found the comrades shivering with cold. The wind was a biting easterly
one and the rain fell in drizzly showers all day. It was a great relief to have
plenty of hard work to do, fer stables were being built and thf: men
had permission to erect log houses. Each house was 6 feet wide by 9
feet long; the walls were made of logs hauled from the woods. The roof was
composed of four shelter tents; each house therefore was to offer shelter and
comfort for four comrades. Working en these houses was a pleasure, and
on that particular Thanksgiving it was a relief as well, for working helped
to keep them warm and also diverted their minds from their great
disappointraent, for the turkeys had not arrived and the Thanksgiving
dinner was to be of hard tack and beans.
In the afternoon orders carae to step building and be in readiness to
break camp. The feeling can be easier imagined than described. Men who
had been careful in their language could net help allowing a "cuss word"
to escape them; even " Deacon " Hotchkiss, who never swore at all, had to
admit that he "could not find it in his heart to rebuke his corarades."
The whole of the North was supposed te be engaged in thanksgiving
exercises followed by the usual jollity, but the men of the xoth Army Corps,
wet te the skin, shivering with cold, and huddled together in cramped
quarters, with no extra dinner to cheer the inner man, felt that they
had but little cause to join in thanksgiving.
Early on the Friday morning the turkeys arrived and there were
brighter faces in camp, but even then there was some discontent, for as one
comrade said : "I got a fair piece of turkey, but ne gravy, sauce, onions,
pie or pudding, etc. I ate my piece of turkey in a cramped-up tent, with
cold tees and cold nose."
The same day a deserter was shot in front of the loth Army Corps
lines; the ceurt-raartial had been held in Captain Clinton's tent.
The necessities of the military situation had brought into the army a
very great many men who had been tempted solely by the bounties offered
by the national and State governments, and from this class there were
quite a number of deserters.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 629
It would be unfair to class all the late recruits together, for some
of them were enlisted from the best classes of the people and were actuated
by the highest motives and purest patriotism. The recruits who joined the
ranks of the First Connecticut Light Battery were mostly men who loved
their country and willingly gave their services and offered their lives for the
flag. But in the infantry regiraents, into which large numbers were drafted
or had joined for the sake of the bounty, it was not surprising there should
be some deserters. Orders were given that any who were caught should be
court-martialed and, if guilty, shot summarily, and a furlough of twenty
days was promised to any soldier who captured a deserter or shot him out
side the lines.
The Battery did not leave the camp and permission was given to con
tinue building the winter houses. Corporals Hotchkiss, Mathew Ralston,
Gesner and Dodd had quite a comfortable house, measuring lo feet by 6)4
inside and with walls 5^ feet high; the four shelter tents covered it and
made a decent roof. Hotchkiss had managed to get three doors and a
quantity of pine boards, so the Corporal's house had a real door, and out of
the other tables and boards a table and seats were made. He had ordered
a sheet iron folding stove from heme, and when it arrived it raade the house
quite comfortable. The good folks had not forgotten that something
more than stove heat was necessary, and so a "box of goodies," says Com
rade Hotchkiss, "arrived, and we did full justice to the contents."
Every day there was a rumor of an approching engagement and
skirmishes were frequent, especially en Butler's front. The right section of
the First Connecticut Light Battery was stationed in a redoubt close to the
camp and the left section behind a traverse built across the New Market
road and was under the command of Lieutenant Clark. Gunboats were
gathering on the James River and a decisive engagement was daily expected.
When the comrades were comfortably settled in their new quarters, a rumor
reached them that the entire loth Corps was to be sent to South Carolina to
meet General Sherman and join him in his march to the sea, and the com
rades were almost enthusiastic in favor of the change, but again their hopes
were dashed to the ground. But a new development took place en the 3d
of December which was not se pleasing te the brave men of Connecticut
who had become attached to the loth Army Corps.

630

HISTORY .AND REMIXISCE.XCES

By General Orders No. 297 issued by the War Departraent the xoth and
I Sth Array Corps were discontinued. The white infantry troops of both
corps were te be consolidated under the direction of the raajor-general
commanding the Department of Virginia and North Carolina, and were to
constitute a new corps to be called the 24th Corps; all the colored troops of
the Department of Virginia and North Carolina were to be organized into a
new corps, to be called the 25th Corps. The artillery brigade of the xoth
Corps, with the existing staff, was to be attached to the 25th Corps, which
was te be under the command of Major-General Godfrey Weitzel. So the
First Connecticut Light Battery was to serve with the colored troops to the
end of the war. There was a general move in consequence, and in the
midst of dinner on December 4th, "Boots and Saddles" was sounded, and
at 3 P. M. the new houses were vacated and the comrades were on the raarch.
The road taken was towards Dutch Gap, and the Battery took possession
of a camp vacated by the xst Rhode Island Battery. The left and centre
sections were placed in Battery No. 2 under command of Lieutenant
Dickinson, and the right section. Lieutenant Clark, was in Battery No. 3.
The comrades set to work to again build houses, but were stopped by
an order to move. On Dec. 6th the Battery was hitched up awaiting orders
and all night the men were by the guns and horses. At daylight the order
was recalled and the men settled down te work again on their houses,
spurred on by a heavy snow storm and by wind blowing a gale.

[From war sketch by E. Forbes.]

A PICKET POST IN WINTER.

CHAPTER XXXV.

IN FRONT OF RICHMOND.

ENERAL WEITZEL had only just assumed command
of the newly organized 25th Army Corps when
orders came for hira to embark for the North
Carolina coast with 6,500 infantry, 2 batteries of
artillery and 50 cavalry. The infantry was te con
sist of the effective men of General Paine's division
of the 25th Corps and General Ames' division of the
24th Corps. Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson was to select such batteries as he
thought best. The horses of the batteries, except one horse fer each officer
and chief of the piece, to be left behind.
The rumor soon spread through the carap, and the hearts of the
corarades of the First Connecticut Light Battery beat fast with the hope that
they were to go on the expedition. But their hopes were blighted, and the
First Connecticut Battery was to remain before Richmond. Captain Loomis
L. Langdon assumed the command of the artillery brigade during the
absence of Lieutenant-Colonel Jackson, who accompanied General Weitzel.
Brigadier-General C. A. Heckman was appointed to the teraporary command
of the 2Sth Corps.
It was generally believed that the sole reason fer the First Connecticut
Light Battery being left in camp at Chaffin's farm was that so many of the
comrades had been honorably discharged and not enough recruits had been
sent from Connecticut to fill their places.
During those first few days of December the weather was the very
reverse of pleasant; the snow lay on the ground te a depth of two inches;
the wind blew through the trees and made the comrades shiver and wish
that they could be moved te a warmer climate.

632 HISTORY A.XD RE.MINISCENCES
On one occasion, when the Battery had been at the front fer 36 hours,
experiencing the unpleasantness of one of those fall rains that, while they
do net freeze the blood, yet chill one through and through, benumbing the
entire body until all control ever the rauscles seems to be lost, a comrade
recalls an uncomfortable experience. He says that he bivouacked on the
edge of a wood under some large trees, rolling himself up in his woolen and
rubber blankets, and immediately fell asleep. The cold rain continued
during the night. About midnight a colored regiment halted and bivouacked
en the same ground. In a skirmish during the day they had thrown away
their blankets, and when they stopped for the night some of them crawled
in under the blankets of comrades who had retired earlier and were enjoy
ing a good, sound sleep. The comrade says that he awoke feeling very
comfortable and warm, and en looking around found an explanation of his
sensations, fer on either side of him was a big negro trying te share a part
of his blanket. The weather being cold no unpleasant odor had aroused
him, but as soon as he found the company he was in he quickly jumped up
and left the negroes te keep warm the best way they could. Although most
of his childhood's days had been spent in the South, it had been so long
since he had slept with negroes that he loathed their attempt to share his
blankets and become his bedfellows. All the next day the comrade imagined
that he was saturated with the odor peculiar te negroes, and gathered during
the short time he had slept between them. Everything he touched or
tasted seemed permeated with the odor. "I smelled it everywhere," he
said, "and all my food tasted of it."
Almost daily " Boots and Saddles " was sounded, horses hitched up and
after waiting a few hours unhitched again. The rumors of a forward move
or of an anticipated attack by the enemy were of frequent occurrence.
During those early days of December, 1864, Corporal Herbert W.
Beecher and Privates Samuel Barnes, Andrew Holbrook, John Loomis and
Andrew Nolan received an honorable discharge, having served the full three
years of their enlistment.
A number of recruits arrived from Connecticut, and sorae of them had a
pretty hard experience before they reached the Battery. Comrade Clark
wrote in his diary under date December 9th: "A very cold night and
storm without; hail rattling upon my roof. I am secure and comfortable;

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 633
a good warm fire is blazing on my hearth, shedding a cheerful glow.
There is nothing like a good open fire for comfort. The expedition which
left here a day or two ago is said to be destined for Wilmington.
Yesterday 25 men from the 4th New Jersey Battery were attached to our
company, and to-day they were sent back to Captain Deane, commanding
the 4th New Jersey Battery, en account of new recruits arriving. The
Battery received 36 new recruits last night; among them one man who was
a deserter, and who will be turned over te the Provost Marshal here for
trial. There are more recruits in Connecticut fer us who will probably be
here before raany weeks. The raen who came last night had been robbed
of their blankets and many articles of clothing by a set of vagabonds who
are more or less with every large body of recruits and are a disgrace and
burden to the service. From their class, substitutes mostly, come the
deserters and criminals generally."
The honest men who had enlisted through patriotism were the
sufferers, but the First Connecticut Light Battery had been especially
fortunate in having so few worthless men join their ranks.
On the morning of the loth of December the Union pickets were
driven in by a large force of the enemy. The pickets retired fighting te the
wood near the Johnson house, where they were, as seen as possible,
reinforced by the whole brigade, and that line was maintained during the
day, protected by the First Connecticut Light Battery. The cavalry,
commanded by Colonel A. W. Evans, cleared the Darbytown road, and the
enemy made no further attack upon the Union line, but kept a strong
skirmish line across the fields in front of the wood, with reserves in the old
breastworks, where they also placed two pieces of artillery, which shelled
Fort Harrison very vigorously, being answered with telling effect by a
section of the First Connecticut Light Battery. The enemy's skirmish line
in the Johnson house field threw up 75 rifle pits in that part where they had
no other shelter. In the afternoon the bulk of the enemy's ferce moved to
the right and attacked the Unionists upon New Market Heights, where they
met with a strong resistance. In the night the enemy retired by the
Darbytown road toward their camp, and the Union brigade re-established
his picket line upon the Darbytown road.
Lieutenant Silas Truax, a West Point graduate, commanded a battery

634 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
of machine guns connected with the Light Artillery Brigade. These
raachine guns were the first ever seen by the soldiers at the front and were
a source of rauch curiosity. On the occasion of the Confederates driving in
the cavalry pickets on the Darbytown road near New Market, these
machine guns were called into action. The enemy made a strong demon
stration, and the entire Battery Brigade was put in position. The machine
guns occupied a position in front and the enemy charged that part of the
line, seeing only two guns, and those small ones, making it an easy task, as
they thought, to take them. But as the Confederates charged they were
instantly stopped by the machine guns, which worked beautifully and were
the admiration of all the Unionists, notwithstanding that they were worked
by negroes. The machine gun was a great puzzle to the enemy; such
destruction from two guns they had never before witnessed, though they
had faced many batteries. They did net seem like human agents, but were
more like a Western cyclonic blizzard, sweeping everything before it. A
perfect shower of balls was hurled at the enemy with the ferce of a hurricane.
The First Connecticut Light Battery was moved from one point
to another and did some effective shelling. During this demonstration the
horses were harnessed and hitched to the guns for five days, the cannoneers
constantly in readiness for immediate action, but aside from firing a shell
occasionally at positions supposed to be occupied by the enemy, and the
excitement of watching the machine guns mow down the Confederates,
nothing occurred, the enemy not raaking the expected assault en the whole
line. The corarades were getting their winter quarters quite comfortable,
building log houses and erecting chimneys of sticks and mud outside.
These who had portable stoves managed to keep the cold out very well; the
others built wood fires and, like Comrade Clark, found comfort in an open
fireplace. While near Chaffin's Bluff that winter four guns were in a fort built on
Chaffin's farm; the other two guns were in a fort about a quarter of a mile
te the left of the farm. During most of the time the Battery had nothing to
do but guard those forts, feed and groom the horses, keep the camp
in order, attend roll call and drill. As the Battery was not ordered out on
any expedition, the comrades were able te keep the uniforms bright and the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 635
camp looking especially attractive. Oftentimes civiHans secured passes and
visited the camps, and on one occasion Captain Clinton was shewing two or
three about the forts, describing the way the Union lines ran and pointing
out the Confederate positions. As he approached the fort at the left
of Chaffin's Bluff where the two guns were located, the civilians manifested
great interest in looking toward the enemy's lines, and while peering
through their field glasses, Captain Clinton discovered a 12-inch shell fired
frora a howitzer coming directly toward them. He called to them to cover
for safety; his practical eye showed him that the shell would land right in
the fort and burst. The civilians lost no time in jumping for cover under
the bomb-proof or any ether spot that looked as though it would afford
protection. All reached places of safety except Captain Clinton; he had
been so occupied in tracing the course of the shell that he evidently forgot
te run te cover with the visitors. The shell landed right in the centre of
the fort and buried itself in the ground fully four feet, but did not burst, and
caused no damage save shocking the nerves of the sight-seeing party.
Captain Clinton often tells the story and laughs ever the way his visitors
made themselves invisible. All expected the shell would burst, and if it had
some one would have been hurt. After the danger was past the civilians
lost no time in getting out of danger, and their curiosity was fully satisfied.
Comrade Charles Gesner tells an amusing incident of camp life about
this time. " We had erected log huts, and each hut was occupied by eight men,"
he says. " The comrades will remember that the gay and festive bean was
quite frequently a part of our rations. It so happened that one of our tent-
mates was very partial to beans, in fact no one ever saw the time when the
cook gave him enough at any one meal. Five of us, in that log hut, were
not fond of the vegetable, and en the days when beans were served this
comrade came in for a large share of all the beans that came into the house.
He had the largest tin dish for his plate that I ever saw any man carry in
the army; it would hold three quarts or more, and on bean day he would
have it full to the brim. Our furniture consisted of some three-legged
stools, rather roughly made and not very sure-footed ; also we had a shelf on
which we usually kept our pepper and salt, and a flat sheet-iron stove which
we had borrowed from some Dutch soldiers when they were not at home.

636 HISTORY AXD REMIXISCENCES
One day our comrade had his dish full of beans, which he placed on the
stove, while he mounted en one of the stools to get the salt and pepper from
the shelf, when, presto! ever went the stool, and down came the bean-
eater with considerable force, with one hand landing in his dish of beans.
The beans vacated the dish with great force, and as we were sitting around
eating our dinner, you can imagine the result. These beans were every
where in the hut, excepting in the dish, and it became necessary for every
man to clean himself and his uniform. The comrade who had caused the
commotion used seme ' cuss words ' ever the loss of his dinner, and said that
he knew something was going to happen because he had seen the new moon
over his left shoulder the evening before. We all agreed that something
did happen for sure, and after that time we took care te keep out of range
of that bean dish when it was leaded."
Christmas came, the fourth many of the comrades had spent in the
service of the United States. Instead of the angel's song of "Peace on
earth and good-will to man" was heard the booming of cannon, the rattle
of musketry and the wails of the wounded, and both combatants were
professors of a belief in that Child whese birth had been heralded in so
strange and startling a manner.
While the comrades who had gone North, having served the full term of
tlieir enlistment, were enjoying themselves with their families, sitting
at tables loaded with dainties, so palatable te them after three years
of army rations, their comrades at the front were far from happy. Comrade
Hotchkiss wrote on Christmas Day: "Had inspection of the whole
Battery; weather fine, mud nearly knee-deep when net frozen up.
Rations for dinner to-day boiled beans and pork; can't eat the beans, don't
want the pork, so went without dinner. Coffee and hard tack for supper."
How the minds of the comrades must have spanned the distance
between Virginia and Connecticut ! How, as they sat eating their dinner
of pork and beans and supper of coffee and hard tack, they must have
thought of Comrades Griswold, and Sloan, and Beecher, of Tallmadge and
Marcus M. Hall, of Bliss and Fowler and the others who would be eating
their turkey and juicy roast beef in comfort, with their families round them
listening to their tales of glory on the field, of hardships in the camp, of
the tragedies and comedies which mingle daily in a soldier's life.

'mm.

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FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 639
Thoughts would picture scenes like these, and the heavy boom of the
distant cannon would be forgotten fer a time and the ears would be filled
with the carols and songs of horae at Christmas time.
But the bugle sound brought the corarades back te the realities of
camp life, and the dreams were dissipated by the shrieking of the wind and
the rattling of the rain on the canvas roofs of the log houses.
There was a Hstlessness about the comrades that Christmas; so many
of the old faces missing, so raany new ones seen, that even the Battery
seemed to be changed. Yet we read and hear how the old comrades
"chummed" together that day, and how much dearer each was to each now
that the old members were so few in number.
But if the minds of the comrades in camp were filled with thoughts of
home and departed comrades, what dreams and visions would pass before
the mind of the lonely picket, who had no companionship but his thoughts.
Even his dinner — and a Christmas dinner seems synonymous with com
pany — was partaken of in solitary misery, under circumstances and amid
surroundings very un-Christmas-like.
The last days of the year were spent in drilling the new recruits, some
of whom were hardly fit for service and others were not used to obeying
orders. The non-commissioned officers had a hard time of it and the officers
not much better. But some of the recruits were gentlemen in manner, edu
cated men who were an honor to the State and a credit to the service, and
these gave no trouble, but became soldiers quickly.
There was one cheering thought as the last days of 1864 passed,
evidences were clear the enemy was losing spirit. On the day after Christ
mas no less than 300 deserters came into Fort Harrison alone, and sirailar
reports came from all parts of the line.
The great engineering work at Dutch Gap was the subject of rauch
comment, some declaring that the canal could never be cut, others that,
even if it were successfully accomplished, it would aid the enemy more than
the Unionists. But the work continued ; men were detailed from the line
to dig the canal, and every day the ruraor carae that the Battery would be
wanted to protect these who were at the Gap. " Boots and Saddles" was
sounded so often that the comrades felt almost at a loss what to de if they
did not hear the familiar sound.

640 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
The 13th New York Battery got stuck in the mud just below the First
Connecticut Light Battery camp, and eight pairs of the Battery horses were
sent to help the New Yorkers out of two feet of Virginia mud.
The right section was moved to Battery No. 2 and the left section to
Battery Xo. 3, to the left of Fert Harrison, the centre section being at the
reserve camp.
The year was to end with the roar of cannon from the enemy's rams
and a fierce cannonading from the four Confederate batteries, which opened
en the Union Batteries Nos. 2 and 3, which were defended by the First
Connecticut Light Battery.
One Brooks x 20-pound shell tore a great hole through 20 feet of solid
breastworks of sand and earth, but fortunately without injuring any of the
corarades. The firing was kept up for two hours and then ceased, the First
Connecticut Light Battery bearing the brunt of the firing.
There was considerable exciteraent in the camps caused by the return
of the troops from the Fort Fisher campaign. There was not much jubila
tion among them, for they knew that they had been ordered to retire even
while victory was in sight. Comrade Theron Upson had been with the ex
pedition, being attached te Myrick's Battery of the regular army, and
witnessed the bombardment of the fort by the navy.
Adrairal Porter declared that with a "proper commander the place
could have been taken," and that even then he believed the important posi
tion could be captured.
Major-General Curtis, ist Lieutenant Ross, Lieutenant William H.
Walling and Lieutenant George Simpson voluntarily reported to Lieutenant-
General Grant that "when recalled they were nearly into the fort, and in
their opinion it could have been taken without much loss." General Grant
says that "on Deceraber 25th a landing was effected without opposition,
and a reconnoissance, under Brevet Brigadier- General Curtis, pushed up to
the fort. But before receiving a full report of the result of this recon
noissance. General Butler, in direct violation of the instructions given,
ordered the re-erabarkation of the troops and the return of the expedition."
General Grant believed Adrairal Porter in preference te General Butler, and
on December 30th ordered another attempt to be made, selecting General
Terry for the command and sending with him the same troops. This time

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 643
the expedition was highly successful, and a severe blew was inflicted en
General Butler's military reputation. At the request of General Grant,
General Butler was relieved of the command of the Department of Virginia
and North Carolina, and Major-General E. O. C. Ord assigned to that
position. In order that the troops around Richmond might spend a quiet New
Year's Day, General Grant ordered that there should be a cessation of firing,
except in answer te the enemy's guns, during the whole of New Year's Day.
This gave the comrades an opportunity fer fraternal greetings, and even
though the caisson camp was, as a comrade said, "a perfect mud-hole," and
though the rain fell in chilling, drizzling showers all day, yet the day was
spent raore pleasantly than had been expected.
General Ord gave orders to all the corps that from that date reveille
was te be at 5 a. m. An uncomfortable hour to get up in raid-winter te
face icy winds and chilling rain, but there was no use in grurabling — the
order had te be obeyed; and the older comrades in the Battery knew that
the new recruits wanted a great deal of attention in the matter of drill before
they would become good soldiers.
During the early days of January, 1865, Acting Chief Engineer W. R.
King was engaged in making a corduroy road to Deep Bottom, connecting the
24th and 2Sth Army Corps with that point. The read from the departraent
headquarters to Kingsland road, a distance of 2,666 yards, was finished by
the 7th of January, an engineering feat reflecting great credit on all con
cerned, for the bad state of the roads over which the timber had te be
hauled seemed an obstacle almost too difficult to be overcome. A corduroy
road was built of logs laid side by side over other logs running at right
angles. This kind of road, the only one adapted to marshy places, received
its name frora its rough or ribbed surface, reserabling corduroy.
A corduroy read had already been made by a detail of the 2Sth Corps
between headquarters and Varina, and had proved highly successful,
connecting with a permanent bridge which was being erected across the
James near Varina.
Another corduroy road was in progress from the headquarters of the
25th Corps te the "flying" hospital, a distance of 300 yards.
The enemy had mounted several Coehorn and 8-inch and lo-inch

644

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

mortars opposite the batteries, and se new casemates were erected to
prevent much damage.
The magazines along the line of batteries were materially strengthened
by lining with fresh boards and placing considerably mere dirt en the top.
The magazines were built very much the sarae as the bomb-proofs, only a
thicker covering of sand er dirt was placed on the top, with banks on either
side for additional protection.

[From a war-tiiiie photograph.]

A MAGAZINE.

The bulkhead of the Dutch Gap canal had been blown out and a channel
made so that a current of water flowed through, and with a little dredging
would be available for light-draught monitors.
Thus gradually the net was being drawn around Richraond, and all
knew that the end could not be far off.
An order was issued from headquarters that ten per cent, of those men
who had served one year would be granted furloughs. Fourteen of the First
Connecticut Light Battery were selected by drawing lets. Corarade Hetch-

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1S61-1865 645
kiss wanted a furlough very badly, fer he had received word of the
dangerous sickness of one of his faraily, but he had to rest his hope on a
chance drawing, and he says: "I drew a blank, of course." But the
Corporal who drew the fortunate slip offered to sell his chance for fis and
Hotchkiss bought it; then carae a new disappointraent, fer the order was
revoked and only five per cent, allowed to have a furlough, and, te add te
his discomfiture. Captain Clinton issued an order forbidding all sale or
transfer of furloughs. On January X2th two sergeants, three corporals, one
bugler and one private left for home on a furlough for twenty-five days.
Mere log huts were ordered built and timber had to be cut and hauled.
The difficulty of hauling can well be imagined when it is remembered that
the Battery limbers were used, the araraunition chests being removed, and
it required three pairs of horses to drag the two-wheeled limber, loaded with
logs, through the mud.
Considerable excitement was caused by the desertion of an entire
brigade of the enemy. The Confederates opened their batteries on the
deserters, but nearly all escaped and reached the Union lines. The
constant firing caused the Battery to hear the "Boots and Saddles" call
sometimes twice a day, and then horses had to be harnessed and everything
packed ready for a march and a fight, but perhaps- an hour later the order
te unhitch would come and the comrades would settle down to their house
building, only to be roused again by " Boots and Saddles."
A genuine scare broke the monotony of camp life on the 23d of
January. The enemy's fleet attempted to pass the obstructions in the
Jaraes River during the night. Three rams, the wooden gunboat Drewry,
a small steam torpedo boat, passed Fort Brady, a little to the left of Battery
Ne. 3, in the night under cover of the darkness. Fort Brady opened on the
boats and in return the enemy's land batteries shelled the fort. One of the
heavy guns in Fert Brady was disabled. The guns of the First Connecticut
Light Battery joined in the fight and more than one shell struck the gun
boats. The fleet passed on up the river to a point near the Confederate
battery at the Hewlett house. At daylight two rams and the Drewry were
discovered aground near the left bank, and fire was opened on them from
the nearest battery. A shot struck the Drewry, and another following
in quick succession from a heavy siege gun exploded her magazine. As

646 HISTORY AND RE.MINISCENCES
soon as the rams could get afloat they retreated out of range, but not with
out receiving a number of shots from both the heavy and light guns. The
Union two-turreted monitor, the Onandaga, ran away from the enemy,
"a piece of cowardice utterly unaccountable," wrote Comrade Clark.
During the day there was a fierce artillery duel between the enemy's
batteries and the Union artillery. That the duel was a severe one can well
be imagined from the letter froin General Turner, Chief of General Ord's
staff, to Dr. Suckley, Point of Rocks, in which he said: "The rebel rams
are at Hewlett House Battery. The devil is to pay, and no pitch hot. You
are not wanted unless you can doctor the Onandaga, which has a weak
stomach and sought refuge behind the pontoon bridge." Orders were sent
to General Heckman, commanding the 2sth Corps, to have his command in
readiness in case an attack was raade en his front. The First Connecticut
Light Battery was ordered hitched up and awaited orders to march, as
it was expected the enemy intended raaking a landing between Fort Brady
and the Dutch Gap canal. After waiting hitched up for some hours the
order came to unhitch, but the comrades were ordered to have everything in
readiness fer a hurried move.
At the end of January, Lieutenant Hezekiah B. Smith tendered his
resignation and received an honorable discharge from the service. Comrade
Smith says that his service with the Battery was a pleasant one, that he
never lest a day's duty through sickness, and he adds: " In fact, my record
is one of which I am proud of, and well may be; always with the Battery on
all occasions and raany tiraes engaged in important duty with some section. "
The resignation of Comrade Smith caused seme changes te be made.
2d Lieutenant Theron Upson was promoted te xst Lieutenant and Sergeant
Samuel W. Scranton to a Second Lieutenancy. Corporal Mathew Ralston
was promoted to Sergeant and Privates Amasa L. Doolittle, Charles W.
Lane and Alfred E. Leonard, Corporals. At this time Comrade Lorenzo
D. McLean, the hospital steward, received his honorable discharge, his
term of service having expired.
That the end of the fratricidal war was nearing its end was very mani
fest, for Alexander H. Stephens, Vice-President of the Confederate States,
Judge J. A. Campbell and ex-U. S. Senator R. M. T. Hunter asked fer a
safe conduct through the L'^nion lines se that they might hold a conference

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 647
with President Lincoln with a view to ascertaining upon what terms the war
might be ended. The peace commissioners were, after a long interchange of
telegrams and letters, allowed te pass through the lines to Fort Monroe, where
President Lincoln and Secretary Seward met and had several hours' conference
with them. The peace commissioners passed the camp of the Battery and the
comrades could not help wishing them "godspeed," knowing well that
President Lincoln would agree to no terras which were not honorable and
manly. The Battery was all together at the time, being relieved at the forts by
Battery D, ist U. S. Artillery. The new men were gradually becoming
accustomed to army life, though seme of them were kept under close guard,
fearing that they might be tempted to desert. This was a necessity and, as
a corarade pointed out, a proof of the superiority of volunteers over
conscripted men er substitutes. Two drivers were seriously hurt on
Sunday, February 5th, and Comrade Hotchkiss was firmly of the opinion
that it was a punishment for working on Sunday, though other comrades
thought the punishment should have fallen on those who had ordered the
men to work, and not on the innocent, who had only dene their duty.

— 'i^^^fi

.j5t£f

[From war sketch by E. Forbes.]
WINTER QUARTERS IN THE TRENCHES.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

IN WINTER QUARTERS,

HE First Connecticut Light Battery camp was located
very near the quartermaster's department, and the
comrades were wakened every morning by the melo
dious braying of three thousand mules. A comrade
observed that the mule, having no ancestors to vindi
cate or posterity to protect, was still patriotic and
—  .  determined that every one, enemies included, should
knew his patriotism by his demonstrative braying. Another comrade testi
fied te the exuberance of joy manifested by the raule, and said it was
only equaled by the singing and dancing of the colored troops. Comrade
Henry E. Hotchkiss, writing to his sister, said: "I am surrounded by
mules and niggers, all sorts ; most of thera have been slaves. You would
laugh if you could see and hear thera dance and sing, etc. They corae to
rae to get letters written, love letters and all; they have all sorae ' sweet,
fair girl,' as they call her; you can iraagine how she raust look. Well, they
bring me ray wood to burn and cut it up, toe."
Every day there was sorae firing, but ne general engagement, the
Battery taking but little part. Comrade Joseph Doolittle tells an incident
of one day's experience: "A skirmish was being fought off to our right
about a raile or so ; there was ne firing at us, except some large shells which
were aimed at General Weitzel's headquarters, which were situated in a
grove a quarter of a mile in our rear. One of the shells landed at the edge
of the grove without exploding, and I rushed down and picked it up, start
ing back with it to the fort, when I saw another shell coming right
toward me. I dropped my shell in a hurry and ran three or four reds to

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1861—1865 MU
one side, lying down flat on the ground. That shell passed right through
the grove, hit one of the log houses where the brigade band was quartered,
knocking down two of the musicians, but fortunately that shell did not ex
plode either. I went back and got my shell and succeeded in getting it into
the fort; it was about six inches in diameter and twelve inches long. I did
net carry that shell home with me when I was mustered out of the service,
but I did take north a twelve-pounder from near Hilton Head, which I got
in the spring of 1863, and which I still keep as a souvenir, together with
the canteen which I carried from Carap Tj'ler until the time I was mustered
out of the service."
The recruits were a source of constant anxiety and trouble. Many of
them had received large' bounties and all had plenty of money to spend,
and they did net hesitate to let it go like water. Many of them had only
enlisted for the money, with the intention of deserting and enlisting again
under different names, thus getting another bounty. The Battery lost 25
from desertion. There was one young sharper who was an expert at cards;
he could perform very many sleight-of-hand tricks and in many ways was
able to entertain the comrades. Every evening the comrades would crowd
about him, enjoying and laughing at his tricks. So regular was this that it
got to be a nightly show with the young card sharper as showman. One night,
after he had entertained the corarades, he said, to the great delight of all:
" Beys, come around to-morrow night and I will show you the greatest trick
of all. It is my very best trick, se don't fail to come, all of you. " The next
night the comrades gathered at his tent, eager for the trick and full of
expectation, for there was no doubt he was a raost arausing fellow. They
waited until " taps," but he did not show up, nor has he been seen since by
any of the Battery comrades. After waiting fer hours they found that
he had deserted, and that what he called "the greatest trick of all " was his
clever escape through the lines.
Seme of the recruits had been known to pay as much as $xoo for a can
teen of whisky. One of the old comrades, Fernando C. Welch, seeing
money so plentiful among the recruits, had an eye fer business. This com
rade had been dealing in watches, but the watch trade had become a trifle
dull for cash, so he get passed outside the camp lines to where he could
procure whisky, and succeeded in trading his watch for six canteens of the

650 HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES
fiery and coveted spirit. He quickly sold his whisky to the recruits for
$20 each canteen, making a magnificent profit on the transaction.
The comrades tried te relieve the monotony of carap life in many ways.
Comrades Clark, Hotchkiss and others played chess; others amused them
selves with cards. Round the camp fires stories would be told and songs
sung. Assemble several thousand men together, and seme will be found
ingenious and capable of entertaining their comrades in various ways.
Musical instruments would be made out of tin cans, drums would be extem
porized from boxes, and more than one genius raade a fiddle frora a cigar
box. We know the songs they sang, how they shouted " Rally 'Round the
Flag" and "John Brown's Body," but one old song was ever popular; it
awoke an echo in every heart, and the lonely picket as well as the comrades
round the camp fire sang with emotional feeling " Heme, Sweet Home."
During the stay in the neighborhood of Fort Harrison there were several
brigade drills which were imposing and interesting. The drill would be
rehearsed by separate batteries and then all would come together for a
brigade inspection or drill. The Chief of Artillery watched the drill and re
viewed the seven batteries composing the Light Artillery Brigade of the
25th Army Corps.
A deserter came into camp and told the officers that orders had been
issued in Richmond to pack all cotton and tobacco ready to apply the torch.
" They might leave us the tobacco, " said one comrade. "Yes, I thought
we should have a glorious smoke when we entered the city, " commented
another. " We shall smell the smoke, anyway," added a third, taking what
consolation there could be obtained from such a distant burning of tobacco.
For several days a suspicious quiet reigned, and the news becarae gen
eral that Richmond was being evacuated. Some believed that the enemy's
lines had been abandoned, and General Weitzel caused a blank cartridge to
be fired frora Fort Burnham, where the right section v.-as located, in order
to find out the truth of the rumor. The shot had the desired effect, drawing
the curious of the enemy to their parapets, though net in as large numbers
as usual. It was proved that there was still an efficient line opposed to the
Union army.
In the midst of the rumors about Richmond there came an announce
ment that the entire 24th and 25th Army Corps were to be reviewed by

rifc'iHalH'si

OX
w

O

1

mm

¦ '•iin

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 653
President Lincoln. The raere announcement caused the hearts of the
patriots te beat faster, for every defender of the Union loved the eccentric,
raw-boned Illineisian who had so ably conducted the affairs of the nation
during the most critical time in its history.
The Light Artillery Brigade was to be reviewed in a field in the rear
of Fort Harrison, about half a mile square. Eight full batteries assembled
on the drill ground and went into battery to be in readiness fer the review
at 2 o'clock. The sight was an imposing one. Forty-eight guns, each with
its caisson and each gun and caisson with three pairs of horses, made a
spectacle well worth reviewing. From n.30 in the morning until near dark
the batteries waited; the men were hungry and cold, but the thought that
their beloved President would soon be on the field kept thera from harsh
thoughts and silenced the tongue of the grumbler. A shout arose that the
President was coming. Every raan tried te look even raere soldierly; his
heart was in his mouth, for each felt an emotion hard to describe. They
saw the cavalcade in the distance, but to their great dismay it headed off
across the hill and at dark the batteries were dismissed.
Comrade Hotchkiss wrote: "Our boys were mad when they got back
from the drill ground; they had no dinner, but waited all afternoon for
President Lincoln to review them, and then saw him go off to review
' iiig'g'srs ' and not even look at us. It was too much to bear. Some made
very 'sympathetic remarks' about 'niggers' being preferred to white men."
Comrade Clark says that some mistake had been made and that it was
not the President's fault. In his diary the comrade refers to the episode
and tells of the disposition of the troops: "The whole artillery brigade
was hitched up from 8.30 a. m. and was from noon in the field. We were
not allowed to wear overcoats, though it was a very cold day ; consequently
I took a severe cold. We were alternately heated by drilling and cooled by
standing and resting.
"There are only two brigades of the 2Sth Corps left guarding this line
of works, with two regiments which have been doing provost duty for the
last six months. One brigade of the 2Sth Corps, with an independent
division from the 'valley,' holds the 24th Corps' line, and the whole of the
24th Corps, I am told, has gone away. Langdon's Battery has left the
brigade; the remaining batteries, except one, are in position. General Ord

054 HISTORY AND RE.MI.XISCENCES
is away and General Weitzel is in command of the detachment of the Army
of the James remaining here. We resumed the evolutions of the batteries.
I had comraand of our Battery, four guns, two sections. Lieutenant
Dickinson is serving on a court-martial. Our baggage has been reduced
again this spring in preparation for active service, but I see little prospect
of our moving at present. At the end of March the Government will owe
us seven months' pay. It is very inconvenient to remain unpaid so long.
I have command of this fort, as the section of the 5th New Jersey was
relieved by a section of ours this week. Lieutenant Scranton is in command
of the left section in a fort about 300 yards to ray left."
" During the evolutions en one day Chief of Artillery Langdon," says
a comrade, " came near being arrested for rushing the batteries around the
drill ground. It was especially dangerous for the wheelers, for the outer
flank horses have to be put on a dead run to execute se large a sweep. One
man was run over and killed and another wounded, the guns were taken
over soldiers' graves, equipments were scattered all over the field, and
confusion reigned supreme."
In order that the eneray should have no idea of the weakness of the
Union lines, it was ordered that camp fires were to be kept burning as usual
in all camps, and as little change was made as possible at conspicuous
points, the vacant tents nearest to the enemy were covered with shelter
tents, and the drum corps of each regiment beat tattoo and reveille twice at
different points. Reveille was to be beaten at daybreak. Parades and drills
in view of the eneray were to be continued as usual. The whole command,
by order of General Weitzel, was to be stripped for a raovement and fight,
everything that could be spared being sent across the James.
The month of March ended with glorious results. The fighting had
been going on in several directions, and though the losses were terrible the
gain to the cause of the Union was great. On March 25th the enemy
attacked the Union lines in front of the 9th Corps and carried Fort Stedman,
turning the guns of the fort against the Union army, but the reserves were
brought up and the enemy driven back with a heavy less in killed and
wounded and nearly 2000 prisoners. The Unionists pushed forward and
captured and held the enemy's strongly intrenched picket line in front of

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 655
the 2d and 6th Corps and 834 prisoners. The enemy made desperate
attempts to retake the line, but without success.
There was great rejoicing among the comrades of the First Connecticut
Light Battery when the news reached them because they felt that the battle
had been fought on the ground they had ence held. General Grant was
drawing the line tightly around Richraond and the eneray was beginning to
feel that the end was near. With consummate skill the greatest general of
modern times moved all the armies in his comraand with all the care and
precision of moves on a chess board. Sherman in the Carolinas, Sheridan
at Dinwiddle Court House, with Warren, Humphreys, Ord, Wright, Parke
and their infantry corps in a line extending from Hatcher's Run to the
Quaker read near its intersection with the Boydton plank read, it is ne
wonder that Grant should say: "Everything looked favorable to the defeat
of the enemy and the capture of Petersburg and Richmond if the proper
effort was made. "
The last three days of March were the stormiest known in the memory
of the oldest inhabitant. The rain fell in such torrents that it was impossible
te move any gun or wheeled vehicle except as corduroy reads were laid in
front of them. Despite this great disadvantage Sheridan advanced from
Dinwiddle Court House toward Five Forks, where he encountered the
enemy in force and displayed generalship which marked him as one of the
foremost generals of the century. General Warren extended his line across
the Boydton plank road te near White Oak road, where he fortified his
position. General Humphreys drove the enemy into his main line near
Burgess' Mills. Generals Ord, Parke and Wright made examinations to
determine the feasibility of an assault en the enemy's lines. Grant saw
that the eneray confronted hira at every point from Richmond to his extreme
left, and realized more than he had ever done that General Robert E. Lee
was an able strategist, and that if he had the men the war could be made to
last all summer ; but Grant's information was that the enemy's line was
weakly held, and so he determined to reinforce General Sheridan and
enable him to cut loose and turn the enemy's right flank, and then for the
other corps to assault the enemy's lines at every point. General Sheridan
commenced the month of April by fighting the battle of Five Forks, carry
ing the enemy's fortified position, capturing all his artillery and ever 5,000

?•>56 HISTORY AXD REMI.XISCE.XCES
prisoners. Then it was that General Grant feared the eneray raight fall on
Sheridan with his whole strength and drive him from his position, enabling
Lee, by such a masterly act, to retreat. To prevent this Grant reinforced
Sheridan, and a bombardment commenced and was kept up until daybreak
on the morning of April 2d, when an assault was ordered en the Confederate
line. General Wright swept like a whirlwind into the enemy's lines,
capturing raany guns and several thousand prisoners. He was followed
immediately by the divisions under coraraand of General Ord, who had
forced the lines near Hatcher's Run. Then Generals Wright and Ord
swung around te the right and closed all the eneray on that side of them in
Petersburg, bottling him up securely in that city, while a portion of
Gibbon's troops captured two strong inclosed works, the most salient and
commanding south of Petersburg, thus shortening the line of investment.
The enemy south of Hatcher's Run retreated westward to Sutherland's
Station, where Miles' division met and fought a sharp engagement with
him. The enemy fought valiantly and was in a fair way of defeating Miles,
when General Sheridan threatened him and caused him to break in the
greatest confusion, leaving many guns and prisoners behind.
The news reached the Battery and caused the feelings of the comrades
to rise high with delight. Comrade Hotchkiss wrote: "Big news from
Petersburg; got the city almost surrounded. Captured whole batteries,
took the forts in front of our old station. " And our ether careful diarist.
Comrade Clark, recorded his irapression as follows- "This has been a
glorious day fer our army fighting around Petersburg and away to the left.
Sheridan and the 5th Corps have been steadily advancing, driving the rebels
before them. The enemy is driven across the Appomattox River; we have
captured ten thousand prisoners. The engineers have just come into this
fort te build a road from the sally-port to the front for the passage of troops
and artillery. We may soon make an advance from this direction. Our
force holding the lines is small, yet we closely watch the enemy. It appears
as if the armies of the rebellion could net be held together much longer."
General Lee, the brave-hearted son of Virginia who had followed his
State in secession, though, as he wrote, "it nearly broke his heart," saw
that Petersburg and Richmond must fall. If ever a military commander

¦_»-. . ,'" ^.-".ii^i-

[War sketch by K. Forbes.

" FALL IN FOR SOUP

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-hS65

659

had a difficult task to perforra, it was the lot of General Lee. On the after-
neon of April 2d he wrote to the Confederate Secretary of War:
" I see no prospect of doing raore than holding our position here until
night. I ara net certain that I can do even that. If I can I .shall withdraw
to-night north ofthe Appomattox, and, if possible, it will be better to with
draw the whole line to-night from James River. The brigades in Hatcher's
Run are cut off from us; enemy have broken through our lines and inter
cepted between us and them, and there is no bridge over which they can
cross the Appomattox this side of Geode's er Beaver's, which are not very
far from the Danville Railroad. I advise that all preparations be made for
leaving Richmond to-night."
Then he wrote to President Jefferson Davis that the danger was greater
than he thought, and only expressed a hope that the evacuation might be
performed successfully. He said that he would send a guide to conduct the
President to Amelia Court House.
Orders were given to retreat towards Danville and endeavor to hold the
armies together, but in every dispatch there was a tone of sadness which,
now that the bitterness of the struggle has passed, moves even the New
Englander to sympathy.

CHAPTER XXXVII.

THE ENTRY INTO RICHMOND.

LITTLE before sunrise en the morning of April 3d the
comrades knew that something unusual was occurring.
The night before the rumor reached the camp that
the enemy was about to attack all along the line, and
all were ordered to be in readiness fer the attack.
Extra vigilance was used, and net one of the comrades
slept soundly that night. Comrade Charles Hotch
kiss was on guard from 2 a. m., and he thus describes the opening of the
most important event in the war:
"I seen noticed something unusual along the rebel lines; large fires on
our front and off toward Richmond, with explosions and some heavy firing
on our left. Something unusual was up 'sure.' I hesitated fer a time about
waking Captain Clinton, but as things were getting more lively, especially
toward Richmond, I finally called the Captain and told him I believed
Richraond was on fire and troops leaving the city. Well, the Captain
jumped for his duds and was eut in a moment. Assembly was blown; and
although we could not move without orders from headquarters, still the
boys began to pick up their traps."
The First Connecticut Light Battery carap was in sight of Richmond,
and by climbing the trees the city could be plainly seen; and when the
assembly was blown the boys climbed up the trees and saw that flames and
smoke were rising in the direction of the city.
Lieutenant Scranton on that morning was in command of the centre
section in a fort to the right of Fert Harrison. He heard explosion follow

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1861-1S65 661
explosion and witnessed one of the grandest sights ever seen even in tiraes
of peace. Great dense masses of smoke rose in curling columns and lost
themselves in the clouds. In the midst of these circling, eddying columns
great black objects rose fifty or a hundred feet in the air, and then from
eut the darkness would flash a bursting shell every few seconds, making
the most beautiful and startling display of fireworks ever seen by mortal
man. No pen can describe er pencil of artist give an adequate conception
of the grandeur of that scene. With the background of dense smoke the
bursting shell stood out in relief, and by its radiant but awful grandeur
presented a picture but few have ever been privileged to see. Comrade
Scranton declares that he could not have believed such a scene to have been
possible. He knew that something out of the ordinary was on foot, and
corarades almost became hysterical at the thought that Richmond was
falling and with it undoubtedly the power of the Confederacy.
The night was one of intense anxiety and expectation in the Army of
the James. Throughout the previous day they could hear the tremendous
roar of the terrible battle in which their comrades were engaged, far away
across the river upon the extreme left and around Petersburg, and they
knew that when the sun rose it was expected they were to take a dangerous
position in the great game of military strategy by assaulting the 'works in
the front and try to capture Richmond itself. About 2 a. m. Lieutenant De
Peyster, belonging to the x3th New York Artillery and aide-de-camp to
General Weitzel, commanding the 25th Corps, hearing tremendous explo
sions and seeing a vast blaze in the direction of Richmond, mounted the
wooden signal tower, about seventy feet high, at General Weitzel's head
quarters, and reported that he could discern a great fire in the neighborhood
of the city. He was not able to decide whether the city was burning.
General Weitzel sent out a company to try and capture one of the enemy's
pickets, and about 3 a. m. a prisoner of the 37th Virginia Artillery reported
that he did not know where his general nor his command were. This led
General Shepley, chief of staff, to believe that the enemy was evacuating
the city. A few minutes later a deserter came into carap, announcing that
the city was being abandoned, and then a negro, standing upright in a
buggy and driving his horse to its fullest speed, dashed past pickets and
guard and shouted: "Dey am runnin' from Richmun'. Glory! glory!"

<'>»¦,¦'

HISTORY AXD RE.MIXISCE.XCES

The man was almost dragged from the buggy and questioned. He
confirmed the news, and joy and exultation at once absorbed every other
feeling. Orders were given at once for the troops te move.
This was about 6 o'clock. Brevet Brigadier-General Draper's colored
brigade led the advance along a road strewn with all kinds of abandoned
munitions of war, and amid the roar of bursting shells which was terrific.
On either side little red flags indicated the position of buried torpedoes
between the two lines of abattis in Weitzel's immediate front which

I From war-time photograph.] AB.^TTIS.
Used about the Earthworks in front of Richmond.
had been carefully prepared to blew up the Yankees in case of assault.
These warning indications, fortunately, the enemy had not had time to
remove. The failure te remove them saved many lives, as the space was
verv narrow between the explosives.
It was then seen hew almost impregnable the defenses of Richmond
were. Every elevation along the road was defended by field works and
verv strong forts. Two lines of abattis and three lines of rifie pits and

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1.^65 663
earthworks, one within the other, defended every avenue of attack and point
of advantage. The first and second lines were connected by regular lines
of redans and works; the third, near the city and commanding it, di.scon-
nected. If the Union troops should have had to carry it by storm, the loss
would have been fearful, since the contest would have been constantly
renewed, because the enemy, as fast as one line of defenses was occupied,
would only have had to fall back into another to recommence the slaughter
of the assailants under every advantage to theraselves.
As soon as the order was given to raarch to Richmond there was a wild
rush. Lieutenant Upson says that the Batterj' did not attempt to march
along the road ; the infantry blocked that. The Battery boys set to work
with their shovels and filled in the ditches with dirt, and then broke a
passageway through the front of the fort te get their pieces through. Then
they went across lots — any way te get ahead. Lieutenant Scranton says
there were no stragglers that day, fer every soldier was making a rush pell-
mell for Richmond and all were anxious to get there first. Never did school-
beys show more enthusiasm; never did the wildest of fanatics make a more
vigorous rush for the goal. All were singing, shouting, ejaculating, and
"On to Richmond !" burst from thousands of voices in that crowd of
patriots who had waited four years for that grand climax.
General Weitzel and his staff, together with more than 30 officers, each
having an orderly following in the rear, galloped on through the wrecks of
the retreating enemy and the columns of the advancing Unionists. As
soon as they entered the suburbs of the Confederate capital the shouts of
welcome broke forth. Meanwhile several arsenals, stored with shells, were
burning. The explosions of the raissiles mingled with one continuous roar.
Before the advanced guard reached the city, the people rushed out to hail
their deliverers or shake hands with them. In fact, the whole line of march
within the suburbs was thronged with men, women and boys, white and
colored, young and eld, all shouting a loud welcome. Some old men, battle-
scarred and resting on crutches, acted like schoolboys, shouting, singing,
throwing their hats in the air and yelling at the top of their voices. Then the
negroes — who can tell their feelings ? Te them it was a war between chattel
slavery and freedom; to them it meant liberty in its widest sense, and their
deliverers were entering the city ; the men who were marching into the city

664 HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCENCES
singing "John Brown's Body" and "Rally 'Round the Flag" were coming to
forever break the chains and proclaim that slavery was dead. Who can wonder
that they threw theraselves on the ground and with all the strength of their
lungs cried out : '' Bress de Lord! De year ob jubilee hab corae! "? An old
negro preacher told the editor that he had been a slave, was still a slave
when the city was besieged, was a slave when the order came te evacuate
Richmond. "I would not run away," said he. "I belonged te my massa. He
was a good man, but he ran away from me, and then when I saw the Stars
and Stripes being carried right in the streets of the city, I jumped in the air,
I shouted, I cried 'bless the Lord, I'm a free man to-day!'"
A comrade says: "The colored population was all eut in crowds to
welcome the troops; little pickaninnies mounted on the fences and climbed
lamp posts in order to see well what was going on. One of them caught
sight ofthe colored troops marching up the street and cried out:
"Oh, just look dar ! See all dem dark}' soldiers! Dey jist look like
blackbirds! "
The pickaninnies had never seen or heard of colored soldiers before and
they acted as though the sight was a delightful surprise.
As the Battery neared the city the comrades saw the great warehouses
burning, and they hurried still more, hoping to arrive in tirae te extinguish
the flames before all the tobacco was burned. They did arrive early enough
to save several small bales of Killikenick tobacco.
Comrade Hotchkiss wrote : "At n a. m. left camp; sent horses up for
the guns. Started up through our lines en to the Varina road toward the
city. Xo enemy in sight. We passed through their works; it was evident
they had left in a hurry, and left behind them everything they could net
carry on their backs. Their rations must have been poor by the appearance
of what has been left — stale bread, etc. We marched or drove through the
city. Storehouses along the river front were set on fire to prevent the
stores and supplies falling in our hands. Some dwellings were also burning.
We passed Libby prison ; the darkies crowded the streets to see us pass and
grinned from ear to ear."
Lieutenant Upson had a narrow escape from being blown up during
that ride. He was riding down toward a wharf where a steamboat was
moored, and as he was approaching the boat it exploded. Had he advanced

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 665
only a few lengths of his horse he would have been instantly killed. It was
found on investigation that a slow fuse had been attached to the beat,
perhaps with the intention that it should blow up after the "hated Yankees"
had captured it; if that had been the intention the fuse was cut too short.
In the confusion and amid the conflagrations no one felt sure of their
footing, fer every moraent they feared soraething might explode under
their feet, er overhead, or in some great building where fire had not then
been discovered. After the steamboat explosion all were on the alert look
ing for surprises of any sort.
The first troops to enter the city were headed by Lieutenant-Colonel
Jackson and staff, followed by the 4th Massachusetts Cavalry, Major A. H.
Stevens, and the artillery brigade of the 2 sth Corps, which was composed
of colored troops except the artillery brigade and cavalry. General Godfrey
Weitzel says : "I sent Major A. H. Stevens, 4th Massachusetts Cavalry,
and Major E. E. Graves, aide-de-camp, both of my staff, with forty of my
headquarters cavalry, belonging to Companies E and H, 4th Massachusetts
Cavalry, to receive the surrender of the city, and to direct the authorities
and citizens to cause all liquor te be destroyed and to preserve order until
my troops arrived."
When Major A. H. Stevens and Major E. E. Graves, representing
General Weitzel, approached the Confederate lines they were met by a
shabby old-fashioned carriage, drawn by a pair of lean, lank horses, the
occupants waving a white flag," says Mrs. Pickett, wife of the Confederate
General. "They met this flag-of-truce party at the line of the forti
fications, just beyond the junction of the Osborne turnpike and New
Market road. The carriage contained the mayor of Richmond — Colonel
Mayo — Judge Meredith, of the Supreme Court, and Judge Lyons.
Judge Lyons, our fermer minister te England and one of the repre
sentative men of Virginia, made the introductions in his own character
istic way, and then Colonel Mayo, who was in command of the flag-of-
truce party, handed te Major Stevens a small strip of wall paper, on
which was written the following: 'It is proper to formally surren
der to the Federal authorities the city of Richmond, hitherto capital
of the Confederate States of America, and the defenses protecting it up to
this time.' That was all. The document was approved of, and Major

666 HISTORY A.XD RE.MIXISCE.XCES
Stevens most courteously accepted the terms for his commanding general,
to whom it was at ence transmitted."
On entering they found the Capitol Square crowded with people who
had fled there te escape the fire and were utterly worn out with fatigue and
fright. The representatives of General Weitzel were followed by the troops,
who found as they entered the city that all the blinds were closed
in the residential districts; no person could be seen at the windows,
but the streets were full of negroes. The native negroes occupied the
time while the troops were entering the city in pillaging, breaking
into houses and taking everything they could lay their hands on and
carry away. Seme of the negroes were seen by the comrades pass
ing along the streets carrying bundles en their heads nearly as large as
a feather bed, made up of all kinds of household furniture and bric-a-brac
taken from the deserted houses ; every negro had several boxes of tobacco.
The negroes had full swing for nearly six hours confiscating their former
masters' property before order was restored.
When General Weitzel and staff neared the foot of Shockhoe Hill, the
high, abrupt elevation whose front is crowned by the Capitol, Lieutenant
De Peyster spurred on through the promiscuous throng up to the Capitol
itself. The Capitol, the most conspicuous object in the "City of the Seven
Hills," has its front, with its Ionic colonnade, looking down on the business
part of the city, which was all ablaze. The rear faced the fashionable
quarter, an elevated plain, considered the most eligible locality for private
residences. The Capitol had two flag-staffs, one at either end of the roof.
Upon the front one an enormous Confederate flag had been displayed,
which, when not extended by the wind, trailed down to the steps below.
This had been torn down and had been partially rent into thousands of
pieces to be preserved as souvenirs of the great occasion. Upon the staff
in the rear, in full sight of the residences of Jefferson Davis, General Lee
and the Confederate sympathizers and magnates, the Stars and Stripes were
flung te the breeze for the first time in four years by Lieutenant De Peyster.
That flag had once floated over the St. Charles Hotel in New Orleans when
General Butler made it his headquarters, and De Peyster had carried it into
Richmond buckled te his saddle. It was a proud moment fer the eighteen-

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RICHMOND AFTER THE EVACUATION.-SHOWING THE EFFECT OF THE FIRE ALONG THE RIVER S

SLOPE.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 669
year-old New York lieutenant as he raised the flag in the presence of
Captain Langdon, chief of artillery of the 2 sth Corps, and the First Con
necticut Light Battery. As the flag rose aloft, displaying its starry "union"
and unfolding its stripes in the strong gale which was filling the air with
fiery flakes from the adjacent conflagration, it was hailed with deafening
shouts by the redeemed populace, who filled the park and thronged the
streets. Though this flag was the first national ensign raised in token of
the surrender of the city, it was not the first of the Union flags to be seen
in the streets, for the guidons of the two companies of the 4th Massa
chusetts Cavalry had been raised when Majors Atherton H. Stevens and
E. E. Graves had entered the city.
Many there were who claimed the honor of raising the first Union flag
over the Capitol at Richmond, and while in no wise detracting from the
honors won by the brave Massachusetts men, it is only right that the honor
should be given to Lieutenant De Peyster, who, on the 28th of June, 1865,
received official notice that Governor Fenton, of New York, in pursuance
of the extraordinary power vested in him by the Legislature, had brevetted
him "lieutenant-colonel fer his meritorious conduct as a New York
volunteer in the service of the United States, and for raising the first
national ensign over the Capitol in Richmond, Va. , after the insurgents
were driven therefrom."
In commemorating the raising of the flag ever Richmond, Charles
Luken wrote :
"Uphoist the Union pennant — uplift the Union Jack!
Upraise the Union standard — keep not a banner back !
Fling out in silk and bunting the ensign of the stars!
God grant it never more may know accurs'd intestine jars !
"Hurrah for skill! Hurrah for will! Hurrah for dauntless hearts!
Mourn those who bled, praise those who led against insidious arts !
A cheer for those who lived it out ; a tear for those who died ;
Richmond is ours! we thank the Lord, with heartfelt chastening pride."
Speaking of the burning of Richmond, General Grant, in his "Memoirs,"
says that "all authorities deny that the burning of Richmond was
authorized, and I presume it was the work of excited men, who were
leaving what they regarded as their capital, and may have felt it was better
to destroy it than to have it fall into the hands of the enemy."

670 HISTORY .AXD REMI.XISCENCES
The evacuation of the city was dramatic in many of its episodes. The
first intimation that it had become necessary to give up the capital city was
received during service on Sunday morning. Jefferson Davis was seated in
his pew at St. Paul's Church, when a man in military uniform entered the
church and hurriedly walked to the pew. After a few whispered words
the President of the Confederacy rose from his seat, looked affectionately
at the preacher, bowed his head and walked slowly from the building.
Although he had been called from worship before, every one knew that
something more iraportant than usual had caused his devotions to be
interrupted. Before the service was ever the bells of the churches began
to toll, as though for a funeral. All through the city the news spread.
Faces were white, limbs trembled, women fainted. All through the last
days of the war rumors had been circulated that the negroes would be given
the possession of the city to do with it and its inhabitants as they pleased.
Was it any wonder that women should faint? All remembered the centuries
of slavery; the horrors of chattel bondage becarae real now; even these who
had been kind to their slaves trembled because of the fear of the newly
emancipated negroes. "The treasured wrongs of centuries are in their
hearts to-day," and while the colored people shouted their hosannas because
the last hours of slavery had come, the white people trembled at the
consequences. Mrs. Pickett, the wife of Major-General George E. Pickett, whose
gallant charge at Gettysburg will never be forgotten, was in the city at the
time of the evacuation, and wrote a vivid description of the scenes of those
last hours. She declares that the orders fer the destruction of the public
buildings had been given General Ewell, against the wishes of the Secretary
of War, General Breckeuridge, but we knew that General Lee had ordered
Ewell, by letter dated April 2d, to " save all public property."
Mrs. Pickett writes: "The terrible conflagration commenced at the
Stockhoe warehouse, it being classed among the public buildings because of
the tobacco belonging to France and England stored in it. A fresh breeze
was blowing from the south ; the fire swept on in its haste and fury over a
great area in an almost incredibly short tirae, and by noon the flames had
transformed into a desert waste all the city bounded by Seventh and
Fifteenth Streets and Main Street and the river. One thousand houses

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 671
were destroyed. The streets were filled with furniture and every descrip
tion of wares, dashed down te be trampled in the mud or buried where
they lay.
"At night a saturnalia began. About dark the government commis
sary began the destruction of its stores. Soldiers and citizens gathered in
front, catching the liquor in basins and pitchers, some with their hats and
some with their boots. It took but a short tirae fer this to make a mani
festation as dread as the flames. The crowd became a howling mob, so
frenzied that the officers of the law had to flee fer their lives, reviving
memories of 1781, when the British under Arnold rode down Richmond
Hill and, invading the city, broke open the stores and emptied the
previsions and liquors into the gutters, making even the uninitiated cows and
hogs drunk for days.
"All through the night crowds of men, women and children traversed
the streets, loading themselves with supplies and plunder. At midnight
soldiers drunk with vile liquor, followed by a reckless crowd as drunk as
themselves, dashed in the plate-glass windows of the stores and made a
wreck of everything."
This testimony from a Confederate whese husband had served the
"lost cause" with such distinction shows that the citizens had even more
to fear from the white populace than the colored.
"About 9 o'clock on Monday morning," Mrs. Pickett continues
" terrific shell explosions, rapid and continuous, added to the terror of the
scene, and gave the impression that the city was being shelled by the
retreating Confederate array from the south side. But the explosions were
soon found to proceed from the government arsenal and laboratory, then in
flames. Later in the morning a merciful Providence caused a lull in the
breeze. The terrific explosion of the laboratory and of the arsenal caused
every window in our heme to break. The old plate-glass mirrors built in
the walls were cracked and shattered.
" Fert Darling was blown up, and later en the rams. It was 8 o'clock
when the Federal troops entered the city. It required the greatest effort
to tame down the riotous, crazed mob, and induce them to take part in the
struggle to save their own. The firemen, afraid of the soldiers who had
obeyed the orders to light the torch, would not listen to any appeals or

672 HISTORY AND REMI.XISCENCES
entreaties, and so the flames were under full headway, fanned by a southern
breeze, when the Union soldiers came to their rescue.
"The flouring mills caught fire from the tobacco houses, communicating
it to Cary and Main Streets. Every bank was destroyed. The War
Department was a mass of ruins, the Enquirer and Dispatch offices were in
ashes, and the county court house, the American Hotel and most of the
finest stores of the city were ruined.
" Libby Prison and the Presbyterian church escaped. Such a reign of
terror and pillage, fire and flame, fear and despair! The yelling and howl
ing and swearing and weeping and wailing beggar description. Families
houseless and homeless under the open sky ! "
Only those who have witnessed and participated in such scenes can
possibly describe them. The women and children of Richraond had
suffered keenly all through the war, for they had loved the cause and had
made the greatest sacrifices for it, and new they were called on to endure
still more, fer they were rendered homeless, not by a foreign foe, but by the
savage, drunken mob of their own city. Then it was that they realized
what war meant, what horrors it brought in its train.
As soon as the fires were extinguished batteries were distributed in the
outskirts of the city and a regular patrol ordered. Captain Clinton, of the
First Connecticut Light Battery, was the first patrol officer placed in charge
of the city, with a guard detailed from the Battery. He had orders to
enter every house after lo p. m. and cause all lights to be extinguished,
unless sorae of the occupants were sick. While patroling the city at first,
the patrols were fired upon from windows; seme of the guards on regular
beats were wounded, one or two killed, so the duty of patroling the city
was fraught with even mere danger than being on the battlefield. It was
also the duty of the patrol guard to close all liquor saloons; theaters were
open and doing excellent business, for the soldiers welcomed the chance of
amusement. Many women asked for protection, for they were in deadly
fear of the negroes, so some of the guard were posted in houses, the officers
occupying different houses, only one in a house, by which means protection
was given to a large number.
The Jefferson Davis house, "the White House of the Confederacy,"
was occupied by General Terry. He found the house a perfect gem as to

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FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1S65 675-
interior arrangements, although the exterior was almost unattractive. The
furniture was mostly of rosewood and magnificent in its design ; large pier
glasses were found in every room; the floors were covered with splendid
carpets, so thick that the foot actually sank into their richness; and General
Terry and the other officers quartered with hira found it a pleasant change
frora the leg houses and tents to which they had been accustoraed for
so long. A man of the name of Hall sought out Lieutenant Upson and begged
him to beard at his house; he said he was a Union man, but his wife was a
rabid secessionist, and they were afraid of the negro troops, who would enter
the house and de damage unless a white officer boarded with them. The
Hall family consisted of Mr. and Mrs. Hall and two children. Comrade
Upson consented to board with the family and asked permission fer another
officer to accompany him, a request which was cheerfully granted. When
the two officers arrived at the house, which was only half a block from the
White House, they were raet by Mr. Hall, who said:
" Mr. Upson, we have nothing in the house but corn meal ; that is what
we have been living on for some time."
Comrade Upson and his fellow-officer were quick to see that the raain
reason the Halls wanted boarders was to get supplies from the officers or
the government. The officers decided that if they get anything to eat they
would have to furnish it fer themselves and the Hall family, paying their
board just the sarae. This they did, staying with the Halls until April loth.
Mrs. Hall was a cultivated lady, but one of the most violent secessionists —
one of the kind that took everything relating to the contest in the most
serious manner, and very sanguine of the ultiraate success of the "lost
cause. " She had a supreme faith in General Robert E. Lee, and looked
upon him as the one to redeera the fallen fortunes of the Confederacy. She
talked much about the war, giving her opinions very freely and not always
with diplomatic policy. The officers listened to her talking, being somewhat
amused at her misguided zeal. One day she said to Comrade Upson:
"Mr. Upson, you will never capture General Lee — never! never! He
will return and capture Richmond and all the Yankees in it! "
The officers felt too comfoi-table and enjoyed the good cooking too
well to even suggest that the good lady might be mistaken. She watched;

676 HISTORY A.XD RE.MINISCENCES
them coming and going as if she expected every minute they would have
trouble with General Lee. On the evening of the 9th an officer from the
adjutant-general called and asked to see Lieutenant Upson privately. Taking
him aside he said, " We have just received good news. General Lee has
surrendered," and then gave orders to have a salute fired in the morning.
Mrs. Hall, supposing from the fact that they conferred in secret that there
must be sorae serious trouble on hand for the "Yankee" army, and that no
doubt she would soon have her predictions fulfilled, looked very curiously
at the lieutenant when he re-entered the house. There was a self-satisfied
smile on her face which seemed to indicate that she thought the Yankees
would soon be captured or driven out, and at last she could no longer
restrain her curiosity, for she said :
" Mr. Upson, what seems to be the trouble ? "
"There is net much trouble, Mrs. Hall," he answered mildly, "only
General Lee and his entire army have surrren dered."
As though struck by a thunderbolt Mrs. Hall fell back in a swoon, and
the officers had on their hands a collapse of a miniature Confederacy. The
news of the surrender was se unexpected and sudden that she was shocked
into a nervous condition from which she raay never have recovered. She
shewed no signs of regaining her accustomed health when they paid their
board bill and left on the following raorning.
The Battery was camped in an open space known as the old Fair
Ground. The comrades strolled about among the ruins of the burned
district. Comrade Hotchkiss lamenting that so large an amount of good
food had been destroyed. The Confederates destroyed the bridge across
the river to Manchester, a work of military necessity rather than vandalism.
Comrade Upson found the famous Libby Prison the point of greatest
interest to him, but before he reached it all the Union prisoners had been
released. Net a guard nor an inmate remained, the doors were wide open
and only a few negroes greeted him with the cry :
" Dey's all gone — all gone, massa !"
He captured a single-shot Confederate carbine, which was an exact
copy of Sharp's carbine and manufactured by the Tredegar Iron Works, a

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865

677

concern located in Richmond, on the bank of the James River just on the
outskirts of the city. The Confederates had factories fer the manufacture
of all the most improved firearms in use, and had the advantage of not
paying any royalty to the patentees. The corarade was very much
surprised to find so good a carbine manufactured in Richmond.

From a war-time photograph.]
GUARDING THE HARD TACK.

CHAPTER XXXVIII.

IN THE SURRENDERED CITY.

MiR\

BRAHAM LINCOLN, one of the most unique person
alities in modern history, was always doing the

(m (^-''^^-'V \\- strangest things and acting, according to the aristo-
B^^ ite'' r^^x., cratic cabinet ministers and dignitaries of the nation,
^X^^'^j^J^ in an entirely unbecoming manner.
On April 3d he telegraphed to the Secretary of
 ^ War that General Grant reported Petersburg evacu
ated and added, "I start to him in a few minutes." Secretary Stanton
hastened to reply, congratulating Lincoln and the nation on the "glorious
news," but urging the President to be careful and advising him not to run
any risks. A commanding general might take risks, but the ' ' political head
of a nation is not in the sarae condition." To which the President replied:
"Thanks for your caution, but I have already been to Petersburg. Stayed
with Grant an hour and a half and returned te City Point. It is certain that
Richmond is in our hands, and I think I will go there to-morrow. I will
take care of myself."
It was well known that the Secretary of War and, in fact, the army
wanted the President to enter Petersburg and Richmond as a conqueror,
escorted by soldiers with flags flying and bands playing, but Lincoln was
one of the people, and he had no desire te flaunt the signs of victory in the
faces of the citizens of Petersburg.
"If the President goes to Richmond, see that he has a proper escort,"
telegraphed the Secretary of War, and Grant replied: "Tell the President
I will arrange a proper escort for him, but I cannot join him, as I want to
cut off the enemy's retreat."

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 679
This was all unknown to Abraham Lincoln, and when he told Admiral
Porter that he wanted to go up the river te Richmond, the flagship Malvern
was made ready. The war ship went up the river and raade a stop at a point
called Rocketts. Lincoln had learned that an escort was en beard to make
his entry into Richmond one of triumph, but he laughed to himself and
quietly slipped away while inquiries were being made at the landing.
When he got on shore, the President stretched out his long legs and
walked as fast as he could, deterrained that no escort should overtake him if
he were missed. He saw a negro walking along the road and called to hira :
"How far is it to Richmond?"
" About two miles, massa, dat's a fac'. "
"Two miles ! Can you show me the way? "
" Go on straight, massa; can't miss it. "
Lincoln was not recognized by the man whese chains he had broken.
All the negro thought was that his questioner walked too fast, and he had ne
desire te exert himself in that way. Lincoln walked on for a mile or more,
when he asked another negro the way. The man looked at the President,
heard the very humble way in which he spoke, so different to the haughty
raanner of the Virginia aristocrat and not commanding like that of a slave
owner, so he iraagined him to be sorae "poor white trash" dressed up in
his Sunday best, and he contented himself with pointing out the road and
did not bother himself further.
The President did net care. Alone in a district that had for four years
opposed hira, where all the bitterness of the fratricidal struggle had been
most keenly felt, a district where children were taught to hate the name of
Lincoln, where he was called every vile epithet because he had abolished
slavery, had resisted secession and during all those years had defended the
Union against the people among whom he was new walking. It was no
wonder that Secretary Stanton should advise caution, for the risk was a
great one.
He covered the two railes between Rocketts and Richmond in less than
half an hour, and without any extra caution walked into the city, his
ungainly gait attracting attention, though he was net recognized. Meeting
Major Graves, whom he did not recognize, he asked in the most uncon
cerned manner:

680 HISTORY .A.XD REMINISCENCES
"Is it far te President Davis' house?"
He was courteous; while many were talking of "Jeff. Davis," calling
him traitor and predicting all sorts of ignominy for him when captured,
while many were insultingly singing, "We'll hang Jeff. Davis on a sour
apple tree," the President of the United States was giving him the title the
people of the seceded States had bestowed.
Major Graves recognized President Lincoln and escorted him to the
"White House," where he was met by General Weitzel.
When Admiral Porter discovered that the President had slipped away,
he at once ordered the military escort ashore and instructed the officer in
comraand to overtake Lincoln, the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and
Navy of the United States, but though the soldiers marched at double-quick
they did not reach the "White House" until raany minutes after the
President, neither had they caught sight of him along the read.
Lincoln seated in an armchair, his long legs thrown over one arm,
discussed with General Weitzel the glorious event of the preceding day.
"What shall I do with the conquered people?" asked General Weitzel.
"I have no orders to give en that subject," Lincoln replied; and then
there was a long silence, broken at last b}' the President, who leaned forward
and with genuine emotion in his voice said: "I have no orders to give, but
if I were in 3'our place I'd let 'em up easy — yes, let 'em up easy. General."
The kindly heart of the rugged Illinoisian, who was so near a martyr's
death and crown, was never more clearly manifested than when, in the hour
of triumph, all thoughts of revenge were banished and in his simple but
expressive speech bade his generals to "let 'em up easy."
Jefferson Davis, feeling the less of his capital, was yet full of determina
tion to fight it out to the last ditch. In an "Address to the People of the
Confederate States," he lamented the military necessity of evacuating
Richmond, but says it would be "unwise and unworthy, as patriots engaged
in a most sacred cause, to allow our energies to falter, our spirits to grow
faint, or our efforts to become relaxed under reverses, however calamitous."
After referring te the necessity of defending Richmond because it was the
capital, thus keeping a large array acting on the defensive, he says: "The
hopes and confidence of the enemy have been constantly excited by the
belief that their possession of Richmond would be the signal for our sub-

FLRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 681
mission to their rule, and relieve them from the burden of war, as their
failing resources admonish them must be abandoned if not speedily brought
to a successful close. It is for us, my countrymen, to show by our bearing
under reverses how wretched has been the self-deception of those who have
believed us less able te endure misfortune with fortitude than to encounter
danger with courage. We have now entered upon a new phase of a struggle
the memory of which is to endure for all ages and te shed an increasing
luster upen our country." Did Mr. Davis deceive himself, er did he really
think that his heroic utterances would be .strong enough to sharpen the
swords of the Confederate soldiers and enable them to win victory from
defeat? With alraost painful emphasis he declared: " I will never consent
to abandon te the enemy one foot of the soil of any one of the States of the
Confederacy; that Virginia, noble State, whose ancient renown has been
eclipsed by her still more glorious recent history ; whose bosom has been
bared te receive the main shock of this war; whose sons and daughters have
exhibited heroism so sublime as to render her illustrious in all times te come ;
that Virginia, with the help of her people and by the blessing of Providence,
shall be held and defended, and ne peace ever be made with the infamous
invaders of her hemes by the sacrifice of any of her rights er territory. If
by stress of numbers we should ever be compelled to a temporary with
drawal from her liraits, or those of any other border State, again and again
will we return until the baffled and exhausted eneray shall abandon in
despair his endless and impossible task of making slaves of a people
resolved to be free."
That address was dated frora Danville, April 4, 1865. Within one
week General Lee and the Army of Northern Virginia had surrendered and
the war was practically ever.
In the meantime the city was under guard of the colored troops and
the First Connecticut Light Battery. On the afternoon of April 4 two
ladies were trying to leave the city in a buggy, driven by a negro, who
grinned at his fellow-negroes who were guarding the city. The ladies had
no pass, and their equipage was stopped. One of the officers of the First
Connecticut Light Battery had his attention drawn to this fact, and he gave
orders for the ladies to be protected until he could return from headquarters.
Just as he reached the Davis House he found that a pass had been granted

GS2 HISTORY AND RE.MINISCENCES
to the ladies, who were the wife and daughter of General Robert E. Lee.
The citizens were almost starving and would offer fabulous araounts for
small rations; unfortunately all the money they had was Confederate scrip,
and scarcely worth the paper it was printed on. Comrades were offered $io
Confederate raoney for a ration of raeat, and raany of the Battery boys gave
their rations away te the destitute. People '^vho had been driven into the
city for protection new sought perraission to return to their suburban homes,
and, in most cases, the requests were granted, passes being given and
escorts provided. The Provost insisted, however, that ne passes should be
granted, nor protection given, to any who refused to take the oath of
allegiance. Some very amusing excuses were made for not wanting to take the oath
by the country people. One man who had been taken prisoner was asked
if he were willing te take the oath of allegiance and be allowed te return
home. "Xo; I'll rot in prison first," he replied. "What makes you
refuse?" "I want to fight for our rights." "What are your rights?" he
was asked, whereupon he hesitatingly answered: "I can't say as I 'zactly
knows, but thera as tells us to fight knows thera, and so I'll fight."
A young girl applying for rations to one of the relief agents, was asked
if she had ever taken the oath. "No, indeed, sir," was her terrified reply;
"I never swore in all my life." The agent looked at her and said: "But
you must take the oath, my good girl, or I cannot give you the rations."
"No, indeed, I can't, sir," said the girl; "my mother always taught me
never te swear." The agent mildly persisted and the girl as pertinaciously
refused all attempts at persuasion, until, overcome at last by the dreadful
conflict between her hunger and her high sense of moral duty, she
stamraered out with downcast eyes: "Well, sir, if you say I must starve
unless I do such a horrid, wicked thing as swear, then d  n the Yankees!"
And she blushed as she held out her hand fer the rations which she thought
she had won by her swearing.
Ladies who had never soiled their hands with work were te be found
cooking pies and bread and cakes and then peddling them among the
soldiers, who often bought out of pity from these poor creatures who had
been so reduced by the war. The Battery was paid off up to the end of
December, leaving still three months' pay due, but they were glad to get

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 683
anything and they spent their money freely in assisting the destitute people
of the captured city.
Some ofthe people fraternized with the soldiers and shewed them what
hospitality they could. Comrades Charles and Henry Hotchkiss raade the
acquaintance of a family who were musically inclined, and in the evenings
Charles would take his guitar and play an accompaniment to their singing;
thus in the midst of distress music came te seethe and help them to forget
their misery.
After two or three days the citizens of Richmond began te realize that
the Unionists had come to stay and then it was that they showed their
willingness te take "greenbacks;" in fact, as one comrade said: " We can
have any amount of Confederate money in exchange for greenbacks, almost
at our own price. A ten-dollar Confederate bill won't buy a half pint of
peanuts now."
While the people were gradually trying to reconcile themselves to the
fact that the United States flag floated over their city, there were many
who hoped, and some firmly believed, that Lee would return and drive eut
the "hated Yankees." The news which reached the city was hardly likely
to stimulate that hope. General Lee had withdrawn to the west, still
keeping up his organization, though the number of his soldiers was greatly
dirainished, both by desertion and capture. Grant closely pursued the
fleeing Confederates. There were many engagements, some of them
closely contested, but in each case the advantage was against the Con
federates. At Sailor's Creek, Custer broke through the enemy's line,
capturing many prisoners, x6 guns and 400 wagons, enabling the 6th Corps
to come up and entirely rout and capture Ewell's force, including General
Ewell and four other generals. The less of a prevision train delayed Lee
for a whole day and at that time every hour counted. When Lee arrived
at Appomattox Court House en April 9, just one week after he left
Richmond, he found Sheridan's cavalry, dismounted, and waiting for hira to
cross his path. Lee thought his infantry could drive thera back, but by a
masterly move Sheridan drew his cavalry off te the right, and Lee was face
to face with Grant's heavy line of infantry. Lee saw that all was lost, he
could not stand against that ferce and the Confederates recoiled. Sheridan
was about to charge upon their flank with his cavalry when a white flag was

684 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
sent out and information given that negotiations fer surrender were in
progress. Grant and Lee exchanged notes, met at McLean's house and wrote two
brief letters to each other and the surrender of the Army of Northern
Virginia was effected. The terms were so generous that a howl of indig
nation went up against Grant from the extremists of the North, who
thought that Lee and every one in arms should be treated as rebels and
shot; but Grant was master of the situation, and before long the entire
nation rejoiced that he had so asserted himself. He allowed all the soldiers
to return te their homes and promised that they should net be molested
so long as they did not again bear arms against the United States. He
even allowed them to take all their horses with them, saying that ' ' they
would need the horses fer plowing." While shotted salutes had been
ordered when victories had been won by Sherman and Sheridan, Grant
now gave orders that there should be no salutes fired, no cheering er other
manifestations of rejoicing, but that the starving Confederates should be
allowed te go home and becorae citizens just as if there had been no
unpleasantness. The number of men and officers paroled that day was
28,365. Though Grant gave orders prohibiting all firing in honor of the
surrender of Lee, he was tee late to entirely prevent such manifestation.
Comrade Clarke says: "The night we received news of the surrender of
Lee and his army, one hundred guns were fired by Battery D, 4th U. S.
Artillery, one hundred more in the morning by Battery D, First U. S.
Artillery, the sarae number in the evening and morning by the navy. The
citizens were many of them downcast by the news, though sorae rejoiced."
The comrade says that he thought there was a general feeling of relief
among the citizens, who were tired of the war and its hardships. Then he
continues: "I cannot at the present time realize the extent of our successes.
After four years of hard fighting we are at last in possession of nearly all
the important points once in the hands of our eneraies. They are whipped.
I feel like giving God the praise."
On April 12th there were a few promotions in the Battery. Quarter
master Sergeant Alexander W. Welton was promoted first sergeant;

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865

685

^^J^N'*-,

Corporals Charles W. Gesner and John Monarch to be sergeants, and
Privates Charles E. Evarts and Henry Holman to be corporals.
Marching orders were given on Wednesday
evening, April 12th, for the Battery to vacate
Richmond and perhaps go te some point where
its guns could do effective service against the
reranant of the Confederate army which was
still defying the government of the United States.
At six o' clock the next morning the Battery
broke carap and the whole brigade of artillery and
infantry marched through the city in the rain,
crossed the pontoon near Castle Thunder and Libby
Prison and reached Manchester, en the opposite
side of the river. Without delay the march
was continued to Drewry's Bluff, where a halt was
called for feeding the horses and men. The sight
of the bluff and Hewlett's House recalled the time
a year before when the First Connecticut Light
Battery camped in the same place just before the
battle. The march was resumed until 6 o'clock, when the order was given to
camp fer the night at a point about two miles south of Petersburg.
The next morning the march was resumed by the infantry at 7.30 a. m.,
the Battery falling in the rear at 9 o'clock. The march was through Peters
burg and the comrades looked at the shell-struck houses and dismantled
buildings with a peculiar awe, for they knew that the Battery had the credit
of throwing the first shell into the city. Frora Petersburg the route was
along the Welden road and a camp was selected among the deserted works,
the First Connecticut Battery being in a cavalry camp vvith palisades,
inclosures, stables, shanties, etc., complete. The camp was just at the head
of the military railroad near the High Bridge.
Comrade Clarke tells of that march in the following graphic manner:
"Last Wednesday night we received orders te move from carap at six
o'clock the next morning. According to the order we joined the other bat
teries of the Artillery Brigade on Carey Street, Richmond, en Thursday
morning. We took up the line of march for Petersburg. The day was

ALEXANDER W. WELTON,
of Cheshire.
Enlisted Oct. 17,1861; mustered
Corporal Oct. 26, 1861; promoted
Sergeant May 25, '6y, re-enlisted
veteran Dec. ig, '63; promoted
Quartermaster Sergeant Nov.
20, '64; promoted ist Sergeant
April 12, '65; mustered outjune
II, '63.

686

HISTORY A.XD REMINISCENCES

stormy and the roads muddy, but we met with no serious hindrance.
Halted at night within two miles of Petersburg. On the march I recog
nized sorae of the places where we had been engaged last suramer, during
Butler's campaign. Halted at noon in the same field where our Battery
awaited orders the day of the Proctor's Creek battle.
"Friday raorning we resumed our march about half past ten o'clock,
passed through Petersburg and stepped at the deserted camps en the old
line near the Weldon R. R. only four railes eut of the city. We were nearly

[From a war-time photograph 1
GATHERING UP THE DEAD.
all da\' going so short a distance. It was the raost tedious march I've
experienced in a long time. There are 47 batteries at City Point, doing
nothing. It is believed that the volunteer batteries will seen be disbanded.
I hardly expect to be in the service a month hence."
Speaking of the camp at that point. Comrade Charles A. Hotchkiss says:
" Our guard has to be doubled to watch nine of our new recruits who are in
the guard house for insubordination ; they thought the war was over and
they could do as they liked. I spent some of the time when off duty

MAP OF APPROACHES TO RICHMOND.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865

689

wandering among the deserted camps. Our lines and the enemy's lines
intermingled and crossed one another as an advance or retreat was made.
Sorae of the camps en our line were laid out ver)?^ nicely, but now they are
deserted. No sharpshooters to send a bullet after you ; no shrieking of shot
or shell ! All as quiet as the grave. Yea, a grave indeed, from the Appo
mattox to the James and beyond. Dead horses lie unburied in all
directions, and as you go along you stumble over a foot or hand of some
comrade who was buried in a hurry. I cannot describe ray feelings as I look
along the lines and think of the slaughter of huraan beings that has
been going on along the line of works fer a year past. Is it possible that it
has come to an end ? If so the Lord be praised ! Oh, the stench from dead
horses and — shall I say — dead raen ! Our whole brigade parked here to
gether. It is about time we white troops were out of the service
when 'niggers' are put on picket all around us, so say our men. We can
see the city, but cannot get there."
. Comrade Charles Lane tells the following
exciting experience he had about this tirae:
"The day before we were to leave Rich
mond and return to our eld camp en the Peters
burg line. Captain Clinton sent Comrades Titus
A. Hall, Samuel Stevens, Abraham Fowler and
George Bissell with a number of condemned
horses te City Point to turn into the quarter
master's department. They reached there, but
could not find the place to turn in the horses, so
they started back fer Richmond ; they get back
to our old camp on the corduroy road, where
Comrade Hall left his companions and horses
and returned to Richmond to report to Captain
Clinton. It was about sundown when the Captain
sent for me and asked if I knew where the
Quartermaster's office was at City Point. On
answering that I did, he said : ' Take these papers, get the horses and
go to City Point, turn them in and report to me at our old carap in the
rear of Petersburg on the eld line. '

CHARLES W. LANE,
of Madison.
Enlisted and mustered in Nov.
26,1861; re-enlisted veteran Dec.
jg, 1863; promoted Corporal Feb.
ig, 1865; mustered out June ii,
1865.

690 HISTORY .AND RE.MINISCE.XCES
"I saddled my horse and started at once en my trip. At the
picket line I showed my pass to the officer in charge and he said
he did not begrudge me ray ride. I naturally wanted to know why,
and he told rae that a band of guerrillas had captured a supply train
en the read I was to take and had killed all the men but one. Then
I began to wish I was at home, but I raust go on with the work
and get the comrades out of that place before morning or they might
be captured without notice or warning, as we had left quite a quantity of
surplus eats at the old carap where they were stopping. Knowing that the
Johnnies were short of horse feed they might call any time on the oat stock.
Thinking of this I hurried on, not knowing much of the road, as I had only
passed over it once and that was when we went into Richmond, and on that
day we did not look out for landmarks to be sure of the road, our only anxiety
being to get there as seen as possible. I went along the best I could con
sidering the darkness of the night and the rainstorm, together with my
tlioughts of the ' gray-backs. ' My horse had te look out for his footing, so I
gave hira his head and he went very carefully with his nose on the ground,
until about raidnight, when the weather cleared and the moon came out. I
was glad of that moonlight, I can tell j'ou. Coming out of the timber on a
rise of ground, I saw something standing by the side of a tree and something
else at the foot of the tree. At first I stepped the horse, wondering what to
do, whether to go ahead or turn back to Richmond, but I came te the
conclusion that it was an enemy's picket post, and as I had seen the picket, he
had probably seen me, and the best thing for me to de was to go ahead; so
I was careful not to make any more noise than I could help. As I got near
the tree I saw a horse standing right in the road and a Confederate sitting
at the foot of the tree, sound asleep, with his arm hanging through
the bridle line; you may be sure I did not stop to say 'good-morning,' but
as I passed him I kept my eye en him for fear he raight wake up toe soon
for ray corafort. As soon as I was far enough past him I just gave
my horse the spurs and quickly left that Johnny behind rae. Before I had
time to congratulate myself on getting away, my road came to an end on the
bank of the James River. I had te return, it was impossible to continue, and
if I went back I must pass that fellow again, but perhaps there was another
read, and so I started back looking at every opening te find a road. I found

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1S6C, 691
one just before I reached the Confederate, which led out of the wood
and into old Fort Bradley, then I knew just where I was and it did net take
me long to ride the next ten miles to where the men and horses were. I
arrived there about three o'clock in the morning and found them all right,
sound asleep on a pile of bags of eats.
"I roused them and told them that unless we were out of that place
very soon the eneray would capture us. We reached the James and
crossed on the pontoon at daylight, reaching City Point in safety. We
turned the horses in and going to a restaurant had breakfast, and filled our
haversacks with grub. When we had finished we started for the Appo
mattox, which we crossed at Point of Rocks, then on toward our eld camp
ground in the rear of Fort Stedman, where we expected to find the Battery.
When we reached there not a man or beast could be seen and it was
sundown, so we unsaddled our horses and hitched the four te one post and
fed them. We got together the eld carap bunks and placed them in a
circle round the horses, after which we had supper and lay down te sleep,
expecting the Battery would come up some time during the night, but
when raorning carae theyhad not arrived. We saddled our horses and rode
into Petersburg, went to headquarters there, but nothing was known about
our Corps. Telegraphing to Richmond the reply came that the Corps was
still there. We returned to Richmond the same way we carae and
found that the Corps had left the city the day before. We stayed in
Richmond that evening, went te the shew at the theatre, and started next
morning for Petersburg by way of the Richmond and Petersburg turnpike.
It was raining fast, two of my corarades had rubber blankets, Corarade
Stevens and myself bought rubber coats. ' I'm not going to get wet to-day,'
said Stevens as we started over the pontoon. About the middle we met a
baggage wagon, we all passed safely except Stevens, who was pushed off the
bridge, horse, new coat, and all. I had crossed before I knew of the
accident, then on looking back, I saw Comrade Stevens standing en the
bridge, soaking wet, a man in one of the pontoon boats had old Teddy,
Stevens' horse, by the bridle, preventing him going down the river. I went
back, hitched a long line te the bridle and towed the horse te the shore.
From that time everything went right and we reached Petersburg, where
we had supper, and after supper continued our march, entering the camp a

692 HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES
little before midnight safe and sound. It was an exciting adventure and I
shall never forget it."
When any of the comrades could get leave of absence they visited the
places which had been made famous in the war. Corarade Clarke, writing in
his diary of one of these excursions, says: "Yesterday (April 17th) in com
pany with Lieutenants Upson, Scranton and Therburn, and Doctor Brown, I
visited Fert Hell, so named from the fact that it was under such an intense
fire frora the enemy most of the time; we also went te the Crater, the scene
of Burnside's failure. It was exceedingly interesting te visit these places.
Between Fert Hell and Fert Mahone, the latter an enemy's work, I picked
up the cartridge box of some Union soldier, which had in it seven bullet
holes. I intend sending it home by Joseph W. Fowler, who has to-da)' been
mustered out of the service."
Rejoicing at the prospect of an early peace, the comrades felt full of
happy expectation when a blow fell on all who wore the blue which seemed
to parah'ze thera and take all the pleasure frora their lives. The President
had fallen ! The assassin's hand had closed the earthly career of the
greatest President since Washington — a man who would forever be identified
with the cause of human freedora.
It did not seem possible that the Confederacy could have had anything
to de with such a dastardly act. The South had fought as fairly as any
belligerent nation, and as General Ewell wrote from Fort Warren, where he
was held a prisoner: " No language can adequately express the shock
produced upon myself, in common with all the other Genera] officers
confined here with rae, by the occurrence of this appalling crime, and by the
seeming tendency in the public mind to connect the South and Southern
men with it. Need we say we are net assassins, nor the allies of assassins,
be they from the North or from the South; and that coming as we do from
most of the States of the South we would be ashamed of our own people,
were we not assured that they will reprobate this crime ? "
Those who knew the Confederate soldiers and the Southern people best,
even those who had fought against them for four years, could not believe
the Southern people would approve such a crirae. Comrade Clarke wrote
in his diary: "The murder of our beloved President and the attempt upen
the life of our Secretary of State has caused a great deal of sorrow mingled

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 693
with indignation in the army. It is impossible te describe accurately the
state of mind the army is in. My faith in the over-ruling hand of God, in
all that transpires, comforts me at the present time and I trust we, as a
nation, will be better even for this affliction. I cannot but grieve that there
are men with so much hatred in their hearts against one so good and pure
as Abraham Lincoln has proved himself to be. I cannot believe that the
majority of the Southern people will approve this treacherous murder.
General Weitzel has forbidden any of his offlcers or raen visiting the city of
Petersburg. I went there Sunday and attended service, but do net expect
te have another opportunity seen, if ever."
The official announcement of the President's death was followed by the
order to fire a gun every half hour. The First Connecticut Light Battery
was stationed on high ground from which the country for miles round could
be seen. At sunrise a salute of thirteen guns was fired by Battery D, 4th
U. S. Artillery, then a gun of the right section First Connecticut Battery
was to be fired every half hour, being relieved by another gun detachment
of the same Battery every two hours until night. The guns could be heard
in solemn cadence all day at all points of the compass.
If the assassin had thought the death of President Lincoln would
strengthen the dying Confederacy he was much mistaken. It may be that
the brutal murder was the one thing necessary to hasten peace. People
began to discuss the dead President, and even in the South his last inau
gural was being extensively quoted. In that inaugural, delivered only one
month before his death, he had said: "Neither party expected for the
war the magnitude or the duration which it has already attained. Neither
anticipated that the cause of the conflict might cease with, or even before,
the conflict itself should cease. Each looked for an easier triuraph and a
result less fundamental and astounding. Beth read the sarae Bible and
pray to the same God, and each invokes his aid against the other. It may
seem strange that any men should dare to ask a just God's assistance in
wringing their bread from the sweat of other men's faces. But let us judge
not, that we be not judged. The prayer of both could not be answered ;
that of neither has been answered fully. . . . With malice toward none,
with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us te see the
right, let us strive to finish the work we are in, to bind up the nation's

694 HISTORY .AND REMI.XISCENCES
wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle and for his widow
and his orphan, to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting
peace among ourselves and with all nations."
Lincoln had lived to enter Richmond, had seen the greatest army ofthe
Confederacy surrender, had heard the murmurs of an early peace, and at
the raoment when the cause he had served so faithfully was nearing
triuraph, he was stricken down. Like Moses, he had led his people to the
entrance of the promised land, but had not been allowed to enter with them.
Perhaps he was the only man who could have achieved so rauch and won so
great a victory. As Punch, an English paper, said :
He had been born a destined work to do,
And lived to do it ; four long-sufliering years —
Ill-fate, ill-feeling, ill-report lived through —
And then he heard the hisses change to cheers.
The taunts to tribute, the abuse to praise.
And took them both with his unwavering mood ;
But as he came on light from darkest days.
And seemed to touch the goal from where he stood,
A felon hand, between that goal and him.
Reached from behind his head, a trigger prest.
And those perplexed and patient eyes were dim,
Those gaunt long-laboring limbs were laid to rest !
Vile hand! that branded murder on a strife,
Whate'er its grounds, stoutly and nobly striven,
And with the martyr's crown crownest a life
With much to praise, little to be forgiven.

CHAPTER XXXIX.

PEACE AT LAST.

HE camping ground of the First Connecticut Light
Battery had been changed te a point on the west side
of Petersburg, about a raile and a half from the city,
and the corarades found it much pleasanter and
healthier; it was thought that the Battery would re
main there fer sorae time, orders being given fer the
building of better quarters. Headquarters looked
almost like a permanency, and raany of the comrades crossed the canal and
got lumber from a deserted Confederate camp and built comfortable huts.
Some of the new raen took " French leave," the raorning reports being
full of such entries as " Privates  absent without leave." It seemed to
be the opinion of the recruits that Petersburg and Richmond having fallen
and Lee surrendered the war was over and they were, as citizens, allowed to
de as they pleased. When they returned to camp, however, they found eut
their mistake, for they had to stand trial. Comrade Clark tells of a court-
martial of which he was a member:
"A general court-martial convened for the trial of offenders against
good order and railitary discipline. I was one of the raembers. Three men
of our Battery were before the court and found guilty, on their own plead
ings, of being absent without leave from the Battery, and were sentenced to
one month's hard labor in charge of a guard in the company, and to forfeit
(two of them) eight dollars of their monthly pay for six months, the third to
forfeit ten dollars a month for eight months. We shall have four more
cases from the Battery." This severe punishment was intended to act as a

696 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
deterrent and doubtless would have done so had not conditions changed
so soon afterward.
News of the surrender of General Joseph E. Johnston and his command
to General Sherman acted as a stimulant te the comrades, for they went
about shouting " hurrah!" until the officers had to rebuke them. The excite
ment had scarcely subsided when rumors reached the camp that the War
Department had issued an order for the immediate reduction of the army in
the field, and orders were given for an inspection and inventory of all the
equipments of the Battery. This looked like a raove, and although
Sheridan had gone south and the war was not over, the sanguine comrades
saw in it all a proof that a few days more would be all they would have of
army life.
The officers spent considerable time in examining and exploring the
surrounding country, especially te find out what daraage had been done by
the guns. One day Lieutenants Dickinson, Scranton and Clark started eut
to Fort Stedman and its vicinity. They stopped near a brick house which
they had often seen while stationed at the fort, and which stood just in the
range of the Battery guns. The officers had a laudable curiosity to see the
extent of damage done by the shot and shell sent from the guns of which
they were se proud. As they were chatting together and examining the
rents made by the shots, a ver}' attractive and pretty young lady carae from
the house, and picking a rose from the almost destroyed garden handed it
with an exceedingly sweet smile te Lieutenant Clark. The gallant officer
very politely tipped his hat and thanked her. The other lieutenants could
not understand why the young and beautiful Southern girl selected Lieu
tenant Clark for special favor, unless it was that she, with discriminating
eye, considered him the best-looking officer. The incident occasioned some
remarks and jokes at Lieutenant Clark's expense, which he took very good-
naturedly, perhaps net without a certain amount of pardonable pride. The
officers continued to ride about Petersburg examining buildings which had
been struck by shot er shell, but they were not the recipients of any mere
flowers, for generally the officers were not greeted with smiles, neither were
they made to feel welcome by the white inhabitants, a fact which made the
experience of Lieutenant Clark all the more perplexing.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 697
Orders came to break camp and the 5th and 2Sth Corps marched
through Petersburg. The Battery halted for some time opposite Fort
Stedman and some of the comrades went over the fort and inspected the
surrounding country. The trees had been riddled with bullets, the ground
tern up, and everywhere could be seen hands and feet of half-buried soldiers
sticking out from the soil. The sight of the dead caused the comrades te
feel thankful that the Battery had escaped so well through the three and a
half years of service.
On the march te City Point there were many heart-throbs of anxiety
and worry. France had established an erapire on Mexican soil and placed
the Austrian Maximilian on the throne. It was well known that such an
action on the part of Napoleon would never have been attempted had it not
been for the crippled condition of the United States through the civil war.
The war was now practically at an end and half a million troops were freed
from actual war duty, and a rumor was prevalent that the released troops
would be shipped to Mexico to enforce the Monroe Doctrine by driving out
the foreign monarch and the restoration of the republic.
When the Battery arrived at City Point and saw troops loading on
transports the boys began to think that there was some truth in the rumor.
None of the officers or men liked such a prospect; some of the officers
threatened to resign; all resented what they termed "a high-handed piece
of despotic power," fer the raen had only enlisted te fight against the Con
federacy and not against an Austrian eraperor backed by a French array.
When the officers and men had worked themselves up to the highest pitch
of excitement, they found that the rumor was a false alarm and they had
experienced all their heart-throbs of emotion for nothing.
Light House Point, where the Battery halted at sundown, was on a
bluff overlooking the river and was a far pleasanter place than the last
camp. There was one great drawback to the comfort of the corarades — the
discipline was getting se lax that no rations for either men er horses arrived
for twenty-four hours after the Battery had been in camp.
The Battery had left the library and quite a quantity of its baggage and
property at Norfolk, and it was thought a good time to get it, so that when
the order came fer a march or te be mustered out the Battery would have
its possessions ready te pack. About the trip to Norfolk and the return

COS

HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES

with the library. Comrade Le Rey Upson contributes an incident which he
is fond of relating, and which shows that dangers had te be encountered
even in these last days of the war.
" Some of the weeks of the last months of the service of the Battery in
Virginia before the call to Connecticut and the muster eut were spent in carap
on a bluff on the James River about two miles
^^^^ belew City Point, " writes Comrade Le Roy Upson.
f^^^J^L "While there it was thought best to get from
I ^W Norfolk the library and a quantity of goods that
had been stored there since the earlier part of the
war when the Battery went into active service.
Orderly Sergeant Welton went to Norfolk for
the purpose, and word came from him that on a
certain day he would be at City Point and should
require two four-horse wagons te transport the
goods to camp.
"The Battery baggage wagon and a four-
mule team, with helpers, were detailed in charge
of Sergeant Gesner. I was detailed te ride the
orderly sergeant's horse te the Point for him,
which I did with pleasure, for the afternoon was
pleasant and it was a desirable little break in the monotony of the days on
the bluff. " In due time we were at City Point and found the boat at the dock with
the sergeant waiting fer us. The baggage wagon was loaded first, and
Sergeant Welton mounted his horse for the ride to camp, telling rae to raount
the baggage wagon with the driver and start at once, leaving the ethers to
load the mule team and follow later.
" It was about dusk when we started, and there was a thunder shov^'cr
coming up that soon brought darkness — and darkness that was black.
The road was of the military kind, far from what we think of as good,
and we were not familiar with it. About all that could be done was te let
the horses pick their way.
" We got along pretty well till we got to the stream below City Point,
that was crossed by a pontoon bridge. The approach to this bridge

LE ROV UPSuX.
of Wolcott.
Enlisted and mustered in Sept.
3, 1864; mustered out June 11,
1865.

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1861-1865 O'.iO
was rather steep, through a cut in quite a bluff. When we were near this
cut we apparently made the mistake of not letting the horses ' pick their
way.' I can assure you that with our heavy load and the stumpy, gullied
road and the darkness, it is no wonder if the driver was a little nervous. He
stopped the team, got down from his high seat and went ahead te recon
noitre. He found the entrance to the cut, and getting his bearings,
remounted, took the reins and started.
"In seme way his calculations were not quite right. We ran onto the
left bank and ever we went. I was pitched through the darkness into the
mud, followed by the wagon and its load. I don't remember any surprise
when I was going over, but I was surprised to find that I could get up and was
not seriously hurt. I soon found that the driver, toe, was en his feet and
attending to his horses — but they were toe long in the service to let a little
thing like that disturb them much.
"We groped around in the darkness, to find that the spill was complete
and that we could de nothing without help. It was decided that I should go
on to camp and get assistance.
" I started, unable to see anything at all except when it lightened. By
the aid of lightning flashes I crossed the pontoon. All I knew of the way
beyond that was the general direction of the road I ought to travel. In that
direction I could see in the distance a light. For this light I steered
straight, regardless of road, or path, or line of guard. I must have crossed
one or more of the latter, for when I reached the light I found it to be in the
tent of an officer who was evidently entertaining guests. The guards had
probably sought shelter from the storm, and a consideration of the storm
perhaps prevented the officer from showing annoyance at my intrusion. He
kindly stepped to the entrance of his tent and pointed in the direction of the
camp of the First Connecticut Light Battery. With hearty thanks I again
started in a ' bee-line ' — -and either the officer was right and I held the ' bee-
line,' er else he was wrong and I went just crooked enough to bring
me right, for after quite a tramp I found myself mixed up in the tails and
heels of a line of horses. A little investigation showed me that they were
our horses, and I soon found the tent of the officer of the day, and with
him Orderly Sergeant Welton, to whom I reported.
" I was instructed to call out a corporal and tell hira te take four men

700 HISTORY .A.XD REMINISCENCES
and go back to the assistance of the driver; at the same time I was told to
go to my tent and get to bed.
" The morning discovered to rae sorae raore or less prominent bruises,
which I did not mind, and a very prominent tear in ray stout army pants,
which I did mind — and which I did mend — and it was nicely mended, too.
" The morning also discovered to me the usually pleasant countenance
of Sergeant Gesner bearing an unusually sour expression as he asked rae
why I didn't go back and help get those goods into camp."
General Weitzel was very anxious to have the volunteer batteries
mustered eut of the service, and se he gave the First Connecticut Battery
every hope that in a few days it would cease to be a part of the United
States Array and be ence raore a Volunteer Battery of the State of
Connecticut. By general orders the generals commanding were instructed
to send in a full list of all officers in each arm of the service worthy of
special mention or to be promoted te a brevet rank.
The First Connecticut Light Battery has reason to be proud of the
report, in response te general orders, made by Captain Loomis L. Langdon.
His report te General Weitzel was as follows:
Headquarters Light Artillery Brigade, 2Sth Army Corps,
May 12, 1865.
Major D. D. Wheeler, Assistant Adjutant-General U. S. A.,
25 th Army Corps, Camp Lincoln.
Sir: In reply te your coraraunication of this date requiring the
names of officers of my comraand I raay desire to have brevetted, I
have to state that since the forraation of the corps ne opportunity worth
mentioning in comparison with greater events has occurred to call forth
the peculiar gallantry of any officer of my coramand, however gallant most
of them undoubtedly are.
I take pleasure, however, in recoraraending to the favorable notice of
the general commanding the following officers:
Captain Martin S. James, Battery C, 3d R. I. Artillery, 2.9.
Captain Henry Y. Wildey, Battery E, xst Pa. Artillery, 2.0.
xst Lieutenant Redmund TuUy, Battery D, ist U. S. Artillery, 2.5.
I St Lieutenant James Thompson, Battery D, 4th U. S. Artillery, 2.0.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 701
ist Lieutenant Theron Upson, First Connecticut Light Battery, 3.0.
2d Lieutenant E. D. Wheeler, Battery D, ist U. S. Artillery, 2.0.
All of which are carefully selected for their uniformly raeritorious
conduct. For the information and guidance of the general commanding, I have
set opposite each name the relative merit of each in the same manner as
merit is characterized at West Point.
Lieutenant Upson is the most meritorious.
Captain Wildey was the first officer, beyond dispute, to lead his Battery
into Richraond.
Captain James has been uniformly the most useful officer commanding
a company. These recommendations are made from a long and intimate acquaint
ance with the officers, and I hope will raeet the general's approval.
Respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) L. L. Langdon, Captain ist U. S. Artillery,
Chief of Artillery 25th Army Corps, Commanding Brigade.
What makes the report of more value is that Captain Langdon was an
officer in the regular army, had all the prejudices against officers who had
not graduated from West Point coramon to West Pointers, was known as a
rigid disciplinarian and one not given to much praise. That he mentioned
Lieutenant Upson, of the First Connecticut Light Battery, as the most
efficient officer in the Artillery Brigade, when taking into consideration that
there were three regular batteries in the brigade, proved that the compli
ment was justly deserved and one of which the Battery boys felt specially
proud. In honor of the martyred President the camp of the 2sth Army Corps
was designated Camp Lincoln, and the colored soldiers were elated by
the honor, for it was a great distinction te have the carap occupied by men
who had been treated as chattels named for the greatest friend the colored
man ever had, and one of whom the whole world was proud.
The news of the capture of Jefferson Davis was received with elation.
That event was practically the end of the war. Whatever raay be the
opinion or prejudice of the reader about Jefferson Davis, history must

702 HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES
acknowledge that he was a man of most determined nature, a skillful
diplomat, an able statesman, and a man who possessed a wonderful power
over those with whom he had to deal. As a meraber of the House of
Representatives, soldier in the j\Iexican War, Secretary of War under Pierce
and United States Senator until the comraenceraent of the civil war, he had
proved his ability and shewn his personal worth. After the surrender of
Lee his Cabinet ministers and officers considered the cause hopeless, but his
magnetism was such that he almost inspired them with hope. Some of the
generals had been in favor of negotiating terms of peace after Gettysburg,
but Davis said "fight on, and we shall win;" Ewell had told Davis that the
war was hopeless after Grant had swung his army across the James;
Johnston told his chief that it was a worthless struggle when the news
reached him of the surrender of Lee ; but Davis still said that the fortunes of
war could be retrieved and independence established. He fled south with
his family, but was eventually captured at Irwinsville, Ga , by two detach
ments of Wilson's cavalry.
The day after the news of his capture reached camp Lincoln, the
following letter was received by the general commanding the 25th Army
Corps : War Depart.ment, Adjutant-General's Office,
Washington, May 18, 1865.
Major-(jE\eral G. Weitzel, Commanding 25th Army Corps.
General: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your letter of
the nth instant requesting that the following volunteer batteries be
mustered out of service, viz. :
Battery C, 3d Rhode Island,
4th New Jersey Battery,
5th New Jersey Battery,
First Connecticut Battery,
In reply, I am instructed te direct you te cause the said batteries to be
mustered eut at once. The musters will be made under General Orders
94, current series, at this office. I ara. General,
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
(Signed) Thomas M. Vincent,
Assistant Adjutant-General.

Light Artillery.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l.S61-].S(;.-, 703
A copy of this order, signed by Major D. D. Wheeler, was furnished to
the commanding officer of the Light Artillery Brigade and by him
comraunicated to the officer in command of each battery.
Naturally it was expected that the Battery would be immediately sent
to City Point and from there home, but the days passed and the 25th Corps,
with the regular batteries, was sent off with forty days' rations on an
expedition, leaving the four volunteer batteries alone at Light House Point.
Orders were given fer the Battery to exchange their horses for those of
Tully's regular battery, and the Connecticut comrades were exceedingly
sere ever the matter, for their horses were well kept, well fed and cared fer,
while the regulars' were lean, half-starved over-worked horses with but little
vitality left in them.
Through some misunderstanding between General Ord, commanding
the Army of the Jaraes, and General Weitzel, the four volunteer batteries
were ordered to ]\Ianchester fer drill. The First Connecticut Battery
left Carap Lincoln at 6 a. m. en June ist, and after a day's march camped on
the battle ground at the junction of the railroad and Richmond turnpike,
where it had fought en April 9, 1864, fer possession of that very point.
On the next day the march was resumed and Manchester reached at
I p. .M. Several horses had been left by the wayside and others dropped
exhausted when the camp was reached. Though Manchester was fast
regaining its life and busy trade, the corarades had a hard time, for they had
to sleep on the ground and could not draw any rations. Those who
had money were able to buy food in the town, and Comrade Hotchkiss says
that he bought some soft bread and butter, pies and a cup of tea.
"Just think of it!" he adds to the statement.
After the Battery returned to Manchester, orders were given for the
comrades to take the horses and go into any of the big forts round Rich
mond and haul anything they could drag and take it down te the docks as
old junk. The boys raade up tearas of eight horses each and went into the
forts, hitching up to the big guns, gun-carriages, limber-wagons and any
thing on which they could get a grip. Sometiraes they hitched to bigger
guns than one teara could pull, then they would double up the teams, making
sixteen horses tugging at one gun. Some of the guns were toe large to be
moved even by sixteen horse-power, and after making a few ineffectual

704 HISTORY AND RE.MI.XISCE.XCES
efforts had to be abandoned and something lighter tackled. The comrades
had nearly a week of this sort of fun. They found it enjoyable work
as fascinating as any arauseraent, and in consequence every raan worked
cheerfully. There was no hanging back waiting for another, for every one
worked with an interest and independent spirit rarely seen.
Six days after reaching Manchester the 3d Rhode Island Light Battery
was raustered out and the First Connecticut Light Battery muster rolls were
being prepared. As the Rhode Islanders passed the First Connecticut
Light Battery camp en their way to the landing they gave three hearty
cheers, and the Connecticut comrades responded with a right good will.
On June Sth the comrades realized that their days of military service
were drawing to a close, for they turned over to Captain Male, ordnance
officer, all ordnance, and to Major Cochrane, quartermaster, sixty-six
horses. On the loth, all quartermaster stores, clothing and camp and gar
rison equipage were turned in to Major Cochrane with the remainder of the
horses. That night the corarades had to sleep on the ground without tents
or shelter of any kind, fer the mustering officer did not arrive until next day.
The eleventh day of June, 1865, will always be remembered by the
comrades of the First Connecticut Light Battery, for at 2 p. m. they were
raustered out of the United States service by Captain Reraingten and
received the last order at the front, and that order was to blow reveille at 3
o'clock the next morning. They broke camp at 4.30 en the morning of the
X2th, crossed to Richmond, which city they left at 6 o'clock, arriving at City
Point at 9 30. With the 17th New York Light Battery they embarked on
the steamer Georgiana fer Fort Monroe, leaving there on the steamer
Daniel Webster at 5 a. m. on the 13th and reaching New York at 6 o'clock
on Wednesday, June X4th,
How excited the comrades were! With what joyousness they stepped
on shore and coraraenced their march through the city which they had left
three years and four months before ! How their hearts beat ! The war was
over; the strife was ended; the citizen soldiers had proved that they could
fight, endure and conquer, and they had made the entire civilized world
respect thera and their nation.
They felt proud to think they had taken part in the greatest war
of raodern times, and that, crowned with the laurels of victory, they were
returning to "beat their swords into plowshares," leaving behind the
strife of the battlefield for the peaceful occupation of a citizen's life.

CHAPTER XL.

"HOME, SWEET HOME,"

HE good news reached New Haven that the First Con
necticut Light Battery was returning home with a
record almost unparalleled in the history of war, and
at once the people got out their flags and banners and
began to decorate in honor of the sons of the old State.
Old men retold the story of the march through
New Haven nearly four years before of the gallant
Connecticut boys who, in cavalry, infantry and artil
lery regiments, had gone to the front to fight for the flag and to help save
the nation. Then,
"All the uniforms were blue, all the swords and rifles new.
When the regiment went marching down the street.
All the men were hale and strong as they proudly moved along
Through the cheers that drowned the music of their feet.
Oh, the music of their feet, keeping time to drums that beat!
Oh, the glitter and the splendor of the sight!
As with swords and rifles new, and in uniforms of blue.
The regiment went marching to the fight ! "
As each regiment left New Haven the people flocked into the streets
and gave them such a New England cheer as caused their hearts to beat
wildly until the dread realities of war were experienced at the front.
The war was ever and the people at home were making ready to welcome
the returning heroes.
On many a battlefield the sens of Connecticut had carved a way to glory.
No State had a prouder record, no soldiers had been braver, no men more
devoted to the cause of liberty than the sons of the Nutmeg State.

71(6 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
The First Connecticut Light Batter}' was the first State organization to
return, and the people determined that a glorious welcome should be given
the heroes. Every one was talking of James Island and Proctor's Creek, of Drewry's
Bluff and Fort Stedman, of the entry into Richmond and the active partici
pation taken by the Battery in the occupation of the capital of the
Confederacy. One would think that the people had nothing else te talk about but the
campaign of the First Light Battery.
The citizens of New Haven were early in the streets; the flags were
flying everywhere; bands were playing as though rehearsing to give the
veterans a more glorious welcorae.
Earlv in the day some of those who had been honorably discharged and
returned to their homes were centres of attraction, and every one wanted
them to talk of the days that had passed, of the battles fought, the hardships
endured, the humors of camp life and all the little incidents so interesting
te the fathers and brothers, the wives, sisters and mothers of the Battery
menibers. .¦\t 9 (j'clock every one seemed going toward the New Haven railroad
depot; at xo o'clock the streets were crowded, and an hour later, or, to be
exact, at 11:15 .-i. m., on Wednesday, June 14, with a clanging of bells and
screeching of the locomotive, a train pulled into the depot and a mighty
cheer from the thousands of citizens greeted the first hero who stepped
from the train.
It was hard for the comrades to retain military discipline, but they
remerabered that all eyes were en them. They saw relatives and friends,
wives, mothers, sisters, sweethearts, gray-haired fathers and young brothers
in the throng, but they fell into line like true soldiers and were officially
welcomed by the raayor and a deputation of the Council appointed to
receive them.
The commissioned officers who returned were Captain J. B. Clinton,
First Lieutenants Sylvanus C. Dickinson, of Milford; Theron Upson, of
X''ew Haven, and Second Lieutenants Arthur E. Clark, of Milford, and
Samuel Wilbur Scranton, of New Haven.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l.S61-l.S(;5 707
The Battery was one hundred and twenty strong when it landed in
the city. The civil authorities having received the veterans, the military came
forward to add their welcome. A splendid military escort was there to
receive them, consisting of the New Haven Grays, Captain Frank D. Sleat ;
the Collegiate and Commercial Institute Battalion, Adjutant Edward
Johnson, and a company of Veteran Reserves from the hospital coraraanded
by Orderly Sergeant Churchill.
The New Haven Band headed the escort, and the spirit of patriotism
seemed to animate the members, for never had the band played better, and
excellent raartial music was furnished by the drum corps of the Collegiate
and Commercial Institute and the Knight Hospital.
On the raoving of the line up Chapel Street the bells rang eut joyously,
and a salute was fired frora the Green.
It was a proud home-coraing for the heroes, even though
" The uniforms had faded into gray.
And the faces of the men who marched through that street again
Seemed like the faces of the dead who lose their way.
For many could not look more gaunt or gray.''
The Neiv Haven Palladium said: "The heroes looked very dusty, very
tired and bore marks of hard service."
There was something pathetic and yet glorious in their appearance, for
they did net don new uniforms te make their reentrance into their own
State, but wore the old war-worn clothes; those uniforms which had been
spattered with the sticky mud of Virginia; which had been stained with
powder, some riddled with bullets ; clothes which had seen such service as
only heroes know of; clothes which, if they could speak, could tell of many a
hard-fought engageraent, of miraculous escapes and hair-raising adventures.
Then the veteran heroes wore their knapsacks, their old, battered canteens
and haversacks, every article telling of the hardships and severe service
the wearer had undergone.
The line was formed, the heroes marched proudly; every head was
erect, every bosom filled with patriotic enthusiasm as the line moved
through the principal streets to the strains of raartial music.

708 HISTORY AND REMI.XISCENCES
Each man knew that he was returning a conqueror— a victor in the
greatest war of modern times — and each man realized that it was not as a
mercenary soldier that he had gone, but as a citizen volunteering to save his
country or shed his blood freely in its defense.
Xo wonder the people cheered! They would have been void of every
human virtue had they not welcomed with loyal gratitude those men
"Who proudly marched, with a ringing cheer.
Where blood-stained banners wave;
Who left fond children bedewed with tears,
Left father and mother and wife.
To fight for the nation's life.''
The march ended at the Public Square and then the heroes filed into
the State House, where Mayor Scranton stood waiting to again officially
welcome them home.
Major B. F. Mansfield knew that the veterans had been fed on hard
tack and beans, en bacon and pork, and that good home-cooked food had
not been partaken of for three long years, so he leaded the tables with cold
meats and cakes and steaming coffee, while beautiful flowers graced the
centres of the tables, reminding them of the natural glories of their
own State.
Then came the formal introductions. Major Mansfield had to be offi
cially introduced te Captain Clinton, who in tum introduced the Major to
the other officers of the Battery in accordance with military etiquette. Then
there was speechmaking, terse and eloquent — a matter of form, in reality —
for every man knew of the glorious record raade by the First Light Battery,
and every citizen was filled with such pride that eloquence flashed from
every eye, each heart-throb was one of welcome, and each hand-clasp told
of the fraternity all felt toward the veterans.
Then Major Mansfield called for cheers for the Battery, and they were
given with such ringing fervor that the foundations of the building seemed
to shake, but loud and long-continued as they were, the throats of the
veterans outdid them when Captain Clinton called on his men to give three
cheers for the Mayor, for the Council and for the mihtary escort. New
Haven knew that those men could threw as much enthusiasm in their
cheers as they had done in their shooting.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 709
Then the welcome order came — one which had always given pleasure on
the field and in the forts: "Fall in for grub! " They had welcomed it—
"No matter if the grub was pork.
Or hard tack, or the beans.
Or coffee that we loved so well;
All vets know what that means."
But now the genuine home-cooked food made their mouths water and they
did full justice to the good things provided.
At the close of the ceremonies the comrades were given furloughs, with
orders to report at Conscript Camp en the 19th of the month.
As a matter of great interest and to mark the appreciation of the Bat
tery of the kindness received at the hands of the public local press, the
historian reproduces, verbatim, the reports of the welcome horae given
by the New Haven papers.
The New Haven Palladium, of June 14, 1865, published the following:
The First Connecticut Light Battery, Captain James Clinton, one hundred and twenty
strong, arrived here about 11 o'clock this morning by railroad from New York, They
were received at the depot by the Mayor and the deputation of the Council appointed to
receive them, and by a handsome military escort, consisting of the New Haven Grays,
Captain Frank D. Sloat; the Collegiate and Commercial Institute Battalion, Adjutant
Edward Johnson; and a company of 'Veteran Reserves from the hospital, commanded by
Orderly Sergeant Churchill.
The New Haven Band headed the escort, and excellent martial music was furnished
by the drum bands of the College and Commercial Institute and Knight Hospital. On
the moving of the line up Chapel Street the bells rang out joyously, and a salute was fired
on the Green. Chapel Street was decked vvith flags and crowded with friends and specta
tors, gathered to do honor to the returning braves. The heroes looked very dusty, very
tired, and bore marks of hard service. After a march through some of our principal
streets the veterans were conducted into our beautiful square and into the State House,
where a most bountiful supply of refreshments awaited them.
At the State House Mayor Scranton, in a brief speech, welcomed them home again,
after a service of three and a half years, assuring them that the people of the State were
well acquainted with the valued and faithful service which they had performed in stand
ing as a bulwark between their homes and the foe.
Captain Clinton responded, thanking the authorities and citizens for their cordial wel
come and for the bountiful repast tendered them. He said although they had returned
home to lay down their arms, they should ever be ready to take them whenever their
country should again call for their services.
Cheers for the officers and soldiers of the Battery were returned by the veterans
giving hearty cheers for their escort and the authorities and citizens of New Haven.
After the collation was disposed of the men were given furloughs, with orders to
report at the draft rendezvous, where they are to be mustered out. The men have five
months' pay due thera. The Battery left for the field in December, 1861, and in the Depart-

710 HISTORY AND REMIXISCENCES
ment of the South and before Richmond have done excellent service. The commissioned
oflicers who returned are Captain J. B. Clinton, who for a year has commanded the Bat
tery; First Lieutenants Sylvanus C. Dickinson, of Milford, Theron Upson, of this city,
and Second Lieutenants .-Arthur E. Clark, of Milford, and Wilbur S. Scranton, of Fair
Haven. The New Haven Register of the sarae date gave the following report :
Reception of the First Connecticut Light Battery.
The arrangements of the committee for the reception of the returned soldiers this
morning were well conceived and efficiently executed. There was a delay of half an hour
on account of the train being delayed. When the men arrived they were escorted by the
battalion of escort, consisting of two companies of the Veteran Reserves, two companies
from the Commercial Institute, and the Grays, under command of Major Basserman. The
column formed on Chapel Street, and, headed by the New Haven Band, moved up, saluted
by the cheers of the people. After passing around the Green, down College and George,
and up Church, the guests were taken to the hall in the State House, where a fine collation
had been spread by Major B. F. Mansfield. Mayor Scranton in a few words welcomed
the veterans home, and Captain Clinton made a happy response. The speeches were
received with cheers, especially that of the Captain, who is evidently popular with his
command. The men fell to with a will and "carried all before them," as they have
done on many another field. They hope to be paid off and mustered out here in a
few days. The Jojirnal and Courier of June 15, 1865, had the subjoined report
of the proceedings :
The reception extended to the First Connecticut Light Battery upon their arrival in
this city yesterday was, for an impromptu affair, one of the most hearty, cordial and
enthusiastic of the many which New Haven has tendered to the returning soldiers of
Connecticut. The Battery, numbering one hundred and thirty-five men, were mustered out
of service at Manchester, opposite Richmond, on Sunday last. On Monday they left
Richmond on board of a steamer for Fortress Monroe, where they were transferred to
another steamer and brought to Baltimore, arriving there on Tuesday morning about 6
o'clock. They then took the cars and came on to this city, arriving about xx o'clock
yesterday forenoon. About half-past 10 the New Haven Grays, two companies of Veteran
Reserves and the C. C. I., under command of Colonel Jlerwin, formed near the Green and
marched to the depot, accompanied by the New Haven Band. The line was formed in
Chapel Street, the left resting on the depot bridge. On the arrival of the train Captain
Clinton was introduced to the committee of the Common Council in waiting, composed of
the following gentlemen: Messrs. Gilbert, Hotchkiss, Augur, Douglass and Treadway.
After a mutual interchange of greetings, Mr. Gilbert, chairman of the committee.
presented the Captain with a large and beautiful bouquet. He received it, returning
many thanks. The battalion was then formed in line and marched out into Chapel Street,
headed by the committee in carriages and the police. They were then received by the
city companies, the Battery marching up by the line. The line was then halted, forraed in
line, and the city companies marched past and took the head of the line in the usual way.
The procession then marched up Chapel Street to Church, out Church to Elm, up Elm to
College, out College to George, down George to Church, out Church to Chapel, up Chapel
into the Green. All along the route, particularly in Chapel Street, a maze of flags were
flying in the breeze, and the waving of handkerchiefs from every window and the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l,S61-l.S(i5 711
continual cheering attested the heartiness of the welcome. On arriving at the Green they
were escorted into the basement of the State House, where several large tables loaded
with a collation of cold meats, cakes and coffee, and beautified with many vases of flowers,
had been prepared for them under the supervision of Major B. F. Mansfield. The Major
being present was then introduced to Captaiu Clinton, who in turn introduced the Major
to his brother officers and men, iramediately after which he addressed his comrades as
follows: "Captain Clinton, officers and soldiers of the First Connecticut Battery. It falls
to my pleasant duty to welcome you and to extend to you the cordial welcome of the
citizens of New Haven. It is not my pleasure, however, to recount your deeds of valor
and your trials in days past, but I assure you they are appreciated by the citizens of this
city and by the State. Through four long years you have stood as a bulwark to those
rights which are dear to us all, and your efforts have been deeply appreciated by the
citizens of Connecticut. The many sacrifices you have made I have not been able to
recount. There were many who went out with you who have not returned; but to you
who have come back I now have the honor to extend a hearty and cordial welcome."
Captain Clinton replied as follows : "The Mayor, Gentlemen of the Council and Citizens;
This is my first attempt to reply to a speech in all my life. I am in that respect like
General Grant, who says he never did make a speech, and I never could. I tender to you,
in behalf of my comrades and for myself, my deep and heartfelt thanks for this kind
reception. We have come home to receive our discharge papers and our pay, and we have
laid down our arms, only to take them up again when occasion shall demand it."
Cheers followed by a tiger were then given by the soldiers for Captain Clinton and the re
ception given them. And such cheers ! None but soldiers could give them — sharp, clear and
ringing. They were followed by a tiger that set the coffee cups dancing and timid people
holding their ears. The raen fell to work and did full justice to the well-spread tables
before them. We cannot close this report without speaking of one incident in connection
with the reception. While in New Jersey, Captain Clinton, in reply to a telegram from
the committee respecting the reception, said his men had no new uniforms on; that they
were just as they broke camp, and he did not want a reception. But the committee would
not take "no" for an answer. The boys were in just the condition in which they wanted
to receive them. All of us wanted them to come as they did, with uniforms worn in the
smoke of battle and begrimed with the "sacred soil" and with faces bronzed with a
Southern sun. The roster of the officers is as follows:
Captain, Jaraes B. Clinton,
Senior xst Lieutenant, Sylvanus Dickinson.
Junior xst Lieutenant, Theron Upson.
Senior 2d Lieutenant, Arthur E. Clark.
Junior 2d Lieutenant, S, Wilbur Scranton.
On June 19, 1865, the First Light Battery was mustered eut, each man
receiving his discharge papers and from that tirae ceasing to be a member
of the railitary forces of the State, and becoming once more a free citizen of
a free State in the grandest republic the world has ever known.
From the date of the earliest enlistment to that of being mustered out
at New Haven, the Battery had been in existence three years eight months
and nineteen days, and during all that time only 2 men had been killed in

712 HISTORY AND REMINISCE.XCES
action and 13 wounded, one dying from his wounds in the hospital, 20 died
in service, and 4 discharged disabled.
Comrade Theron Upson, speaking of this record, says:
"Of 267 men who were connected with this organization, only i officer
and I private have been killed in action. Many, however, died of disease,
and the bones of some of thera repose in the sunny South. Comrades, let us
ever cherish their memories, fer they gave up all for us and their country.
" ' Some must sleep 'neath the Southern sod,
And some bear the flag of the free, my boys ;
But those who are true to the country and God
Will raeet at the last reveille, my boys!'"

11/.
CHAPTER XLI.

WHAT THE CITIZEN SOLDIER DID FOR THE NATION.

HE war was over; peace ence more was established ;
the olive branch had been extended to the South
and had been accepted by the thinking, reasoning
people. The United States had asserted its right te
nationhood. No longer was it merely a number of

free States joined together for mutual advantage,
which, when interrupted, was to be followed by dis
integration, but it had become a union indissoluble
and permanent. The Carolinas were no longer aliens
to the New England States, but from Maine to Cali
fornia, from the Lakes to the Gulf, the States, while each would have its
rights preserved and conserved, were banded together, forraing a federal
republic stronger than any nation that had ever before existed.
The dream of Madison and Monroe had become a reality, and was no
longer a vision of idyllists er a phantasm of the brain of reformers. State
rights had been proved to be far stronger when each State constituted part
of a nation than when each only tolerated a federal governraent. The de
mocracy of Jefferson had been harmonized with the far-seeing conservatism
of Madison, Monroe and Adams.
The one great weakness of the nation — a weakness which Jefferson had
fought against and which John Quincy Adams saw would lead to the dis
ruption of the Union unless checked — had been forever removed, for the
end of the war saw slavery abolished and the colored man admitted to citi
zenship. Then was realized the glorious axiom en which the republic had
been founded, "All men are created free and equal."

714 HISTORY AND REMINISCE.XCES
Abroad, across the oceans, the war had caused the United States to be
respected. Its power was felt to be greater than that of any monarchy, and
the rulers in monarchical Europe trembled as they thought of the impetus
given to republican institutions. The war had revolutionized the nations
of the world. Reforras which had been declared impossible a few years
previous were freely granted. France speedily threw off the yoke of an
emperor and declared a republic; the French troops were compelled to
retire from Rome, and Italy became one united nation; England gave
greater liberty te her colonies and inaugurated reforms at heme which had
been the dream of the advanced thinkers for generations. In every
country the raasses looked upon the Stars and Stripes as the emblem of a
free republic, and carried it through the streets of the cities when
deraanding reforms.
The wiping of the last great stain from the republic's banner, the
realization of the principles of true liberty for all, irrespective of creed er
color, had caused the people of the world to acknowledge the majesty of
republicanism. The spirit of our institutions had "infused itself into the
life-blood of Europe and warmed the sunny plains of France and the
lowlands of Holland. It touched the philosophy of Germany and the
north," and gave new life and aspirations to the oppressed everywhere.
Net only did the war revolutionize thought, but it taught the nations
of the world raany lessons. It showed that the day of the "old wooden
walls " of the fighting ships had gone by, and in their place it introduced
the monitor, the invention of Ericsson, and the armored turrets invented
by Timbly, of New York. The great iron-clad raonsters of the deep are
the outgrowth of American inventions during the war.
In the armies of Europe the term of enlistment was shortened and
many improvements inaugurated.
It' had frequently been predicted by European statesmen that a
republic could only be strong in peace and would entirely succumb in time
of war. The federation of States had been declared a weakness, and even
the more liberal looked upon the secession of the Southern States as the
breaking up of the republic and the acknowledgment that the experiraent
had failed. A Liberal statesman in England exclaimed after the first battle
of Bull Run, "Jefferson Davis has created a nation ! "

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 715
It was true, but not in the way the speaker meant. The war of seces
sion had created a nation, but it was the old republic of the United States
regenerated, unified, and made strong. The nation had through seas of
bleed washed away the last vestige of slavery and had risen from the ordeal
the greatest and strongest nation in the world, Washington and Jefferson,
Madison and Monroe and Adams had created the republic, but Lincoln and
Grant and all who supported them had made a free nation in reality,
and so completed the work commenced ninety years before.
At the outbreak of the war the United States army numbered less than
30,000 officers and men, and these were mostly scattered over the vast expanse
of territory over which the Stars and Stripes floated.
To wage war with such a sraall army, part of which raight be in syra
pathy with secession, seemed an impossibility. The Govemment had to rely
on the citizens, not only to defend their homes, but to carry the war into the
seceded States and fight until the issue was decided. It was then that the
European monarchies almost rejoiced at the weakness of the republic, but
their exultation was premature, for from the first call of President Lincoln
in 1861 to the last raade in December, 1864, no less than 2,592,287 white
citizens and 186,017 colored men, not including the militia brought into serv
ice during different invasions of Lee's armies into Maryland and Pennsylvania,
responded te the call, ready te give up home and friends, sacrifice health and
shed their blood in order to perpetuate the republic they loved. And these
citizen soldiers came not from a section, but from every part of the Union. The
East and North, the border States and the far West contributed their quota
to the army of freedom, and raany enrolled themselves under the Stars and
Stripes from each of the Southern States. Net one State or Territory
failed to be; represented.
This rally of citizens was the true foundation of the republic's strength.
However excellent professional soldiers might be, they could never
experience the enthusiasm, share in the pride, or show the patriotism of
citizen soldiers. For in a federal republic the citizen soldiers feel a pride
in upholding the honor of the State or section frora which they enlist ; thus
bringing the States into a friendly rivalry and healthy competition, each
striving for the glory of being foremost, winning renown for their regi
ments and credit for the State. A regular army organization destroys all

716 HISTORY .AND REMINISCENCES
such stimulating conditions, the sectional pride is lost and with it the en
thusiasm and zeal of the citizen.
When the first call was made it was responded to with a fervor which
astonished the world. The young men — the boys — flecked round the recruit
ing stations, eager and anxious to inscribe their names on the muster roll of
fame. ^Nlany, perhaps the majority, had never handled a gun or drawn a
sword in their lives. Military discipline was not understood ; the raiseries,
the hardships, the risks te be encountered were not given a thought; to each
and all the message came: "The country is in danger!"
" The country " meant more to them than the expression would to the
subjects of a monarchy. Every raan was a citizen, a co-partner in a great
confederation. The nation was not something outside and above them. The
Government was not a privileged autocracy, but was merely the executive of
the nation, and that nation was a co-partnership of free citizens. Realizing
this, each man rushed to the front regardless of personal consequences,
anxious only to perpetuate that form of government which had raised him
frora the dependency of a subject to the freedom of a citizen.
Though they had dismissed all thought of danger, yet they realized
what war meant. They knew it would not be all glory, that il would be no
pleasure picnic, but that some would fall, their faces to the foe, their
bodies mangled by cannon ball or rifle shot, and that others would return
maimed and disabled for life; they knew that many would suffer from
disease, and with enfeebled frames be less able te contend against the
difficulties of civil life when the war was over, but their hearts were
warmed with the fire of patriotism, and with set teeth they vowed that
whatever might betide, they would de their duty and follow the fiag to
victory or to death.
And in what way did these citizen soldiers differ from the regular
army ?
A standing army is composed of those men who are willing to lose
their citizenship, sink their individuality, and for a term of years have no
other aim or object in life but to live on the labor of others, rendering no
other return but a readiness to fight whenever ordered. A standing army
may have to fight against those who are struggling for freedom, raay
engage in a war of oppression or fight for an unholy cause. The soldiers

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1.S65 717
enlist without condition and have to obey without question. They cease
to be producers, and during long years are only consumers of what others
produce, and this in a time of peace.
When a nation relies en its citizens it presents the cause to them, and
every man who enlists knows for what he is going to fight. He knows, also,
that as soon as the war is over he will be relieved and can go back to his
duties as a civilian. Moreover, he never relinquishes his rights as a citizen,
but on the battlefield votes as he would at horae, thus taking his share in
the government of his country and upholding or condemning the war in
which he is engaged.
When President Lincoln made his first call the men who responded
were refined, intellectual citizens — bankers, lawyers, business men, college
students, mechanics and farmers. From every schoolhouse, from every
public building the national flag was floating. All sorts and conditions of
men left their business and stepped into the ranks. Every one seemed
anxious to go. Young beys regretted that they were net old enough to be
accepted, and young girls bade their brothers and sweethearts sign the roll
and join the army of liberty and the republic.
It was not love of adventure that prompted them, for the majority
were sober, solid, staid citizens; it was not the promise of reward, for all
earned more at home than the Government could pay for their services,
and many used a private income to augraent the small amount paid by the
nation; it was net the love of carnage er fighting which caused them to give
their services, for many of them were church members and believed in
peace rather than war.
What, then, caused this enthusiasm? What caused this uprising of a
nation's manhood?
It was an intense love of country, a patriotic desire to perpetuate those
institutions which had raade them free citizens. It was the same spirit that
actuated the men of 1776 and nerved the hearts of patriots to draw the
sword for freedora for all, no matter what might be their creed or the color
of their skin. "All men are born free and equal" was their watchword,
and they determined that it should be true in spirit as well as in letter.
It was no sudden impulse of patriotic frenzy, fer the majority of those
who answered the first call for three months re-enlisted for three years.

718 HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES
Knowing the dangers, having experienced the hardships and endured the
trials and troubles of camp life, these men (all honor to their names !) enlisted
once more and again faced the enemy.
If it be true that a nation is greatest when its citizens are ready to
defend it, there can be ne doubt of the greatness and stability of the United
States, even in those days when it stood alone without a friend among the
nations of the earth.
The nations of the entire world learned that while professional soldiers
— the regular army — fought well and did their duty, they did not possess
the daring, the enthusiasm, the tremendous energy manifested by the
citizen soldiers. The regular soldier fought because it was his business, his
profession in life; the citizen fought for the reason that the cause was a
righteous one and appealed te his intelligence. It was the same spirit that
actuated the people of England when they rose under Cromwell to fight
against despotism. The ro\'al or regular army raised its banner, "For
the King! " the people raised theirs, " For God and our Country! " It was
principle against mere obedience to orders.
]iIonarchies dare not trust to citizens; it is only a republic that is strong
enough to rely on its people alone in case of need.
When N'apoleon was urged te conquer Switzerland, he answered that
the cost would be too great. " But there is no standing army there, sire,"
pleaded the courtier. " No," answered the great Napoleon; "if there were
the conquest would be easy. In a republic where there is no standing
army, every man must be killed and every woman rendered helpless before
a conquest is complete. "
The nineteenth century closed with a new proof of this doctrine, fer
one of the greatest monarchical nations on earth found it more difficult to
overcome a few farmers fighting for independence than to fight a monarchy
with a large standing army at its back.
The great war of secession having proved the value and strength of a
citizen army, had still another lessen to teach the world.
The war was over. It was no longer necessary te have a large army
in the field. A million men were mustered eut in their respective States
during the first fifteen days of the month of June, 1865. The men were
welcomed home. Crowned with the laurels of victory, they were heroes.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 719
No disturbances marked the disbanding of the army. The soldiers resumed
their duties as civilians peaceably. They took off the uniforra and put on
the dress of the civilian; they hung the eld canteen on the wall as a
reminder of the days that were past, and went to work on the farm, in
the factory, at the office desk or in the college, as though the interruption
had only been a long vacation. True, the tools of industry seemed awkward
after three years' manipulation of a musket or service at the guns, but
nature adapts itself, and this million of men settled down to the ordinary
duties of life with the same zest and earnestness they had shown at the
front, many winning for themselves good solid positions in the world.
They had once more become producers.
They had borne the brunt of warfare for three years and they knew
that hard work awaited them at heme, for a vast war debt had to be paid,
and the men who did the fighting returned te work and pay the debt.
The war had cost thenationalGovernment $6,200,000,000 over and above
the ordinary expenses of government, and the men whohad planted the flagof
a free republic, one and indissoluble, over every part of the sunny South,
creating a nation of freeraen from the Lakes te the Gulf and the Atlantic to the
Pacific, shouldered the burden of the debt cheerfully and without a murmur.
The world cried eut: "The republic is ruined. It can never pay its
debt. It is a bankrupt nation." The citizen soldiers proved the contrary.
They worked and paid the taxes, they sang and whistled merrily as they
followed their daily avocations, and they paid off the debt at the rate of a
million dollars a week.
The same citizens who had made the republic respected, who showed
how strong a nation could be that relied en its citizens, proved to the finan
ciers of the world that they would shirk ne obligation, but would be
financially honest.
All honor to the citizen soldiers of 1861-65, for they completed the work
begun by Washington. He founded a nation; they established it on such a
firm foundation that not all the storms of revolution, of monarchic jealousy,
of animosities abroad, or intrigues at home can ever destroy it.
The war proved that there is no danger of militarism or imperialism
while a nation depends on its citizen soldiers, but that any republic which
relies on a standing army is sure to fall under the heel of despotism, and

720

HISTORY A.XD RE.MIXISCE.XCES

dying as a free nation, rise with the withering curse of monarchy fastened
upon it. A free republic, trusting to its citizens in time of necessity, can
never be destroyed while a man lives te defend it. The world knows that
such a nation can rally round its flag such a host of citizen soldiers that no
enemy could withstand — -citizens who, preferring peace te war, would never
theless choose death rather than national dishonor. Should such an
emergency again arise and the call be raade for citizens te buckle on the
sword — " They will come from the plow, from the loom and the forge.
Their bugles will ring louder and louder.
And the dark city street and the deep forest gorge
Prove that labor makes valor the prouder,
" They will dwell in sweet peace, till a moment may come
When the shot of an enemy rattle,
And the spirits that cling most fondly to home
Will be the first to rush forth in the battle,
" Then here's to the Gray, and here's to the Blue !
Never heed in what color you find them ;
But be sure they'll be dyed a blood-red through and through
Ere the chain of an eneray can bind them !"

CHAPTER XLII.

A CONNECTICUT WOMAN AT THE FRONT.

" She gave her life for the cause."
HE war of secession was remarkable in many ways,
but in none more so than in the action taken by
brave, devoted woraen.
To tell the story of what woraan did for the cause
of the Union would fill many volumes, but it would
be a story of unparalleled devotion to principle, of
self-sacrificing labor, of trials and sufferings, all
borne willingly and without a murmur. It would tell of women urging
their husbands to think first of country, of mothers sending their sons to
the war, of sweethearts cheerfully resigning hopes of present happiness
for the sake of the country they loved.
At a fair held in Washington for the relief of the suffering soldiers and
their families. President Lincoln raade the following reraarks:
" This extraordinary war in which we are engaged falls heavily upon
all classes of people, but the most heavily upon the soldier. For it hath
been said, 'All that a man hath will he give fer his life;' and while all
contribute of their substance, the soldier puts his life at stake and often
yields it up in his country's cause. The highest merit, then, is due te the
soldier. " In thisextraordinary war extraordinary developments have manifested
themselves, such as have net been seen in former wars; and among these
manifestations nothing has been mere reraarkable than these fairs. And
the chief agents in these fairs are the women of America.

722 HISTORY AXD RE.MINISCENCES
"I am not accustomed to the use of language of eulogy; I have never
studied the art of paying corapliments te women; but I must say that if all
that has been said by orators and poets since the creation of the world in
praise of women were applied to the women of America, it would not do
thera justice for their conduct during this war. I will close by saying, God
bless the woraen of Araerica."
In the hospitals, where pain so racked the bodies of the wounded
soldiers that they could scarcely articulate, each breath seemed to form and
re-echo the prayer of Lincoln, " God bless the women of America."
In the fever districts of the far South, where the X'^erthern soldiers felt
their blood boil in their veins and their tongues scorch with the fever blast,
there rose the cry, "God bless the women of America."
In the schools where old and young negroes were learning the first
lessons of freedom, learning how to take advantage of emancipation and
become good citizens of the country in which they had been born slaves,
the dark-skinned men and women and children learned to love their white
teachers who had come from the North to instruct them, and their daily
prayer was, "God bless the women of America."
Frora the ver}' commencement of the war, women felt that they must
do their share in the work of saving the nation, and if they could not fight
they could rainister to the suffering, could tend the wounded and teach the
colored people so that they might be better able to assume the rights of free
raen in a free land.
As far as the laws of war would allow, women followed the armies and
even went on the battlefields to minister to those who were stricken down
by the enemy. " On fields where Strife held riot
And Slaughter fed his hounds.
Where came no sense of quiet.
Nor any gentle sounds.
They raade their rounds."
Seme of them lost their lives, directly or indirectly, in consequence of
their self-appointed duty, while others were crippled or invalided for life
through their labors of love.
The comrades of the First Connecticut Light Battery, all the men who
left Connecticut — artillery, cavalry and infantry — as well as countless

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861— 1S6C

723

thousands of the brave beys in blue, have reason to hold in high esteem
one of the noblest of Connecticut's loyal daughters, whose life was freely
given for the cause of her loved native land.
Harriet Foote Hawley, the beloved wife of General Hawley, reigns
supreme in the hearts of the people who knew of her loving, patriotic
services, for she was the friend of the Union soldiers during the war,
and never, to the last moment of her life, did she lose interest in them. As.
Comrade Griswold says, she, "like many others of the brave women of the
North, kept nothing back, but gave her loved ones to the country, and did
more, for she gave her time, yea, her life, for the cause she loved and the
raen who sustained upen the battlefield the flag of our country."
Harriet Ward Foote, daughter of George
A. Foote, was the oldest of ten children, and
was born at Guilford, Conn., on a New Eng
land farra — one of those farms en the rocky
hillside of which the natives say a man must
own 200 acres at least or he will starve te death.
"Her position," says a loving sister, "as oldest
of the fleck developed early the strong will
and active brain. She was motherly to the
brothers and sisters that followed her. Some
of the younger ones were puzzled as to which
was mother and which was sister, so thought
ful and painstaking was she with them."
It was in the spring of the year 1854,
while visiting the house of Mr. John Hooker, that she met her host's junior
law partner, Joseph R. Hawley. The young people were at once interested
in each other, and the darts of the sly god Cupid pierced both hearts and an
engagement resulted, which terminated in a most happy marriage consum
mated on Christmas Day, 1855, at her father's home in Guilford. From
that time until the breaking out of the war the loving couple dwelt in a
paradise of bliss in the city of Hartford.
Joseph Roswell Hawley was among the earliest to enlist in Hartford.
President Lincoln's first call was dated April 15th, x86i, and Hawley enlist
ed in the First Connecticut Infantry on April i8th. He was appointed

MRS. HARRIET FOOTE HAWLEY.

724 HISTORY AXD RE.MIXISCEXCES
Captain of Company A, and at once proceeded to the encampment at New
Haven. His wife heartily approved his action, and took upon herself the
duties of closing up their house and then returning to her girlhood's home
at Guilford. Her brother George had just enlisted and she wrote to a friend : ' ' He is
the best and the dearest, but I believe in no half sacrifices. Give God the
best and all. We woraen have to do the giving, though not the fighting."
Captain Hawley's enhstment was for three months, and he was with
his regiment receiving his baptism of fire at the first battle of Bull Run.
He wrote his wife that he thought of enlisting fer three years mere, and
she replied: "I am glad that you intend te fight out the war. It is what
I supposed you would de. A good captain such as I know you must be by
this time must be able to do raore good there than here."
She joined her husband in Beaufort, Noveraber, 1862, though he
had written frora Port Royal in the previous winter that it would be
possible for her to be with him. She, however, felt that she might be a
burden and a care, and so sacrificed her own feelings on the altar of duty.
She had ne sooner reached Beaufort than she found some work to do.
First it was to the negroes that she gave her attention, teaching them some
thing of civilization and liberty te which they were coming. Incidentally
she turned a deserted house into a home, and felt herself passing rich in
having three chairs, and using a washstand tumed en its side as a seat for
an occasional guest. She often spoke of her housekeeping difficulties, hav
ing nothing but army rations, with a few sweet potatoes added by way of a
luxury. But she stewed the hard bread with cheese and called it macaroni,
and then there were coffee and bacon, which were not bad, and occasionally
fresh meat when a stearaer frora the North brought any cattle for the army.
Colonel Hawley's regiment, the 7th Connecticut, was quartered along
side the First Light Battery, and the nuraber of Guilford boys in the
Battery made the place seera almost like home to her. "The Battery
beys, " says Comrade Griswold, "got inspiration from her and encourage
ment to stand by the flag and the Union. Her presence at the front and
the loving, devoted interest she always raanifested in the welfare of the
Connecticut soldiers did us all good."

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1.S61—1865 725
After a raonth at Beaufort the 7th Connecticut was ordered te Hilton
Head and from there te Fernandina, Florida. Colonel Hawley was in
command and Mrs. Hawley accompanied him, and again converted a
deserted house into a home-like place, luckily with a little more furniture
than at Beaufort. The house belonged to ex-Senator Yulee and was one
of the largest in the place. The regiraent was encamped in tents just
outside the town, the private houses being occupied as headquarters for
such of the officers as preferred houses to tents. Here Mrs. Hawley had
the company of seme of her own sex, for Mrs. Wayland, wife of the
chaplain; Mrs. Gardiner, wife of the Lieutenant-Colonel, and Mrs. Dennis,
wife of Captain Dennis, were there and constituted the only white female
society of the town.
It was at Fernandina that Mrs. Hawley commenced the work with
which her name has been associated.
She became a regular nurse in the hospital of the 7th Regiment, and
when the regiment was moved to St. Augustine she continued her work.
Colonel Hawley, anxious te see active service, was ordered with the gallant
7th to Morris Island, where the regiment did good service in the siege
of Charleston. Airs. Hawley could net accompany him there, and so found
a place in the Armory Square Hospital in Washington as nurse. The raen
who were worst wounded were sent there from the Army of the Potomac.
It was heart-rending work, so raany dying daily that even the lion heart
of the courageous Connecticut woman grew faint, but she continued the work,
never flinching, never growing weary in well-doing. Her womanly heart
almost bled at the sights she saw, the suffering she witnessed, but with the
soft, gentle touch of woman, with that angelic sympathy which leads the
soul to heaven's own gates, she soothed the sick, spoke words of comfort to
the dying, and her name was often the last word uttered by those whose
souls winged their way to the unseen world.
We often speak of heroism on the battlefield, but one can wonder
whether she who gave up her ease, her happy life, her freedora frora care to
endure the revolting sights of the hospital, to spend her days among the
dying and hear the groans of the tortured as her lullabies, was not the

726 HISTORY A.XD REMINISCENCES
greater hero. It raust have been heart-rending to spend one's time in the
hospitals during the war, where
"Narrow beds by one another —
White and low !
Through thera softly, as in church aisles,
Nurses go —
For the hot lips ice-drops bring.
Cold and clear;
Or white eyelids gently closing
For the bier.
Strong men, in a raoment smitten
Down from strength,
Brave men, now in anguish praying —
Death at length.
Burns the night-lamp where the watchers
By the bed.
Write for many a waiting loved one,
' He is dead!'"
When General Hawley was sent, in March, 1865, to Wilmington, N. C,
Mrs. Hawley accompanied him. At that tirae the returned prisoners
were being sent in frora Andersonville, and the faithful nurse had a
terrible experience. Over 9,000 prisoners were sent te Wilmington.
The men were half-starved, sick and covered with vermin when they were
brought ashore. ' ' No tongue can ever describe their condition, " wrote
Mrs. Hawley, and it was true, for not only was their condition so
appalling that it was impossible te show mercy later to their jailer, but they
had contracted jail fever, and it taxed the noble few to the utmost to
attend to them. Chaplain Eaton, of the 7th Connecticut, Mr. Tiffany and
five lady nurses sent by the Sanitary Commission did all they could, but
they were not half enough in nurabers for the work, for in addition to the
sick of the regiment and the returning prisoners. General Sherraan was
sending in scores of refugee negroes, who carried every possible disease into
carap. It was a terrible time, and !Mrs. Hawley wrote that the only bright
moment that dawned on them was when they heard that Richmond had
fallen and the end of the war was at hand.
General Hawley was sent te Richmond as chief of General Terry's
¦staff. With her husband she remained in the city fer several months. It

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 727
was during her stay there that she met with a severe accident while driving
with her uncle, Mr. Nelson Parraelee, of Guilford, to find the grave of his
son, her cousin. Captain Uriah N. Parraelee, ist Connecticut Cavalry, who
was killed at the battle of Five Forks. The injury she received at that time
crippled and invalided her fer life.
After the war she returned home, and then it was that her family learned
of the terrible experience she had passed through, and yet even then she
never told half her good deeds or of the many sacrifices she had raade.
When she was in the Armory Square Hospital at Washington she often
wrote to the Soldiers' Aid Society in Guilford for more supplies, and her
letters were read from the pulpit of the North Church as a part of the ap
peal for help from the society.
She was always a great friend and admirer of the First Connecticut
Light Battery. " Many a tirae, " writes Comrade Griswold, "have I been
sent to meet her when she was with us at the front, to learn from her news
of friends at heme. Fer twenty years of her life after the war, while suffer
ing from injuries she received at Richmond, she manifested an intense in
terest in the crippled and disabled soldiers, acting as their friend with the
Government and receiving what had been doled out to them without any
pecuniary reward. Well do I reraeraber her at the State encampment at
Niantic, in the 3''ear 1885, a few months before her death, supported en
crutches, going among the veteran soldiers and making inquiries as to their
welfare, and being especially anxious about those whose claims upon the
Governraent she was doing her best to have adjusted. Many a crippled and
disabled soldier has te thank her for her loving interest and persistent efforts
on his behalf. Surely she gave her life for her country as rauch as any one,
and the veterans of the First Light Battery will never forget Mrs. Hawley
and her noble career."
Her sister thus describes her: "In appearance Mrs. Hawley was
slight in figure, about five feet high, with gray-blue eyes and dark hair.
Her movements were quiet, graceful, and her manner and the expression of
her face carried out the grave simplicity and dignity of a well-bred person,
together with an atmosphere of strength and forcef ulness that made people
notice her even when they knew nothing of her."

7l's HISTORY .AND REMIXISCE.XCES
A tablet to her memory was placed on the wall of the Asylum Avenue
Congregational Church, Hartford, bearing the following inscription:
r.v THE grace of god
HARRIET FOOTE HAWLEY
LIVED A HELPFUL LIFE,
BRAVE, TF.NDER AND TRUE,
A SOLDIER AXD SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST.
BORN JUNE 25TH, 1831, .\T GUILFORD, CONN.
ENTERED INTO REST MARCH 3D, 1886, AT WASHINGTON, D. C.
TO HER MEMORV, SOLDIERS OF THE 7TH CONNECTICUT
PLACE IHIS TABLET.
Every Decoration Day her grave in Cedar Hill Cemetery at Hart
ford is raarked as a soldier's grave and always decorated with a profusion
of flowers. She lived not in vain ; she fulfilled a glorious mission; and a grateful
people will ever revere her narae.
" Let angels spread their wings above;
Let flowers forever bloom ;
Let bays, green bays, spring forth to mark
This raartyr's sacred tomb."

(^'^^

CHAPTER XLIII.

THE MUSTER ROLL OF HONOR.

HE State of Connecticut is proud of the record of the
First Light Battery, and the nation has an equal
right to be so, for during its three years and eight
months of active service it won the praise of regular
and volunteer officers, was frequently raentioned in
official reports, and was often selected from the
Artillery Brigade to fire over the skirmishers, few
batteries doing more of this difficult work than the

v t/'ST' f
First Connecticut Light Battery.
General Terry once said of it : "I will not say it is the best battery in
the service, but I will say it is the best I have ever seen."
In the "Record of Service of Connecticut Men During the War of the
Rebellion," compiled by authority ofthe General Assembly, it is recorded
that "on the department review. General Hunter, commander of the
Department of the South, expressed his surprise at the fine appearance
of the First Light Battery, and said he was not aware that he had so good a
battery in his department."
The muster roll of the members of the Battery will ever be treasured,
not only by the veterans theraselves, their children and future descendants,
but by the State and the nation. It is a muster roll of heroes.
Although taking part in 25 engagements, being constantly exposed on
the danger line, and in addition for 45 days under continued fire, both night
and day, in the Petersburg trenches, the casualties were remarkably sraall.
The records show two men killed on the field, 26 injured, one of whom
died from the effects of the wound, four discharged disabled and 20 died

730 HISTORY A.XD RE.MIXISCE.XCES
from disease while in the service — a total of only 52 in the three years and
eight months of the Battery's existence.
In the succeeding roster every care has been taken to insure accuracy.
The official records have been searched, and every surviving comrade and
the descendants of those who have passed away whese addresses were
obtainable have been written to, and many have responded, and their own
and ancestral militar}' records embodied in the roster.
It has been well said that to give the ancestral family history of the
merabers of the First Light Battery would be to write the history of New
England, for so many of them can lay claira te long descent that the sarae
names appear in the records of 1650 as are to be found in the roster of
X 86 1-65. The historian regrets that he has been unable to procure a portrait of
each of the merabers of the Battery, but has pleasure in publishing, through
the pages of the book and in this roster, "counterfeit presentments" of
127 of the comrades.
As the roster stands, with all its unavoidable imperfections, it is a
record of which none can feel ashamed, and other nations and future gen
erations will be able to see of what heroic men the First Light Battery was
composed. >i< ?J^ ^
CAPTAINS.
ALFRED P. ROCKWELL was born in Xerwich, Conn., October 15,
1834. His father was John A. Rockwell, of Norwich, who repre
sented that district in Congress from 1845 to 1849. He had
earlier been an efficient raeraber of the Connecticut State Senate.
The grandfather of the first Captain of the First Connecticut Light
Battery was Captain Charles Rockwell, who was in the merchant
service, and while in command of his ship, rendered some important
.service to the Governraent during the War of 18x2.
Captain Rockwell's maternal grandfather. Major Joseph
Perkins, of Norwich, was left fatherless just before the Revolution.
He was too young to take the field then and had passed the age

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l.sci—l.scj 731
limit when the War of 1812 broke out, but he rendered efficient
aid to the State in the militia.
The family traces its genealogy back to Deacon William
Rockwell, who came over from England in the schooner Mary and
John in 1630, and requested admission as a freeman of Boston
October x6, 1630. He died in 1640, leaving a widow, Susanna
Chapin Rockwell, and a large family. He was also the ancestor of
General Grant, through his daughter Ruth, who raarried Chris
topher Huntington.
On his mother's side General Rockwell is descended from John
Perkins, who landed in Boston in 1631, and was admitted a freeman
in 1637. Captain Alfred P. Rockwell was graduated from Yale College
in 1855. Made mining engineering his profession, and to that end
studied two years in the Scientific Department of Yale and three
years more in the mining schools of England and Germany. He
returned in x86o, and on December 3d, 1861, was coraraissioned by
Governor Buckingham 2d Lieutenant of the 2d Connecticut Light
Battery. As that battery had net been called for, he was temporar
ily attached to Captain Tidball's battery in the regular service in
Washington, serving without pay until commissioned Captain of the
First Light Battery, January 20, 1862. He was promoted Colonel of
the 6th Connecticut Volunteers June 18, 1864, proving himself a
very able and brave officer. He was proraoted Brigadier-General
by brevet March 13, 1865.
After the war General Rockwell resumed his profession and was
appointed Professor of Mining in the Sheffield Scientific School of
Yale. In x866 he was aid-de-carap on the staff of Governor Hawley,
of Connecticut. Later he becarae Professor of Mining in the Insti
tute of Technology in Boston. In 1872 he was made chairman of the
Board of Fire Commissioners of Boston, reorganizing the depart
ment and making it second to none in the country. In 1876 he was
chosen president of the Eastern R.R. Co., resigning in 1879 to be
come treasurer of the Great Falls Manufacturing Co. He resigned

732 HISTORY .A.XD REMINISCENCES
that position in x886, since which time he has been in ne active
business. General Rockwell has a great adrairation for the comrades who
served under him in the First Light Battery, and was elected pres
ident of the Veteran Association at its first reunion held at
Meriden in the year x868. * *
*
JAMES B. CLINTON, of Xew Haven, Conn., enhsted October 9, 1861;
mustered Sergeant October 26, 1861; promoted ist Sergeant
February 27, 1862; promoted 2d Lieutenant February 3, 1863;
promoted ist Lieutenant March 13, 1863 ; promoted Captain July
10, 1864. Mustered out of the United States service at Man
chester, opposite Richmond, Va., June n, 1865.
Captain Clinton had the honor of being the first captain of
patrol in the Confederate capital after its capture by the Union
troops. Captain Clinton is descended from Charles Clinton, a native of
Ireland, who settled in Ulster County, N. Y., in 1731. In 1756
Charles and two of his sons served with the English armies in the
OTtack on Fort Frentenac. His two sons joined the colonists and
both rose te the rank of Brigadier-General. De Witt Clinton,
whose statesraanship has left its impress on New York State, was
descended from one of the sens and Captain Clinton frora the other.
Captain Clinton's family settled in WaUingford, Conn., where
he was born. His father was a veteran of the New Haven Grays,
but young James enlisted in the Blues. He was always fond of read
ing military books, and especially those relating to the artillery.
While down South he joined a Georgia regiment, and en his
return North enlisted in the Highlanders, the 79th New York,
and received a commission in that regiment, but on hearing that
the Governor of Connecticut had authorized the formation of a
light battery, he was allowed to withdraw from the New York
regiment and enlist in the First Light Battery of his native State.
He has the honor of being an honorary member of the Highland
ers' Association.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865

733

FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
SELDEN T. PORTER, of Andover, Conn., was appointed by Governor
Buckingham, on October x, x86x, as one of four lieutenants to
recruit the First Light Battery. On
Noveraber 14 the Governor appointed
him ist Lieutenant, and he received
his commission dated November 26,
1861. After serving with great cour
age and daring fer fourteen months he
resigned his commission en January
31, 1863. Lieutenant Porter was born in He
bron, Conn. His father was a Lieu
tenant of an artillery company in the
War of 1 8x2. His grandfather served
in the War of the Revolution, and his
great-grandfather and his ancestors served in the Indian wars, the
family being araong the first settlers of the colony. Lieutenant
Porter lest his coraraission and honorable discharge papers in the
Pit Hole fire in the oil region. When Lieutenant PoTter left the
Battery he drilled the 2d Connecticut Light Battery and raarched
it to Harrisburg, Pa.
Lieutenant Porter has kindly sent a recent portrait from Orr,
Montana, in civilian dress, which will be welcomed by his eld
comrades, who can best recall him from his military portrait en
page 13.

JOHN S. CANNON, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted October i, x86x.
Was one of the four commissioned by Governor Buckingham to re
cruit the Battery; was mustered in the United States service October
26, 1861, and elected ist Lieutenant. Resigned October 6, 1862.
Lieutenant John S. Cannon, whose portrait appears en page
13, was born in the city of New Haven, Conn., in October, 1835.
His ancestors on his father's side were descended from the French

734 HISTORY A.XD RE.MINISCE.XCES
Huguenots, who carae to this country from the French West Indies
and settled at Stratford about the tirae of the revocation of
the Edict of Nantes, On his raother s side he is descended from
old Revolutionary stock, one of his ancestors, Caleb Trowbridge,
being a member of Benedict Arnold's company, which, on receipt
of the news of the battle of Lexington, marched frora Xew
Haven to Boston and joined the Continental army. He was at
the battle of Brooklyn, where he and most of his company
were taken prisoners. Lieutenant Cannon attributes his love of
country to the zeal and devotion inherited from his mother, a
woman of rare grace, patience and kindly heart. The breaking
out of the War of the Rebellion found him occupying a position of
trust in the commercial line at Baltimore, jNId. He resigned his
position and returned north.
Buckingham, the War Governor of Connecticut, was then
about organizing the First Light Battery, and in a personal inter
view with Lieutenant Cannon offered him a commission as First
Lieutenant, which he was loth to accept at first, for the reason that
he had not any experience in military affairs ; but the affable
Governor got over that difficulty by saying he expected te have a
West Point officer to command, an expectation that was destined
not to be realized, but a competent coraraander was found in the
person of Captain Alfred P. Rockwell. "The recruits went into
camp about the 20th of October at Hanover, near Meriden,
and it was a busy day long to be remembered. Pitching tents,
drawing rations, signing receipts for the quartermasters, and
answering questions upen which the interrogated was as ignorant
as the interrogator, the day passed rapidly away, and the evening
sun was slowly sinking over the hills to the west when the
Lieutenant became suddenly aware that he had had no dinner that
day," writes Corarade Cannon. From that time his life with the
Battery forms part of its history.
* *
*
GEORQE HETCALF, of Hartford, Conn., was one of the four com
missioned by Governor Buckingham to recruit the Battery. His

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, isci—l.scn 735
appointment was indorsed by the Battery, the merabers electing
him 2d Lieutenant, he received his commission on November
26, 1861. He was promoted xst Lieutenant February xo, 1863,
and was actively engaged with the Battery until the battle of
Procter's Creek, at which engagement he was wounded, dying
from the wound en the same day. May 14, 1864.
* *
*
QEORQE P. BLISS, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted October 5, 1861 ; was raus
tered Quartermaster Sergeant October 26, x86i. He was promoted
ist Sergeant February 3, 1863; 2d Lieutenant May 25, 1863; ist
Lieutenant June 19, 1864. He resigned his commission October 26,
1864, having served the full three years fer which he enlisted.
Lieutenant Bliss was born May 18, 1830, at Hebron, where
he received a common-school education. He comes of good old
patriotic stock, his great-grandfather having served his country as
a private soldier in the Revolutionary War. Lieutenant Bliss is a
carpenter by trade, and in that, as in everything else he is second to
none. Since the war he has served in both branches of the city
government of Northampton, Mass., one year as Councilman and
two years as Alderman. He is a raeraber of the Wooster Ledge
A. F. & A. M. of Colchester, Conn., and a raeraber of W. L. Baker
Pest No. 86 G. A. R., Department of Massachusetts.
* *
*
HEZEKIAH B. SMITH, of New London, Conn., enlisted in Rifle Ce.
C, 2d Connecticut Infantry, April 22, x86i; mustered in the United
States service May 7, 1861; mustered out August 7, 1861 ; enlisted in
the First Light Battery October 14, x86x ; mustered Sergeant Novera
ber 2, x86i; promoted Quartermaster Sergeant February 15, 1863;
promoted 2d Lieutenant June 12, 1863; promoted xst Lieutenant
August 29, 1864; resigned January 30, 1865.
Lieutenant Smith's record was one of which any man might be
proud. He was several times mentioned in official reports for
excellent service and bravery. On October 10, 1864, he was
detailed to perform the duty of Acting Assistant Adjutant-General,

730

HISTORY AND RE.MIXISCE.XCES

in addition to his duties as Acting Assistant Inspector-General of
the Light Artillery Brigade.
He never lost a day's duty through sickness and took part in
many important engagements, always with credit and honor to
hiraself. * *
»
SYLVANUS C. DICKINSON, of Milford, Conn., enlisted October
20, x86i; mustered Sergeant Xovember 2, x86i; proraoted xst
Sergeant May 25, 1863; proraoted 2d Lieutenant June 20, 1864;
proraoted ist Lieutenant November 16, 1864. Served with the
Battery through its entire existence and shared the honor of enter
ing the Confederate capital with the first troops ; mustered out of
the United States service at Manchester, near Richraond, Va. ,
June XX, 1865.
Comrade Dickinson was born in Milford, November 28, 1832,
being the son of Samuel W. and Sarah A. Clark Dickinson. His
father was a sailor from his boyhood, and served on a privateer
during the War of 18x2, when he was captured and later exchanged.
His grandfather Sylvanus, for whom Lieutenant Dickinson was
naraed, was an officer in Colonel Sheldon's Light Dragoons in the
War of the Revolution.

THERON UPSON is a native of Wolcott, Xew Haven County, Conn.
His great-grandfather was an officer
in the Revolutionary War and was in
the battle of Saratoga under General
Gates, at which engageraent the army
of General Burgoyne surrendered to
the Americans. At the beginning of the
Civil War he was residing in the city of
X'ew Haven. He enlisted as a private
in the Battery at the tirae of its organ
ization, October 5, i86x, and continued
in the service until the rauster-eut of
the organization in June, 1865.
When the Battery was ordered to James Island, S. C, in June,

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 737
1862, he was appointed corapany clerk, in which capacity he served
until his promotion to the position of ist Sergeant in Virginia in
June, 1864. On September 4, 1864, he was coraraissioned as 2d
Lieutenant, then on February 13, 1865, as ist Lieutenant. While
in front of Richmond, in July, 1864, he was assigned to staff
duty as aid to the Chief of Artillery of the 2Sth Army Corps.
Shortly afterward he was appointed Acting Assistant Adjutant-
General on the staff of the same officer, which position he
held until near the close of the war. While he was on staff
duty he was attached to Myrick's Battery of the regular army on the
first Fort Fisher expedition and witnessed the bombardraentof that
fort by the navy under Admiral Porter. When, shortly after Lee's
surrender, the Government decided te reduce the artillery branch of
the service and the Battery was ordered to be mustered out, he re
joined it at Manchester, Va., and was raustered out of the United
States service June xx, 1865.
On May 12, 1865, Capt. Loomis L. Langdon, Chief of Artillery
2Sth Array Corps, reported that Lieut. Theron Upson was the most
meritorious officer in the Light Artillery Brigade and recommended
his promotion by brevet.
Comrade Upson has kindly furnished a recent portrait, which
will be appreciated by the comrades who served with hira when he
looked like the portrait on page 17.
Lieut. Upson was the first historian of the First Light Battery,
and wrote the brief record of the organization for the Adjutant Gen
eral's official "Record of Connecticut Men in the War of the
Rebellion." Lieut. Upson has filled many positions with honor,
and is at present in the Insurance Department of the State of
Connecticut, at Hartford. >ii *i* ^
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
WILLIAM T. SEWARD comes frora good eld stock, his ancestor,
William Seward, being one of the earliest settlers in Guilford,
Conn., locating there about the year 1640. At that time the

r:',.s HISTORY AXD RE.MLXISCEXCES
Indians gave the settlers considerable trouble, making raids and
destroying property. Fer the protection of the community military
companies were formed, and William Seward was appointed one of
the first captains.
Major Seward's grandfather was a soldier in the Revolutionary
War, participating with great credit in the battle of Long Island.
His grandmother's father. Colonel Lee, also served with distinction
in the war for independence from its commencement te its close.
When the War of 1812 broke eut his father was in business in the
West India Islands, but patriotically gave up his business, and with
six friends purchased a small schooner and reached horae before the
close of the war. The journey horae was fraught with peril and
ended in considerable loss, for the schooner was captured off
Delaware and the owners only escaped a long iraprisonment by the
payraent of two doubloons each, all the raoney they were supposed
to possess. Anticipating trouble, Seward had suggested hiding the
bulk of their money in the old-fashioned cravats or stocks they
wore, the least likely place to be searched. He and his companions
were landed on the coast of Jersey, and Seward made his way home
as fast as possible. On arriving there he joined the Heme Guards
to protect the town from raids frora the British gunboats stationed
in the sound.
When the war of secession broke eut, Williara, an only sen,
enlisted without asking his parents' consent, for he feared they
would object; but when they learned of his intention they told him
that they were proud of his action and that they considered it a
sacred duty. Major Seward in speaking of this says: "No boy
ever had a heartier 'God bless and speed you' than I. My
parents' faith in the righteousness of the cause made them willing
te contribute their only bey. Had I fallen in the strife I know that
mother would have been certain of meeting me in the world above. "
Major Seward was elected 2d Lieutenant of the First Light
Battery, but left it on November i, 1S62, being promoted Quarter
master 7th Connecticut Volunteers. In 1864 he was again promoted,

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1.S61—1.S(15 739
becoming Captain and C. S. U. S. Volunteers. He resigned from
the service July 14, 1865, with the brevet rank of major.

ARTHUR E. CLARK, of Milford, Conn., enlisted in the Battery
October 13, 1861, and was mustered private November 2 of the
same year. Promoted Corporal July n, 1862; Sergeant May 25,
1863; re-enlisted veteran December 26, 1863; promoted ist
Sergeant September 4, 1864; 2d Lieutenant November 10, 1864.
Clustered out of the United States service at Manchester, near
Richmond, Va., June n, 1865, having had the honor of being with
the first troops to enter the Confederate capital.
Lieutenant Clark was born April 7, 1839. His ancestors
upon both sides settled in ]Milford early in the seventeenth
century. An ancestor, George Clark, was prominent in the affairs
of the locality, and received a grant of forty acres of land in
appreciation of his courage in building the first house outside the
palisades surrounding the village. A portion of that land still
remains in the family. One of Comrade Clark's ancestors on
his mother's side was Governor Robert Treat, who for several
years was Deputy Governor and for ^3 years Governor of what is
now the State of Connecticut. Another ancestor was Abram Clark,
who signed the Declaration of Independence. Lieutenant Clark's
father was one of the 1849 California pioneers. Several mera
bers of Lieutenant Clark's family died frora consuraption, and
it was frequently said when he enlisted that he feared the same
fate. Strange to say he has averted the dreaded curse living and
enjoying life in the thriving city of St. Paul, Minn. Comrade
Clark wrote very fully and with deep thoughtfulness in his diary
during the war, and the historian is deeply indebted to him fer
the valuable facts contained in the diary, which was placed at his
service. *
SAMUEL WILBUR SCRANTON was born in New Haven, Conn., in
1836. His ancestors on both sides served in the wars of the Revo-

r40

HISTORY A.XD REMIXISCEXCES

lution and of 1812 with distinction. When the Governor of Con
necticut called for volunteers for the First Light Battery, Lieutenant
Scranton enrolled hisname
October 27, 1861, and was
raustered private Novem
ber 2 ; he was promoted
Corporal May 20, 1862 ; re-
enlisted veteran December
19, 1863; promoted Ser
geant September 4, 1864;
2d Lieutenant February
13, 1865, and mustered out
of the United States serv
ice at Manchester, near
Richmond, Va. , June n,
1865, after having entered
the Confederate capital
with the first Union troops.
Lieutenant Scranton has furnished us with a recent portrait
which will be highly appreciated. His military portrait appears en
page 17.

* ^

^

ASSISTANT SURGEON.
¦QEORQE A. HURLBUT, of Glastonbur}-, enlisted December n, 1861,
and mustered into the organization as Assistant Surgeon December
17, 1861; when the Battery became a part of the Light Artillery
Brigade Dr. Hurlbut was promoted Surgeon xst Connecticut
Cavalry February 25, 1864, and was mustered eut August 2, 1865.

^

^

FIRST SERGEANTS.
HENRY QRO W, of Meriden, Conn, (see portrait and interesting experi
ence, page 80), enlisted October 15, 1861; mustered Sergeant

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865

741

October 26, i86x; promoted Quartermaster Sergeant May 5, 1863;
re-enlisted veteran December 19, 1863; promoted ist Sergeant
December 20, 1864; entered Richmond with the first troops, and
was mustered out of the United States service at Manchester, near
Richmond, Va., June n, 1865. Comrade Grow was injured while
raoving a gun on the EUwood Walter in January, 1862.

* *

CHARLES E. JILLSON, of Hartford, Conn, (see military portrait, page
41), enlisted in Company B, ist Con
necticut Infantry, April 19, 1861; mus
tered in Sergeant April 23, 1861 ; raus
tered eut July 31 of the sarae year.
Enlisted in First Light Battery Octo
ber 8, 1861 ; mustered xst Sergeant Octo
ber 26, 186 X ; honorably discharged Octo
ber 26, 1864, time expired. Sergeant
Jillson was of great service to the or
ganization at Carap Tyler, his previous
railitary experience enabling hira to

gi

ve the Battery its first instruction in the art of war.

ALEXANDER W, WELTON, of Cheshire, Conn., enlisted October 17,
i86x ; mustered Corporal October 26, i86x ; promoted Sergeant May
25, 1863; re-enlisted veteran Deceraber 19, 1863; proraoted Quarter
master Sergeant November 20, 1864; ist Sergeant April 12, 1865;
mustered out of the United States service at Manchester, near
Richmond, Va., June n, 1865, after seeing the Union flag raised
above the Capitol of the Confederate city of Richmond.

742 HISTORY A.XD RE.MIXISCEXCES
QUARTERMASTER SERGEANT.
JOHN CHAPMAN, of Windsor Locks, Conn., enlisted November 6,
iS6i; mustered private Xovember 14,
i86x ; proraoted Corporal May 25, 1863;
re-enlisted veteran December 19, 1863;
promoted Sergeant October 27, 1864;
proraoted Quarterraaster Sergeant
' April 12, 1865; mustered out of the
United States service at Manchester,
near Richmond, Va., April n, 1865.
He was with the troops who entered
the city of Richmond and took an active
part in the occupation of the Con
federate capital.
hj< ^ >J«
HOSPITAL STEWARD.
LOREN,ZO D. Mc LEAN, of Glastonbury, Conn, (see portrait, page
424), enlisted January 9, 1862; mustered Hospital Steward Febru
ary 5, 1862; honorably discharged, time expired, February 5, 1865.
Comrade ]McLean comes of good old patriotic stock. His father
served in the War of 181 2 in the State defense troops, and his great
grandfather '\vas one of the first to rally to the standard of General
Israel Putnam, and served as one of his bodyguard at the battle of
Bunker Hill.
Comrade McLean delights to recall his experiences in the
Battery. Once when he was sick with typhoid fever at Beaufort,
S. C, he says that he would certainly have died only for the heroic
attention given him by Dr. Hurlbut, who worked over him all
night. He says he owes his life to this special care and to the ten
der nursing by Comrade Griswold.

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, l.^Cl—hsCC, 743
SERGEANTS.
MORRISON BACON, of Simsbury, Conn., enlisted October 15, ,86x
mustered private October 26, x86x
re-enlisted veteran Deceraber 19, 1863
promoted Corporal October 27, 1864
promoted Sergeant November 20, 1864
mustered eut of the United States ser
vice at Manchester, near Richraond,
Va., June xx, 1865, rejoicing that he
had seen the overthrow of the rebellion
and the re-establishment of the United
States Government in the Southern
States.

HORATIO W. EVARTS, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted from Meriden
April 18, x86x, in Company F, 1st
Connecticut Infantry; mustered out, time
having expired, July 31, i86x; enlisted
in the First Light Battery from Guilford,
October 8, 1861 ; mustered Sergeant Octo
ber 26, x86i; honorably discharged Octo
ber 26, 1864, time having expired. He
went to live in Chicago in 187 1, where
he resided until his death, at the age of
50 years, March 12, 1890. He was buried
at Mount Hope Cemetery, Chicago, with
military honors. He was a meraber of
the George H. Thomas Pest No. 5 G. A. R. of Chicago.

* *
*

CHARLES W. GESNER, of New Haven, Conn, (see portrait and
interesting experience, page no), enlisted November 7, 1861;
mustered private November 14, i86x ; re-enlisted veteran, March

744

HISTORY .AXD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES

4, 1864; promoted Corporal November 20, 1864; Sergeant April
12, 1865; mustered out of the United States service at Manchester,
near Richmond, Va. , June n, 1865, having been with the
victorious Union troops when they entered the Confederate capital.
Sergeant Gesner's father was Orderly Sergeant in the New
York State militia, and his grandfather, Williara H. Gesner, was
Adjutant in the War of 181 2; his great-grandfather served his
countr}' as Colonel in the New York State militia. Sergeant Ges
ner's brother George served three years in the 6th Connecticut
Infantry during the war and rose to the rank of Lieutenant.
* *
*
HETHCOTE Q. LANDON, of Guilford, Conn, (see portrait, page
320), enlisted October 8, 1861; mustered Corporal October 26,
1861 ; promoted Sergeant INIay 25, 1863; honorably discharged
October 26, 1864, time of enlistment having expired.
* *
*
JOHN H. n ERWIN, of Milford, Conn, (see military portrait and in
cident, page 239), enlisted October 20,
x86x ; mustered Corporal November 2,
x86x ; promoted Sergeant February 15,
1863; honorably discharged Novem
ber 2, 1864, time expired.
Comrade Merwin is descended from
Miles Merwin, who settled at Milford
1645. An ancestor, Samuel Merwin,
was coraraissioned Ensign by order of
Connecticut Assembly May, 1778. Up
to 1834 six of the direct descendants of
Miles Merwin had graduated from Yale with honor.

/

«^ <»v.

.^"*

f

%-

JOHN nONARCH, of Manchester, Conn, (see portrait and incident,
page X06), enlisted October 21, x86x; mustered private November
2, 1 86 1 ; re-enlisted veteran December 19, 1863; promoted Corporal
October 27, 1864; promoted Sergeant April 12, 1865; mustered

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1S61—1S65 745
out of the United States service at Manchester, near Richmond,
Va., June n, 1865, after having been with the first troops te enter
Richmond. * *
*
QEORQE W. PENHALLOW, of New London, Conn, (see portrait,
page 570), enlisted December 2, 1861; mustered private December
3, x86x ; was injured in September, 1862, at Beaufort, S. C. ; re-en
listed veteran December 19, 1863; proraoted Corporal Septeraber
4, 1864; Sergeant Noveraber 20, 1864; mustered out of the United
States service at Manchester, near Richmond, Va. , June xx, 1865.
He had seen the flag he so loved raised over the Confederate
capital. * *
EDWARD F. PHELPS, of East Windsor, Conn., enlisted November
6, 1861; mustered Corporal November 14, i86t; promoted Ser
geant May 25, 1863; honorably discharged November 13, 1864,
time expired. * *
*
MATTHEW RALSTON, of Hartford, Conn., enlisted August 30, 1864;
mustered private same day; promoted Corporal November 20,
1864; promoted Sergeant February 19, 1865; raustered out June
II, 1865. * *
*
CHARLES A. SYKES, of Hatfield, Mass., enlisted October 3, i86x;
mustered private October 26, 1861; reenlisted veteran Deceraber
19, 1863; promoted Corporal October 27, 1864; promoted Sergeant
November 7, 1864; raustered out of the United States service at
Manchester, near Richmond, Va. , June xx, 1865, having been with
the victorious troops who entered the city of Richraond and raised
the Union flag over the Capitol. « *
*
REUBEN SPENCER, of Farraington, Conn., enlisted October 12, x86i;
mustered Sergeant November 2, i86x; died of disease at Beaufort,
S. C, July 5, 1862, aged 35.

746 HISTORY A.XD REMI.XISCE.XCES
ANDREW H. TURNER, of Xew Haven, Conn, (see portrait and
incident, page 185), enlisted October 27, 1861; mustered private
X'ovember 2, i86x ; promoted Corporal May 25, 1862; reenlisted
veteran December 19, 1863; promoted Sergeant October 27, 1864;
mustered out of the United States service at Manchester, near
Richmond, Va. , June n, 1865, after having entered the Confeder
ate capital with the victorious Union troops.
Sergeant Turner's father was a native of Virginia, but left that
State and settled in Connecticut while a young child. He married
a daughter of Joseph Holt, whese grandfather, Edward Geodsell,
was in the War of the Revolution, and being taken prisoner was
confined on a prison ship in New York harbor fer a year. He was
paroled or exchanged and returned te his home in East Haven, a
walking skeleton; reduced to that condition by insufficient feed and
cruel treatment on the ship. He only lived two weeks after his
return home. * *
ELIJAH C. TUTTLE, of Xew Haven, Conn., enlisted October 7, x86x;
raustered Corporal ; promoted Sergeant June n, 1862; wounded at
the Battle of Proctor's Creek, Va., May 14, 1864; honorably
discharged October 26, 1864, time expired.
Comrade Tuttle was bom in New Haven in 1822. He was on
the police force at the time of his enlistraent, equally brave in
civilian life as on the field of battle.

^ >J< >J<

CORPORALS.
WARREN H. BISSELL, of Hebron, Conn, (see portrait and interest
ing incident, page 86), enlisted October 3, i86x ; mustered Corporal
October 26, 1861; honorably discharged October 25, 1864, time
expired. Corporal Bissell is descended from an old Huguenot
family who fled from France to England to escape religious

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 7S61—1.S(:5 747
persecution, and later to this country. The family seeras te have
been wedded to the sea, sending forth through each succeeding
generation sturdy sailors who were as fearless as their forefathers.
Corporal Bissell was one of the founders of the Battery Religious
Association and remained an active member until he left the
Battery Noveraber, 1863, being detailed to the hospital service at
Knight's Hospital, New Haven, where he remained until honorably
discharged at the expiration of his term of service. He entered the
Christian rainistry and is a resident of Williraantic, Conn.

GEORQE M. BARBER, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted Augu.st 14, 1862;
mustered private same day ; promoted Cor
poral Noveraber 20, 1864; raustered out of
the United States service at Manchester,
near Richraond, Va., June n, 1865. He
was with the Battery when it entered the
Confederate capital with the first Union
troops. Corporal Barber was born in Hebron,
March 4, 1845. He comes of a patriotic
faraily and is much respected in South
Manchester, where he now resides.

JOHN F. BLISS, of Hebron, Conn, (see portrait and exciting experi
ences, page 243), enlisted October 5, i86x ; mustered Corporal
October 26, 1861; honorably discharged October 26, 1864, tirae
expired. Corporal Bliss is descended frora an old New England
family, whose members were always ready to fight fer their
country.

74S

HISTORY AXD RE.MIXISCEXCES

HERBERT W. BEECHER, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted in the
First Light Battery November 29, 186 1; mustered private Decem
ber 6, x86x; proraoted Cor
poral May 25, 1863; honor
ably discharged Deceraber 6,
1864, time expired.
Corporal Beecher, the son
of Abram T. Beecher, spent
thirteen years of his early life
in Virginia. He traces his
family back in direct line to
John Beecher, who was one
of the company, headed by
the Rev. John Davenport,
who left England and landed
in Boston in 1637. The Dav
enport company declined to
sta}' with the Pilgrims in
Massachusetts, but explored the coast of Xew England and be
came the original colonizers of Quinnapiac, which comprised the
towns of Xew Haven, Guilford, Milford, Stamford and Branford.
The familv distinguished itself during several generations assist
ing in arranging treaties with the Indians, defending the colony
against unfriendly natives and in social and religious matters. In
the records of the Connecticut Asserably, the following resolution is
found under date of October, 1776:
" This Asserably do establish David Beecher to be Captain of
the 1 6th Corapany, or trainband, in the 2d Regiraent in this State."
Captain David Beecher did not enjoy the longevity for which
his family was famous. He died young and is buried at Bethany,
Conn. He was the great-grandfather of Corporal Beecher, of the
First Light Battery.
Comrade Beecher's elder brother was Corporal Franklin K.
Beecher, of the 15th Connecticut Infantry, who died from yellow
fever, contracted while nursing the sick in the hospital, 1864.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1S61—1.S(;5 749
Corarade Beecher's patriotism was very raarked. His parents
were residing in Virginia, and he therefore knew the state of feeling
there. Self-interest raight have caused the family to go with the
State, even though believing in the federal Union, but patriotism
and loyalty triumphed ever self-interest, and two of the sens offered
themselves as citizen soldiers to defend and help perpetuate the
Union. Comrade Beecher's portrait taken while he was at the front
with the Battery appears on page 282.
After the war Corporal Beecher suffered considerable loss by
the great fire in Chicago, 1871, losing many valuable war documents,
araong which was his discharge paper, which bore the signature of
General Butler.
He has always felt a deep interest in the First Light Battery,
and in presenting this record of its doings during the great War of
the Rebellion, he testifies to his sympathy with his old comrades and
rejoices with them in the results gained by the nation through the
war in which he and they took such an active part.

CHARLES Q. BURNHAM, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted in Company
^^ _ G, 13th Connecticut Infantry, November
- 12, 1861 ; raustered Sergeant December 22,
1861 ; honorably discharged, through sick
ness, June X, 1862; when he regained his
health he enlisted in the First Connecti
cut Light Battery August 13, 1862; mus
tered private sarae day; promoted Cor
poral November 20, 1864; discharged by
order of the Secretary of War March 6,
1865.

^.¦

750 HISTORY A.XD RE.MLXISCEXCES
HENRY A. DODD, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted December 21, 1863;
- mustered private sarae day; promoted
,3: Corporal Noveraber 20, 1S64; raustered
'. out June n, 1865.
Comrade Dodd was one of the first to
respond to the call fer recruits te fill up
the Battery and he proved his patriotism
while with the comrades in the field.
Comrade Dodd resides at New Ro-
-.,:• chelle, N. Y.

J|OSE_PH R. DOOLITTLE, of Southington, Conn, (see portrait and
incident, page 141), enlisted from Cheshire in Company C, 3d
Connecticut Infantry, April 24, 1861 ; mustered private May 14,
x86x; honorably discharged August 12, 1861, time expired.
Enlisted in the First Light Battery October 18, x86x ; mustered pri
vate October 26, 1861 ; honorably discharged through sickness Feb
ruary 17, 1863; re-enlisted January 2, 1864; promoted Corporal No
vember 20, 1864; raustered eut of the United States service at
Manchester, near Richmond, Va., June xx, 1865, having fought in
the first battle of the war and seen its close when the troops entered
Richmond. Corporal Joseph Doolittle was born May 23, 1842, the youngest
of nine children, five boys and four girls. Four of the sons were in
the war, serving with credit to themselves and honor to the State.
His ancestors were farmers in Cheshire, Corporal Doolittle's grand
father fighting in the War of the Revolution and rising to the rank
of Major. Corporal Doolittle was at the first battle of Bull Run
with the 3d Connecticut. His brothers Amasa and Horace served
in the First Light Battery; his brother Henry was in the 20th
Connecticut Infantry.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, lS61—1.^6r> 751
Corporal Joseph Doolittle obtained a furlough for thirty days
in January, 1865, and on the 20th of that month he married Cornelia
H. Paddock, of Cheshire. He has two sons who have inherited the
patriotic ardor of their father, fer the eldest, Lewis Joseph, served
five years in the Connecticut National Guard, rising from private in
Company G, ist Regiment, to ist Lieutenant of the same. During
the Spanish-American War he served as 2d Lieutenant, and on his
return home was elected xst Lieutenant of the regiment and
received the commission. He is now on the retired list of officers
of the State with the rank of Lieutenant.

AflASA L. DOOLITTLE, of Cheshire, Conn., enlisted December
I, 1861; mustered private December 4, i86x; promoted Corporal
May 25, 1863; re-enlisted veteran Decem
ber 26, 1863; mustered out of the United
States service at Manchester, near Rich-
mend, Va., June ix, 1865. He was proud
to the day of his death te recall his entry
with the victorious Union troops into
Richraond. Corporal Araasa L. Doolittle was born
in Cheshire in 1833, and was the eldest
son of Amasa Lewis Doolittle, of Chesh
ire, and brother of Corporal Joseph
and Private Horace Doolittle, of the First Light Battery, and
Henry Doolittle, of the 20th Connecticut Infantry.

*

CHARLES E. EVARTS, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted from Meriden in
Company F, ist Connecticut Infantry, April 18, x86i; raustered

HISTORY .A.XD REMIXISCE.XCES

April 22, 1861; mustered out, time expired, July 31, 1861; enlisted
in the First Light Battery October 9, 1861 ;
mustered private October 26, 1861; re
enlisted veteran December 19, 1863; pro
moted Corporal April 12, 1865; mustered
out of the United States service at Man
chester, near Richmond, Va., June n,
1865. He fought for the Union from the
first te the last and entered the Confeder
ate capital with the veteran troops.
Corporal Evarts and his brother. Ser
geant Horatio Evarts, saw sorae good serv
ice with the xst Connecticut, for that regi
ment bore the brunt of a good deal of the
fighting at Bull Run, being highly compli
raented by General Tyler. Corporal Evarts was slightly wounded
in the last general engageraent in which the Battery took part on
the Darbytown road, a sharpsheoter'sbullet inflicting a flesh wound
in his right arm. He was born at Guilford, August 27, 1839.

«

^

QEORQE GILLETTE, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted October 5, x86i;
mustered private October 26, 1861 ; re-en
listed veteran December 19, 1863; pro
moted Corporal October 27, 1864, mus
tered out of the United States service at
Manchester, near Richmond, Va, June
n, 1865. He was with the Battery when
it entered the Confederate capital, and did
good service in helping te restore order.
Corarade Gillette served in every capaci
ty during his connection with the Bat
tery, and frequently acted as Sergeant

after his promotion to the rank of Corporal.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865

753

WILLI AH L. GRAHAH, of Milford, Conn., enlisted Novemberis, 1861,
mustered Corporal the sarae day; died at Beaufort, S. C, April 20,
1863, aged 45 years. * *
*
TITUS A. HALL, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted October 9, 1861; raustered
private October 26, 1861; re-enlisted vet
eran March 4, 1864; promoted Corporal
December 27, 1864. Was with the Bat
tery when it entered the Confederate
capital, and did most excellent work in
helping te restore order in the conquered
city. He was mustered out of the United
States service at Manchester, near Rich
mond, Va. , on June n, 1865.
Corporal Hall was born in Guilford,
Conn., May 3, 1843, and was the son of
Drum-major Augustus Pratt Hall.

WILLIAH HENRY HOLHAN, of Winsted, Conn., enlisted November
18, i86x; mustered private November 23, 1861; re-enlisted veteran
March 4, 1864; promoted Corporal April
12, 1865; raustered out of the United
States service at Manchester, near Rich
mond, Va. , June n, 1865.
He tells with honest pride how the
Battery was with the first troops to enter
the Confederate capital.
Corporal Holman was born June 30,
1840, at North Wayne, Me. His father.
Waters Holman, was born in 1796, and
though only 16 years old enlisted in the
War of 18x2. He also served in the
Aroostook War. He was the first te make
scythes in the State of Maine, and one, on which his name is en-

7:>A

HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES

graved, is kept in the State House at Augusta, Me. One of
Corporal Holman 's ancesters was Colonel Jonathan Holman, who
was born in 1732, and served in the French and Canadian wars
and in the War of the Revolution. He was a personal friend of
George Washington and was with him at Trenton, Bennington
and Germantown. The British officers used to say that they
would rather see the devil coming than Col Jonathan Holman
on his old white horse.
Corporal Holman's ancestors, Solomon, John, David, Edward
and Stephen Holraan, served with distinction in the colonial wars,
and Colonel Jonathan, John, Samuel, Stephen, Abel, Daniel, Elisha
and Jonathan (junior) Holraan took active part in the War of the
Revolution. Corporal Helraan's grandfather was Daniel Holman,
an officer of the War of the Revolution.
His ancestors had fought well and bravely to establish the re
public, and he was equally patriotic in helping te save it from dis
ruption and dishonor.

JAMES HOLLY, of Windsor Locks, Conn., enlisted November 6,
i86x; mustered private November 14, 1861; promoted Corporal
May 25, 1863; honorably discharged No
vember 13, 1864, time expired.
Comrade Holly proved himself a true
here at the battle of Secessionville (see
Chapter VIL). Although he had been ill
for some days, he was determined te go
with the Battery into its first engagement.
He was a driver in the centre section, and
his escape from death when the horses
were killed was almost miraculous, but
through it all he remained calm and col
lected, never flinching, though men were
falling on all sides and the shells were
bursting close to the guns and caissons.

^^F

\

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1861—1865 755
CHARLES A. HOTCHKISS, of New Haven, Conn, (see portrait, page
3x3), enlisted October 6, i86x ; mustered musician October 26, x86i ;
reenlisted veteran December 26, 1863; promoted Corporal Novem
ber 7, 1864; mustered out June n, 1865.
No corarade was more joyous over the occupation of Richmond
than Comrade Hotchkiss. His experiences are recorded in Chap
ter XXXVII. Corporal Hotchkiss was born in New Haven in the year 1831.
During his three years and eight months' service he kept a very
full and complete diary, which his widow placed at the disposal of
the historian of the Battery. It has proved that Corporal Hotchkiss
was exceedingly clear-sighted, and his observations have proved
of the greatest value to the historian in preparing this history.
* *
*
HENRY n. HUNTINGTON, of Milford, Conn, (see portrait and
exciting incidents, page 245), enlisted Noveraber 19, x86x; mustered
Corporal the same day; honorably discharged November 19, 1864,
time expired.
Corporal Huntington was born in Bethany, Conn., in the year
1832, and was the son of a Presbyterian clergyman, who graduated
at Yale in the year 1806. He was descended from Henry Hunting
ton, who landed at Boston frora England in 1633. Frora that tirae
the Huntington faraily has been a distinguished one. Savage in
his " First Settlers in New England" says: " Descendants of this
raan Huntington have been of the most reputable character in civil
and ecclesiastical and military services, especially in the War of
Independence." Up to the year 1834 38 of his descendants had
graduated at Yale, 4 from Harvard and 8 from other New England
colleges. Corporal Huntington's grandfather rendered the nation valu
able aid on the sea. His father was as distinguished as a preacher
as his grandfather had proved himself on the sea. Corporal Hun
tington was for three years en duty every day, often exposed te the
greatest danger, he being detailed to posts where great courage and
cool nerve were needed.

756 HISTORY A.XD RE.MIXISCEXCES
When Corporal Huntington's tirae expired he was commanding
a gun in a redoubt directly in the middle of the New Market road,
from which he was relieved at sundown and at once received his
honorable discharge. *
CHARLES W. LANE, of Madison, Conn, (see portrait and exciting
adventure, page 689), enlisted Noveraber 26, 1861; mustered
private the sarae day; re-enlisted veteran December 19, 1863;
promoted Corporal February 19, 1865 ; mustered out of the United
States service at Manchester, near Richraond, Va., June n, 1865.
He was with the first troops to enter the Confederate capital and
saw the Union flag raised over the Capitol.
* *
*
HENRY S. LAWRENCE, of Meriden, Conn, (see portrait, page 166),
enlisted October 9, 1861; raustered private October 26, i86x;
promoted Corporal May 25, 1863; honorably discharged October
26, 1864, tirae expired.
Corporal Lawrence was born in Meriden, Conn., January 30,
1837. His great-grandfather, with three brothers, came from
England prior to the War of Independence and settled at Rocky
Hill, Conn. When the war broke eut they all entered the Revo
lutionary army. Two of the brothers were taken prisoners by the
British and were confined in the hold of a prison ship. The
ill-treatment they received and the administration of a slow poison
so underrained their strength that they died within a few weeks
after their return home. * *
*
ALFRED E. LEONARD, of Hebron, Conn, (see portrait on page
423), enlisted October 5, 1861; mustered private October 26, 1861;
reenlisted veteran December 19, 1863; was wounded at the battle
of Proctor's Creek, Va., May 14, 1864; promoted Corporal February
19, 1865 ; raustered out of the United States service at Manchester,
near Richmond, Va., June n, 1865, after having been with the
triumphant Union troops when they entered the Confederate capital.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1S61-1S65 757
THOMAS M. LORD, of New Haven, Conn., enhsted November 3,
1861; mustered Corporal November 14, 1861; honorably discharged
November 13, 1864, tirae expired.
Corporal Lord's grandfather served in
the War of the Revolution and was with
Washington at Valley Forge, Trenton,
and when he crossed the Delaware.
Inheriting the patriotism of his father.
Corporal Lord's father was Captain of a
militia company in the War of 1812, but
did not see active service, the company
being ordered back to Saybrook te defend
the coast against a threatened attack.
Corporal Lord wanted to enlist in the
Mexican War, but his faraily strongly
opposed it, and so he waited until the War
of the Rebellion broke out before showing his martial ardor.

JONATHAN G. NORTON, of Guilford, Conn, (see portrait and
account of his death, page 285), enlisted October 22, x86x ; mustered
private Noveraber 2, i2.6i; proraoted Corporal May 25, 1863; died
at Folly Island October 14, 1863, aged 2S years.
* *
*
HENRY RICH, of Meriden, Conn., enlisted in Company F, ist Connecti
cut Infantry, April 18, x86i; mustered private April 22; mustered
out July 31, x86x, time expired. Enlisted in the First Light Battery
October 26, x86i ; mustered Corporal November 2, x86x ; re-enlisted
veteran December 22, 1863; mustered eut of the United States
service at Manchester, near Richmond, Va., June xx, 1865, having
been with the victorious troops who entered the Confederate
capital. *
WILLIAM D. SHEPARD, of New London, Conn., enlisted October 7,
j86i ; mustered Corporal November 2, 1861 ; honorably discharged
November 2, 1864, time expired.

(,i8

HISTORY A.XD REMI.XISCEXCES

HENRY P. SMITH, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted October 7, x86i;
raustered private October 26, x86x; re-enlisted veteran December
19, 1863; proraoted Corporal October 27, 1864; mustered out of the
United States service June n, 1865, at Manchester, near Rich
mond, Va. , after having entered the Confederate capital with the
victorious troops. * *
*
CHARLES SMITH, of East Windsor, Conn., enlisted November 12,
1864; mustered private same day; promoted Corporal April x,
1865 ; mustered out of the United States service June n, 1865.
* *
*
GEORGE VAN HORN, of Milford, Conn., enlisted in Company D, ist
Connecticut Infantry, April 21, x86i;
mustered private April 22, and mus
tered out July 31, 1861, time expired.
Enlisted in the First Light Battery
October 20, 1861; mustered private
Xovember 2, x86x; proraoted Corporal
Xoveraber 23, 1863; honorably dis
charged November 2, 1864, time ex
pired. Corporal Van Horn was the first man
te enlist from the town of Milford. He
often told how he enlisted on Sunday,
arrived in Washington with his regi
ment en Sunday, fought his first battle on Sunday and arrived
horae on Sunday. He was born in the town of Milford Decem
ber 25, 1841.

^

^

MUSICIANS.
CHARLES F. H EN DEE, of Hartford, Conn., enlisted August 25, 1862;
raustered in rausician same day; mustered outjune n, 1865.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—l.sn5 759
ALONZO TAYLOR, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted October 5, 1861; raus
tered rausician October 26, 1861 ; re-en
listed veteran December 19, 1863; mus
tered out of the United States service June
IX, 1865, at Manchester, near Richmond,
Va., after having entered the Confederate
capital with the first Union troops.
Corarade Tayler was full of life and
vivacity, proving himself a good compan
ion and efficient soldier, giving up the
bugle in order [te take mere active duty
in the ranks.

T T '^.i T
ARTIFICERS.
GEORGE S. BISSELL, of Vernon, Conn., enlisted November 22,
1861 ; mustered in December 2, x86x ; re-enlisted veteran December
26, 1863; honorably discharged August 5, 1865.

LEEDS BROWN, of East Granby, Conn., 'enlisted October 25, x86i; mus
tered in November 2, x86x ; honorably dis
charged Noveraber 2, 1864, tirae expired.
Artificer Leeds Brown came frora
Quaker stock and was the first raember of
his family to use carnal weapons in main
tenance of right.
Comrade Brown was a deep thinker
on religious subjects, and many a pleasant
hour was spent listening to his arguments
with different comrades. In ball games
he proved himself an expert in catching
the ball, astonishing and amusing the
comrades by his daring and science.

r60

HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES

WILLIAM H. HANNA, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted October 5, i86x;
mustered in October 26, 1861; honorably discharged, through
physical disability. May 27, 1863.

JOHN R. HULL, of Bridgeport, Conn., enlisted October 14, x86x;
mustered in November 2, 1861; reen
listed veteran December 29, 1863; honor
ably discharged July 24, 1865. He had
rendered very efficient service to the Bat
tery and proved his patriotisra in many
ways. Artificer Hull was born in Sussex
County, X. J., August n, 1830; his pater
nal grandfather was an American born,
but his maternal grandfather was Scotch-
A portrait of Comrade Hull taken during
the time of his service with the Battery
appears on page 196. Comrade Hull holds a responsible position
in the Soldiers' Horae at Noroten Heights, Conn.
* *
*
HARVEY N. JOHNSON, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted October 5, x86i;
raustered in October 26, x86x ; honorably
discharged October 26, 1864, time ex
pired. Comrade Johnson was born June 2,
1835, at Hebron, Conn. His faraily had
long been residents of the town and proved
their patriotisra in many ways. The com
rade was a genial-hearted man, ever
ready to take his share in the amusements
as well as the serious work of the Bat
terv.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY. 1861-1S(;5 761
JAMES J. TAYLOR, of Hebron, Conn,, enlisted October 5, 1861;
mustered in November 25, x86x ; died at Beaufort, S. C, October 8,
1862, aged 23 years, *h >i^ *i<
WAGONER.
JOHN E. ALBRO, of East Windsor, Conn, (see portrait and account
ofhis being wounded, page 258), enlisted October 10, i86x ; raustered
in November 14, 186 1; was wounded July 16 at James Island, S. C. ;
reenlisted veteran December 26, 1863; mustered out of the United
States service at Manchester, near Richmond, Va., June n, 1865,
after having seen the triumph of the Union and been with the
victorious troops that were first to enter the Confederate capital.
Corarade Albro was born in Winsted, Conn., in 1823. His
great-grandfather served in the War of the Revolution frora the
firing of the first shot to the declaration of peace. His grandfather
enlisted in the War of x8i2, but saw ne service, as peace was
declared thirty days after he entered the service. Comrade Albro
points te the fact with pardonable pleasure that "there were no
Tories in my faraily." ^ »J< ^
PRIVATES.
OLIVER K. ABELS, of East Granby, Conn, (see portrait and exciting
incidents at the battle of Secessionville, page 157, also incidents
at Fort Stedman, page 566), enlisted November 7, i86x; mustered
in United States service November 13, 1861; honorably dis
charged November 13, 1864, time expired.
After the war Comrade Abels lived for a short time at
Ottumwa, Iowa, but later moved to San Jose, Cal., where he still
resides. During the war he was an excellent soldier, a good companion,
an able nurse, ever ready to give his services to those who were in

762 HISTORY AXD REMIXISCEXCES
need. He was very observant, and his diary, placed at the disposal
of the historian, has proved to be of the greatest value in com
piling this history. * *
*
HENRY S. ALLEN, of Xew Haven, Conn., enlisted October 20, 1861;
mustered in United States service Xovember 21, 1861 ; honorably
discharged, through sickness caused by exposure, January 8, 1862.
Comrade Allen afterward enlisted on August 8, 1862, and was
mustered in August 25, 1862, in Company i, 15th Connecticut
Infantry. He was captured by the enemy March 8, 1865, and sent to
Libby Prison, in Richraond, but after two weeks' residence at the
inhospitable "Hotel Libby," he and his fellow corarades of the regi
ment were paroled March 26 and returned te Kinsten, and was
mustered eut at Xewbern June 27, 1865.
* *
*
EUGENE ATWATER, of Plymouth, Conn., enlisted October 23, 1861;
mustered in Xovember 2, x86x; honorably discharged November
2, 1864, time expired. On the same day he enlisted in the 6th
Connecticut Infantry and was mustered xst Lieutenant of Corapany
E on December 23, 1864; promoted Captain Company D Februarj'
13, 1865 ; mustered out of United States service at Raleigh, N. C,
August 21, 1865. * *
CURTIS BACON, of Simsbury, Conn., enlisted October 15, 1861;
mustered in United States service October 26, 1861; re-enlisted
veteran December 19, 1863; wounded at Proctor's Creek, Va., May
15, 1864, when the wheel was struck (see page 434); died in
hospital, from gangrene caused by the wound, July 10, 1864, aged
25 years. * *
EDWIN S. BAILEY, of Hebron, Conn., enhsted November 30, i86x;
mustered in December 2, x86x ; honorably discharged Deceraber 2,
x86j. time expired.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1S61—LS65. 763
QEORQE W. BAIRD, of Milford, Conn., enlisted August 25, 1862;
mustered in same day; transferred to
41st Company, 2d Battalion Veteran
Reserve Corps, Deceraber 19, 1863;
promoted Colonel 32d Regiraent United
States Colored Infantry March 18, 1864;
honorably discharged August 22, 1865,
time expired.
Colonel Baird's experience is unique
in the railitary history of the United
States, inasmuch as his is the only case
known in our army of a soldier being
promoted direct from a private to a
colonelcy.
While Comrade Baird was in the Invalid Corps on duty in
the hospital at New Haven, application was made to have him
returned to the Battery. General Casey's board was in session
at Washington, D. C, examining applicants fer comraissions in
the colored regiraents. Corarade Baird appeared before the
board and was given a Colonel's ceramission for having passed
the best examination of any one they had exarained.
Colonel Baird is descended from the widow Martha Baird,
or Beard, as the narae was originally written, whose husband
died on the passage from England in 1638, leaving her to
care for three sons and three daughters. She was one of the
original settlers of Milford, Conn. Colonel Baird left Yale te
enlist in the First Light Battery, and in relating his experiences he
says: "Of course the change from the scansion of Greek hexam
eters and the study of the calculus and such like pursuits at
Yale to currying horses, going en guard with a classic Reman
sword and camping with the 'so-called left section roughs' marks
an era in my personal history." Colonel Baird watched the
Battery's work with a great amount of interest, and in a letter
written August 6, 1900, he says: "Except the squadrons under
Dewey and Schley, I do not know of any force that accomplished so

764

HISTORY .A.XD REMIXISCENCES

rauch with so little loss as the First Connecticut Light Battery did
in its history, and the cause was the same in all three cases — the
skill of the ' men behind the guns.' The 'men behind the guns
de net become skillful under incompetent commanders. Rockwell
was an exacting officer and a good commander, and he put an
impress upon the Battery, especially fer rapid and accurate
shooting, that was a large factor in its history." Colonel Baird is
now an Assistant Paymaster-General United States Army and
resides at Washington, D. C.

BRADLEY BARLOW, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted November 28,
1861 ; mustered in December 6,i86x ; honorably discharged Decem
ber 6, 1864, time expired.

A

SAMUEL BARNES, of Cheshire, Conn., enlisted December 2, x86i; mus
tered in December 6, 1861; honorably
discharged December 6, 1864, time ex
pired. Comrade Barnes comes from patriotic
stock. He was born in Middletown,
Conn., in 1838. His father served in
the war of secession as private in Com
pany E, 14th Connecticut Infantry, and
his brother, Ansell J. Barnes, was Corporal
in the xoth Connecticut Infantry. His
grandfather, Josiah Barnes, was a private
in the Revolutionary army, and after in
dependence was won loved to talk of the adventures of that war.
One day Josiah Barnes and a fellow comrade were standing talk
ing when a cannon-ball came rolling down the road. The soldier
who stood close to Barnes put out his foot to stop the ball and
lost his foot in consequence.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l.s(!l-l.S(;5

765

ALFRED Q. BISHOP, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted October 9, 1861;
mustered in the United States service
October 26, i86x. At the battle of Seces
sionville, June 16, 1862, he was in the hot
test of the fight, and the severe service and
consequent exposure brought on a sickness
which led to his being invalided home.
He was honorably discharged October i,
1862. Comrade Bishop was born in Guilford,
Conn., October 19, 1843. His father was
Captain of one of the militia companies that
formed the escort of General La Fayette
when he visited this country in 1824. He
was a prorainent citizen of Guilford. After the war Comrade
Bishop obtained employment in New York City and is now
one of its most esteemed business men. He takes the greatest
interest in the welfare of the corarades with whora he served
during the early part of the war.

CHARLES N. BISSELL, of Hebron (see portrait and account of his be
ing wounded, page 416), enlisted October 7, 1861 ; mustered in Octo
ber 26, 1861 ; wounded at Proctor's Creek, Va., May 14, 1864, losing
his right arm. He was honorably discharged October 25, 1864,
tirae expired.
Comrade Bissell's ancestral record will be found under the
narae of his brother. Corporal Warren H. Bissell.
* *
EDWIN O. BLATCHLEY, of Guilford, Conn, (see portrait and amusing
incidents, page 32), enlisted October 17, x86i ; mustered in October
26, 1861; honorably discharged October 26, 1864, time expired.
After the war Comrade Blatchley returned te Guilford and
was respected and loved by his fellow townspeople. He died of
consumption in 1874, aged 43 years.

766

HISTORY A\D REMINISCE.XCES

Comrade Blatchley, known more generally by his comrades as
" Sod," was a unique character. He was a man of large heart, who
could never do too much for his comrades. He was tintiring in his
devotion to the Battery. If a nurse was wanted to tend the sick, if
any injured er wounded man needed attention, Blatchley was the
first to offer his services. He may have had faults — who is there
without them ? — but his virtues, his goodness, his great big heart
overshadowed his failings. He was as brave as he was large-
hearted. Comrade Seward says that "it would require the pen of
an angel to put in proper language the good qualities that this big
fellow possessed."
G_ILBERT W. BLAKE, of Madison, Conn., enlisted November 21, 1S61;
mustered in same day; honorably discharged November 21, 1864,
time expired.

RALPH BLODGETT, of East Windsor, Conn., enlisted October 18,
x86x; raustered in October 26, i86x;
re-enlisted veteran March 4, 1864; mus
tered out of the United States service
June II, 1865, at Manchester, a suburb
of Richraond, Va. Comrade Blodgett
was with the first troops to enter the
Confederate capital, and he recalls with
pride the tirae when "Old Glory'' was
raised over the State House. When
the second drawing for the Gillmore
medal took place. Comrade Blodgett
became the happy possessor of this re
ward fer courage. (See page 291.)

SAHUEL C. BOSWORTH, of Berlin, Conn., enlisted August 25, 1862;
mustered in same day; mustered out of United States service June
n, 1865, at Manchester, near Richmond, Va., having been with
the victorious troops when they entered the Confederate capital.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1.S61—1S65

7<;7

LOREN BRADFORD, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted November 17, 1861;
raustered in November 25, x8'6i; hotiorably discharged, through
sickness caused by the severe service and exposure, July 18, 1862.

FRANCIS V. BROWN, of East Granby, Conn, (see portrait and in
cidents, page 369), enlisted October 25, x86x; mustered in United
States service November 2, x86r; honorably discharged, time of
enlistment having expired, November 2, 1864.
Comrade Francis Brown was the son of Comrade Leeds Brown.
On his father's side he was descended from a good old Quaker
faraily, but on his raother's side his ancestors were more warlike.
His maternal grandfather was Ephraim Capron, who was born in
1760 in Massachusetts and enlisted July 27, 1780, from Middlesex,
Mass., in Captain Abrahara Andrews Corapany of Colonel Howe's
regiment. He was the father of 21 children. The Capron family
was related to the Chase faraily, of which Daniel Webster and
ex-Chief Justice Chase were members.

WILLIAfl BROWN, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted November 7, 1861;
mustered in United States service
November x8, x86x ; re-enlisted veteran
December 22, 1863; mustered eut of
United States service at Manchester,
a suburb of Richmond, Va., on June
II, 1865. Comrade Brown saw the
triumph of the cause he so loved and
was proud to be with the first Union
troops to enter the Confederate capital.
While with the Battery Comrade
Brov/n was the victim of a practical
joke which nearly cost him his life and
deprived the United States of a good
soldier.

76S HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
HENRY B. BULLARD, of Guilford, Conn, (see portrait and account of
his death, page 83), enlisted October 16, 1861; mustered in the
United States service November 2, x86x; died of disease on the
journey te Beaufort February 6, 1862, aged 27 years.
*
FAIRFIELD COOK, of Guilford, Conn., enhsted August 19, 1862; mus
tered in the United States service same day; died of disease at
Folly Island June 19, 1863. Fer account of his death and military
funeral see page 233. * *
*
CHARLES eoss, of Hartford, Conn., enlisted October 15, x86i; raus
tered in the United States service October 26, 1861; re-enlisted
veteran December 22, 1863; mustered out of United States service
at Manchester, a suburb of Richraond, Va., June n, 1865. Com
rade Cess felt a patriotic pride in the fact that he was with the first
troops to enter the Confederate capital.
* *
*
DAVID CROSSLEY, of Simsbury, Conn, (see portrait and incident,
page 424), enlisted October 23, i86x; mustered in United States
service Xoveraber 2, 1861; was injured at Proctor's Creek, Va. ;
honorably discharged, time of enlistraent having expired, Novera
ber 2, 1864. *
EDGAR Q. DAVIS, of Guilford, Conn, (for portrait and account of his
connection with Religious Association and Debating Society, see
page 313), enlisted October 26, 1861; mustered in United States
service November 2, 1861 ; honorably discharged, his time o( enlist
ment having expired, November 2, 1864.
During his three years' connection with the Battery Comrade
Davis was most active in everything which tended te the physical,
mental or religious welfare of his comrades. He was a most
excellent nurse, and many a sick comrade was cheered by his
patience and tender attentions.
Corarade Davis was born in Guilford, Conn., in the year 1834.
His grandfather, James Davis, enlisted in the war of 1776 as a

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 769
private, was promoted respectively Corporal, Sergeant, xst Ser
geant, and held the rank of Ensign (2d Lieutenant) when he left
the army. He was wounded in his shoulder at the age of 18,
and his grandson says that "at the age of 87 he was buried
with the bullet where it had been placed by the redcoats."
* *
*
HOBERT M. DOLPH, of Cheshire, Conn,, enlisted October 25, x86x;
mustered in United States service November 2, i86x; honorably
discharged, time having expired, November 2, 1864.
* *
*
HORACE A. DOOLITTLE, of Cheshire, Conn., enlisted October 18,
1861 ; mustered in United States service October 26, x86x; re-en
listed veteran Deceraber 26, 1863; was
with the Battery when it entered the Con
federate capital with the victorious Union
troops, and was honorably discharged
August 12, 1865.
Comrade Horace Doolittle was born
in Cheshire in 1838 and was the brother of
Corporal Joseph Doolittle, Corporal Amasa
Doolittle and of Private Henry Doolittle,
of the 20th Connecticut Infantry. Like his
brothers. Comrade Horace Doolittle was
an earnest patriot and rejoiced at being
one of the privileged ones to see the Union flag hoisted above the
capital of the Confederacy. * *
*
ALEXANDER DORAN, of Bridgeport, Conn., enlisted November 6,
1861 ; mustered in United States service November 14, i86x ; honor
ably discharged November 14, 1864, time having expired.
QEORQE DUFF, of Andover, Conn., enlisted November 6, 1861; mu.s-
tered in United States service November 25, 1861; honorably dis.
charged, his time of enlistment having expired, November 25, 1864.

770 HISTORY .A.XD REMIXISCEXCES
GEORGE W. DURQIN, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted October 9, 1861;
mustered in the United States service October 26, x86i; honorably
discharged, time of enlistment having expired, Xovember 2, 1864.
George W. Durgin was born in Xew Hampshire in the year
x8xS. His ancestors were all on the side of the colonies, and many
of them fought in the Revolutionary War. His maternal grand
father, Thomas Hill, fought en the side of the patriots at the
battle of Bunker Hill. His father, at the age of 18, fought in
the War of 181 2-13. Comrade Durgin loves to tell how his wife
teased him when the war broke eut by saj'ing, "George, you
dassent enlist," whereupon George went out, saw Lieutenant
Seward and signed the roll of the First Lig^ht Batterv.

CHARLES N. ELLIS, of Xew Britain, Conn., enlisted Noveraber 25,
x86i; raustered in sarae day; re-enlisted veteran December ig,
1863; mustered eut of United States service at Manchester, Va. ,
June n, 1865.

JOHN C. ENGLISH, of Xew Haven, Conn., enlisted October 15, 1861;
^ mustered in United States service Xovem
ber 2, x86i; honorably discharged X''ovem-
ber 2, 1864, term of enlistment having
expired. At the battle of Proctor's Creek
the horses driven by Comrade English
were killed and his kind heart was nearly
broken (see page 420). Since the war
Comrade English entered the regular army
and has held iraportant offices.
The portrait we present to the com
rades was taken in Sitka, Alaska, where
he is at present stationed.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l,S(;i—l,S(;5. 771
EDWARD Q. EVARTS, of Guilford, Conn., enhsted October 9, i86x;
mustered in United States service October 26, x86i; honorably
discharged October 26, 1864, time having expired.

JAMES FARRELL, of Enfield, Conn., enhsted October n, 1861; raus
tered in United States service October 26, 1861 ; honorably dis
charged October 26, 1864, tirae expired.
* *
WILLIAn M. FOWLER, of Milford, Conn., enlisted October 20, 1861;
raustered in United States service Noveraber 2, x86x; honorably
discharged November 2, 1864, tirae of enlistraent having expired.
(See portrait, page 386, and exciting adventures, page 356.)
Comrade Fowler's ancestral military record covers the history
of the colony of New Haven, fer he traces his genealogy back to
Williara Fowler, who landed in Boston with the Davenport
company in 1637. The Rev. John Davenport being importuned te
stay in Boston did so until the following year, when he and his
company explored the coast and finally settled at New Haven.
William Fowler, the second te bear that name, married Anna
Tapp in 1645, the sister of Jane, wife of Governor Robert
Treat. He received a commission as Lieutenant of militia in
1666; was promoted te Captaincy in 1673. He served as member of
the House of Deputies from 1673 te x68o, inclusive, from Milford.
He held many important offices, among them being a raembership
of the Secret Committee or Council of War commissioned August,
1673, and consisting of six representative raen, at the time of the
hostilities between the New Englanders and the Dutch on the
eastern end of Long Island and the mainland.
Another paternal ancestor was John Fowler, who served in the
General Assembly in 1726, 1729, X734-35) ^"d from 1737 te 1756,
inclusive. He was Clerk of the House nearly all that tirae. In
1739 he was appointed by the Assembly Captain of the First
Corapany Milford Train Band. In 1 744 and 1746 he was one of the
commissioners, with Governor Treat, Saltonstal, Andrew Burr,

HISTORY A.XD RE.MIXISCE.XCES
Gurdon, Thoraas Welsh, and Hezekiah Huntington, to raise troops
and equipraents for his majesty's expedition against Canada, also
to raise another body of troops in the colony of New York
and another in New Hampshire.
His son, John Fowler (sth), was commissioned Captain of the
2d Company, 2d Regiment, and raised troops for the Continental
Army. He was elected to the General Asserably and served from
1759 to 1775.
The sixth in direct descent, Joseph Fowler, served in the
War of 181 2.
One of Comrade Fowler's ancestors built the first mill in the
New Haven colony, and the enterprise was considered of such
great importance that when the mill was injured by a freshet in
1645 an ordinance was passed ordering every townsman to give as
many days' work as might be necessary to repair the property.
The grant of land to the original settlers is still clearly defined,
some of it remaining in the hands of the family to this day.
His maternal great-grandfather. Captain Benijah Mallory, and
his great-great-grandfather, Moses MaUory, served in the War of
the Revolution, on the side of the colonials. On the maternal side
Corarade Fowler's raother traces her faraily back te John Alden,
who carae over in the first ship as a carpenter, with the privilege
of staying here er returning. He arrived in Boston in 1620, and in
1623 married Priscilla Mullins, who with her Puritan husband have
been immortalized by Longfellow.
Comrade Fowler is the twenty-fifth on the list of members
of the Society of Colonial Wars, of which society he is a life
member. His children inherit his patriotic love for the flag.

ABRAHAM B. FOWLER, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted August 6, 1862;
mustered in United States service same day; transferred to unas
signed detachment of Veteran Reserve Corps February 13, 1864;
retransferred to Battery July 7, 1864; mustered out at Man
chester, opposite Richmond, Va., June n, 1865.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 773
JOSEPH W. FOWLER, of Milford, Conn, (see portrait and interesting
incident on page 135), enlisted April x6, 1862; raustered in United
States service same day; honorably discharged April 16, 1865, time
of enlistment having expired.
Comrade Fowler is a brother of Comrade Williara M. Fowler,
to whese record the reader is referred for railitary ancestral his
tory. When the Battery was organized Corarade Fowler was under
age, but was so persistent in his desire to go to the front that he
obtained perraission to accompany the Battery as an officer's help.
When only sixteen he was allowed to enlist, and he served with
gallantry and courage through the war. Frequent mention has
been made of him through the history, and his record is one of
which he has a right to be proud.
* *
*
LEWIS H. FULLER, of Hartford, Conn., enhsted October 14, x86i;
mustered in United States service October 26, i86x ; re-enlisted
veteran December 19, 1863; served with great zeal throughout the
war and entered the Confederate capital with the first troops;
mustered out at Manchester, a suburb of Richraond, Va. , June ix,
X865. * *
*
JAHES H. GLADDING, of Wethersfield, Conn, (see portrait and
wonderful escape from death, page 437), enlisted October 26, x86x ;
mustered in United States service November 2, i86x; was injured
July, 1862; honorably discharged November 2, 1864, term of enhst
ment having expired.
After the war Comrade Gladding never tired of narrating the
events of the war, and he was most earnest in his devotion to the
flag. He died April 2, 1896, aged 72 years.
* *
*
QEORQE A. GOODALE, of Farmington, Conn., enlisted October 12,
i86i; mustered in United States service November 2, 1861; died
at Beaufort, S. C, August 5, 1862.

774

HISTORY .AXD REMINISCENCES

HENRY C. GILLETTE, of Avon, Conn., enhsted August 14, 1862;
raustered in United States service sarae day; entered Richmond
with the victorious Union troops and was raustered eut at Man
chester, \'a., June n, 1865.

NATHAN GILLETTE.
NATHAN GILLETTE, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted Noveraber 12, 1861;
mustered in United States service Deceraber 4, i86x ; died at Beau
fort, S. C, August 4, 1862. Corarade Gillette was the first standard
bearer of the Battery and was proud of the distinction.
^ •¥
*
EDWIN GRIDLEY, of Derby, Conn., enlisted Noveraber 20, 1861;
mustered in United States service same day; honorably discharged
November 19, 1864, term of enlistment having expired.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l.sni—l.scj

775

EDWARD GRISWOLD, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted October 9, 1861;
mustered in United States service October 26, 1861; honorably
discharged October 26, 1864, term
of enlistraent having expired.
(See military portrait, taken while
serving in the Battery, page 400.)
Comrade Griswold, to whom
the historian and editor are under
the greatest obligation for his
efficient aid in gathering together
raaterial for this history, is the son
of the late Joel Griswold, of Guil
ford, whese three sons were all in
the war of secession during its
whole course and who retumed
horae without a scratch.
His great-grandfather was
Captain Samuel Lee, who coraraanded a corapany of coast guards
in the Revolutionary War, while several of his ancestors were also
in that war and in the later one of 18 12.
Corarade Griswold was one of the first te enlist in the First
Light Battery and assisted Comrade Seward in enlisting others.
When he returned from the war he had the proud record of having
been in one more engagement than any other raeraber of the
Battery. After the war he was invited by General William H. Russell,
commanding the State railitia, te meet Governor Buckingham
and Colonel S. W. Kellogg, coraraander of the 2d Connecticut
Militia. The Governor said he intended adding a light battery te
the State militia and wanted Comrade Griswold to enlist the
company and take the coraraand. With that natural modesty of
character which characterizes good men, Corarade Griswold offered
to enlist as many as he could in his own town, but to leave the
question of captaincy te be decided when its quota was full. This
was accepted and very soon the quota was enlisted, and Comrade

776 HISTORY .A.XD REMI.XISCENCES
Griswold elected its commander by a unanimous vote, a position he
held for six years, he making it one of the most efficient branches of
the State militia and securing the praise of such men as Generals
Terry and Hawley. This organization has continued to the
present and is a worthy offspring of the First Light Battery. At
the commencement of the late Spanish war, through Comrade
Griswold's efforts the light battery was selected as a portion ofthe
State's quota, and was in camp for four months awaiting orders to
go to the front, where it would have been sure to distinguish itself
and add to the glories of the State.
After the war of secession Comrade Griswold entered on a
mercantile career and has continued in it to the present. He has
twice represented his town in the State Legislature and won for
himself a record of which all his friends are proud. He had con
siderable influence among the members, and it is said of him that
he faithfully represented the people who had chosen him.
He was the founder of the Guilford Savings Bank, has held
many positions of trust, and has always had a zealous interest
in the welfare of his town and the Government for which he
fought. He has been one of the most active raembers of the First
Light Battery since the war in keeping alive the spirit of fra
ternity and promoting the annual reunions. He has attended every
reunion and fer ten years has been president of the Veteran Asso
ciation. * *
*
JACOB T. GUPTIL, of Meriden, Conn, (see portrait and incident en page
283), enlisted Xovember 21, i86x ; mustered in United States service
sarae day; re-enlisted veteran Deceraber 26, 1863; mustered out at
Manchester, opposite Richraond, Va. , June xx, 1865, after the proud
and triumphal entry of the Battery into the Confederate capital
with the first troops. * *
*
DWIGHT H. HALL, of Guilford, Conn, (see portrait and interesting in
cidents, page 339), enlisted April 18, x86i ; mustered in Company F,

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1.S65 777
ist Connecticut Infantry, April 22, x86x; mustered out July 31, 1861;
enlisted in the First Light Battery November 7, x86x; mustered in
United States service November 14, 1861 ; honorably discharged
November 14, 1864, term of enlistraent having expired.
* *
*
MARCUS n. HALL, of Guilford, Conn, (see portrait and incident on
V^S^ 373)> enlisted October 6, 1861 ; mustered in United States serv
ice November 2, 1861; was wounded at the battle of Chester
Station, Va. , May 10, 1864; honorably discharged November 2, 1864,
term of enlistraent having expired.
Corarade Hall was bom in Guilford, Conn., in the year 1837,
and is descended from a good eld patriotic family. His father,
Amos Hall, born in Guilford in 1795, while seeing no service in the
field, belonged to the Minute Men and was ready to march against
any enemy of his country at the call of his State. His grandfather
was tee young te take part in the War of the Revolution. Being
born one year before the Declaration of Independence and dying in
1807, he had no oppertunity te take the field.
Corarade Hall's raaternal grandfather was born in Madison,
Conn., and at the age of 19 entered the Continental army and
served all through the war of the Revolution. He was awarded a
pension of $96 a year for his services, which he drew until a very
advanced age, dying at the age of 93.
Corarade Hall had a very narrow escape at the battle of Chester
Station. In narrating his experience he says: "At the engage
ment at Chester Station I was at my usual post, that of No. 6,
whose duty it is te prepare the shot and shell for the piece. I had
served probably a dozen rounds, largely canister, when suddenly a
horse standing at my side went down, shot through the breast;
almost at the same moment a conical rifle ball passed through my
left arm, through the limber chest and into ray knapsack, which
was on the foot board. One of the comrades found it and gave it to
rae later. Sergeant Grow ordered me to the rear, but I kept on at
my work, cutting one more fuse, and then a minnie ball struck me
and broke one of the bones of my left forearm." The comrade's

( <.^

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

experiences in the hospitals to which he was sent are graphically
told by himself in this history, commencing page 379.
* *
*
QEORQE HANNA, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted October 5, 1861; mus
tered in United States service October 26, i86x ; discharged, through
sickness caused by hard service and exposure, August 31, 1862.
* *
*
ANDREW J. HANKS, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted October 5, i86x;
 raustered in United States service < )c-
tober 26, x86x ; honorably discharged,
through sickness caused by severe serv
ice, October 20, 1862.
Corarade Hanks was born in Mans
field, Conn., March 4, 1841. He took
part in the engageraents during June,
1862, on Jaraes Island, where he con
tracted a sickness which prematurely
severed his connection with the Battery.
His great-uncle, Benjamin Hanks, was
Colonel of a Connecticut regiraent dur
ing the War of the Revolution. Cora
rade Hanks' younger brother served in the 21st Connecticut In
fantry. His two elder brothers both sent substitutes and aided
the Governraent at horae during the war, one by making bul
lets in Xew York City and the other manufacturing blue warps
for array clothing at Marlborough, Conn.

JAHES HAYES, of Granby, Conn., enlisted Xovember 22, 1861; mus
tered in United States service same day; died at Beaufort, S. C,
July x8, 1862. * *
*
ANDREW HOLBROOK, of Seymour, Conn, (see portrait and incident,
page 30X), enlisted December 2, 1S61; mustered in United States
service same day; honorably discharged December 2, 1864, time of
enlistment having expired. He died on the xsth day of June, 1882.

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1S(;1-1865

n'.i

Comrade Holbrook was born in the town of Seymour, Conn.,
January 4, 1836. He received a common-school education at the
Bungay school in his native town, after which he worked on his
father's farm until he reached the age of 18, when he went west to
Ohio and farmed for two years. He then tried work in the lumber
camps of Michigan, where he served as teamster until the spring,
when the logs were rafted down the Saginaw River to market. He
returned east and went to sea, making one trip en a coasting vessel,
but he found that though his father had been a sailor, he was not
adapted to "a life on the ocean wave. " He again worked on his
father's farm until the war broke out, when 'ne tried to enlist in the
ist Connecticut Cavalry, but finding that regiment was full he en
listed in the First Light Battery.
His father, having an intimate knowledge of the coast and
from New York to the West Indies, having been a captain and part
owner of a merchant vessel which had traded as far as China, was
offered the command of one of the United States gunboats, but his
age prevented his acceptance, though he was quite anxious to serve
his country. * *
*
SAnUEL H. HULL, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted October 8, x86x; mus
tered in October 26, x86i; honorably
discharged, through sickness caused by
hard service, April 22, 1863.
Comrade Hull was a quiet, conscien
tious soldier, ever faithful to his duties
and ready to serve his fellow comrades
in any way possible. It was with much
regret that he was compelled to leave
the service before the close of the war.
While en drill in Beaufort Comrade
Hull was injured by having a horse fall
en hira. He was sent to the hospital
and was unable to rejoin the Battery.
Fer years he was confined to his bed, and although the officers

780

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

and corarades tried to secure a pension for hira, they did not suc
ceed. He died February x, 1876.
* *
*
JOHN A. HOLMES, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted October 8, x86i ; mustered
in United States service October 26, 1861; honorably discharged,
through sickness caused by hard service, February 17, 1863.
* *
*
JOSEPH H. HULL, of Prospect, Conn., enlisted November x8, x86i; mus
tered in United States service same day; died August 31, 1862, at
Beaufort, S. C, aged 36 years. * *
*
GEORQE R. INGRAM, of Vernon, Conn., enlisted October 23, x86x;mus-
tered in United States service November
2, x86 1 ; honorably discharged November
2, 1864, term of enlistment having expired.
Comrade Ingram's grandfather served
in the War of 1812, and his great-grand
father was a soldier in the colonial army
in the War of the Revolution.
Comrade Ingram was a good soldier
and an excellent companion. There is a
good story told in Chapter XVIII. of his
adventure at Beaufort while bee hunting
with seme of the comrades, and how they
lost a fine opossura, found no honey and narrowly escaped punish
ment fer leaving the camp.

LUCIUS H. JAGGER, of Hebron Conn, (see portrait, page 512), enlisted
August 14, 1862 ; mustered in same day; died at Deep Bottom, Va.,
July 16, 1864. *
LUriAN C. JEROME, of Bristol, Conn., enlisted October 13, 1861; raus
tered in United States service as Veterinary Surgeon October 26,
1861 ; honorabl}' discharged October 26, 1864, tirae expired.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865

781

WILLIAM B. I VES, of Branford, Conn., enlisted October 2 1, i86x; mus
tered in United States service Novem
ber 2, i8oi; transferred to unas.signed
detachraent of Veteran Reserve Corps
February 25, 1864; honorably dis
charged, through sickness caused by
hard service and exposure, April 19,
1864. Corarade Ives was one of the first
members of the Religious Association
established at Beaufort, S. C, June
1863, and remained a meraber until it
disbanded.

GILBERT J. JILLSON, of Hartford, Conn., enlisted August 7,1862;
mustered in United States service same day; mustered out at
Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va., June n, 1865, at the prac
tical termination of the war.

WILLIAM JOHNSON, of Hartford, Conn., enlisted November 19, 1862;
mustered in United States service sarae day; deserted Janu
ary 14, 1864.

* *
*

FRANCIS E. JOHNSON, of Bristol, Conn., enlisted Deceraber 2, x86i;
mustered in United States service same day; honorably discharged,
through sickness, October 20, 1862; enlisted in Company L, ist
Connecticut Heavy Artillery, December 7, 1863; mustered in same
day; died in service August 29, 1865, aged 29 years.

* *
*

HART LANDON, of Guilford, Conn, (see portrait and interesting expe
rience, page 4x6), enlisted October 26, x86x; mustered in United
States service November 2, 1861; was wounded at the battle of

782 HISTORY AXD RE.MIXISCE.XCES
Proctor's Creek May 14, 1864; honorably discharged, his term of
enlistment having expired, November 2, 1864.
Hart Landon was born in Guilford September 28, 1S42. His
great-grandfather Landon fought in the War of the Revolution,
and his great-grandfather Leper was a commissioned officer in
the sarae war. On both sides his ancestors were patriots and used
their influence in favor of independence. When the war of seces
sion broke eut Hart Landon was in Hartford, learning the trade of
carriage-making, but at his country's call he threw down his tools,
took oft" his apron and enlisted in the 3d Connecticut Volunteer
Infantry. His mother was sick and felt badly over his act, so he
withdrew, but later enlisted in the First Connecticut Light Bat
tery, fighting in the ranks until May 14, 1864, when he was
wounded at Proctor's Creek, Va. He was in the hospital until the
expiration of his term of service. In civil life he has held many
local offices: lias been justice of the peace, meraber of the
General Assembly of the State, burgess of the borough of
Guilford, master and trustee of St. Alban's Lodge, F. & A. M.,
patron of E. S. C, commander of a G. A. R. Post, etc.
* *
*
JOHN LOOMIS, of Hebron, Conn, (see portrait and incident, page 193),
enlisted December 2, 1861 ; mustered in United States service same
day; honorably discharged, his term of enlistment having expired,
Deceraber 2, 1S64.
HECTOR ncLEAN, of Glastonbury, Conn., enlisted August 19, 1862;
mustered in same day; died May 16, 1864.
* *
*
WILLIAn ncNARY, of Manches'ter, Conn, (see portrait and incident,
page 287), enlisted October 23, x86x; mustered in Noveraber 2,
xS6i; he was slightly injured in the Pon Pen River expedition,
1863: honorably discharged, time expired, Xoveraber 2, 1864.
Corarade McNary was born in New Hartford, Conn., Sep
teraber xo, 1S3.S. His father, William G. McXary, was also in the
Batterv.

FIRST LIGHT HATTERY, 1861— 1S65 7.s;'.
WILLIAn Q. ncNARY, of Manchester, Conn., enlisted October 23,
1861; mustered in Noveraber 2, 1861; honorably discharged,
through sickness caused by severe work and exposure, March 4,
1863.
JOHN niLLER. of Canaan, Conn., enlisted Noveraber 19, x86i; mus
tered in November 23, 1861 ; re-enlisted veteran December 19,1863;
was with the first Union troops to enter the Confederate capital and
was mustered out at Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va. , June
II, 1865.

ALFRED niNOR.of Hebron, Conn., enlisted Octobers, 1 86 1 ; mustered
in United States service November 25,
1861; re-enlisted veteran December 19,
1863; raustered out at Manchester,
opposite Richmond, Va., on June n, 1865,
after having gone with the first Union
troops into the capital of the Confederacy
and seen the terraination of the war.
Ready in time of war to give himself
to the cause of his country, he yet loved
peace and was pleased when he could
agfain resume civilian duties.

CHARLES J. niNOR, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted November 30, x86i ;
mustered in United States service December 2, x86x; re-enlisted
veteran Deceraber 19, 1863; mustered out at Manchester, opposite
Richmond, Va,, June xx, 1865, after marching into the Confederate
capital with the first Union troops after the evacuation by General
Lee.

7S4 HISTORY .A.XD RE.MINISCENCES
WILLIAn E. n 00 RE, of Berlin, Conn., enlisted August 20, 1862; mus
tered in same day; died August 20, 1863.
* *
JOHN J. nOY, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted October xo, x86x ; mustered
in United States service October 26, x86i ; transferred to unassigned
detachment of Veteran Reserve Corps February 25, 1864; trans
ferred to Company K, 3d Battalion V. R. C. ; transferred to 27th
Company 2d Battalion April, 1864; honorably discharged October
26, 1864, term of enlistment having expired.
* *
ANDREW NOLAN, of Milford, Conn, (see portrait and incident, page
298), enlisted December 2, 1861 ; mustered in United States service
same day; was wounded at Pon Pon River, S. C, 1863; honorably
discharged, time expired, December 2, 1864.
EMERY NORWOOD, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted November 20,
i86x ; mustered in same day; re-enlisted veteran December 19,
1863; mustered outof United States service at Manchester, near
Richmond, Va., on June xx, 1865, after being with the first Union
troops to enter the Confederate capital.
*
EDWARD P. NORTON, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted October 9, x86i ;
mustered in October 26, 1861 ; honorably discharged October 26,
1864, term of enlistraent having expired.
* *
ELIAS O. NORTON, of Guilford, Conn, (see portrait and incident, page
4x5), enlisted in United States service November 14, 1861; honor
ably discharged November 14, 1864, term of enlistment having
expired. *
STEPHEN H. NORTON, of Guilford, Conn., enhsted November 3, x86i;
mustered in United States service Noveraber 14, x86x ; honorably
discharged, time expired, Xovember 14, 1864.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 785
WILLIAM B. NORTON, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted October 9, 1861 ;
mustered in United States service October 26, x86x ; re-enlisted
veteran December 26, 1863; mustered out at Manchester, near
Richmond, Va., after having marched into Richmond with the
first Union troops, June n, 1865.
* * *
LEROY B. PEASE, of Hartford, Conn., enlisted October 9, x86i; mus
tered in October 26, 1 86 x ; honorably discharged, through sickness
caused by exposure and hard service, October 20, 1862; enlisted
in Company A, First Connecticut Heavy Artillery, Noveraber 23,
1863; raustered out of United States service Septeraber 25, 1865.
* *
*
HENRY E. PECK, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted in 2d Connecticut
Infantry, April 22, i86x; mustered in May 7, i86x; mustered eut
August 7, i86i; enlisted in First Light Battery, October 7, x86x;
mustered in October 26, 1861 ; honorably discharged, through sick
ness caused by hard service, September 19, 1862. On recovering
his health he enlisted in ist Connecticut Cavalry, March 9, 1863;
promoted Corporal April 28, 1863; promoted Sergeant May x,
1863; taken prisoner by the enemy June 10, 1864 at Old Church
Tavern, Va. Died at Millen, Ga., November 3, 1864.
* *
*
FREDERICK A. PETTIBONE, of Granby, Conn., enhsted November
22, i86x; mustered in November 22, 1861; died May 4, 1862, aged
23 years. * *
*
nOSES PHELPS, of East Windsor, Conn., enlisted November 6, i86x ;
mustered in United States service Noveraber 14, i86x; honorably
discharged, through sickness caused by hard service and exposure.
May II, 1864. * *
*
JAMES H. REYNOLDS, of Meriden, Conn, (see portrait, page 46),
enlisted November 5, 1861; mustered in November 14, i86x ;
wounded at the battle of Proctor's Creek, May 14, 1864; honorably

rs6

HISTORY AXD REMIXISCE.XCES

discharged November 13, 1864, term of enlistment having expired.
Comrade Reynolds had served in the regular artillery prior to
his enlistment in the First Light Battery.
*
GEORGE F. REniNGTON, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted October 18,
x86i; raustered in November 2, x86x;
honorably discharged, on account of
disease contracted through hard service
and exposure, August 17, 1862.
Comrade Remington was born in
Becket, Mass., September 7, 1837. His
grandfather served as a private soldier
in the War of 18 12 and his great-grand
father in the War of the Revolution,
proving his patriotism by his devotion
to the cause of the colonies.

EDWIN B. REYNOLDS, of Columbia, Conn, (see portrait, page 472),
enlisted October 5, x86x ; mustered in October 26, 1861 ; honorably
discharged, through physical disability caused by hard service
and exposure, ( )ctober 20, 1862; enlisted and mustered in ist
Connecticut Heavy Artillery, Company L, December 7, 1863;
mustered out Septeraber 25, 1865.
*
CHARLES RICHARDSON, of Bolton, Conn., enlisted October 16, x86x;
mustered in United States service October 26, iS6x; re-enlisted
veteran December 19, 1863; was wounded at the battle of Proctor's
Creek, Va., May 14, 1864; mustered out at Manchester, near Rich
mond, Va., June ir, 1865, after marching into the Confederate
capital with the first Union troops.

LUTHER G. RIGGS, of Bridgeport, Conn., enlisted October 7, 1861;
mustered in United States service October 26, 1861; promoted

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865

7S7

xst Lieutenant Company C, 22d Connecticut Infantry, September
2, 1862; mustered Captain Septeraber 20, 1862; mustered out July
7, 1863.

* *
*

JONATHAN RIGGS, of Bridgeport, Conn., enlisted October 15, i86x;
raustered in October 26, 1861; honorably discharged, through
disease incident to camp life and hard service, July 18, 1862.

EDnUND M. B. ROBERTS, of East Hartford, Conn., enlisted October
15, i86t; mustered in October 26, xS6x;
died June 24, 1862, aged 22 years.
Comrade Edmund Murphy Beebe
Roberts was born in East Hartford,
Conn., June 11, 1840. His father, Syl
vester Roberts, served in the War of 18x2.
His eldest brother, Sarauel H. Roberts,
was in the regular army in Michigan frora
1839 to 1844. He also served in the war
of secession in the X39th Xew York Volun
teers as Lieutenant-Colonel, and was pro
moted Colonel and after that te Brigadier-
General by brevet. Another brother, R.
W. Roberts, enlisted in Company A, ist Connecticut Infantry,
and later in the 2Sth Connecticut Infantry, where he was promoted
Captain. * *
*
NORnAN A. SACKETT, of Bloomfield, Conn., enhsted October 15,
i86x; mustered in United States service Xovember 14, 1861; trans
ferred to unassigned detachment Veteran Reserve Corps February
25, 1864; re-enlisted veteran May 3, 1864; transferred te Company
C, nth Regiment \'eteran Reserve Corps; transferred to Company
D, 12th Regiment V. R. C. ; transferred to Company A, 9th Regi
ment \'. R. C. ; honorably discharged Xovember 16, 1865.

788 HISTORY .A.XD RE.MIXISCEXCES
JOSEPH W. SANFORD enlisted at Meriden, Conn., January 9, 1862;
 .=^.^_____  mustered in United States service Febru-
^==^ -^;^-il ary, 1862; honorably discharged October
^^^^^BSH^^^^^ ^°' 1862, through sickness caused by hard
WM^jfc^Bi^^Bk ^^ Corarade Sanford was born in Sims-
^TbFJB^BBML '% bury and received his first instruction
Wj^H^Bly^» ^^ ^^^ common school, finishing his edu-
^^W^iy|5^E<5^fed cation at Woodbridge Hall, Perth Am boy,
5S^' ffiSBj^Bl ''^W^ N. J. His father was a physician and
^^[¦^flH^Bi^W^g desirous of seeing his son adopt the same
profession, but his health would not stand
the close confinement. He worked in a wagon shop until he
enlisted in the Battery. , He served in the right section at the
battle of Secessionville and the various skirmishes en James Island.
Fer two years after his discharge he was unable to labor. A
cousin of his grandfather served in the War of the Revolution, and
often recalled the battle of White Plains, saying "the blood was over
the shoe-tops in depth." Comrade Sanford's grandfather served in
the War of 1812. His great-grandfather on his mother's side, Abel
Adams, enlisted as a private in the 2d Regiment, Colonel Joseph
Spencer, May 9, 1775. This regiment was organized on the first
call for troops by the Connecticut Legislature.

DANIEL F. SCRANTON, of Guilford, Conn, (see portrait and remark
able experience, page 370), enlisted in Company K, 3d Connecticut
Infantry, April 24, 1861 ; mustered in the United States service
]May II, x86i; mustered out August 12, x86x ; enlisted in First
Light Battery November 6, i86x; ratistered in November 14, 1861 ;
honorably discharged November 13, 1864, term of enlistment
having expired.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, isdl-l.sdu 789
JONATHAN SAVORY, of East Windsor, Conn., enlisted and was
mustered in the United States service De
ceraber 6, 1861 ; reenlisted veteran Decem
ber 19, 1863; mustered out at Manchester,
near Richmond, Va., June ix, 1865, after
seeing the termination of the war and hav
ing been with the first Union troops on
their march into the Confederate capital.
Corarade Savory was born in Barre,
Vt. , in 1818. His father, David Savory,
served as a private soldier in the War
of x8i2.

JOHN SHAW, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted October 5, x86x; raustered in
the United States service October 26, 1861; reenlisted veteran De
cember 19, 1863; mustered out at Manchester, near Richmond,
Va. , June xx, 1865. He was with the Battery in its march into the
Confederate capital with the first Union troops.
* *
*
PATRICK SHIELDS, of Meriden, Conn., enlisted November ix, x86i;
mustered in November 23, x86x; reenlisted veteran Deceraber 19,
1863; deserted February 9, 1865.
* *
*
JOHN SHINE, of Milford, Conn., enlisted and raustered in the United
States service Noveraber 15, x86x; was injured May 8, 1862, at
Beaufort, S. C. ; honorably discharged, through disease contracted
by hard service and exposure, P^ebruary 6, 1863. Enlisted in Com
pany K, 5th Connecticut Infantry, March 10, 1864; mustered out
July 19, 1865.

LEWIS SYKES, of Hatfield, Mass. (see portrait and interesting ex
perience, page 420), enlisted October 25, 1861 ; mustered in Novem
ber 2, 1861; honorably discharged November 2, 1864, time expired.

r9<t

HISTORY AXD REMIXISCE.XCES

Comrade Sykes was born in the year 1836 at Hatfield, Mass.
After the war he settled at Windsor, Conn., and manifested a great
interest in the Veteran Association of the First Light Battery. He
saw many ups and downs in life, but was always cheerful, and a
short time before his death he wrote the historian: "Since I came
home I have been up and down the hill of life, and just now am
comfortably fixed, hving in my own house, and I thank the Father
in heaven for his kindness to me. I love to see these who were
out with me during the war and give them a shake of the hand and
a 'hello!' when we meet."

HARVEY D. SKINNER, of East Hartford, Conn., enlisted October 23,
x86x; mustered in United States serv
ice November 2, x86i ; honorably dis
charged, through sickness caused by
hard service and exposure, March 20,
1863. Comrade Skinner was born in East
Granby, Conn., in the year 1838. He
has always regretted that he was un
able to continue with the Battery to
the end. His cousin. Dr. Samuel Skin
ner, served through the war as Surgeon
xst Connecticut Heavy Artillery.

LYMAN SOUTHWICK, of Cromwell, Conn., enlisted November 28,
x86i ; mustered in December 3, x86x ; re-enlisted veteran December
26, 1863; mustered out at Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va.,
June XX, 1865, after participating in the triumphal march of the
first Union troops into the Confederate capital.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY. l.S(!l—1865

791

JOHN T. SLOAN, of New Haven, Conn, (see military portrait and ex
citing incident on page 170), enlisted October 27, 1861 ; mustered
in United States service November
2, 186 X ; honorably discharged No
veraber 2, 1864, terra of enlist
raent having expired.
Corarade Sloan is descended
frora a family which went to Eng
land with Williara, Prince of
Orange. His raother's ancestors
were Scotch. The family settled
in the United States after the Rev
olution. Since the war Comrade
Sloan has engaged in commercial
life, traveling as a salesman, after
which he succeeded his father in
the real estate business in New
Haven. He has established a very successful business in New
England. He has been a member of the Municipal Council
and held several prominent offices in connection with the Masonic
order. Comrade Sloan has been one of the most indefatigable
members of the Veteran Association since its formation, and the
comrades owe him a deep debt of gratitude for his earnest work in
their behalf. He has rendered invaluable assistance in the prepa
ration of this history in obtaining facts, incidents and data from
the comrades. Every one votes him a royal good fellow, and the
historian desires to indorse that opinion in this imperishable
form.

HENRY H.SPENCER, of Bolton, Conn., enlisted October 31, 1861;
mustered in United States service November 14, i86x; died at
Beaufort, S. C, February 8, 1862, aged 24 years.

792 HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES
GEORGE H. STARR, of Guilford, Conn., enhsted November 7, x86i;
mustered in United States service
November 25, 1861; honorably dis
charged, through sickness caused by
exposure and severe service, October
20, 1862; re-enlisted in Company I,
14th Connecticut Infantry, April 4,
1865 ; transferred to Company C, 2d
Connecticut Heavy Artillery, May 30,
1865 and served until the end of the
war.

SAMUEL N. STEVENS,of Hebron, Conn., enlisted November 17, i86x;
mustered in November 25, x86i;
re-enlisted veteran December 19,
1863; mustered out of the United
States service at Manchester, op
posite Richmond, Va. , June n,
1865, after having participated in
the entry of the firstUnion troops
into the Confederate capital.
Comrade Stevens' grandfather
served in the War of 181 2.
Comrade Stevens had an excit
ing experience when sent by
Captain Clinton from Richmond
to City Point with a number of
condemned horses. He had a
narrow escape frora being captured by the enemy.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865

793

QEORQE STEVENS, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted and mustered in July
21, 1862; transferred to the United States Navy April 28, 1864;
served on the United States ships General Putnam, IMalvern and
Miami, honorably discharged October 26, 1865.

HENRY H. TALLMADGE, of Granby, Conn, (see mihtary portrait,
taken while serving in the Battery, and incident, page 451), enhst
ed November 4, 1861 ; raustered in Novem
ber 13, 1861 ; honorably discharged No
vember 13, 1864, terra of enlistraent
having expired.
Comrade Tallmadge is descended from
sturdy and distinguished colonial and Rev
olutionary stock on both father and
raother's side. He is the eighth in de
scent from Thomas Tallmadge, who came
to this country from Suffolk County, Eng
land, in 1630. Nearly every generation
has had distinguished representatives in
both civil and military positions. General
Benjamin Tallraadge, who was a member of Washington's staff and
had charge of Major Andre from the time of capture until his
execution, and who afterward represented the Litchfield (Conn.)
district in Congress for nineteen years, was one of the ancestors of
Comrade Henry H. Tallmadge, of the First Light Battery.
Another ancestor was Nathaniel Tallmadge, United States
Senator from New York and afterward Governor of Wisconsin
Territory. Comrade Henry H. Tallmadge's grandfather, Daniel Tall
madge, was a sergeant in a Connecticut troop of horse in the Rev
olutionary War and was engaged in the battle of White Plains.
He was afterward with General Putnam's command in guarding
the Hudson River frora the incursions of the British under Sir
Henry Clinton. He was actively engaged in resisting the British

794

HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES

attack on New Haven in 1779. At the threatened outbreak of war
with France in 1798 Daniel Tallmadge was commissioned Major
but did not enter upon the duties of that position. The original
seal en his pension certificate granted for his services in the Rev
olutionary War is in the possession of the family.
Marcus Miles Tallmadge, the father of Henry, was born in
New Haven, Conn., in 1798, and was a raember of the old Govern
or's Foot Guards. He was prominent in State and national
affairs, and for a nuraber of years was stationed at the United
States Arraory at Springfield, Mass., where Comrade Henry H.
Tallraadge was born in 1837.
During the war Comrade Tallmadge kept a diary, which he
placed at the disposal of the historian, aiding very considerably
in the corapilation of the history. He now resides in Washing
ton, D. C. *
JAMES H. THOMPSON, of Hebron, Conn,, enhsted November 3, i86x;
mustered in the United States service No
vember 14, 1861; re-enlisted veteran De
cember 22, 1863; mustered out at Man
chester, opposite Richmond, Va., on June
XI, 1865, after having been with the Bat
tery when it entered Richmond with the
first Union troops.
Jaraes H. Thompson was born in
Salem, Conn., December 17, 1822. His
great-grandfather, William Thompson,
served in the War of the Revolution ; his
uncle, James O. Thompson, served in the
War of 181 2.

LVnAN N. TUTTLE, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted October 29, 1861;
mustered in United States service Noveraber 2, 1861; honorably
discharged November 2, 1864, term of enlistraent having expired.

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FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861— 1S65 797
FRANCIS H. THOnPSON, of Hebron, Conn., enhsted November xo,
i86x; raustered in United States service
Noveraber 2x, 1861; re-enlisted veteran
December 19, 1863; mustered out at
Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va.,
June IX, 1865. He had the proud pleas
ure of being with the Battery when it
entered the Confederate capital with the
first Union troops.
Francis H. Thompson was born in
Hebron, Conn., in 1842, and was the son
of Corarade James H. Thompson, whose
ancestral railitary history has been recorded under his narae.
* *
*
HEZEKIAH TUTTLE, of Meriden, Conn., enhsted November 8, i86x ;
mustered in United States service November 15, 1861; transferred
to 41st Company, 2d Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps, December
2, 1863; honorably discharged November 16, 1864, term of enlist
ment having expired. He was a brother of Comrade Lyman Tuttle.
* *
*
EBENEZER WAKELEY, Jr., of Bridgeport, Conn, (see portrait on
page 368 and exciting incident at battle Chester Station), enlisted
October 31, x86x; mustered in United States service November 14,
x86x ; re-enlisted veteran December 14, 1863; wounded at battle of
Chester Station, Va., May 10, 1864; transferred to Company I,
Captain Hendricks, 19th Regiment Veteran Reserve Corps,
January 30, 1865 ; honorably discharged from the service of the
United States at Fort Porter, Buffalo, N. Y., en August xi, 1865.
Comrade Wakeley is descended from Henry Wakeley, one of
the original settlers of Stratford, Conn., whose son Jonathan, who

798 HISTORY .A.XD RE.MI.XISCENCES
died about the end of 1742, established by his will primogeniture in
the family. David Wakeley, the grandson of Jonathan, received a
sergeant's appointraent in the 2d Regiment raised in Connecticut,
bearing date October 7, 1762. (See facsimile en page 796.)
David Wakeley later served in the War of the Revolution and was
commissioned Ensign, equivalent to the modem rank of Second
Lieutenant. The wording of the commission is so interesting that
the historian presents a photographic facsimile of it (page 800).
Ebenezer Wakeley, the son of Daniel and grandson of Lieu
tenant David Wakeley, was born January 13, x8x8, and is still living.
When the war of secession broke out Ebenezer Wakeley enlisted in
Company I, 6th Connecticut \'olunteer Infantry. He was injured
by an accident while on board a vessel waiting in the harbor at the
time the Army of the South was preparing to take Charleston, S C.
One of his sons was Comrade Ebenezer Wakeley, Jr., of the
First Light Battery, who was born in Trumbull, Fairfield County,
Conn., Deceraber 17, 1843, the seventh in direct line from the
original settler in Stratford.
Comrade Wakeley has always been prominently before the
public. At one time he was nominated by the People's Silver party
for the office of mayor of Chicago. In 1900 he received the nomi
nation of the Pure Bimetallists for President.
During the war he was a careful observer, and by his corre
spondence and diary has assisted the editor very materially in the
compilation of this history. Throughout the book will be found
many interesting experiences and episodes in which Comrade
Wakeley was a participant. * *
LEVI J. WARNER, of Meriden, Conn., enlisted and mustered in the
United States service November 25, x86x; died at Beaufort, S. C,
August 8, 1862. He was a native of Long Meadow, Mass.

JONATHAN T R U M B U L L, Es(^^^RE,
Captain-General, and Commander m Chief, of the State of Con-
NECTICUT:^-.^ A.JVI erica;
To. ,:^^^^^ V^^e_ --^O tw""'"'
Oy being b^the Ge^^ral^Agmbly of this^St^cceptedjo^^^..-/^*^-^^

\''OU being bvthe General A^mbly of this bta^c
RcDofine fpecial Truft ar\^onfidence ip/your I

* Rcpofing fpecial Truft and:^onfidence j/your Fidelity, Courage, and good
.Condua, I^o, by Virtue of the Lws of tKirSfaie, me thereunto enabling, appoint and.
impower you to take the faid X"^"'0 ''TT^Z^ carefully and diHgently to
into your Care and Charge, as their ^?z/«^4^_ ^-- careiuny a g, ;r

yo" (hall reive, eithe, from me, or from oUrer^Sr fuperior Office,, purfuant to rhe
Truft hereby repofed in you. ^r^ O^
GIVEN under my Hand, and tht Seal ef this State, trfK/^/^oOa- ^^^ ^ J)
By his Excellency's XJommaM; ) /Cy^-^^-^s^r"-^:^

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l.si;i—ls65

801

LOREN A. WALDO, of Hebron, Conn., enhsted August 15, 1862;
mustered in the United States service same day; honorably dis
charged by Special Order No. 86, per order
of President Lincoln, March 6, 1865.
Comrade Waldo was born March 14,
1844; his great-uncle, Daniel Waldo, was
chaplain to Congress when 96 years old,
and lived to be 102.
Comrade Waldo's eldest son served
three years as musician in the band of the
2 ist United States Infantry, and partici
pated in the battle of Santiago, Cuba.
When his regiment was ordered to Manila
he was toe sick with fever te go, and so was
transferred to the 7th United States Artil
lery band. His brother. Comrade Waldo's second son, enlisted in
the loth Ohio Volunteers, and through sickness has been crippled
for life. * *
WELCOME E. WATSON, of Plainfield, Conn., enlisted and mustered
in the United States service November 21, 1861; deserted January
24, 1862. * * *
FER;NAND0 C. welch, of Beriin, Conn., enlisted in Company K,
3d Connecticut Infantry, April 24, i86x;
raustered in the United States service.
May II, i86x; mustered out August 12,
1861 ; enlisted in First Light Battery Au
gust 20, 1862 ; raustered in same day ; hon
orably discharged March 6, 1865.
Comrade Welch was born in Bristol,
Conn., November 13, 1840, in which town
his father was one of the leading men.
His maternal grandfather. Captain Norton,
served in the Revolutionary War. The
family on both sides dated back to the
earliest years of Connecticut's history.

802

HISTORY A.XD RE.MIXISCE.XCES

JAMES H. WELLS, of Windsor Locks, Conn., enlisted October 31,
1861; raustered in the United States service November 14, 1861;
honorably discharged November 13, 1864,
terra of enlistment having expired.
Comrade James Hayden Wells was
born June 6, 1843, at Windsor Locks, Conn.
He was descended, on his father's side,
from a prominent English family which
settled in Hartford three generations ago.
His mother was Susan Ann Hayden,
granddaughter of Isaac Hayden, who
served in the War of the Revolution. Her
early ancestor was Lieutenant Daniel
Hayden, one of the seventeen troopers of
Windsor in King Philip's War, while another ancestor fought in the
Pequod War.
Corarade Wells was only eighteen when he enlisted in the First
Light Battery. His present residence is Tarapa, Fla.

HIRAM WENTWORTH, of Xew Milford, Conn., enlisted and raustered
in the United States service X^ovember x6, 1861 ; deserted January
24, 1862.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, lS61-l.si;5 80.'!
RECRUITS.
Very many of the recruits served with the Battery so short a period
of time that they did not establish the feeling of fraternity and comrade
ship and love for the Battery enjoyed by the original three-year raen and the
re-enlisted veterans.
Many of the recruits have most excellent records, and the historian
deeply regrets that he has been unable to communicate with all of them
and so obtain their portraits and ancestral military history.
After the war the recruits scattered over the country and with few
exceptions have not attended the reunions, their addresses not being known
to the historian or the secretary of the Veteran Association of the First Con
necticut Light Battery.
CHARLES ADAMS, of Granby, Conn., enlisted November 26, 1864;
mustered in United States service same day; deserted Deceraber 9,
1864. * *
*
WILLIAM ARMSTRONG, of New Haven, Conn., enhsted January 19,
1864, and was mustered in the United States service the same day;
honorably discharged, through sickness caused by severe service and
exposure, September 7, 1864. * *
*
SAMUEL BAKER, of Wethersfield, Conn., enlisted frora Hartford in
Corapany F, i6th Connecticut Infantry, August 6, 1862; raustered
in Corporal August 24, 1862; wounded at Antietam, Md., Sep
tember 17, 1862; discharged, en account of physical disability. May
26, 1863. His patriotic ardor was not dirainished, for he enlisted in
the First Connecticut Light Battery Noveraber 17, 1864; mustered
out at Manchester, near Richmond, Va. , June n, 1865, proud of
the fact that he was with the first Union troops to enter the Con
federate capital. * *
CHARLES BANCROFT, of East Windsor, Conn., enhsted in Corapany
A, 2 2d Connecticut Infantry, August 23, 1862 ; mustered in Septem-

804

HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES

ber 20, 1862; mustered out July 7, 1863, time expired; enlisted in
First Light Battery February 10, 1864; mustered in same day;
died in service June 9, 1864. * *
*
JULIUS D. BEECHER, of Glastonbury, Conn. , enlisted September 3,
1864; mustered in same day; mustered out of United States service
June n, 1865, at Manchester, near Richmond, Va.
* *
*
GUSTAV BEHRENS, of Branford, Conn., enlisted Septeraber 15, 1864;
raustered in same day; raustered out of United States service June
XX, 1865, at Manchester, a suburb of Richmond, Va., at the close
of the war.

FREDERICK BESLEY, of East Haven, Conn , enlisted February i,
1864; mustered in same day; wounded at Proctor's Creek, Va., May
14, 1864; mustered out of United States service June n, 1865, at
Manchester, near Richmond, Va.
* *
*
LUTHER BISHOP, of Southington, Conn., enlisted in Company E, 20th
Connecticut Infantry, August 12, 1862;
mustered musician Septeraber 8, 1862.
Comrade Bishop participated in the
sharp skirmish at Key Gap, Md.,
within a month of being mustered in
the United States service; honorably
discharged, through physical disability,
March x6, 1863; recovering from his
sickness he enlisted in the First Connect
icut Light Battery January 4, 1864;
mustered in same day; mustered out
of United States service June n, 1865,
at ]klanchester, a suburb of Richmond,
Va. , proud to have been with the first troops te enter the
Confederate capital.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865

805

THOMAS BRADLEY, of Coventry, Conn., enlisted Deceraber 6, 1864;
raustered in sarae day; mustered out of United States service June
II, 1865, at Manchester, a suburb of Richraond, Va.
*
JOHN BRENNAN, of Colurabia, Conn., enlisted from Stafford in Com
pany D, 25th Connecticut Infantry, August 15, 1862; raustered in
November n, 1862; wounded at Port Hudson, La., June, 1863;
mustered out August 26, 1863; having recovered from his wound
he enlisted in the First Connecticut Light Battery December x,
1864; mustered in same day; mustered out of United States serv
ice June II, 1865, at Manchester, near Richmond, Va., feeling
patriotic joy at having seen the triuraph of the Union array and
taken part with the victorious troops who first entered Richmond.
* *
*
GEORGE BRENNEN, of Canton, Conn., enhsted November 14, 1864;
mustered in same day; deserted December x8, 1864.

QEORQE M. BROWN, of Windham, Conn., enhsted January 26, 1864;
mustered in same day; honorably dis
charged, through physical disability
caused by exposure, June 16, 1865.
Comrade Brown was born in Marl
boro, Conn., in 1846. His grandfather
served in the wars of 1776 and 18x2.
Corarade Brown was ineligible te
enlist as a private, being only five feet
and less than eighteen years old, so he
enlisted as a bugler at Fert Trumbull,
New London, but he never served in
that capacity. He was in Sergeant
Lawrence's detachment as "powder
monkey" for a time and then became lead driver on the gun.
Comrade Brown had several narrow escapes. At Chester Station
he was struck by a spent ball and felt so weak from it that he

8(16 HISTORY AND REMI.XISCE.XCES
thought his time te die had corae. When in Battery lo, in front of
Petersburg, he was struck on the lip by a piece of exploded shell,
which caused a cress-shaped scar, and again he was slightly
wounded at Fert Stedman, but would not retire. At Light House
Point, where the portrait we reproduce was taken, he was laid up
with a severe attack of rheumatism and taken to Point of Rocks
Hospital with Comrade Wellman, but finding the hospital aban
doned he was sent to Fert Monroe, where he stayed four weeks
before being discharged. Comrade Brown is now a resident of
Melbourne, Fla. *
¦ROBERT BROWN, of New Haven, Conn,, enlisted January 21, 1864;
mustered in same day; discharged, through sickness caused by
exposure and severe service, October 15, 1864.
*
JAnES BURNS, of East Haven, Conn., enlisted December 2, 1864;
mustered in United States service the same day; served with the
Battery during the occupation of Richraond, and was raustered out
of the United States service at Manchester, near Richmond, Va.,
on June 11, 1865. *
OLIVER CHARTER, of Southington, Conn., enlisted from Bristol,
Conn., in Company B, 5th Connecticut Infantry, July 9, 1861 ; mus
tered in United States service July 22, 1861; honorably discharged,
through sickness caused by severe service. May i, 1862: enlisted in
the First Connecticut Light Battery January 2, 1864; mustered in
the same day; served with the Battery until it was mustered out at
Manchester, a suburb of Richmond, Va., June 11, 1865, after hav
ing occupied the Confederate capital.
* *
*
¦WILLIAM W- CHANTLEY.of Norwich, Conn., enlisted from Middle-
town in Company G, 24th Connecticut Infantry, November n,
1862; mustered in the United States service November 18, 1862;
transferred to Company D of the same regiment March i, 1863;

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, lS<;i—l.s(;r> 807
mustered eut September 30, 1863; enlisted in the First Connecticut
Light Battery August 8, 1864; raustered in sarae day; mustered
eut at Manchester, near Richmond, Va. , June n, 1865, having
been with the first Union troops to enter the Confederate capital.
* *
*
niCHAEL CHESTER, of Suffield, Conn., enlisted in the First Light
Battery December 7, 1864; mustered in United States service same
day; mustered out at Manchester, Va., June n, 1865.
* *
*
WILLIAn H. CLANCEY, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted September 3,
1864; mustered in United States service same day; mustered out at
Manchester, Va., June n, 1865. *
THOMAS CLARK, of North Branford, Conn., enlisted August 17, 1864;
mustered in same day ; mustered out of United States service June
XI, 1865, at Manchester, Va. *
WILLIAM H. CLARK, of Granby, Conn. , enlisted November 26, 1864;
mustered in same day; discharged, through sickness, December 15,
1864. * *
*
CHARLES CLEVELAND, of Windsor Locks, Conn., enlisted Novem
ber 25, 1864; mustered in same day; deserted January 22, 1865.
*
HENRY COGGANS, of Union, Conn., enhsted November 22, 1864;
mustered in same day; mustered out of United States service at
Manchester, near Richmond, Va., June n, 1865.
* *
*
WILLIAM H. CONNOR, of Vernon, Conn., enlisted Noveraber 23, 1864;
raustered in sarae day; mustered out of United States service June
11,1865, at Manchester, Va. *
JOHN CONNER, of Suffield, Conn., enlisted Deceraber 7, 1864; mus
tered in same day; mustered out of United States service, at Man
chester, Va., June n, 1865.

808

HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES

RICHARD COLLINS, of Lisbon, Conn., enlisted August 26, 1864; mus
tered in United States service same day;
was with the Battery when it entered
the Confederate capital with the first
Union troops, and was mustered out of
United States service June n, 1865, at
Manchester, Va., after seeing the ter
raination of the war.
Though with the Battery such a
short time of active service. Comrade
Collins feels proud of his connection
with it and has a warm place in his
heart for the comrades.

r'

L^

1^

V-

'«fe.

^'

y

^^^^A
^^
m
WILLIAn COPPLES, of Milford, Conn., enhsted Deceraber 29, 1863;
raustered in sarae day; mustered eut of United States service at
Manchester, Va. , June n, 1865, after having seen the Union flag
hoisted ever the Confederate capital.
* *
*
EDWIN A. CURTISS, of Bridgeport, Conn., enhsted August 6, 1864;
mustered in sarae day; mustered outof United States service at
Manchester, Va., June n, 1865.
WILLIAn DAVIDSON, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted January 2, 1864;
mustered in United States service same day; mustered out at
Manchester, near Richmond, Va., June n, 1865.
JAnES DIXON, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted January 29, 1864;
mustered in United States service sarae day; was transferred to
United States Navy April 28, 1864 ; served on the United States ship
Commodore Jones ; killed May 6, 1864, in an engagement en the
James River.
FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1.S65

809

JAnES E. DICKERnAN, of Southington, Conn., enlisted January 2,
1864; mustered in United States service
same day ; raustered out at Manchester,
a suburb of Richmond, Va., June n,
1865, after entering the Confederate
capital with the first Union troops.
Comrade Dickerman was born in
Southington, November 8, 1845. He
was the great-grandson of a Revolution
ary hero, Sarauel Dickerman. When
the war of secession broke out Comrade
Dickerman tried to enlist, but was twice
rejected on account of his short stature,
a defect remedied in civilian life to a
certain extent by wearing very high heels inside his boots. The
third time he tried to enlist he was accepted and served with the
Battery during the last eighteen months of its existence. He was
at one time severely injured by the recoil of a gun he was serving
and was in hospital fer some time, but he always felt proud that
he was able to rejoin the comrades and go with them into Richmond.
He died May 23, 1893, aged 48.

DANIEL DONOHUE. of Windsor Locks, Conn., enlisted November 25,
1864; raustered in the United States service sarae day; raustered
out at Manchester, Va., June n, 1865.

JOHN DOYLE, of Ellington, Conn., enhsted Noveraber 15, 1864;
raustered in United States service sarae day; mustered out at
Manchester, near Richmond, Va. , June xx, 1865.

JOHN DOYEL, of East Haven, Conn., enlisted December 2, 1864;
mustered in United States service same day; raustered out June n,
1865, at Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va.

810 HISTORY AXD RE.MIXISCE.XCES
JOHN DRAUGHT, of East Granby, Conn., enlisted Xovember 29,
1864; raustered in United States service sarae day; mustered out
at Manchester, Va , June n, 1865.
*
XAVERIUS DROESBECK, of Waterbury, Conn., enlisted August 30,
1864; mustered in United States service same day; mustered out
at Manchester, Va., June 11, 1865.
*
JOHN DUANE, of Simsbury, Conn., enlisted October 5, 1864; mustered
in United States service same day; mustered out at Manchester,
near Richmond, Va., June xx, 1S65.
*
ADOLPH W. ECKERT, of Waterbury, Conn, enlisted August 30,
1864 ; mustered in same day ; was slightly wounded before Richmond,
Va.. February, 1865 : mustered out at ^Manchester, near Richmond,
Va., June 1 1, 1865. *
STEPHEN E. EVARTS, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted September 3,
1864; mustered in United States service same day; mustered out
at Manchester, Va., June n, 1865.
* *
*
T Hon AS FARRELL, of Union, Conn., enlisted Xovember 22, 1864;
mustered in same day; mustered out of United States service at
Manchester, Va., June n, 1865.
* *
*
FRANK FERGUSON, of Windsor Locks, Conn., enhsted November
25, 1864; mustered in sarae day; deserted February i, 1865.
* *
JOHN FITZPATRICK, of Simsbury, Conn., enlisted Xovember 23,
1864; mustered in same day; transferred to Company C, 4th United
States Volunteers, January x6, 1865; deserted May 3, 1865.
* *
*
GEORGE FORD, of Branford, Conn,, enhsted December i, 1864
mustered in same day; raustered out of United States service at
Manchester, near Richraond, Va., June n, 1865.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l.s(;i—l.sti,:

811

CHARLES H. FREAR, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted January 2, 1864;
mustered in United States service same day; mustered eut at
Manchester, near Richmond, Va., June 11, 1865.
* *
*
JAnES H. FULLER, of Essex, Conn., enlisted February 2, 1864; mus
tered in United States service same day; mustered eut at Man
chester, near Richmond, Va. , June n, 1865.
*
THOnAS QALVIN, of Madison, Conn., enlisted September 16, 1864;
mustered in same day; discharged October 8, 1.S64.
* *
*
WILLIAM W. GORTON, of Woodstock, Conn., enlisted September 8,
1864; mustered in United States service sarae day; raustered out
at Manchester, Va., June xi, 1865.
*
JACOB HALL, of Haddam, Conn., enlisted Deceraber 30, 1863; raustered
in United States service same day; discharged, through disease
contracted through severe exposure, December 20, 1864.

BYRON C. HARVEY, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted September 19, 1864;
was raustered in the United States service
same day; mustered out at Manchester,
near Richmond, Va. , June n, 1865, after
entering the Confederate capital with the
first Union troops.
Comrade Harvey was born in East
Haddara, Conn., on October n, 1847, so
he was under seventeen years of age when
he enlisted. His grandfather served all
through the War of 1812. Abdiel D.
Harvey, a brother of Comrade Byron
Harvey, served three years in the loth
Connecticut Infantry, was wounded at
Kinsten, N. C, December 14, 1862, and honorably discharged
October 7, 1864.

811'

HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES

After the war Comrade Harvey settled in Meriden, where he is
ranch respected. He has served as Vice-Coramander and Com
mander of Merriam Post, G. A. R.
* *
*
LEVI A. HAMLIN, of Washington, Conn., enlisted February, 1864;
mustered in United States service same day; mustered out at Man
chester, Va., June n, 1865. * *
*
STEPHEN HANAWAY, of Hartford, Conn., enlisted November 14,
1864; mustered in the United States service same day; deserted
February 28, 1865. * *
*
THOMAS HENNESEY, of Simsbury, Conn., enhsted November 23,
1864; mustered in the United States service same day; transferred
to the 4th Regiment United States Volunteers, unassigned, January
17, 1865; deserted February 7, 1865.
* *
HENRY E. HOTCHKISS, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted in the 59th
Xew York Volunteer Infantry
August, 1 861; honorably dis
charged February, 1863; en
listed in First Connecticut
Light Battery January 4,
1864; mustered in the United
States service same day ; mus
tered out at Manchester, op
posite Richmond, Va. , June
n, 1865, after being with the
first Union troops to enter
the Confederate capital. Com
rade Hotchkiss is the brother
of Charles A. Hotchkiss, and
like him was an excellent soldier and a good comrade.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1S61—1.S(!5 813
HENRY Q. HOLTZ, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted January 20, 1864;
mustered in sarae day; mustered out at Manchester, opposite Rich
mond, Va. , June n, 1865. * *
*
QEORQE JINMAN, of Suffield, Conn., enlisted December 7, 1864;
mustered in United States service same day; mustered out at
Manchester, Va., June n, 1865.
* *
*
ROBERT JOHNSON, of Westbreek, Conn., enlisted Deceraber 26, 1863;
mustered in same day; deserted January 1, 1864.
* *
*
WILLIAM JOHNSON, of East Haven, Conn., enlisted December 2,
1864; mustered in sarae day; mustered out of the United States
service at Manchester, Va., June n, 1865.
* *
QEORQE H. KELSEY, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted September 3, 1864;
mustered in same day ; mustered out at Manchester, opposite Rich
mond, Va., June n, 1865. *
TRUMAN C. KELSEY, of New Britain, Conn., enlisted December 12,
1864; mustered in same day; mustered eut of the United States
service at Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va., June xx, 1865.
* *
*
THOMAS KELLEY. of Ellington, Conn., enlisted Noveraber 16, 1864;
mustered in the United States service same day; mustered out at
Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va., June n, 1865.
*
WILLIAM KELLEY, of Simsbury, Conn., enlisted September 2, x86i;
mustered in Company B, 8th Connecticut Infantry, September 27,
1861; honorably discharged, through sickness. May 29, 1862;
enlisted in the First Connecticut Light Battery November 25, 1864;
raustered in same day; deserted March n, 1865.
* *
*
DAVID KENT, of Union, Conn., enlisted November 16, 1864; mustered
in same day; deserted January 21, 1865.

814

HISTORY AXD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES

CHARLES KEN YON, of Hartland, Conn., enlisted November 14. 1864;
mustered in same day; deserted December 18, 1S64.
* *
*
WILLIAn H. KING, of Granby, Conn., enhsted Xoveraber 26, 1864;
mustered in United States service same day; deserted December 9,
1864. *
FRANK LA BILLA, of East Haven, Conn., enlisted December 9, 1864;
mustered in sarae day; honorably discharged at Manchester, Ya..,
June n, 1865,

JAnES H. LOCKE, of Meriden, Conn., enlisted January 26, 1864; mus
tered in United States service same day; deserted May 9, 1864.
* *
*
EDWIN LOVELAND, of Hebron, Conn., enlisted January 5, 1864; mus
tered in United States service same day ;
mustered eut at Manchester, near Rich
mond, \'a. , June ix, 1865. He was with
the first Union troops to enter Rich
raond, and saw, with pride and patriotic
exultation, the Union flag hoisted over
the capital. Comrade Loveland was
a good, steady soldier. Ever ready to
obey orders cheerfully er to assist the
corarades in tiraes of need, his every
action proved that he had entered into
the war through the highest motives
of patriotism.
* *
*
JOHN MAGUIRE, of Union, Conn., enhsted November 16, 1864; mus
tered in same day; deserted January 31, 1865.

ROBERT MARTIN, of Enfield, Conn., enhsted November 19, 1864;
mustered in the United States service same day; raustered out at
[Manchester, near Richmond, Va. , June n, 1865.

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1S61—1S65 815
JOSEPH MARTIN, of Enfield, Conn., enlisted August 27, 1862; raus
tered in Company F, 22d Connecticut Infantry, September 20, 1862;
mustered out July 7, 1863; enlisted in the First Connecticut Light
Battery November 21, 1864; mustered in same day ; was with the
Battery when it entered Richmond with the first Union troops, and
was mustered eut at Manchester, Va. , June n, 1865.
* *
*
JOHN MARTIN, of Windsor Locks, Conn., enlisted November 25, 1864;
mustered in same day; raustered out of the United States service
at [Manchester, Va. , June 11, 1865.
* *
*
THOMAS F. Mccarty, of East Windsor, Conn., eijlisted November
15, 1864; mustered in same day; mustered out of the United States
service at Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va., June n, 1865.
*
JAMES McCANN, of Manchester, Conn., enlisted November 21, 1864;
mustered in the United States service same day; raustered out at
Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va., June xr, 1865, after entering
the Confederate capital with the first troops.
* *
*
EDWARD ncCORMICK, of East Haven, Conn., enlisted December
2, 1864; mustered in United States service sarae day; raustered
eut, after entering the Confederate capital with the first Union
troops, June xx, 1865, at Manchester, Va.
* *
*
PETER ncQEE. of New Haven, Conn., enhsted Noveraber 27, 1863;
mustered, in United States service sarae day; was wounded at the
battle of Proctor's Creek, Va., May 14, 1864; mustered out at
Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va., June n, 1865, after having
been with the first Union troops te enter the Confederate capital.
* *
*
ROBERT nclLROV, of New Haven, Conn., enhsted January 7, 1864;
mustered in same day ; mustered out at Manchester, opposite Rich
mond, Va., June II, 1865.

-816 HISTORY AXD REMINISCENCES
-QEORQE niLLER, of Granby, Conn., enlisted November 30, 1864;
mustered in same day; discharged December 15, 1864.
* *
ROBERT W. MORGAN, of Chatham, Conn., enlisted November 21,
1864; mustered in same day; died January 9, 1865.
*
WILLIAM MULLIGAN, of Suffield, Conn., enlisted November 21, 1864;
mustered in same day; mustered out at Manchester, opposite Rich
mond, Va., June n, 1865. * *
*
JAMES N ANQ L E, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted December 28, 1864;
mustered in same day; raustered out of United States service
at Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va., June n, 1865.
* *
*
CALVIN H. NORTON, Guilford, Conn., enlisted and mustered in
the United States service en September i, 1864; was wounded
before Richmond, and remained in the hospital until he was
honorably discharged June 14, 1865.
* *
*
FRANK W. PATTISON, of Bridgeport, Conn., enlisted and raustered
in January 20, 1864; raustered out at
Manchester, near Richmond, Va. , June
n, 1865. Comrade Pattison served for
some time as company clerk and per
formed every duty with credit and honor,
winning the confidence of Captain
Clinton, who felt sure that no clerk
could be raore efficient or painstaking.
He says his confidence was not mis
placed. *
WILLIAn E. PATTERSON, of New Haven Conn., enlisted Septem
ber 9, 1862; mustered in Company I, 27th Connecticut Infantry

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY. 1861—1865 817
October 2 2, 1862; taken prisoner at the battle of Chancellorsville,
May 3, 1863; paroled May 14, 1863; mustered eut July 27, 1863;
enlisted in the First Connecticut Light Battery January 2, 1864;
mustered in same day. * *
STEPHEN B. PECK, of New Britain, Conn., enlisted December 12,
1864; mustered in the United States service same day; mustered
out at Manchester, opposite Richraond, Va., June n, 1865.
* «
*
WILLIAM A. PINNEY.of Berlin, Conn., enhsted December x, 1864,
mustered in same day ; mustered out of the United States service at
Manchester, near Richmond, Va., June n, 1865.
CH;ARLES a. PLUnnER, of Enfield, Conn., enlisted Noveraber 19,
1864; mustered in the same day; deserted January 17, 1865.
* *
*
HENRY B. PORTER, of Hebron, Conn., enhsted August 24, 1864;
mustered in same day; mustered out at Manchester, near Rich
mond, Va., June n, 1865.
PETER QUIGLEY, of Union, Conn., enlisted November 19, 1864; mus
tered in same day; discharged June n, 1865.
*
ADAn RAnSEY, of New Haven, Conn. , enlisted January 5, 1864 ; raus
tered in United States service sarae day;
mustered out at Manchester, near Rich
mond, Va. , June xx, 1865, after being
with the victorious Union troops on their
march into the Confederate capital.
Comrade Ramsey not only proved
his patriotism while with the Battery, but
has shewn a feeling of good fellowship by
meeting with his comrades at the re
unions, and has maintained the sturdy
characteristics of his good old Scotch
ancesters.

818

HISTORY AXD RE.MIXISCE.XCES

JAnES QUINN, of Simsbury, Conn., enlisted and mustered in United
States service November 26, 1864; mustered out at Manchester,
Va. , June 11, 1865.
PETER ROACH, of Enfield, Conn., enlisted and was mustered in United
States service November 21, 1864; mus
tered out at Manchester, Va. , June 11,
1865. Comrade Peter Roach was born in
Ireland and came to this country when a
child. Filled with martial ardor, he ran
away frora home, and being a well-de
veloped bey enlisted in the 25th New
York Infantry, but his father obtained
his discharge on proving that he was
under age. Two weeks later, in corapany
with three ether boys, who all worked in
the same shop, he ran away to Hartford,
Conn., and enlisted in the First Connecticut Light Battery. His
father did not find him, and so the young soldier went to the front and
participated in the closing scenes of the great war. His father was
an Irish patriot and was a distinguished member of the Ancient
Order of Hibernians; his grandfather served in the English army
and retired with a pension. Comrade Peter Roach had two sens in
the Spanish-American war; one was with the gallant 69th New
York, and the other served with the 8th United States Infantry
at the battle of San Juan, Cuba.
* *
CHARLES ROGERS, of East Haven, Conn., enlisted and was mustered
in United States service February i, 1864; deserted February
xo, 1864. * *
*
THOnAS SANFORD, of Suffield, Conn., enlisted and mustered in
United States service December 7, 1864; mustered out at Man
chester, opposite Richmond, Va., June xx, 1865.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1.^61— isti.l 819
WILLIAn H. SWAN, of Windsor Locks, Conn., enlisted September i,
1862, and was mustered in Company C, 25th Connecticut Infantry,
November ii, 1862; mustered out August 26, 1863; enlisted in the
First Connecticut Light Battery August 31, 1864; mustered eut at
Manchester, near Richraond, Va. , June xi, 1865.
* *
EDWARD SCHLOTHEIM, of Enfield, Conn., enlisted and mustered in
United States service November 19, 1864; mustered out at Man
chester, opposite Richraond, Va., June n, 1865.
* *
niCHAEL SHAY, of Windsor Locks, Conn., enlisted and mustered in
November 25, 1864; deserted January 25, 1865.
* *
*
JOHN SinPSON, of Burlington, Conn., enlisted and was mustered in
January 13, 1864; mustered out at Manchester, near Richraond,
Va., June n, 1865. *
FREDERICK W. sniTH, of New Haven, Conn., enlisted and was
mustered in United States service January 29, 1864; deserted
March 13, 1864. * *
*
FREDERICK W. STOWE, of East Windsor, Conn., enlisted and mus
tered in October 14, 1864; honorably discharged June n, 1865;
promoted 2d Lieutenant by brevet June 12, 1865. Comrade Stowe
is a nephew of Henry Ward Beecher, and his action fully main
tained the patriotism of his family.
* *
*
THOnAS SULLIVAN, of Essex, Conn., enhsted and mustered in
February 2, 1864; wounded at the battle of Proctor's Creek, Va.,
May 14, 1864; mustered out of United States service at Manchester,
opposite Richmond, Va., June n, 1865.
* *
*
WILLIAn TAYLOR, of Ellington, Conn., enlisted and mustered in
November 15, 1864; mustered out of United States service at Man
chester, opposite Richmond, Va., June n, 1865.

S20

HISTORY .AXD REMIXISCENCES

LEROY UPSON, of Wolcott, Conn, (see portrait and exciting adventure,
page 698), enlisted and mustered in the United States service
September 3, 1864; mustered eut at Manchester, opposite Rich-
mend, Va., June n, 1865.
Corarade Upson's father, Lucian Upson, served in the 8th
Connecticut Infantry as a private. His grandfather on his mother's
side, Levi Johnson, served in the War of the Revolution. His
mother, Lois A. Upson, was an honored member of the Hannah
Woodruff Chapter of the Daughters of American Revolution of
Southington, Conn.
Comrade Upson, since the war, has held several responsible
positions with manufacturing concerns in Connecticut. He resides
at Watertown, near Waterbury, Conn.

•EDGAR VAN HORN, of Milford, Conn., enlisted and mustered in
January 29, 1864; mustered eut of the
United States service at Manchester, op
posite Richraond, Va., June n, 1865.
Corarade Van Horn was born in Mil
ford April 22, 1846. Comrade Van Horn
recalls with pride that though only a
recruit, he participated in the engage
ments at Chester Station, Proctor's Creek,
Drewry's Bluff, Ware Bottom Church,
and in the battles and skirmishes to the
end of the war. He is a brother of
Comrade George Van Horn, whose record
has been given under his name.

WILLIAM WALKER, of Granby, Conn., enlisted and mustered in the
United States service November 29, 1864; raustered out at Man
chester, opposite Richraond, Va. , June n, 1865.

JAMES WALTERS, of Berlin, Conn., enlisted and raustered in the
United States service November 30, 1864; deserted April 15, 1865.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1.^:61-1865 821
HENRY WATSON, of Essex, Conn., enlisted and mustered in February
2, 1864; deserted July 24, 1864,
* *
*
AVRIES WEED, of Windsor Locks, Conn., enlisted and mustered in
September i, 1864; mustered eut at Manchester, opposite Rich
mond, Va. , June n, 1865. * *
CHARLES E. WELLMAN, of Guilford, Conn., enlisted and raustered
in September 13, 1864; honorably discharged from United States
service June 16, 1865. *
HENRY L. WILnOT, of East Haven, Conn., enlisted and raustered
in United States service January 18, 1864; killed at the battle of
Proctor's Creek, Va., May 14, 1864.
* *
*
CLAYTON H. WILSON, of Colurabia, Conn., enlisted and raustered in
United States service Deceraber x, 1864; raustered out at Manches
ter, opposite Richmond, Va. , June n, 1865.
* *
*
WILLIAM WILSON, of Essex, Conn., enlisted and mustered in Feb
ruary 2, 1864; transferred to United States Navy April 28, 1864;
served en United States ship Agawam; killed in action August 13,
1864. * *
WINFIELD WILMARTH, of Windsor Locks, Conn., enhsted and
mustered in United States service August 31, 1864; mustered out
at Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va., June 11, 1865.
* *
*
PETER WOOSTER, of Vernon, Conn., enlisted and mustered in United
States service December 2, 1864; mustered out at Manchester,
opposite Richmond, Va., June n, 1865.
* *
*
ALEXANDER WRIGHT, of New Haven, Conn., enhsted and mus
tered in United States service January ig, 1864; mustered out at
Manchester, opposite Richmond, Va., June 11, 1865.

HISTORY AXD RE.MIXISCE.XCES

XoN-COM.MISSIONED OFFICERS AXD PRIVATES ANU DaTE OF
Enlistment.
Sergeants enlisted 
Hospital Steward enlisted 
Corporals enlisted 

[MusiciansArtificersWagoner Privates

18611862 1S61
1862 1863
1864 i86x
1S6218611861 1861
1862 1863 1864

Enlisted men (total).

17 X
22 2 II I
I
6 I
96 IS 4
no
278

CASUALTIES.
The following list of killed, wounded, injured and of deaths from
disease, during period of active service, has been compiled from the official
records. Pension Office reports and the records of the First Connecticut
Light Battery. It may not be entirely accurate, as many were doubtless
injured, but did not report to the doctor, hence their names do not appear
in the official report:
KILLED.
Lieutenant George Metcalf, Proctor's Creek, Va.
Private Henry Wilmot, Proctor's Creek, Va.
WOUXDED.
(Officially reported.)
John E. Albro, Jul}' 16, '63, James Island.
Marcus M. Hall, May 10, '64, Chester Station.
Elijah C. Tuttle, May 14, '64, Proctor's Creek.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865

82

Chas. Richardson,
Peter McGee,
Ebenezer ^Vakeley,
Hart Landon,
Alfred E. Leonard,
Frederick Besley,
Chas. N. Bissell,
James H. Reynolds,
Thos. Sullivan,
Curtis Bacon,

May 14, '64, Proctor's Creek.
May 14, '64, Proctor's Creek.
May 10, '64, Chester Station.
May 14, '64, Proctor's Creek.
May 14, '64, Proctor's Creek.
May 14, '64, Proctors Creek.
May 14, '64, Proctor's Creek.
May 14, '64, Proctor's Creek.
May 14, '64, Proctor's Creek.
May 15, '64, Proctor's Creek.

Injured During Service.
(From pension reports and battery records.)

Geo. F. Remington,
Henry Grow,
John Shine,
Gee. W. Penhallow,
J. H. Gladding,
Samuel H. Hull,
Wm. G. McNary,
Andrew Nolan,
E. O. Blatchley,
H. W. Beecher,
David Crossley,
Wm. Davidson,
Jaraes E. Dickerman,
Chas. E. Evarts,
Calvin H. Norton,
Adolph W. Eckhert,

December 20, '61, Meriden.
January, '62, on EUwood Walter
May 8, '62, Beaufort.
September, '62, Beaufort.
July, '62, no place given.
March, '63, Beaufort.
July, '63, Pen Pon River.
July, '63, Pon Pon River.
May 10, '63, Chester Station.
May 10, '64, Chester Station
May 14, '64, Proctor's Creek
May 15, '64, Procter's Creek.
Injured by recoil of gun.
1865, Darbytown Road.
1865, before Richmond.
February, '65, Richmond.

Died from Diseask During Active Service.

H. B. BuUard,
Henry H. Spencer,
Fred. A. Pettibone,
E. M. B. Roberts,

February 6, '62.
February 8, '62.
May 4, '62.
June 24, '62.

824

HISTORY A.XD REMINISCENCES

Reuben Spencer,
James Hayes,
Nathan Gillette,
George A. Goedale,
Levi J. Warner,
Joseph H. Hull,
James J. Taylor,
Fairfield Cook,
Wm. L. Graham,
Wm. E. Moore,
J. G, Norton,
Hector McLean,
Chas. Bancroft,
Curtis Bacon,
Lucius H. Jagger,
Robt. W. Morgan,

Julys, '62.
July 18, '62.
August 4, '62.
August 5, '62.
August 8, '62.
August 31, '62.
October 8, '62.
January 20, '63.
April 20, '63.
August 20, '63.
October 14, '63,
May 16, '64.
June 9, '64.
July 10, '64.
July 16, '64.
January 9, '65.

s^^=^^

^ --:'^=sr=^r:;^y-^;r-5^Sir^j^

vj^^^^J.

 ¦ ' Ti4, \ r

_1 --^T' "' -

CHAPTER XLIV.

THE VETERAN ASSOCIATION.

ITH the close companionship lasting through three or
mere years, the fact that during those years the
comrades had been participants in one of the
greatest wars the world had ever known, raade it
a natural sequence that there should be a desire to
perpetuate the friendship and keep alive the spirit
of fraternity which had raade the Battery almost
like a social club throughout its existence.
The merabers of the Battery were scattered, and so met only at rare
intervals. The comrades residing in New Haven er Guilford or Milford
fraternized and told tales of army life in the long evenings when freed from
the cares of business, but something more was needed, and se, in Septem
ber, 1868, at an informal meeting at which a number of the veterans were
present, it was resolved to try and effect a permanent organization so that
those who had camped and fought side by side might be raore closely banded
together, and as brothers in a sacred cause help each other in the spirit of
love and charity and patriotism. A Committee of Arrangements was ap
pointed and a notice sent eut for the holding of a reunion of the original
members of the First Light Battery at West Meriden, Conn., on October
26, 1868. The calling together of the original members was an event of
considerable importance, and a facsimile of the call is presented herewith.

<7'l/r(A' ^ •/i*<,^<.*<3 ,

r..

fJrtv jiavcn, j'cpier.ibcr 3d, 1868,

^^j'^^'^t^ ^'i^^j^^iy^f-Ty-'^

At a r.tcdzng held this day, it was voted
to hold a KEUKIOr? of the original members, officers amd m&n, of
the FIEST LIGHT BATTEEI, C. ¥., at West Aieriden, Conn,. Oct, !l6th,
1868, at which your presence is respectfully requested, 9leasc notnfy
0"e of the Cor,v,:yiitee of your ability to attend or not, a:id v/iforr.i
any other old r,zer,zbers in your vicinity of said Sieunion,

¦y Vrui/j boiirs, olrn

mon, VctD Mccn.

. |. pithinsoit, ||ilfora.
dtcard taicold, ^utlf^d.

Committee of Arrangements.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 827
On Monday, October 26, x868, at n o'clock, some forty of the original
members responded te the call and met at Circle Hall, West Meriden.
These present temporarily organized by electing Corporal Warren H.
Bissell, of Hebron, as president, and Charles E. Jillson, of Hartford, as
secretary. Subsequently a permanent organization was effected by the
election of the following officers: President.
General Alfred P. Rockwell.
Vice-Presidents.
Lieutenant John S. Cannon, of New Haven.
Corporal Warren H. Bissell, of Hebron.
Sergeant Charles E. Jillson, of Hartford.
Lieutenant Hezekiah B. Smith, of New London.
Private Horace Doolittle, of Cheshire.
Private Marcus M. Hall, of Guilford.
Secretary and Treasurer.
Lieutenant Arthur E. Clark, of Milford.
Historian.
Lieutenant Theron Upson, of Kensington.
After the organization of the association the comrades adjourned te the
dining hall of Messrs. Murry & Hall, where an excellent dinner had been
prepared. After a blessing was invoked by Chaplain Walker, of the 18th
Connecticut Infantry, an hour was spent in enjoying the bountiful repast.
The Soldiers' Record, of Hartford, in speaking of the first reunion,
said: It is seldom that a more satisfactory season is enjoyed. The most kind and cordial
feelings prevailed ; every one was so glad to see his comrades. It was their first reunion.
Keen wit and good humor were the order of the day. Army jokes were reviewed, thrilling
incidents related, and important questions asked, such as "Who killed the goat ? " "Who
ate the pig ? " and other questions of absorbing interest were proposed, but few of which,
however, were satisfactorily answered, though it was the general impression that some
body could have answered most of the interrogatories if they had been so disposed. Per-

828 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
haps at the next meeting these difBcult questions may be settled. Almost every one at the
table made a short speech and asked and answered a question, which was received with
the most decided demonstrations of approbation.
Before the comrades separated the invitation of Comrade Edward Gris
wold to hold the second annual reunion in Guilford was accepted, and the
date fixed for October 1869.
As the comrades were leaving the hall one of them made the sentient
remark, "Every member of the Battery is as near to me as a 'twin
brother,' " and it was this feeling which made the first gathering a success.
The second reunion was held at Guilford in October, 1869, and marked
an epoch in the history of the Battery Association. When the veterans ar
rived at the depot they were met by twenty members of the Battery, wear
ing white badges, and the Guilford Light Battery, Connecticut National
Guard, Lieut. Griswold, who, in uniform, were drawn up in line with sabres
at shoulder. A line was immediately formed, which moved to the Music
Hall in the following order: Felsburg Band.
Guilford Light Battery, C. N. G.
First Connecticut Light Battery.
Citizens in carriages.
As the procession marched around the public square to the Music Hall
a salute was fired from the green by the Guilford Battery. The Music
Hall was profusely decorated with flags and banners, with portraits of
Lincoln, Grant and Govemor Buckingham conspicuously displayed, and in
the rear of the platform were suspended upon white shields, the names of
those who had died in service and the names of the engagements in which
the Battery had taken part.
The Rev. [Mr. Weeks, on behalf of the people of Guilford, welcomed
the comrades to the town and extended to them the hospitalities of the
citizens, after which Lieutenant Upson returned the thanks of the comrades
to the good patriotic people of Guilford. *
The Guilford Light Battery entertained the comrades at dinner, the
beautiful girls of Guilford acting as waitresses for the occasion. After
dinner Lieutenant Cannon presided ever the meeting and addresses were

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 829
made by Chaplain Walker, Comrades Upson, Landon and others. In the
evening a collation was served in the Armory, and dancing occupied the
tirae until a late hour.
The officers elected were: President,
General Alfred P. Rockwell.
Vice-Presidents.
Lieutenant John S. Cannon.
Lieutenant Hezekiah B. Sraith.
Lieutenant Edward Griswold.
Lieutenant Sylvanus C. Dickinson.
Sergeant Warren H. Bissell.
Sergeant Charles E. Jillson.
Secretary and Treasurer.
Lieutenant Theron Upson.
While the majority of the people accepted the result of the war, how
ever they may have felt prior to its close, there were some who retained
their "copperhead" sentiraents, and would not allow themselves to be
reconciled to the fact that the Union had been preserved and one nation
firmly knit together from the Lakes to the Gulf. A statesraan once said that
"a copperhead is one, who while he has not the virtue of loyalty, lacks the
courage to go to the war, "and many of the copperheads of Connecticut, while
sympathizing with the cause of the South, remained in the North and made
what money they could out of those who were loyal to the Union. When
the war was over, they disliked to hear anything about the triuraph of the
Union and every gathering of veterans was like a red flag held before an
angry bull. They would gladly have praised a reunion of Confederates, but
had only terras of opprobrium, and even descended te falsehood for a gath
ering of Unionists. As an instance of this sentiment and in order te make
the history one of absolute fairness we quote a letter, which appeared in
the New Haven Daily Lever, October 29, 1869, the falsity of the statements
contained in it are so glaring that no refutation is necessary :
To the Editor: The great gathering of the " veterans " of the Connecticut Battery
so flamingly noticed by the press all over the State, has "been and come and gone off ''

830 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
in this quiet little village without even stirring an echo from the distant hill-sides. A
g^eat feast of fat things was promised, but a most lean and beggarly account of empty
dishes followed. It was a melancholy and most dejected fizzle in the way of a demon
stration. Eight musicians and a corporal's guard of quondam soldiers were all that
were in attendance. These few dined and supped and "owled" (if not howled) it home
on the midnight train. With few exceptions — and these only prominent because few — the
people of Guilford showed their obtruding guests but little attention. Anything that tends
to keep alive the remembrance of the late war is distasteful to the people here. The high
prices of everything they eat, drink and wear is a sufficient reminder of the follies and
crimes of the past, A letter was read from Gov, Hawley, saying that he was too much
engaged in preparations for Grant's Thanksgiving to be present. One native soldier said
something, and then the thing ended like a figure nine with the tail cut off. This is a cor
rect version of the affair — and nothing set down in malice. T. S. P. D.
The third annual reunion was held in 1870 at Sea View House, West
Haven. The fourth reunion was an enjoyable one at Guilford Point.
In 1872 the comrades gathered at Sea View House, West Haven, to
hold their fifth reunion.
Each year the comrades met and dined together, told stories of war
time days, recalled experiences and pledged each ether te a long life frater
nity. Unfortunately the minute books of those early days of the Veteran
Association have been lost, and so no record can be given.
September 17, 1879, known as Battle Flag Day, saw a memorable
gathering in Hartford. The Connecticut troops from all parts of the
State assembled in the capital city and paraded the streets with bands and
banners, and then raarched te the new Capitol, where each regiment and
battery deposited its battle flag in the hall dedicated te the battle flags of
the State, there to be preserved as most precious memorials of the great
struggle and the valiant work done by Connecticut men.
The First Light Battery participated in the battle flag celebration and
held their reunion in Hartford on the same day.
No record has been kept of the 13th reunion, held in x88o.
The 14th reunion was held in the year x88i, at Sachem's Head,
Guilford. The record of the isth reunion, held in 1882, has been lost.
The i6th reunion was held at the Surf House, West Haven, when 24

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 831
of the comrades attended, many of them accompanied by their wives and
families. The year 1884 was a memorable one in the history of the association,
fer the good people of Guilford determined that the 17th gathering should
take the form of an encampraent, lasting the entire week in the pleasant
month of June. Most of the comrades within accessible distance of Guil
ford attended some time during the week, and many a handshake and
fraternal grip told how enjoyable it was to meet on the "tented field" once
more. General Rockwell and most of the officers of the Battery in its war
days attended and guests were welcoraed with all a true soldier's heartiness
and treated with hospitality.
The records of the x8th and igth reunions have been lest.
The 2oth gathering took place at Waterbury, September 13, 1887, when
24 comrades responded to the call.
The following year the reunion was held at Milford, August 30, and
was attended by 40 comrades with their wives and families and invited
guests. On September 19, 1889, the association met at Sachem's Head, Guil
ford, for the 22d annual reunion.
In 1890 the comrades left the State and assembled in Boston, Mass.,
for their annual gathering, 17 comrades taking the trip.
The 24th reunion was held on Septeraber 9, 1891, at Bridgeport, and
was attended by 32 comrades.
The 25th annual gathering took place on August 31, 1892, at New
Britain, at which 32 comrades and 24 invited guests were present.
The 26th reunion was held at Guilford, September 13, 1893, and its
exercises were participated in by 29 corarades and 28 of their wives and
friends. On October 26, 1894, the association assembled at Grand Army Hall,
Hartford, 25 comrades answering the roll-call, and 11 invited guests joining
with them in their enjoj'able feast and exercises.
The 28th reunion was held in Meriden, October 9, 1895, 28 of the
comrades responding te the invitation, accompanied by 16 invited guests.
On August 26, 1896, the association assembled in New London, 21

S;'.2 HISTORY .A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES
comrades answering to the roll when the proceedings opened; 12 invited
guests participated.
The 30th reunion was held on August 26, 1897, at Sanford Hotel,
Woodmont, at which 35 of the comrades and 18 invited guests sat down te
a bountiful dinner.
On August 18, 1898, the association met at [Mansfield Grove, East
Haven, and the gathering was attended by 29 comrades and 8 others.
The 32d reunion was held at the Surf House, West Haven, on
Septeraber 21, 1899, and was attended by 42 comrades and 32 invited guests,
mostly the wives and children of the veterans.
This gathering was a raoraentous one, the comrades being roused to
enthusiasm at the thought that the Battery history would be recorded in en
during type and be thus in a form to be handed down to future generations.
The secretary of the Reunion Coraraittee read raany letters from
absent members; that from General Rockwell will be found printed in full
on page 475 of this history; Lieutenant S. T. Porter wrote from Orr,
i\Ientana, saying that " millions should pay tribute te these who in the hour
of darkness raade sacrifices and shed their blood in order that the republic
raight be preserved, and that future generations might have such a govern
ment as no ether nation now enjoys." Some of the comrades came from a
great distance in order to take part in the historic reunion. Comrade James
Wells brought his wife and family from far-off Tarapa, Florida, to partici
pate in the exercises. Historian Beecher explained the scope and nature
of the history, of the work he was doing, and Editor De Morgan, who was
present as an invited guest, told how thorough the history would be, and
showed that it would differ from any other ever written, inasrauch as
it would tell the story of the war frora the private's standpoint and
as far as possible in the comrades' own words. Such a work, besides
being unique, would be one of the raost valuable state papers ever issued,
and future generations would value it and treasure it as an heirloora of
priceless worth. Speeches were delivered by a number of the comrades and
by Mrs. James Wells, who is an active worker in philanthropic movements
in the South, Mrs. Hart Landon and others. A committee was appointed
by the president to draw up resolutions of thanks to Comrade and Historian
Beecher. After a recess the committee presented the following resolutions.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1 S65 833
which were adopted by a standing vote, the comrades gathering round the
historian and testifying their appreciation by hearty handshakes:
Whereas, The merabers of the First Connecticut Light Battery assera
bled at Savin Reck, New Haven, en the 21st day of Septeraber, 1899, to
celebrate the 32d annual reunion of the Battery, have realized the fact
that Comrade H, W, Beecher, by an unstinted use of his money and
unlimited time, has through persistent energy and perseverance triumphed
over difficulties and caused to be written a full and complete history of the
Battery; therefore
Be it Resolved, That the members desire to testify their appreciation of
his patriotic and loving labors, not for themselves alone, but fer their
descendants, who will value a record of the part taken by the Battery in the
war of 1861-65, making an iraportant chapter in the history of Connecticut;
Be it Resolved, That words are inadequate to express the sincere thanks
of the members to their beloved fellow-comrade, for the minute and detailed
compilation of historical facts and reminiscences related by individual
members, making the book unique, interesting and valuable, as well as
being an accurate history of the First Light Battery Connecticut Volunteers,
(Signed) James Holly,
Warren H. Bissell,
S. Wilbur Scranton,
Coraraittee on Special Resolutions.
Adopted by Battery Septeraber 21, 1899.
The officers elected were: President.
Edward Griswold, of Guilford.
Vice -Pres iden ts .
Herbert W. Beecher, of New York.
Alfred G. Bishop, of New York.
Secretary.
Theron Upson, of Hartford.
Treasurer.
John T. Sloan, of New Haven.

834

HISTORY AND REMINISCE.XCES

Rezinion Committee,
Samuel W. Scranton, of New Haven.
John S. Cannon, of New Haven.
Charles W. Gesner, of New Haven.
John T. Sloan, of New Haven.
The 33d reunion was held on September 6, 1900, at Lighthouse
Point, East Haven, and was attended by 45 comrades and 38 others.
After the meeting had been cahed te order by the president. Comrade
Sloan read many letters of regrets from absent comrades. General Rock
well wrote :
"I ara sorry that my engagements will prevent my attending the Bat
tery reunion. I am glad to know that the record of the Battery is to be so
well preserved in the history which Comrade Beecher is publishing. We are
all proud ofthe record."
The sarae officers were elected for the ensuing year.

Wm 4M

CHAPTER XLV.

THE BATTERY'S SUCCESSOR.

OON after the Battery returned from the war and its
merabers were raustered out. General Russell, then
in command of the State militia, sent fer Comrade
Edward Griswold, of the First Connecticut Light
Battery, to meet him at his home in New Haven.
There Comrade Griswold found with General Russell,
Governor Buckingham, and his Adjutant, General
Morse, Colonel Kellogg, of the 2d Connecticut Regiraent, and other military
men. Governor Buckingham stated that he desired to organize a light battery
as a part of the forces of the State, te be under the command of some one
who had had experience in that arm of the service, and offered Comrade
Griswold the command of a section to be recruited in Guilford.
Comrade Griswold thanked the Governor for the expression of his
confidence, but thought that as he had served three years at the front he
had done his share, but he expressed his willingness to recruit the men and
then allow them to elect their commander.
The Governor accepted the proposition and Comrade Griswold pro
ceeded to carry out his promise. Recruits carae in quickly, seven of his
old comrades enlisting with him. When the section was full Comrade
Griswold was unanimously elected its commander. He remained with it
six years and retired with a splendid record, the Guilford section, or Platoon
A, as it was officially named, being reported as excellent in every respect

836 HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES
and at the head of the list en State reports. Succeeding Comrade Griswold
in command were L. O. Chittenden, John B. Hubbard, William H. Lee,
Arthur S. Fowler, William T. Fauld, Edward M. Gillette, Barlow Honce
and George T. Fowler respectively.
The military papers have often referred to the Battery as one of the
most efficient in the militia of the United States.
The veterans of the First Light Battery, who joined the Guilford
Light Battery, Connecticut National Guard, as charter merabers, with their
rank in the new organization, were:
Edward Griswold, xst Lieutenant.
Hethcote G. Landon, 2d Lieutenant.
Horatio W. Evarts, ist Sergeant.
Elias O. Norton, ) „
V Sergeants.

Edgar G. Davis,
Edward P. Norton,
Stephen H. Norton,
Charles W. Lane, Private.

Corporals.

Of these eight veterans four have passed away. Landon, Evarts and
Edward and Stephen Norton have answered the last roll call on earth and
been raustered into the ranks of the great army of the faithful. Their
names are held in grateful esteem by their fellow comrades.
When the Maine was blown up in the harbor of Havana and it was felt
that war with Spain must naturally ensue, the members of Battery A were
filled with patriotic fervor and only waited for the President's call to
volunteer as their predecessors had done in 1861. The call was made
and Connecticut was asked to furnish a light battery as a part of its
quota. It was naturally expected by the Guilford battery that it would be
chosen, but the great influence of Yale University and its 'wealthy friends
throughout the State was used in behalf of a battery to be raised from the
ranks of the militia, many of whose members had been graduates of Yale.
The Guilford battery had been formed for just such an emergency and
for thirty years had been recognized by the State. To ignore it and raise a
battery outside its ranks was declared by many citizens te be in the nature of
an insult. It was not likely that Lieutenant Edward Griswold would allow

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l.S61—l.S(;5 8;',7
the battery te be ignored, and being a personal friend of Governor Cook and
Senator Hawley, he used his influence with them with such zeal and elo
quence that an order came from the governor for the battery to report at
the State rendezvous at Niantic for inspection, prior to being transferred
to the service of the United States.
The veterans of the First Light Battery, realizing that Battery A was
the lineal descendant of the old First Light Battery which did such good
service in the war of 1861-65, determined te present a flag to Battery A,
with the earnest wish that the Battery raight win for itself immortal renown.
On [May 17, 1898, the veterans assembled at Camp Haven, Niantic,
Connecticut, carrying with them a beautiful blue silk flag four and a half
feet by five and a half feet, with gold cord, a gilt eagle perched en top of a
white oak staff; on the flag was the inscription:
From First Light Battery C. V., '61 to '65,
TO
Battery A, Conn. Vols., '98.
A great gathering had assembled at the camp to witness the presenta
tion, and after fraternal greetings President Griswold, of the Veteran
Association, in a patriotic speech said :
Captain Honce, officers and members of Battery A, Connecticut Vol
unteers of 1898 — volunteers to upheld the dear old flag. The heart of every
survivor of these who stood in hne 37 years age as you do new beats in
unison with yours to-day. Sad may be the parting with dear friends, but
inspiring is the Ged-bless-yeu loyalty with which they bid you go.
He then introduced Lieutenant Sylvanus C. Dickinson, of Stratford, to
make the presentation speech. The veteran lieutenant was in good form
and addressed the successors of the old Battery with which he had se
gallantly served as follows :
Officers and men of the First Connecticut Light Battery: Thirty-seven
years ago our nation awoke to find itself plunged into civil strife. The
North and South were arrayed against each other, and for four long years
the valor and devotion of both sections were poured forth unceasingly, only
to be swallowed up by the remorseless maelstrom of war. When the
contest was over it had cost thousands of milhens in treasure and hundreds

838 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
of thousands of precious lives, but national unity, the vital principle of our
existence, had been established forever and forever. Among the organiza
tions which had enlisted at that time was the First Connecticut Light
Battery. Recruited in October, 1861, at West Meriden, under Lieutenants
Seward, of Guilford, and Cannon, of New Haven, it was sworn into the
service of the United States early in November, and two months later
received its marching orders. Thenceforward fer three years and eight
months, en many fields in the Department of the South and in Virginia, it
answered to the call of duty, and always with credit to itself and with honor
te the State. It was mustered out at Richmond in June, 1865, when, leaving
the horses and guns, the men returned home and transferred the colors to
the custody of the State, and the First Light Battery had passed into
history. And now, after this long interval of peace, another war is thrust
upen us. Not, like the former, to reunite a divided nation, but to rescue
from the clutch of an arrogant and barbarous governraent a neighboring
people who have long struggled for freedora, and under God's providence
lead them along the road toward a broader and raore enlightened citizenship.
To aid in the accomplishment of this object you men of this battery
are here. You have chosen the old Guilford organization as a medium
around which to rally, and in your zeal have swollen it from a single section
to the dignity of a full battery. You have been endowed by the Govemor
with a name which even new sends a thrill through numerous hearts when
it is spoken, and which is yet dear to the men who filled its ranks so many
years age, and believing that you will wear it worthily, and will, so far as
you have opportunity, honor the confidence the State has reposed in you, we
of the Battery of 1861 greet the Battery of 1898 as the child of our adoption.
Our thoughts will follow you. Whatever may be the fortunes of war, be
assured that no honor can come to you that will not also bring pride and
gladness to the hearts of those who once trod the paths along which you are
now marching. Wishing to emphasize our regard for you, we have deemed
it good to present you with this flag. As it floats over you, let it be an
incentive te noble deeds and a constant reminder of that loyalty which
graces most of all the soldiers who serve under its folds. It may be that it
shall never wave in the smoke of battle, nor even be kissed by the soft
winds of the South. It may be your destiny to guard our coast, and your

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1861—1865 839
flag raay never cast its shadows en other than New England soil; but
wherever it waves we are confident it will be the rallying- point of men as
brave, as patriotic, as self-denying as those who bore your name and
manned the guns of the eld Battery thirty-five years ago.
Captain Honce, in a few well-chosen words, accepted the flag in behalf
of Battery A, Three hearty cheers were then given by the Battery fer the
Veteran Association.
The Veteran Association, after the presentation of the flag, invited the
commissioned staff and non-commissioned officers of the Battery to dine
with them at the National House.
Seated at the tables, representing the Veteran Association, were Presi
dent Edward Griswold, Major W. T. Seward, Hart Landon, W. B. Norton,
George Durgin and Edgar G. Davis, of Guilford; Herbert W. Beecher, of
New York City; John T. Sloan and Lieutenant John S. Cannon, of New
Haven; J. R. Doolittle, of Plantsville; James Holly and Williara McNary,
of New Britain; Lieutenant S. C. Dickinson, of Stratford, and Lieu
tenant H. B. Smith, of New London.
Representing Battery A were Captain Honce, Lieutenants O'Brien,
Weston, Kinney and Honce, Sergeants Lynch, Clancey, Fisher, Massey,
Chappel, Twitchell, Spencer and White, Corporals Sanford and Dailey
and Private J. F. Wildman.
The dinner was a sumptuous one and enjoyed by all present. It was a
memorable day both for the veterans and the new Battery, and the State
had reason to be proud of the sons who were ready te stand by their guns as
their fathers had done before them.
The battery was in camp for four months, and though not called into
active service, it received many words of praise for the good conduct and
soldierly appearance of its members, from army and ex-army officers, and
much commendation frora the other organizations encamped with them. It
was the general opinion that had they gone into active service they would
have sustained the reputation of the old war organization and once mere
shown that Connecticut's sons behind the guns were the equal of any under
the United States flag.
When it was decided that their services would not be required they

840 HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES
were mustered out of the United States service, and returning home became
once raore a State organization.
They were filled with disappointment, however, at having to surrender
the raodern breech-loading guns they had used in camp and to return heme
with the old muzzle-loaders which they had formerly used. The disappoint
ment damped the ardor of raany, but patriotism prevailed, and the battery
is sustained by the hope that soon the State will be able to furnish the most
modern equipments.
The past officers and charter members of the Guilford Light Battery
have never lost their interest in the organization. They have always been
proud of it and looked upon it as the direct heir, as it was the natural off
spring, of the old First Light Battery of 1861-65. Many times during the
past thirty-five years the Battery would have passed eut of existence had it
not been for the patriotic efforts and pride of its charter members.
In speaking of this battery. Comrade Griswold says: " Thus the child
of the eld First Light Battery has existed in a country town for thirty-five
years, while in almost every city of the State batteries have been organized,
only to live a short time and then be disbanded. A farming town seems to
rae te be the legitiraate heme fer a light battery. The farmer boy is brought
up with a knowledge of horses, and in a farming town where the drivers
can supply their own horses, the expense to the State is considerably less.
"A new militia bill has become a law, having for its object the reorgani
zation of the State militia, and the battery is awaiting with some anxiety
the final decision of the authorities. The Adjutant-General, in his last re
port, recommends a battalion of artillery, to be located in the cities of New
Haven, Xew London, and Bridgeport, and it is feared that if that recommen
dation is carried into effect, the countr}' organization, notwithstanding its
thirty-five 3'ears honorable career, may be wiped eut of existence."
The first platoon, stationed at Guilford, is at present under the com
mand of Lieutenant Alton Spencer; the second platoon, at Branford, is
commanded by Lieutenant John F. Kinney, and the captain of the battery
is William J. O'Brien.

CHAPTER XLVI.

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCES AND REMINISCENCES.

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RECEIVED TOO LATE FOR CLASSIFICATION.
HE history had progressed considerably when many
of the comrades remerabered incidents, experiences
and stories they had heard which were well worthy
a place in the pages of this book, but were received
too late for insertion in their proper chapters. In
order that such stories and reminiscences should not
be lost and ether valuable experiences and incidents
preserved, this chapter has been added.
ANTE-BELLUM REMINISCENCES.
Comrade Ebenezer Wakeley tells very graphically the story of the
destruction of the office of the Bridgeport Farmer en account of its extrerae
"copperhead" views. Comrade Wakeley was employed in the office and
knew the inside facts of this very important event in the history of
Bridgeport. The Farmer was active in its opposition to the war, and was as nearly
in sympathy with the secession movement as it was possible to be without
making an open avowal of disloyalty. There had been many threats te
destroy the office, especially when the characters of the "three months'
men " were cruelly aspersed, and it was usual for a number of the
employees to remain in the printing office during each night. There were
several barrels of clubs, something like policemen's clubs, ready to be used
in case of emergency, a goodly number of the proprietor's friends being
willing to offer their assistance in case they were needed.

S42 HISTORY A.XD RE.MINISCE.XCES
The "copperhead" sentiment was manifested throughout Xew
England by the holding of " peace " raeetings, at which there would be
speaking, singing, feasting and the raising of a great -white flag as a sign
that the meeting was in favor of unconditional peace. A peace meeting
had been extensively advertised to be held at Stepney, a suburb of Bridge-
pert, and P. T. Barnura, the "great showman," and Elijah Howe, the
inventor of the sewing raachine, deterrained that the peace advocates
should net have it all their own way. A nuraber of carryalls and coaches
were engaged and as raany loyal men and beys recruited as possible.
Comrade Wakeley was one of the beys who joined the Barnura and Howe
contingent. He says : " When we reached Stepney green the large
assemblage was listening to a prayer at some little distance from the pole
on which the white flag was hoisted. We drove up to the pole and took
positions round it to protect the man who was te clirab up the pole and
lower the flag, for it had been intended to let it remain there permanently.
As soon as the people realized what we were doing the raeeting dispersed,
raany of the men hurrying horae for their guns, which our party tried to
wrest from them as soon as they reappeared. This caused several hand-to-
hand struggles in the road. The sheriff appeared and tried to arrest those
who were found with arms or engaged in fighting, but he was almost
powerless. The flag had been taken down, torn into shreds and tied to the
wagons of the loyalists. Then orders were given for the procession to
return, and the prompt action of the leaders averted a terrible riot."
The loyalists returning to Bridgeport remembered the disloyal Farmer,
and the procession turned into Wall Street to the office of the paper.
" Some of the men, finding the office closed, entered a new building
close by and seized some heavy planks," says Comrade Wakeley. " It was
evident that they intended bursting open the door, when Colonel Nobles, an
old lawyer and loyalist, walked up the steps and in the interest of law and
order bade the raen retire. His appeal was unavailing and he had to stand
aside. The doors were smashed open and then there 'was a pause, for even
the most excited feared te meet the men who might be armed inside the
building. Andrew Gregan, who was foreman in that office, foolishly
entered the building and ran upstairs te the proprietor's private office, bid
ding him escape. The crowd followed him and for two hours occupied the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, l.S<;i—1865 843
building, clearing it of everything movable." A bundle of paper was
thrown into the basement and Comrade Wakeley saw that it was burning.
He knew instantly that it was intended to fire the building. He swung
himself down ever the iron raihng among the papers and rubbish accumu
lated there and put out the fire before it gained much headway.
Mr. Morse, the proprietor, escaped and went South, where he openly
espoused the Confederate cause. His foreman, Andrew Grogan, enlisted
in the 6th Connecticut Infantry and rose to the rank of Lieutenant. He was
seriously wounded, losing one of his legs, at Bermuda Hundred, June
29, 1864. The destruction of the Farmer office acted as a warning to the disloyal,
and Bridgeport gave a good account of itself throughout the war.
While the feeling was so strong at the North, it can easily be understood
that in the South extreme bitterness was manifested by these in favor of
secession against those who were loyal. Many a man became a martyr for
his principles, and scores of hemes were destroyed in pure wantonness be
cause of the expressed or implied loyalty of the owners.
At the time Virginia voted in faver of secession. Comrade Beecher's
father lived in the Shenandoah Valley at Front Royal, Warren County, Vir
ginia. Abram T. Beecher was one of the seven men who dared to vote
against the ordinance of secession in that county and therefore was a raarked
man. The excitement was intense, the hatred of the " Yankees " was at
fever heat, and but few, even of the old Whig party, dared to vote against
secession. Virginia was forced eut of the Union by the war party, and
those who were in favor of remaining in were marked as eneraies and
traitors, for it was held that loyalty to the State was of higher impor
tance than loyalty to the public.
One night Mr. Beecher was stopping at a hotel in Milford, Warren
County, where some of the fire-eating secessionists were drinking. After
getting well warmed up with whisky, these rabid and excitable men
conceived the idea than there would be great fun in "chasing all the d  d
Yankees out of the country." A man hunt was just to their liking, and as
they had imbibed sufficient of the fire-water to make them careless of the
consequences, they became more excited and talked openly of their plan.

844 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
The landlady, overhearing the discussion, went softly into the parlor, where
Beecher was sitting, and in a lew voice told him of his danger.
"They will either hang or shoot you," she said, "for they are just
drunk enough to do it."
" I guess I had better start for Front Royal."
" Oh, no, don't de that; if you de they will catch you, sure."
Her quick wit saw a way out of the difficulty. She was good-hearted,
and, while a secessionist, did not believe in lawless murder. She knew the
consequences of failure, but took the risk. She told him that there was
but one way of escape — he must hide in the attic of the house, and without
waiting for his consent she beckoned him to follow her upstairs.
She had hardly time to get down again before the drunken seces
sionists entered the parlor, and after looking round deraanded in an angry
voice: " Where's old raan Beecher ? "
"[Mr. Beecher? Why, he left ten rainutes ago for Front Royal," she
answered, without a treraor.
The men looked at her suspiciously, but after they saw that she could
look them straight in the eye without even a nervous twitching, they con
cluded she was telling the truth. And why should she deceive them ? they
thought, for her family were all loyal to the cause of secession, and she
was the mother of grown-up raen and women; her beys were all acting
with the popular party.
The fire-eaters lest ne tirae getting under way on track of " eld man
Beecher." They did not find him, but in their desperation, maddened by
whisky and disappointment at not catching the man whom they considered
the worst of the lot on account of his narae, they decided to hunt down
seme of the seven who were marked as traitors, and they succeeded in find
ing two or three of them. They took them into the mountains and they
have never been seen or heard of since. The general supposition was that
they were either hung or shot, though there was no evidence of what
became of them. They were said to have been " chased out of the country, "
according to the threat made to get rid of all the " d  d Yankees."
Comrade Beecher after the war heard his father tell of the heroic action
of the lady, and the story was amply corroborated by Mrs. Dr. Compton,

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1.S65 845
the lady herself, who never regretted the courage she raanifested that night.
Mr Beecher went to Front Royal the next day and did not venture
into the mountain district until after the war, but his danger was still
great, and the adventures he met with were almost enough te weaken the
stoutest heart.
On one occasion the fire-eaters seized hira and, putting a grapevine
around his neck, drew him up once er twice, as if they intended hanging
him, saying: " This is the way we treat old cusses like you. " Why this was
dene and yet allow him te live he was never able to find eut. It raay have
been that he was constantly under suspicion and they feared he might aid
the enemy in some way, and so they wanted to keep him intimidated or
make his life so disagreeable and dangerous that he would leave the country.
He did not leave, however, and at the close of the war only two eut of the
seven men who had voted against secession in Warren County were alive
or in Virginia, and Beecher was one of them ; all the others were either
chased out or killed.
As the war progressed Front Royal was occupied by Union troops, and
occasionally Beecher's house was made the headquarters of Generals Banks,
Milroy, Custer, and ether officers who happened to be in command.
General Custer, in one of his raids up the Shenandoah, passed one
night up the Luray Valley through Front Royal with a large division of
cavalry. Early on the following raorning Mosby's raiders attacked Custer's
rear guard and attempted te capture the provisions, baggage and ambulance
train. As Custer's men moved up the valley in the night, Mosby's raiders were
deceived regarding his force, which they had mistaken for a small raiding
party which they could attack in the rear and capture the provision wagons.
Custer's force was large enough to enable him to deploy his men all
over that part of the country, and flanking Mosby's raiders, almost sur
rounding them, captured five or six.
The boldness and effrontery of the raiders so exasperated the young
Union general that he ordered every one captured shot at once. In the
rush and excitement two or three citizens of Front Royal were captured en
suspicion of belonging to the Mosby gang or for cheering when the raiders
passed through the town.

84(i HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
One of those captured as a suspect was Mr. Beecher, who was taken
before General Custer, who fairly trembled with rage.
He turned to one of his captains and, pointing to the suspect, said:
" Is this the man ? "
" Yes, sir," the captain answered.
Without a moraent's hesitation Custer gave the order:
"Take him out and shoot him ! "
The guard was about leading Beecher away when a colored man, who
knew him to be a stanch Union man, interfered and told General Custer
that they had mistaken Mr. Beecher for one of his near neighbors, who,
said the colored man, had cheered the Mosby raiders as they passed.
The raan referred to was a Gerraan music teacher, an enthusiastic
admirer of [Mosby and his raiders.
Beecher was nearly eut of hearing when Custer ordered the guard to
halt and to hold the prisoner for further inquiry.
Custer sent for the German teacher, but he had fled. That was looked
upon as a proof of guilt, and as both Beecher and the German were about
the same size and both wore the same kind of gray homespun suits, Custer
took it as evidence that the colored man's story raight be correct, and
Beecher was ordered released.
A young man named Rhodes, the only son and support of a widowed
mother, was one of the innocent victims. Without trial, and merely on the
word of the officer who arrested him, Custer ordered young Rhodes shot.
Mr. Beecher interfered, telling the general that the boy was innocent.
Custer countermanded the order to shoot the boy, but it reached the shoot
ing party too late — the innocent boy was dead.
Five raen were shot and two hanged that day by Custer's orders.
Custer's crime that day was murder, not justified by the laws of war,
and to the day of his death it was a dark stain en his otherwise brilliant
career. A monument has since been erected at Front Royal to the memory
of the fallen heroes who were murdered at Custer's command.
One day the Confederate General Jackson marched through Front
Royal with a portion of his army. Beecher was working in a cornfield. His
brother-in-law pointed him out and intimated that he was a dangerous man
to leave in the rear of the army. The hint was enough. Beecher was

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1S61—1.S65 847
arrested and taken before one of the Confederate generals, when an excit
ing examination took place.
"What is your name ?" asked the officer.
"Abram T. Beecher."
" Are you a relation of Henry Ward Beecher ?"
" Not that I am aware of," answered Beecher.
"I suppose you are one of his school ? "
" No, sir. He is a preacher; I am not."
The general got out of patience and his teraper overcarae his supposed
judicial calm. He snapped out:
"Well, I suppose you are a d  d abolitionist ? "
" No, sir, I am net. I ara a Union man."
The answer was a brave one. Many a man had been shot for less than
that, but the sturdy New England stock was showing its grand strength.
"No, no, you are not! You are a traitor! " thundered the Confederate,
"Virginia has seceded. You have lived in the State twenty-one years and
ewe allegiance to the State. You are a traitor! a traitor! "
"No, sir," answered Beecher. "Virginia attempted to secede, but she
hasn't got out yet! Until she does, I shall claim protection under the Stars
and Stripes." "You use pretty strong language for a man in your position."
' ' Well, sir, if you do not want my opinion don't ask for it, for if you do
you will get it."
The general closed the discussion by saying:
"Oh, I reckon we'll put you where you can't hurt anybody! "
The guard was ordered to take the brave New Englander away. He
was escorted to Winchester, about twenty miles from Front Royal, as a
prisoner. The next day he and sorae other prisoners were ordered to tear down a
fence in front of the cavalry, so that the way might be cleared for a charge.
Beecher pitched in with the other prisoners and cleared away the fence. As
the cavalry charged over them Beecher dropped behind a log and, in the
confusion of the charge was net missed. When he rose no one was near,
se cautiously moving along in the shadows, he managed to get clear of
the lines.

848 HISTORY A.XD REMINISCENCES
When Mr. Beecher was within five miles of his home, and thinking that
he was safe from pursuit, a man came out of a house armed with a shotgun
and stopped hira.
"See here," he said. "Who are you, roaming around in rear of the
army? You need not stand there looking around. I have a shotgun that
will settle your case if you try to run."
Fortunately, about this time Colonel Jacobs, a neighbor of the Beechers,
came along, and seeing his friend called eut:
"Beecher! What's the matter? What are they doing with you here?"
[Mr. Beecher explained hew he was taken te Winchester with Jackson's
army and there released, and now was trying to get horae.
Colonel Jacobs said to the self-constituted vigilante: "This is Beecher,
from Front Royal. He is all right; let him go. I'll vouch fer him," and so
Beecher was permitted to travel on.
After swimraing the river Beecher encountered no more difficulties, and
got safely home four days after his capture.
These interesting reminiscences are valuable because they show the
magnificent spirit of the men who, amid all the excitement and danger,
stood firm in their loyalty to the Union. It was raen like Abrara T.
Beecher who made the republic respected and honored at home and abroad;
men who would sacrifice their lives rather than be false to principle.
* * *
General Custer tells a story of his march through the Shenandoah
Valley which illustrates how brave and daring were the men who had en
listed under Colonel Mosby. He says that one evening half a dozen of
Mosby's raiders were lounging en the south bank of the river, when there
approached a corapany of Custer's men, ten times as raany as the Confed
erates could muster. Of course it would have been madness for the raiders
te have risked a battle, so the orders were given to retire. But one of
the Mosby raiders, who must have been a reckless daredevil, raised his
musket to his shoulder and brought down one of the Unionist soldiers.
Then jumping into the river, he began swimming across to the bank on
which Custer's men were stationed, and was only prevented doing so by
the positive coramand of his officer. On being asked why he attempted to
cross in the face of certain death, he replied that he wanted te see where his

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 849
bullet struck the blueceat. Custer says he had this story from one of the
officers under Mosby, who often laughed over the overpowering curiosity
of some of his men. * * *
Comrade Cannon tells an interesting story of his experience at the
outbreak of the war. It was clearly discernible to his observant mind that
the contest, then imminent, would be long and severe, and with a view of
gaining what information was attainable from personal observation, he
resigned his position in Baltimore early in April, 1861, and proceeded to
Norfolk, Va. While in Norfolk he visited the navy yard and saw the
ill-fated Cumberland. The Merrimac was also there, laying at the deck,
being put in condition te be towed to Philadelphia. While in Norfolk
the news of the fall of Sumter was received, and the secession element was
jubilant; a salute was fired and other manifestations of approval evidenced.
There was, however, some Union sentiment at Norfolk, incident upon the
fact that the United States navy yard was located there, and through the
influence of the officers and men had some effect, but on arriving at
Petersburg the next day ne Union sentiraent was observable, and en
the advice of a friend Lieutenant Cannon imraediately left Petersburg and
proceeded to Richraond.
If the secession sentiment was hot at Norfolk, it was hotter at Rich
mond ; and little secession flags floated frora the windows of every house,
and the talk was all of war. On Friday, the x9th of April, occurred the
riot in Baltiraere, when the 6th Massachusetts was attacked by the raob.
Crowds gathered around the telegraph bulletin and devoured the news with
avidity. It was now evident that all hope of a peaceful solution of the questions
in dispute was ended and stern war must be the arbitrator.
Arriving at the depot at Richmond early on the raorning of Saturday,
the 2oth, he was surprised to find that he could net get a ticket without
first procuring a pass, and, attempting to get on the train, was met by a
guard, who denied admission te any one without a ticket. Calling on
Govemor Letcher, at the Governor's Mansion, he soon procured the much-
desired pass, and iiastened back te the depot, only to find that the train had
been gone about half an hour. This was a predicament, indeed, but with

s50 HISTORY .AND REMIXISCE.XCES
characteristic perseverance he began at once to look around for ether means
of escape, and found one in the steamer George Peabody, bound for
Baltimore (being the last vessel that left Richmond before the war),
arriving in New Haven early in the summer and without further incident.
early RE.MINISCENCES.
Corarade Griswold loves te dwell on the patriotism of the people of
Guilford, and he has good reason for the pride he possesses. In writing
about the early days of the war he says:
"The patriotism of the fathers and mothers of 1861 has never been
excelled in the history of any nation. Their determination to save the
Union and their readiness te sacrifice, if need be, their loved sons, is
something that should be an inspiration to all future generations, showing
how a government relying en its citizens could be saved by its patriotic
men and women.
"When the first squad of recruits of the First Connecticut Light
Battery left Guilford, escorted by 100 of the 'fathers of Guilford,' this
firmness and patriotism was shewn, and it inspired the boys not only with
patriotism, but it gave them courage, knowing hew brave their fathers were.
" These aged men who were sending their well-beloved sons to the war
kept up a bright, pleasant, cheerful demeanor, intending to give us a
pleasant send-off. The depot was reached and we had to wait for another
train to pass on the side track. The parents of one of the boys were talking
to him at a car window. The tears ran down their cheeks, their bodies
shook with sobs, their groans and moans were as loud and heartrending as
though they were sure they would never see their boy again. My father,
who had stood it as long as he could, stepped up, and in a stern, command
ing voice, emphasizing his words by stamping his foot on the platform, said:
" 'For God's sake, don't send the boys off in that way! '
" The words inspired me. I resolved that my career should be one that
should be a credit to such a father. I had been the first of his sons to
enlist, but he knew others would follow, and two more of his sons enlisted
and served the cause of the republic three years or mere."
* * *
A comrade recalls a sermon preached by the Rev. E. Warriner, Chap-

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1.S65 851
lain of ist Connecticut Cavalry, at Camp Tyler, in which he gave this advice:
"When you swing your sabre over the head of a rebel, pray 'God have
mercy on your soul!' and then strike; and don't you pray too long, either,
for fear you may net hit him." * * *
On page 46 will be found an account of the election of non-commis
sioned officers of the Battery and a statement that there was considerable
dissatisfaction over the result. In justice to all the comrades, it is deemed
well to reprint a copy of a petition drawn up for presentation to the commis
sioned officers, stating the grounds of such dissatisfaction. The petition was
withdrawn after several of the comrades had expressed themselves very
strongly that they did not wish it to be inferred that their enlistment had
been prompted by an idea of getting an office:
To Seldon T. Porter, John S. Cannon, George T. Metcalf and William
T. Seward, lieutenants commanding First Light Battery Connecticut
Volunteers :
We, the undersigned, members of the First Connecticut Battery, beg
leave respectfully te represent that the late company election (so called)
should be set aside and made void, for the following reasons:
ist. That the members were premised that said election should net be
held until the company was full.
2d. Because it was premised that the election should be by ballot.
3d. Because a large proportion of the company were absent on furlough
at the time of the late "election " and did not have an opportunity of voting.
4th. Because said " election " was not presided over or sanctioned by a
commissioned officer.
We would further represent that the " election " in question was con
sidered so much of a farce by many merabers of the company that they did
not vote at all.
Therefore we would pray that the coraraissioned officers either declare
that a new election by ballot be held at some future tirae, or that they
waive the privilege of the corapany electing the nen-coraraissioned officers,
and appoint such persons as they deem best fitted to fill the positions of
honor and trust, as is the custom in all ether military organizations in this
State. (Signed)  •

852 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
Comrade J. W. Sanford contributes a number of rerainiscences of the
short tirae he saw service with the Battery, many of which are very inter
esting. At Camp Tyler he went over to the cavalry camp te witness some tar
get shooting. One man made an extra good shot. ' ' A friend with me
asked me if I would like to try," writes Comrade Sanford. " I told him that
I had never fired a gun a dozen times in my life, but would show them what
I could do. He handed me his rifle, and without stopping to take aim I
fired and hit the bull's-eye. I was looked upon as the best marksman on
the ground, but I was careful not to risk ray reputation by trying again. "
Comrade Sanford says that "a New York regiment had only just
vacated Park Barracks when the Battery moved in, and there had been
an epidemic of measles among the New Yorkers. We were exposed to
the disease, and Fred. Pettibone was taken sick with the measles soon after
we left New York. He was sick all the time we were on the EUwood Wal
ter, and died soon after we reached Beaufort. I was very sick on board,
and one day, just off Cape Hatteras, Corarade Grow picked me up and car
ried me to the front of the ship and said: ' Now, Sanford, we are going to
the bottora soon, and you will get there first.' At the tirae I did not care
where we went. I think that a combination of all the diseases known to
the human race would net make a person feel worse than I did for the four
days I was sick. When I began to feel better I was so hungry that I could
not get enough to eat. I paid the ship's cook fifty cents for a pint of meal
porridge." * * *
During the tirae the First Light Battery was at Camp Tyler the com
rades had the most pleasant experiences. The people could not do too
much for thera ; they were petted and looked upon as the very creara of the
State, and rightly so. The corarades will never grow weary of telling of
the pleasures as well as the amusing features of camp life. Comrade
Griswold laughs even yet — laughs as only a good, honest, happy man can
laugh — over an amusing mistake he made while in the camp. The mistake
or practical joke of which he was the victim was taken by all the parties
concerned in good part. It appears that the comrade one day thought
that he ought to seek a laundress, for his supply of clean clothes was

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 853
getting short. Getting permission to go into the village of Hanover, he
tied up his soiled linen, and placing the bundle under his arm, started out
on his quest. A sutler at the entrance of the camp ground was just the
man te know all about the village, and so Griswold asked him if he knew of
a laundress anywhere near. "Why, yes, my friend," said the sutler. " You
just go down that lane to a big house — see, there it is," and he pointed out
what appeared to be quite a mansion. The comrade hesitated a little, but
the sutler assured him it was all right, and away went Griswold to the
house. He walked round to the back door and timidly knocked. A very
nicely dressed lady answered the summons and invited hira te enter. It was
dark, the shades of night were falling, and Griswold stepped into the back
hall. He told her that he wanted some washing done and that he had been
recomraended to her. She srailed, bit her lips, and then assured him that she
was ever ready to do what she could for the citizen soldiers, and bade him
leave his bundle. Just as he was leaving she asked his name, and he
answered "Griswold." "Where from?" she asked. "Guilford," he
replied. She stepped closer and scanned his face in the growing darkness,
and then inquired if he was playing a joke on her. He did not knew what
she meant, and she, fetching a lamp, looked at the comrade closely and
said: " There must be sorae mistake. Our Ed. Griswold came from Guil
ford." Then it began to dawn on the comrade that he had been taken for
his Cousin Edwin, who had worked for this lady's husband. Explanations
were made and the lady invited Griswold to call seme evening and bring
some of his friends with hira, when she would introduce him to some friends
of his cousin, including the girl he was engaged to marry.
Comrade Griswold says that he was quite a favorite with the comrades
after that, fer many of the girls of Hanover used to visit the camp and ask
him to introduce his friends to thera.
One of Griswold's tent mates was of a very susceptible nature, and he
fell in love with one lady, whose name Griswold does not reraeraber. So
much in earnest was he that he never thought she could be anything but
pleased with his attentions; in fact, she invited him and his friends to her
house. The invitation was accepted, and on his way to the house he con
fided te Griswold that he would invite the "widow" — for he was sure she
was a widow — to go skating with him ; but, alas ! that very evening she intro-

854 HISTORY AXD RE.MIXISCE.XCES
duced her husband to the comrades, and the poor fellow's pleasure was
destroyed. ^ ^ ^
Corarade Wakeley wrote in his diary a description of the first practice
with the guns at sea. The EUwood Walter had got past the Narrows and
into the open ocean, and on the afternoon of January 28, when out of
•sight of land, he says:
"Lieutenant Porter tried sorae of his projectiles — we had considerable
trouble in getting one of the guns on the forward part of the ship. First
he tried Sault's new shell, which was warranted to explode on striking the
water. The first shot went some two railes and struck the water and
bounded several rods.
"Only one of the shells which was fired burst when the water was
struck. One out of four exploded. One was fired without a cap. Then
two solid shots were fired. The solids, like the shells, were very long and
not round. This was the first time I ever saw solid shot fired. You can
hear the shot hum in the air.
" Then we tried the canister shot. This is a case about eight inches
long filled with shot just about the size of the first joint of the thumb.
When it had been fired and had gone about 300 rods from the ship it fell
and struck the water and the case burst. It seems that the canister shot
would work great havoc with the cavalry."
^ ^ ^
Comrade Oliver K. Abels desires it te go on record that he was not sick
en the EUwood Walter, but that he "acted in the capacity of hospital
steward and general helper all around. Do you remember the big dishpans
of cernraeal I raade for the boys?" he asks. "I helped te get the poor sick
comrades out of the forecastle. On one occasion, peer Bullard was delirious
and in fighting mood and he struck rae below the belt, doubling me up. He
did not knew what he was doing. I often think of that fat, greasy nigger
we had for a cook. He was not, properly speaking, the ship's cook, but was
specially hired for the trip to cook for us. He made a fine batch of bread
one night, but the next morning it was strewn all over the old ship from
-deck to hold, and raany of the boys felt like throwing the cook overboard.
When we were at Beaufort the doctor and I had quite a tirae with a com-

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1861-1865 855
rade who was suffering with an ingrowing nail and had been off duty for a
long time. The doctor told me to get the corarade into the hospital tent,
which order I obeyed. We put him to sleep and the doctor pulled the toe
nail out. Just as he had finished the comrade raised his head and sang out,
' You did that d  n well, doc. ' We had a good laugh ever it. "
BEAUFORT AND JAMES ISLAND INCIDENTS.
When the Battery arrived at Beaufort the comrades were in a sorry
condition. " We were not very presentable," writes Comrade Sanford, "at
least Captain Rockwell thought so as he came en board and inspected his
men. He said we were very much in need of a good cleaning up and so
ordered. Corporal Tuttle told the captain the reason we were so dirty,
and also that the men had been on short rations of food as well as water.
We soon get all we wanted and then went ashore. I was put on guard at
the officers' quarters, to which in a short time Comrade Albro drove up
with a quantity of feed. It was put into the room and I was left to guard
it. I had not had a square meal for three weeks. The sight and smell of
that food destroyed all sense of right and wrong. I was weak from hunger
after the seasickness, and inside of five rainutes after Albro went away I
began te fill up and fill out at the same time. I ate all I dared, and when
the relief came I told hira what ray orders were and went away. He told
me that he ate half of all I left. But we had no reason to complain about
short rations after that."
Life at Beaufort was diversified by fishing, and rauch fun was got out
of the araateur attempts at cooking, but raany of the corarades developed
into good cooks, and when they returned home were able to give the women
of their homes raany a hint. Comrade Sanford tells us how they enjoyed
eating "sting ray," a fish, he says, which was a dangerous one to handle
until you cut off its tail; after that it was all right. It was a very easy fish
te dress; we just turned it ever on its back, cut eut its mouth and all the
internal organs at once; then we sliced and fried it, and you had a dish fit
for a king. The next fish of importance was the shovel-nosed shark. There
was ne danger about this shark and he was very good eating, but not as
good as the sting ray. " A little later the comrades learned hew te cook
blackberry pudding. Comrade Leeds Brown had more time than the rest

856 HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES
of us and he used to gather the berries, and then would mix up a mass of
flour, soda, water and blackberries and bake it in a big iron kettle. It
seemed to me that there could be nothing better than that blackberry pud
ding. I could always eat more than my share of it. "
* * *
The comrades, brought up in New England, were naturally interested
in meeting and conversing with the negroes of the South. Comrade Clark
writes in his diary under date " Beaufort, February 21, 1862. Sergeant
Clinton came to the guard tent and called upen four of us to go with him.
We started on a double-quick, not knowing fer what we were called. Very
soon we came upon an old negro with a back load of pickets he had taken
from a fence, whom we were ordered to arrest and march te the guard tent.
We did so. He was kept there two or three hours and then released, after
having been examined by the Captain and officer of the day. While in the
guard tent he gave us a little of his histor}', saying he was owned by a
clergyman who was new upon the mainland. He said he had been treated
well, but obliged to work very hard. The reverend doctor, according to
his statement, had owned about ninety negroes and two plantations, con
taining from four to five hundred acres of land. One of my comrades .
took out a Testament and read to hiraself; the negro requested to hear some
of it. He seemed to love the Bible and to wish to do his duty as far as it
was revealed to him. He gave as an excuse for taking the pickets that he
saw ethers doing the same all around without being reproved, and therefore
concluded that the military authorities did not care, so he thought he would
have some." And in another place he says: " The majority of the negroes
are like children; they have no idea of providing for the future, and if per
mitted they would undoubtedly loaf about and live upon what they new
have and be in want before long."
Comrade Clark was very much attached to religion, and the happiest
hours with him seemed te be these spent in worship. Speaking of one of
the religious services in a Beaufort church, he wrote in his diary: "A
number of us took seats in the gallery devoted to the use of the choir in
former days, and sang in concert. Jack Turner played on the raelodeon.
The side galleries were filled with negroes ; the body of the house was full of
soldiers. I enjoyed rayself raore than I have before in a long time."

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 857
He tells of a comrade having to carry a bundle of sticks, weighing fifteen
pounds, en his back ten hours a day as a punishment for breaking an order
and being the cause of the death of a horse. The comrade, with another,
were sent out to exercise two horses and were told not to run them, but no
sooner were they out of sight of the camp than the command was forgotten
and the horses put to a run. Going down the read they met a baggage
wagon; one of the horses became unmanageable, perhaps frightened of the
wagon, and rushed at the wagon, the pole of which pierced its stomach and
killed it.
On Sunday, March 23, 1862, "Captain Stevens came to our quarters,"
writes Comrade Clark, "and ordered the Battery te be hitched up and to
start immediately for the ferry. You may be sure there was considerable
exciteraent. In eighteen rainutes from the time the order was given we
were ready to start. We went about three and a half miles out, then we
were ordered ' about ' and placed in battery in two fields, commanding a
small bridge crossing a creek, over which the enemy would be obliged to
come; the right and left sections on the left and the centre section on the
right. For a few minutes it seeraed as if we should be called into action,
but after ten of fifteen rainutes we were told it was a false alarra, and we
were ordered to return home, where we arrived about seven o'clock. It was
a trial of the Battery and we have been coraplimented upon our prorapt
ness." * * *
Comrade Wakeley tells an amusing story about the burial of a horse at
Beaufort, near the first camping ground of the Battery. He was on the
detail te bury the horse and the carcass was drawn out to the sand at lew tide.
The job seemed easy enough and the raen set te work te dig the grave, but
as fast as they worked nature was just as fast and filled up the hole again.
With tremendous energy the men threw eut the sand, and then, thinking the
hole was deep enough, proceeded te drag the horse to its grave. The sand
had drifted so rapidly that the hole was filled up before they could get the
horse into it, and after several attempts they had to go further inland and
dig a grave in the soil or the horse could not have been buried.
Comrade Wakeley was not familiar with horses and their ways, and it
was a subject of wonder that he ever lived to leave the service. He was

858 HISTORY AND REAIINISCENCES
soraetiraes detailed as driver, and then his fellow-comrades had considerable
cause for laughter, for, as he tells us, he was over the saddle most of the
time, expecting to fall off every minute. He would hang on te the horse's
mane and te the strap and saddle the best way he could, being bruised and
knocked about by his inability te keep in the saddle. Several times he was
thrown and had narrow escapes from being trampled or crushed to death.
"On one occasion," he says, "at Pigeon Point, I was riding one of the horses
back to camp. There was only a strap round the horse's neck and from that
the reins, but I had ridden the animal before in that way. On this occasion,
however, the horse wanted to go faster than usual and I began pulling at
the reins, and as the horse trotted I got gradually forward until I was on
his neck, my feet locked together under it, but I rolled round and hung head
downward under the horse's neck, and should have been killed had not the
animal stopped near a tree stump and allowed me to get down."
* * *
Comrade George [M. Barber recalls an incident which has both a tragic
and humorous side. " It was when the Battery went to Folly Island," he
says. ' ' There were some twelve or more of the corarades sick and con
valescent left at Beaufort. After the attack on Fert Wagner the wounded
were brought back to Beaufort and placed in Hospital No. 5, the one
nearest our camp. The day the beat came up the hospital was net quite
ready, and the wounded were laid under the live oaks in the shade. Over
at our carap there was a mule belonging to Beaufort that used te come up
and help himself to oats and forage. We had driven hira away a number of
times, but it did no good; that mule would come back again and again. So
one day we drove him into one of the stalls and tied three or four cans to
his tail, and then backed him out of the stall and gave him a start. There
was a streak of tin cans, mule's heels, etc., in the air, till he was out of
sight. He steered straight for the wounded soldiers lying in the grass, till
almost upon thera, when he turned and went around them. The wounded
enjoyed seeing the raule go as much as any of us, and perhaps it did them
good by taking their minds away from their suffering, though we were
afraid that there would be daraage done by the mule."
Comrade Marcus M. Hall tells the story of the coffee-pot episode at

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 859
Pigeon Point (see pages 191 and 192) a little more fully and graphically, as
follows :
"A barrel of whisky had been placed in the hospital tent for medical
use. Its position was such that one head of the barrel rested against the
wall of the tent. This state of affairs was at once caught onto by some of
the beys, who thought Pigeon Point water would be more conducive to
health if mingled with a proportion of the ardent; accordingly a cabal was
at once organized te carry out this sanitary measure.
"Canteens were confiscated wherever found, a gimlet was forthcoming
from a mysterious source, the wall of the tent was pressed firmly back
against the barrel, and the rest was easy. One little convenience, however,
was lacking, viz., a proper vessel in which to drain the nectar and fill the
canteens. I had that day been to Beaufort and bought a new coffee pot. It
was clean, bright and capacious. It attracted much attention and I thought
not a little envy. The boys gathered around me and exhibited raere interest
than the occasion called for; they predicted for the article rauch distin
guished service. They were true prophets. After taps that night I never
saw the coffee pot again for two weeks. Meanwhile it did distinguished
service — a half barrel of whisky had passed through it. It was returned
quite rusty, and I asked Tite Hall why it was in such condition, and he
replied that 'it was poor tin and wouldn't stand the effect of fusel oil half as
long as Mun Tuttle's throat.' Those in the ring told rae afterward that
for a time every stump and clump of bushes on Pigeon Point concealed a
canteen of whisky. Jim Reynolds and Dwight Hall, while hunting a
'possum in the neighborhood of the camp, found two gallons of whisky in a
hollow tree. About twenty men, one after another, were invited to the
guard house and probed for information regarding this matter, but they were
aU absolutely innocent. As for myself— being considered a stiff cold-water
man— I could not be trusted, hence was in no wise a party to the enterprise. "
* * *
Comrade Wakeley recalls an incident of Pigeon Point Camp:
" Some boxes of crackers had arrived for the Battery, and were at the
time needed by the company. They were piled up so one could get down
and look under them. Some of our men pretended to be very inquisitive
about the age of the crackers,- and requested ethers as they came up to the

860 HISTORY A.XD REMINISCENCES
place to look and see, if they could find thera, what the raarks under the
boxes were. I think it was our cook who said, after he looked, that the marks
on the boxes of crackers indicated a manufacture before the Christian era
began. And being asked upon what he based his opinion, he said that he
saw the ' before-Christ marks' on the boxes, evidently referring to the
maker's trade-mark ' B. C
' ' Close to where the boxes of crackers had been piled on their arrival
at the camp was the cook house. Here a guard was placed every
night, and one night when I was on guard duty I had te go into
the cook house to relieve my companion. He, and perhaps another, was
eating a rice or bread pudding and I was invited to participate. I think
an officer of the guard assisted in this feast. It seems to me in seme way
that Sergeant Horatio W. Evarts was the officer. How the eating com
menced I de not know, but it was going en when I went in to relieve the
guard, and I inferred the pudding to be a little lunch perfectly authorized
by the cook or some one in charge. The next day we, the guards, underwent
investigation. Captain Rockwell, I think, was away at this time. Those
thought to be most offending were subject to punishment. New my
meraory puts Comrade Doran and myself as sentenced to stand each upon a
pine stump for two hours. I claimed to be innocent through the fact that
an invitation to eat had been given and that the eating seeraed to be
authorized, but I do not think I got entirely free on the plea.
" These pine stumps were about two and a half or three feet high, and
were of different sizes, according te the size of the tree when cut down. It
depended on the size and manner of cutting down whether er net it was
easy to stand upon them. It is clear in my raind that I joked upon the
punishraent so far as it was applied te this part of it where the least offend
ing ones stood upon the stumps two hours. It was, I stated, ray ' first
experience on the sturap.' " * * *
The newspaper correspondents at the front often gave the Battery credit
for its excellent work.
The New York Herald's correspondent, telegraphing an account of the
skirmish near Grimball's Landing, June 8 and 9, 1863, says: " Captain A. P.
Rockwell, with his Connecticut Battery, responded te this fire and poured

JAMES ISLAND.
Showing the defenses o£ Charleston and the line held by the Union forces prior to the battle of Secession
ville. Battery Lamar, wrongly called Fort Pemberton on page 139, was the one which Generals Stevens
Wright and Williams attempted to capture on June 16, 1863.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1.S65 863
percussion shells into the rebels with great effect and much more accuracy
than the enemy had shown."
A Lieutenant of the loth Connecticut Infantry, writing to a New
Haven paper an account of the evacuation of James Island, thus referred to
the Battery: "The guns of the First Connecticut Light Battery were served with a
rapidity and accuracy that spoke well fer our friend. Captain Rockwell, and
compared favorably with the rebel fire."
* * *
" Can you recall raany incidents about the Jaraes Island carapaign?"
Corarade Andrew Turner was asiced. He very characteristically replied :
" I can reraeraber one thing about Jaraes Island, The order was given to
get off the field the best way we could. I know, as I have often told ray
friends, that it was the only tirae in ray life that I ever ran without getting
out of breath, and I was net tired, either. I was not the only one who ran
that day." Comrade Turner was as brave as any man in the Battery, and
we know that it was net fear that gave speed te his feet, but having permis
sion to look out for hiraself, he stood "not on the order of his going, but
went at once," te slightly alter Shakespeare.
* * *
Comrade Sanford tells his experiences on James Island and reveals a
horrible suspicion about the loyalty of a doctor at the hospital in Beaufort.
We let him tell his story in his own words:
"In May the right and centre section started for James Island en a
small steamer. I think we were about three days and two nights en the
boat. We had distilled water te drink. It was very flat and insipid when
we get it, but with a little ice to cool it, went very well. One of the horses
swam eut to sea when he was dropped overboard. I was sent with another
man in a canoe to bring him back. We could not get him, as he was
frightened, and we could not get any go eut of the eld canoe — we did net
know hew te handle it,
"It was a rainy day when we landed en James Island. The right
section landed first, and as seen as we could get our horses, guns and
equipments into shape, we were sent up about a mile to help drive back
some ' rebs ' that were coming down upon the landing. We fired a few

864 HISTORY A.XD RE.MINISCE.XCES
shot and shells, and at night we were withdrawn. We were wet and
hungry. We returned te the landing and get something te eat, and found
places to sleep where we could. The next morning the right gun was
ordered to be fired, but when No. 2 tried te swab eut the gun he found that
there had been a load left in frora the night before. Corporal Tuttle
ordered the gun fired. I put a primer into the vent, pulled the lanyard,
but nothing exploded except the primer. There was a hissing noise and
seme smoke. Corporal Tuttle ordered us te fall back from the gun, which
we did. Soon a solid shot dropped on the ground. When the gun was left the
night before the pad was not put over the vent. The powder got wet,
with the same results that we get when we wet a lot of powder, form into a
cone, and fire it; it will hiss and smoke, but there is not strength enough
left to explode. The next day we were moved up about a mile into the
island, where we camped as long as I remained with the Battery. The
water was very hard and bad. We dug a hole in the ground one day and
set in two barrels, one atep of the other. The next morning the bottom
barrel was full of water, but it had a yellow scum on it and tasted like
water that mackerel had been soaked in, but it was net salt.
" In the springs the water was of a milky color. We did not have any
regular drill, but we would have a skirraish now and then. One day the
right section was sent about two miles from camp to protect the engineer
corps, who were constructing a read through a swamp. When we arrived
there we found that the ' rebs ' had a large gun set en a platform about
fifty yards from where we were in the swarap. Lieutenant Porter said that
he would make an artillery charge. After shelling the woods on the oppo
site side and getting ne response, the horses were taken from the guns
and sent in te draw the big gun eut. It was drawn off the platform ah
right, but when it struck the soft ground the teara could not move it. At
that time the ' rebs ' opened fire on us, so we were compelled to leave the
gun. One Sunday morning the right section was taken out to shell a church
that stood about one mile from camp. We were en rising ground and
about one-half mile frora the church. The first shell struck the steeple; the
second struck the roof, setting it on fire. The meeting was broken up, and
as the ' rebs ' poured out we shelled them as far as we could reach them,
but the heavy guns from the fort began to open fire on us and drove us back.

JAMES ISLAN'D.
Showing the advance of Generals Stevens, Wright and Williams at the battle of Secessionville.

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1861—1865 867
The morning of the x6th of June we were called out and, with the rest of
the troops on the island, tried to capture the fort at Secessionville. The
Battery was placed in front of the fort and about one mile from it. There
was an open field in front of us, and after we had shelled the fort awhile, I
think the Sth [Michigan charged across this field and over into the fort
but as the men were nearly exhausted from the long run and having no
support, they were driven out with some loss. The 79th New York
next tried te capture the place, but they had ne better success than the 8th
[Michigan and were driven back for the lack of support. The Batterv
was then sent up to within 300 yards of the fort, where we shelled it. One
of our shots struck a gun, knocking it back of the earthwork. Another shot
struck another gun, knocking a piece off the muzzle. The centre section
was sent off te the right of us, and did good work, having one horse killed.
Comrade Abels carried in the harness. After we had been up te the front
fer some tirae our ammunition gave eut. Corporal Tuttle being the highest
officer on the gun at the time, we had to remain there, exposed to the fire
ofthe 'rebs,' which was decidedly hot. But General Stevens came along
and ordered us to the rear.
" The firing at this time was nearly over. The drivers did net wait for
all the cannoneers to mount en the gun and caisson, but as soon as they were
limbered up they started on a run. I was left for one. Making my way
out to the road, I fell in with a man who had seen soraething which araused
him, and while he was telling me and laughing about it he threw up his
hands and fell forward, a ball having struck him in the back of the neck,
nearly cutting his head off. When we get back we were placed near the
field hospital, stocked up with ammunition, and stayed there until the after
noon, when we fell back nearly half a raile and caraped fer the night. The
field hospital was set on fire before we left. The next morning we were
taken into camp. I was taken sick. In about a week I, with five or six
others, was sent back to Beaufort. We were landed on a long wharf at
Port Royal early in the morning of the 2d of July. We had no protection
from the sun, no water er food. We were not able to help ourselves, and
although I asked fer water from all whom I could get at, no one gave us
anything. My tongue got so big that I could net talk. One man was very
bad. He begged for water and told about a spring at his home (I think in

S68 HISTORY A.XD RE.MIXISCE.XCES
Plainville) that he wanted water frora. He could hear the water against
the spiling and see it all around him, and did not understand why he could
not have all he wanted. By noon he was quite delirious, se that we had all
we could do to keep hira on the dock. In the afternoon an officer rede up
to where we were and was told of our situation. He seen went away and
sent an ambulance fer the sick man. He was taken to the hospital, where
he died that night, so I was told. The rest of us were put on a boat, where
we had good care and water to drink. iMy tongue was se thick that I could
not swallow at first. We lay on deck during the trip to Beaufort. I got
lost after leaving the boat and think I must have been a little delirious, as I
found myself alone under a tree in the morning. Seme of the boys found
me and carried me to the camp hospital.
"A few days after I was taken to General Hospital No. x, where I
remained until the last of October, when I, in corapany with five er six
others, was sent horae. I reraeraber the naraes of only two — Comrades
Gillette, from Hebron, and Fred Bishop. When I was received into the
hospital at Beaufort there were but few beds. I had two blankets ; one was
laid en the floor, the other covered over me; my coat and knapsack made a
pillow. I lay on the fleer, sick with dysentery, fer three weeks, not as
much as a straw tick under me. A man by the name of Hayes, a raember
of the 7th Connecticut, lay on the fleer near me. He had the sarae trouble
I had. After I had been there about two weeks Hayes crawled over to the
water pail (that the nurse had just fllled with ice water) and drank a big lot
of it. Several of us told hira to let it alone, but he would not. After drink
ing he got back to his place on his blanket. In a little while he began to
have cramps in his stomach. Then he would roll over and back in great
pain, but he rolled over en top of me at last, and I was not strong enough
to get him off (the nurse being out of the room). So he lay there for some
time until the nurse carae in and got him off. He died a short time after.
I think the name of the nurse was Hall, from Hebron. He was as good a
nurse as you could expect a person to be who had had no training. He
treated us kindly and did all he could for us. I think Bishop was brought
into the hospital about the time Hayes died.
"We had beds seen after and were made much more comfortable.
There was one occasion at the hospital that I will mention. Some of it I

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 869
saw and the rest of it I heard. When I first entered the hospital Dr.
Holmes was in charge. Before I had been there a month I noticed that
there were a good raany dying. I could look into the dead-house frora
where I lay. I have seen as many as ten carried out in one night and day.
I saw the provost marshal ride up to the doer one day, and in about thirty
minutes I saw the doctor leave the hospital, apparently in a hurry, go
aqj-ess the yard to the house of a negro boatman, and together they got
into a boat and sailed away. That is what I saw. I was told that the
doctor had been suspected of being in sympathy with the South; that his
home was in Georgia; that he went North to New Hampshire, got an
appointment in a regiment, and was using his position for the benefit of his
friends by letting as many die as he could and not get caught. The
prevost marshal had heard about the death-rate and had called to inquire
about it. The doctor, seeing that the game was up, excused himself for a
moment te get sorae papers, and simply made his escape. Dr. Scheets, of
a Pennsylvania regiment, was appointed in his place. Within one week
after he took charge the death-rate decreased more than one-half, and
everything went better afterward. Ed. Davis, of Guilford, was one of the
cooks at the hospital; he took good care of us and gave us all we ought to
have to eat." * * *
Major Seward never tires of talking about his protege Comrade "Sod"
Blatchley. To reproduce all the good stories he tells would fill a volume.
An incident which occurred on James Island shows the character of the
man. "My pret^g6, Blatchley, was with us during the James Island
campaign," says Comrade Seward, "and as usual did his whole duty in the
fight. He was No. 6, carrying ammunition frora the caissons, which were
the usual distance te the rear of the guns, to the front as wanted. I noticed
him having a shell in each hand and two or more in the bosom of his shirt.
I remonstrated with him about the carelessness of the act, for the bullets
were flying all about us very lively, and the shells being percussion, there
was great danger if a shot should strike, for they would most undoubtedly
explode. 'Sod 'looked at me and rephed: 'Wal, would net one hurt as
much as all?' I had no time to argue, se did not answer.
"On one of my visits home an estimable lady, who taught school in

870 HISTORY AND REMI.XISCENCES
earlier years, asked after 'Sod,' saying that she had been his first school
teacher and that as a small boy she had found him truthful and with many
good traits of character. She gave rae a copy of the New Testament and
Psalms for hira, as a token of her reraembrance. The joy expressed by
' Sod ' at receiving it was raore than I can describe. It was net the intrinsic
value that he thought of, but the fact that a lady so much above him socially
should remember him. 'Sod' kept the book close to him through the war
and te the end of his life."
SOME PERSONAL ANECDOTES, CO.MMENTS AND REMINISCENCES.
At one of the reunions a comrade said : "When we received our first
pa}', which was four months after enlistment, we received it in gold, mostly
in two-and-a-half-dollar pieces; they were worth face value; later we got
paid in greenbacks, which the bankers and speculators had caused te depre
ciate until they were only worth twenty-five cents on the dollar. Did we
grumble? Did we rebel? No! IVe luent to fight for our country, not to
quibble about the value of money." This showed the patriotism of the mera
bers of the Battery. » « *
Comrade George Durgin, speaking of the spirit that actuated the Battery
boys, says : ' ' We were united to preserve the Union or leave our bodies on
the battlefield as a sacrifice. We loved the flag; we honer it still; the world
acknowledges its greatness; but who made it so honored and respected ? It
was those who, like the comrades of the First Light Battery, responded to
the call of their country and proved that the true citizens were ready to
stand by the flag until every drop of blood had been shed."
* * *
The punishments inflicted on the soldiers fer some trifling infraction of
military rules were often provocative of amusement and the cause of raany
witty reraarks. On one occasion, when the comrades were beginning to
feel the long-protracted absence of the paymaster. Comrade Sloan saw a
soldier standing on a barrel. "What is he doing there ?" he asked.
" Looking fer the paymaster," was the reply, and officers and men had
to join in the laugh.
Comrade Sloan says that he was highly amused over seeing a private of
a neighboring regiraent, after the engagement at Drewry's Bluff, who was

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861-1865 871
obliged to walk the guard line, carrying on his back a large board on which
was written in letters which could be read a long distance away the word
COWARD. * * *
Many amusing incidents of the early days of camp life are recalled, and
the comrades often laugh over their innocence in those days. Comrade
Wakeley, in his diary, tells how at one time he was in a colored man's
shanty and did not hear the bugle blow fer roll call. He returned just as
the Battery was breaking ranks, and found that he had been reported
absent and everything was ready for him to be sent to the guard tent, but
he was called te the officers' quarters and put through a scathing examina
tion, he pleading that he had no idea of running away, and that he did net
really hear the bugle. He was excused, but told that after that tirae failing
to hear the call would not be accepted as an excuse. On another occasion
he was sleepy on guard. He wrote in his diary:
" Sunday night on guard I found it not so easy to keep awake. I went
en at two o'clock in the raorning. I tried to count the stars and everything
else that I could do to try and keep from going to sleep. I would keep
walking and find myself stumbling along to'ward the officers' quarters.
My beat ran a few paces from my tent. I went to it and get some water,
washed my eyes, and after that I kept them open. I did not go out to drill
this morning. I was questioned about it by the officers. I told them that I
thought any one standing on guard twenty-four hours was freed from duty
until afternoon drill. The Captain said that that was a foolish notion that
the men had. He said the life of a soldier was a hard life. That standing on
guard duty did not excuse one from attendance upon the customary morning
drill, and only excused one from extra drills."
His offense on this occasion was perhaps excusable, as he had been
doing double duty, he having taken Comrade Upson's place en the day
before. Comrade Upson wanting to be at church, as he was one of the choir.
* * *
Comrade Blodgett writes: "One day when we were in our last camp at
Beaufort we had a gun out en the bank firing a salute. We were ramming
in grass and weeds to make raore noise. I found a broken dumb-bell and we
rammed it with the rest and let her go. There were two men out in a beat

872 HISTORY .AND REMINISCENCES
fishing, and the missile went so close to them that they were frightened, and
the way they paddled out of range was a caution. Corporal Graham said we
must not use anything but wads in future.
"When we went to Florida we had lots of fun getting ashore on the old
steamer Neptune. It took the old tub two hours to get up to the slab wharf
at Mayport Mills; then we filed on beard and the old thing started and by a
great deal of exertion made two miles, I should think, in about four hours.
Then we were loaded on scows and rowed about two miles te a landing-
place. When we got into the scow Sergeant Grow gave me his horse to take
along. Now, that horse knew a thing or two. He was a good horse and
stood still while the scow was moving, but as seen as it struck, which was,
I should think, all of fifteen feet away from shore, I wondered how wet I
should get before I reached land with the horse. I was at the forward end
of the scow and was standing on the rail ready to jurap as far as I could as
soon as the scow stopped. But I did not have to jump, for Comrade Grow's
horse juraped and took me along and we both landed on dry ground. That
was the longest fly through the air I ever took. I knew the horse would
jurap, but I expected he would land in the water about half way to the shore
and se give rae a good wetting." * * *
Every soldier has some story of a narrow escape te tell, and it is
certainly reraarkable how danger is soraetiraes diverted from one to fall on
another. Comrade Joseph Doolittle says that he was cannoneer on the
gun whose wheel was struck at Procter's Creek, and had, for some reason,
changed places with Curtis Bacon for a few minutes. It was in that brief
space of tirae that the wheel was struck and Corarade Bacon injured so
severely that he died in the hospital from his wounds.
4: 4: ^
Recalling the small mortality in the Battery during its three years of
active service. Comrade Sloan writes: " The Battery lost nineteen members
by disease during the war; eleven of these died the first year, five the sec
ond, two the third, and one the fourth. I have compared this death-rate
with the statistics published of the mortality from malaria and ether diseases
during the Spanish-American war, and I have come to the conclusion that

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1.S(;5 875
the raedical profession has not made any raaterial advance in caring for
large camps." * * *
Comrade Huntington facetiously and yet pathetically recalls Comrade
Lewis Sykes, who has since then answered his last call on earth and passed
over to the majority: " ]My head driver was Lewis Sykes, a raan whose like
we shall never see again. May his feet never weary nor his shadow ever be
less ! He was the only driver I had in my detachment who polished his in
side spur for Sunday inspection." Comrade Huntington loves a joke and is
an inveterate humorist. He says that "Lieutenant Dickinson was always a
lucky fellow, except at poker. I remember he could never distinguish any
bugle call save that which sumraoned us to dinner, but that was his raisfor-
tune. We cannot all have music in our seuls! "
* * *
Some of the comrades disliked driving and would do anything rather
than ride a horse. One, whese name shall be kept secret, could ride very
well, but his ambition was to be a cannoneer. One day a comrade was
thrown from his horse on parade, the animal being frightened by the firing.
"I was ordered to take his place," says the comrade who objected to being
a driver. " I had to obey, but it did not take very long to get that team
tangled up in such a way that we had to dismount. The officer said to me :
' Get off that horse, and if ever I catch you on a horse again I will have you
court-martialed.' I looked very humble, but was glad when I had an
opportunity to turn my head and have a good laugh."
* * *
Comrade Griswold recalls an incident of the engagement at Four Mile
Creek. He says: " On July 26 the icth Connecticut and the nth Maine
crossed Four Mile Creek to Strawberry Plain to retake a position frora
which a brigade of the 19th Corps had been driven the day before. The
Battery took part in this, shelling effectively from the Deep Bottora side of
Four Mile Creek. It was to this occasion that General Plaisted referred at
the rejmion of the loth Connecticut at Meriden in 1895, when he said:
' My signal officer signaled this Battery where te direct their shots, and they
sent 200 shells in rapid succession as accurately as if they had been placed.'
It was en this occasion that one of our shells proved imperfect and exploded

876 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
in the camp of the ist Maryland Cavalry, encamped below us on the river
bank. It wounded several men and tore up the tents. Fortunately, Cap
tain Clinton stood beside me and had directed the cutting of the fuse, so I
was exonerated frora all blarae in the matter. "
* * *
Comrade Jonathan Savory recalls the fondness the drivers had for their
horses. He says: "I was a driver in the centre section. My ' nigh ' horse
I drove for three years. When on our way to Manchester I saw that
Deacon was giving eut, and I told the comrades that the poor, faithful
fellow would not be able to stand the march. When I went to see him that
night I saw that his hours were numbered. I went up to him and said,
' Deacon, look up and kiss me;' he raised his head and licked my face. It
was too much for me ; I boo-hooed right out. The next morning I was told
that Deacon was to be shot, and I was asked if I wanted te go and see him
killed. I could not stand the sight. He had become like a very dear friend,
and I could not bear to see the faithful creature shot, though I knew it was
the best and most merciful thing for him."
* * *
A thrilling episode of the war, and one tinged with romance, was the
capture of Generals Crook and Kelly just before the close of the great conflict.
The episode is not found in any history, though absolutely true, and there.
fore worthy of being recorded in this history. One who knew all the facts
and several of these concerned tells the story in this fashion :
"It was in the early spring, just before the fall of Richmond, that the
Confederate Government decided to abolish independent commands, other-
v/ise known as bushwhackers. Every independent command was ordered
to report for regular duty to the nearest commanding general. McNeal's
Rangers had cut a pretty wide swath, and the boys hated to give up the
free-lance privilege. But it had to be done. They numbered about
IOO brave, ragged, rollicking rebels, commanded by young John, son
of the first captain. Young Captain John had learned what was in the
wind and had communicated it to his men. ' Boys, the Rangers have
about run their course. The days of free and independent fighting are
nearly over. We've got to be bossed and ordered around by a colonel and
a general just like the common herd. It is proposed that we celebrate the

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 877
close of our career by a dash that shall make us remembered. All who are
willing to take their lives in their hands in an extra hazardous undertaking,
step one pace to the front. ' Every man stepped forward. Ten men were
selected for the work. Generals Crook and Kelly were in command of the
Federal force at Cumberland, Md. There were over 20,000 troops
in and around the city. The two generals were living at the Glades
Hotel, kept by Mr. Daily. One of the picked ten of the Rangers was
young Daily, sen of the landlord. The ten Rangers put on citizen's clothes
and passed within the Federal lines, four into the Glades Hotel, where they
went two to the room of General Kelly and two to the room of General
Crook. The two commanding officers were surprised at being awakened
from their sleep by strangers, but feeling that discretion was the better part
of valor, neither called out, perhaps because of the persuasive eloquence of
a pistol which was held close to their heads.
" 'What de you want, fellow? Who are you?' General Crook deraanded.
" 'Not a word, or I shall fire. You are in the hands of the Confed
erates  '
" ' A prisoner ? '
" ' It looks like it. Make any alarm and it will be the last time you'll
ever speak.'
" ' What do you want me to do ?'
' ' ' Get up and dress. Quick — there must be no delay. '
" 'And then?'
" 'You will walk between us through the lines, giving the countersign
and assuring any one who questions you that all is right. '
" ' And if I refuse or give the alarm ? '
" ' On each side of you, under our cloaks, a pistol will be pressed close
to your side. The moment you attempt to betray us you will be shot. We
shall be killed, that we know, but we are prepared te take that risk ; but do
as we say and we shall all leave in safety.'
' ' As soon as the officers were dressed they walked out of carap, having a
disguised Confederate on each side holding a cocked revolver under his
cloak and pressing the muzzle tightly against the Union officer.
"The challenge was given, the revolvers were pressed significantly

878 HISTORY A.XD RE.MINISCENCES
closer to the officers so that they could feel the muzzles, and the generals
gave the countersign.
" These on duty imagined that some special messengers had been sent
for the generals, and as both Crook and Kelly had the right to pass out after
giving the countersign, nothing was thought of it.
"The officers were escorted te the Rangers, who were awaiting them a
few miles distant, and sent as prisoners of war to Richmond."
It was one of the most daring episodes of the whole war, one that reads
more like fiction, and yet it actually took place as it has been described. The
fall of Richmond and the end of the war followed so quickly that little was
said of the thrilling incident.
General Crook afterward married the sister of Daily, his captor, and the
two were life-long friends. General Kelly, after the war, settled in the
country where the incident occurred, and dozens of the men who composed
the Rangers were his nearest neighbors and his closest friends te the day of
his death. * * *
A good story is told about the early days of the Union troops in Rich
mond, at the time when the First Light Battery was taking such an active
part in keeping order in the Confederate capital.
On the Sunday after the Union troops entered the city a clergyman was
startled at seeing the captain of the patrol enter the church. He was
expecting arrest, though fer what he did net knew. A thought occurred to
hira that something in the service would have to be altered, so he sought the
captain and said:
"Sir, I have been ordered by my bishop te pray fer the President of the
Confederate States. The United States forces now having possession of the
city, I don't know what to do. If I do not pray for Mr. Davis, I break the
law of my church ; if I do I shall offend against the United States. What
am I to de?"
"How long have you prayed for Mr. Davis?" the captain asked.
" Four years, er since the war began."
The captain hesitated a moment, half inclined te laugh and yet think
ing of the responsibility thrust upon him, which had a serious aspect. At
last he answered:

FIRST LIGHT B.ATTERY, 1861—1865 879'
"Well, I am net much authority on church matters — I am only a sol
dier; but as your prayers don't seem te have done Mr. Davis much good or
us much harm, I see ne objection to your obeying the orders of your bishop.
Continue your prayers fer Jeff, who certainly needs all the help, spiritual
and material, he can get. "
The captain, though certainly not posted on church matters, had solved
a difficult problem, and as it is a good and meritorious thing to pray for our
enemies, he had acted in a Christian spirit and allowed the clergyman to
pray for the great enemy of the United States.
* * *
Among the many good stories told of the means made use of and
subterfuges resorted te in order to obtain a little whisky, none can equal in
originality the following, which is told by a comrade. The stringent order
against the introduction of any ardent spirits into carap was, at that time,
being rigidly enforced, and some of the comrades who did not think life
worth living unless they could have a "wee drop of the crayther, " as the
Irishman would say, were discussing the ways and means of procuring some.
One of them says that he never had the slightest inclination to drink whisky
until he was told he could not obtain any. A happy thought occurred to one
of the comrades and he said to the others: "One of you must become very
sick, get into bed and let us cover you with blankets." The "sick" comrade
was speedily tucked in tight enough, and the one who suggested the ruse
started off to the hospital steward for brandy or whisky, he did not care
which. The hospital steward made many objections and said the doctor
would be sent to the comrade as early as possible, but the comrade pleaded
so ably and talked of the danger of delay that the steward relented and a
bottle was given him. It was only half full, but a little was better than
none. The hospital steward knew that the doctors were busy and so did
the comrade, and the ruse was successful. But the bottle was not inex
haustible and the comrades had only a small taste each, just enough to make
them wish for more. Again the comrade found a way. The place swarmed
with flies, and it was only the work of a moraent to catch a score of flies and
put them in the bottle, which contained about a tablespoenful of the spirits.
Then he started back to the hospital, running, and reaching there panting
and out of breath. Holding out the bottle he almost shouted: "See here.

880 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
I will report you — sending a dying man a bottle like that." "What is the
matter?" asked the hospital steward. "Look for yourself. There isn't more
than a tablespoonful of spirits in it and that is thick with dead flies." The
man took the bottle, looked at its contents, thought it possible he had made
a mistake, and handed the comrade another bottle, this time a full one, which
was not long in reaching the tent and effecting a cure, for the sick comrade
was speedily restored to health. * * *
Sometimes an officer forgot himself and took the law into his own
hands. An officer of the Battery wrote in his diary: "I became out of
patience with Private  for disobedience of orders and compelled him, by
physical force, to do as he was told. I might have used milder means to
accomplish the same end and at the same time have benefited myself by a
careful government of my passion and him by kind treatment. "
* * *
When a comrade reenlisted before his first term expired he had to
receive his discharge from the Battery and immediately sign a new enlist
ment paper. In order that future generations may see how this was effected
we copy the discharge certificate given te Comrade Ebenezer Wakeley :
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:
Know Ye, That Ebenezer Wakeley, a private of Captain Alfred P.
Rockwell's Corapany, First Light Battery of Connecticut Volunteers, who
was enrolled on the thirty-first day of October, one thousand eight hundred
and sixty-one, te serve three years, is hereby discharged from the service of
the United States this thirteenth day of December, one thousand eight
hundred and sixty-three, at Folly Island, S. C, by reason of reenlistraent
as a veteran volunteer.
(No objection to his being reenlisted is known te exist.) *
Said Ebenezer Wakeley was born in Trumbull, in the State of Connecti
cut, is twenty years of age, five feet seven inches high, light complexion,
blue eyes, dark hair, and by occupation, when enrolled, a clerk.

*This sentence will be erased should there be anything in the conduct or physical con
dition of the soldier rendering him unfit for the army.

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 881
Given at Folly Island, S. C, this thirteenth day of December, one
thousand eight hundred and sixty-three.
(Signed) Alfred P. Rockwell,
Captain Com. of the Battery.
(Signed) Frank Reynolds,
Lt. and Com. of Musters, Dept. of South.
Comrade Wakeley, through his wound received at Chester Station, was
transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps, and was finally discharged at
Buffalo, August ii, 1865. His discharge certificate reads as follows:
TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN.
Know Ye, that Ebenezer Wakeley, a private of Captain F. W. H. Hen
drick 's Company (I), 19th Regiment of the Veteran Reserve Corps, who
was enrolled in Captain Alfred P. Rockwell's Company of First Connecticut
Light Battery Volunteers, on the fourteenth day of December, one thousand
eight hundred and sixty-three, to serve three years or during the war, and
was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps by orders  Gen'l,
Jan. 30th, 1865, is hereby discharged from the service of the United States,
this eleventh day of August, 1865, at Fort Porter, Buffalo, N. Y. , by reason of
G. O, 116, A. G. O. June 17th, 1865. (Ne objection to his being re-enlisted
in the ist Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps is known to exist.*)
Said Ebenezer Wakeley was born in Trumbull, in the State of Connecti
cut, is twenty years of age, five feet seven inches high, light complexion,
blue eyes, dark hair, and by occupation, when enrolled, a printer.
Given at Fort Porter, Buffalo, N. Y., this eleventh day of August, 1865.
(Signed) James R. Reid,
Capt. Infant., U. S. A.,
Asst. Com. Musters.
(Seal) Paid in full. U. H. Hutchins, Paymaster, U. S. A.
Transferred to V. R. C. from First Connecticut Light Battery 
to Co. I, 19th V. R. C, by order  Gen'l, Jan. 30th, 1865.
(Signed) F. W. H. Kendrick,
Capt. Comd. Co. I, 19th V. R. C

* This sentence will be erased should there be anything in the conduct or physical
condition of the soldier rendering him unfit for the xst Battalion Veteran Reserve Corps.

882 HISTORY A.XD RE.MIXISCE.XCES
Many of the comrades have led eventful lives since the war, distinguish
ing themselves in mercantile, professional and political life, but we do not
knew of any more exciting experience than that of one of the comrades who
was condemned to death for an alleged political offense, then sentenced,
after appeal, to a long term of imprisonment, only to be liberated within a
few months through the interference of the United States Government.
After the close of the war Major Seward engaged in business and was
highly successful. In 1888 his health gave way and after a short sojourn in
California he journeyed to the Hawaiian Islands. In describing his Pacific
island experience he says: "I went armed with letters of introduction to
many men of prominence, both white and native, and I had ample means of
acquainting myself with the country and its customs. I became acquainted
with the king and the royal family. On the death of the king, his sister
Lilioukalani became queen ; her husband was araong my earliest friends. I
was with hira and closed his eyes when he died in 1893; I saw the growth
of the conspiracies that culminated in the downfall of the monarchy. My
sympathies were entirely with the Hawaiians as well as three-fourths of the
inhabitants of the island, and in trying to render them assistance in the
recovery of -that which had been stolen from them, I was landed in prison,
sentenced to be hung, then reprieved within four months, resentenced to
thirty-five years at hard labor in the jail at Oahu, and to pay a fine of
$10,000. I was released eleven and a half months after arrest. I have
never regretted the part I took, and had the people of these United States
known the true facts and what an outrageous crime had been committed
through the agency and assistance of its servants, a howl so loud would have
been raised that our Government would have been forced to restore to those
lovely, peaceful people their country."
As Major Seward passed through such an eventful experience, the
historian deems it only right and proper to allow him to tell it in his own
way and to place the record among the archives of his old company, the
First Connecticut Light Battery. * ^ ^
No person who has not experienced the excitement of a battle can
begin to comprehend anything like the terrible realities of the conflict.
Artists have painted fancy pictures, descriptive writers have sent to their

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 883
papers accounts of battles drawn in a large measure from the gossip of the
camp, but no one person can tell what a battle really is, and no one but an
active participant can understand its excitement. When friends and foes
are falling all around and every species of missile is flying through the air,
threatening each instant to send one into eternity, there is but little chance
for close observation.
When the battle is at its height excitement causes enthusiasm, personal
safety is the least concern, fear has but little existence in the soldier's
bosom. The intelligent soldier becomes cool and deliberate; he sights his
gun and watches the effect of the shots he is firing; cuts the fuse, carries
the ammunition, or whatever may be his duty, with just as much coolness as
he would have shown had he been engaged in civil employment. It is this
absorbing feeling that often deadens the sensibility to pain, and wounded
men have repeatedly said that they felt less pain when in sight of the
raging battle than when withdrawn to the hospital. Sometimes a man is
wounded and scarcely realizes it. A soldier in the 79th New York (High
landers), speaking of his experiences at the battle of Secessionville, says:
" I remember ne acute sensation of pain, not even any distinct shock, only
an instantaneous consciousness of having been struck; then my breath came
hard and labored, with a croup-like sound and with a dull, aching feeling
in my right shoulder; my arm fell powerless at my side, and the rifle
dropped from my grasp. I threw ray left hand up to my threat and with
drew it covered with the warm, bright-red blood. "
After the battle of Chester Station, Comrade and Historian Beecher
experienced a mental shock and a cold shiver passed down his spine, for
the strongest will shudder as they think of the dangers they have passed
and the near call they have had. The comrade was wondering why his left
foot was so much warmer than the other. Seme of the superstitious say
it is very unlucky to pull off the left shee first, but he did not care for or
believe in the superstition, and started to pull off the shoe. The leather was
h'ard ; his foot was almost numb ; he looked down and saw, te his surprise,
that the shoe was full of blood. Had he been wounded ? If se, when and
where ? He could not recall being struck ; he had no remembrance of any
accident. Had it not been for the blood he might have dismissed the thought
of injury at ence, but there was the blood and that was proof, beyond all

884 HISTORY AND REMINISCENCES
cavil, that he had been wounded somewhere. On undressing he found a
nasty gash on his left knee, from which the blood was even then trickling.
He looked at it and thought first of reporting to the doctor, then almost
laughed at the idea, for the wound seemed so trifling. So, without more
ado, he sought out Comrade Clark and got some sticking-plaster from him,
and after washing off the blood, put on the plaster and thought no more
about it. How had he received the injury ? Had he been struck by a
piece of shell er had the recoil of the gun caused the wound ? He could
not tell, and no one could enlighten hira, seeing that he did not know at what
hour of the day it had occurred. Was it the trifling injury he had thought
at first ? In all probability it was raore serious than he had imagined. A
scar remains to this day, so strongly marked that it has been admitted as
proof of identity when engaging a safe deposit box. During the compila
tion of this history he has suffered considerably in his knees and for a time
was confined to his room, and for a still longer period had to use a cane
when walking. In all probability the injury he received at Chester Station
was the indirect cause of his recent suffering.
* * *
The Sunday before the occupation of Richmond by the Union troops the
Rev. Dr, Moore, in a sermon intended to cheer the drooping spirits of some
of his congregation, said that it was a most curious fact that the two most
prominent men North and South had names which, etymologically consid
ered, were a good omen for the Confederacy, for Davis means "God with
us," and Lincoln, when subjected to etymological analysis, means "On the
verge of a precipice. " A week later the reverend doctor saw his church
pews filled with Union soldiers and knew that Davis was trying to evade
capture. ^ ^ %
A comrade tells a funnj- story of a secession clergyman who, hearing
of the advance of the Union army toward Richmond, announced that he
would have a special service of prayer to God, asking Hira to overwhelm the
Unionists and bring victory to the Confederacy. Without proper thought

FIRST LIGHT BATTERY, 1861—1865 885
he announced, just before the sermon, the hymn by Dr. Watts com
mencing: " And are we wretches still alive ?
And do we yet rebel ?
'Tis wondrous, 'tis amazing grace
That we are out of Hell." I*
The effect can be better imagined than described, and many of his
congregation accused him of being disloyal to the Confederacy, and his life
was in danger. EPILOGUE.
The story of the First Connecticut Light Battery is complete. It
has been told by those best able te tell it, those who were in its ranks
and shared its hardships as well as participated in the triumphs of its
career. It is a story of the life of a soldier in time of war, showing the
dark as well as the bright side of camp life, of hardships endured in the
trenches and on the march, of the horrors of the battlefield and the heart
rending scenes in the hospitals. The comrades have recalled the adven
tures in which they were engaged, have narrated personal incidents and
described the battles in which they participated, each one telling the story
as he knew and saw it from his point of view. Like all brave men, they
were apt to underestimate the work they performed, but as they heard the
reminiscences told by others they sent to the historian their personal narra
tives. Without their aid the history could net have been written. By
patient work and earnest endeavor difficulties have been overcome and the
history completed. Its compilation has been a source of pride and labor
of love. No feeling of egotism or pride of section has prompted the work. Not
a comrade of the Battery feels any animosity against his brother of the
South. Hatred has been buried, the harshness and bitterness of the strife
have been forgotten. The men of the North recognize the patriotism, the
endurance, the bravery of those of the South, and in the nation's memory
the names of Grant and Lee will be enshrined side by side. The Spanish-
American War proved that those who had most courageously fought under
the Stars and Bars of the Confederacy had been among the first to draw the
sword under the Stars and Stripes of the united nation.

886

HISTORY A.XD RE.MI.XISCE.XCES

But while the bitterness has been forgotten, no sentiment should cause
us to banish from our memory the war and its lessons, for to do so would
be te cast away from us our dearest experience. There can be remem
brance without animosity, but there cannot be oblivion without peril. The
remembrance of the war with all its horrors, its raiseries, the thousands of
graves, the hundreds of thousands of maimed and wounded, the myriads of
homes made desolate, will be the best possible preventive of any such calam-
it}" in the future.
Over the graves of the heroes. Union and Confederate alike, the
remembrance of the war comes, and with it a firra resolve that never again
shall the nation be split into sections, but, united in one grand republic,
fulfill its destiny and proclaira the truth of deraocratic republicanism to the
world. No more shall the war-cry sever.
Nor the winding river be red ;
We banish our anger forever
As we laurel the graves of our dead.
Under the sod and the dew.
Waiting the judgment day.
Love and tears for the Blue,
Tears and love for the Gray.

YALt

YALE UNIVERSITY LIBRARY

3 9002 02413 6286

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