Sixty-one
miles to Williamsport.
From the Regimental History:
Wednesday Oct. 9 [Darnestown] Orders received to march
to-morrow. Much joy thereat. Notwithstanding our
beautiful
camp, we were glad to break the monotony of camp life. The
hats
are disappearing. The comical shapes into which some of them
are
turned excites a good deal of merriment.
Thursday, Oct. 10. Marched to Hyattstown, fifteen miles, and
bivouacked. Another batch of hats gone. We now
march like
veterans, it is said.
 Friday Oct. 11.
Marched to Frederick City, thirteen miles,
and
bivouacked in a jail-yard. It rained hard. The few
hats
that remained seemed to be ashamed of themselves. During a
temporary cessation of the rain we had dress parade before a large
crowd of people who had gathered about us.
Saturday, Oct. 12 At 1 P.M. resumed the march in company with the
[Twelfth] Indiana regiment and Captain Matthew’s battery, [2nd Pa.]
which
accompanied us from Darnestown.
Bivouacked at Boonsboro’ after a march of seventeen miles. During the
last two days a pleasant rivalry had been excited as to the marching
abilities of the two regiments. Although we were much heavier
loaded than the Twelfth, we were in too good shape to be
beaten.
Both regiments enjoyed the excitement.
Sunday, Oct. 13. Marched at 9 A.M. for Williamsport, sixteen
miles, where we arrived about 4 P.M. Pitched our tents for
the
first time since leaving Darnestown. Wondered what had become of
General McClellan’s order, of September 15th, about marching on
Sundays. Later on, when his downfall was announced, it was no
surprise to the men who marched this day.
Monday Oct. 14. Put things to rights in camp. Paymaster
arrived;
he to whom we all bow with obsequious respect. A paymaster’s arrival
will produce more joy in camp than is said to have been produced in
heaven over the one sinner that repenteth.
Tues., Oct. 15. Received the first installment of mint-drops
from
the government, and found them a balm for every woe. They
threw a
lustre on the camp such as we had not seen since the last brass-mounted
hat had departed. Company B detailed for provost duty in the town. (Drawing by Charles Roundy
courtesy of the Army Heritage & Education Center, Carlisle,
Pennsylvania).
Two
Letters
Describing the March to Williamsport
|
Chelsea
Telegraph and Pioneer, November 9, 1861.
(Letter
transcriptions taken from the now defunct web-site "Letters of the
Civil War").
THIRTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS
Williamsport, Md., Oct. 30th, 1861.
To the Editor of the Chelsea Pioneer:
We started for this place with
six other Cos.
Of this Regt. Oct. 10th and after marching 15 miles – passing through
Clarksburg – we arrived at Hyattstown, where we bivouacked for the
night in a drizzling rain. The next morning we took up our
line
of march for Frederick City – arrived at Frederick at 6 o’clock p.m.,
and slept on the “Frederick County Fair Grounds.” During the
night it commenced to rain, so we all crept into the pens and stalls
previously used for hogs and horses; but we were glad to get any place
to sleep, as we had marched 14 miles that day. Next morning
we
left for Boonsboro’, distance 16 miles; after six hours’ marching, we
arrived at Boonsboro’. There we encamped for the night, and
on
Sunday evening, Oct. 13th, we arrived at this place (Williamsport),
after marching 61 miles with knapsack, - the longest march we have
experienced. We were all tired enough to lie down and
sleep. But after a march there is always plenty of work to be
done, - such as pitching tents, unpacking wagons, bringing wood and
water for our supper, &c., so it was very late before we could
get
asleep.
Tuesday, Oct. 15th, - Capt. Cary is
appointed Provost marshal of
Williamsport, and Co. B are the Provost Guard. We have better
times than the rest of the Regt., as we are quartered in a large stone
house in the town and manage to keep warm and
comfortable.
We have very heavy frost, and sleeping in tents is not very desirable.
Friday, Oct. 25th. This
morning about 2 o’clock, six Cos. Of
our
Regt. with three Cos. of cavalry and two pieces of artillery crossed
the river into Virginia, and went insight of Martinsburg. On
the
road they encountered the enemy’s pickets, and were fired upon by
them. Our boys returned the fire, and shot one secesh
horseman
through the thigh. He was made prisoner, and brought to our quarters.
He told me that he had been in the Confederate army three days, and was
pressed into it. But this is the story most of them tell when
they are caught. Yesterday a deserter from the Martinsburg
mounted rifles came across the river and delivered himself up to the
Provost marshal, saying he wished to join the Union army.
Every
day some of them desert and come across at various points of the river.
We are expecting to have hard fighting
very soon; reinforcements are
expected here every day, to join us and cross the river.
Chelsea Boy
Co. B., 13th Regt., M.V.
|
Letter
of James Ramsey, Company
E; giving details of the march.
|
Head
Quarters 13th Regt. Rifles, Mass. Vol.
Williamsport, Md. Oct. 13th 1861.
Dear Father,
I received a letter from Ella and from
John McCrilles on our
march
from Darnestown to Fredricks city about 5 miles from our old
camp. I was glad to hear from home it cheered me up for 60
miles
march. It took us two days to march to Fredrick, the first
night
of our march we encamped near Hyattstown in a wood and it rained pretty
hard. The next evening we reached Fredrick and encamped in
the
Fairgrounds. I slept the first part of the night on the roof
of a
sheep pen but it rained so hard that I was soon soaked through and had
to leave my bed and go to some dryer quarters. I went into
the
barracks occupied by the Maryland volunteers they were very kind to us
they give up their beds to us and built fires in the
barracks.
The barracks are very strong built, they were built by the English in
the time of the revolution. Next morning I went out of the
camp
and took a walk around the city it is not very large city it is about a
mile long. There was a peace meeting in one of the halls and
some
of our boys went into it and give three cheers for the union and the
president of the meeting called for order and said put them out, our
boys called them rebels and the president had to adjourn the meeting.
We left Fredricks at one o’clock and marched 16 miles that day in 6
hours only resting 4 times we halted that night in Boonsborough on our
way from Fredricks to Boonsborough we passed through Middleton a very
pretty town we were escorted through by a company of Home guards the
ladies presented the officers with boquets. By the way, We
were
marching with an Indianna regiment, the 12th. When we started
they thought they were going to walk over us but they soon found out
their mistake before we made our first halt for the night we left them
way behind they said that they had marched with the Mass 12th and 2d,
and had left them behind but we could beat anything in marching, we
marched into Fredricks with them they started next day two hours before
us for Boonsborough without knapsacks we marched
with knapsacks
and
was a half hour behind them. That night we had to sleep out on the
ground it was pretty cold our cooks were cooking all night for the rest
of the march. Next morning and Sunday morning but we had to
march
all the same we started with the Indianna and when we come into
Williamsport they were a half a mile behind us and they are called the
best marching regiment in the division but I gess they arnt now they
found their match this time. When we were in Boonsbourough
our
2d Lieut was informed that there was a gun
belonging
to our
regiment in possession of one of the inhabitants he took three men with
him and went to the house and searched the house and found all of the
equipments a knapsack and haversack. The gun was marked with
the
name of Stewart on the strap. Stewart used to belong to our
company, when we marched through Boonsbourough on our way to Sandy Hook
we missed him and thought he had deserted. We enquired of the
man
if he knew anything about Stewart, he said he heard a gun fired that
night up in the woods and when he went up there he found the knapsack
hung up in a tree and the other things laying around we think
their is foul play for on that same march when we passed
through
Middleton the rear guard was about a mile behind us and they were fired
at by a man but they did not think anything of it at the
time.
Oct. 14th. Last night it was quite cold here and we had all
we
could
do to keep warm. To day our company is on guard. I am on the
third relief which goes on at one o’clock and stays till
three.
There are three regiments ordered to report to Gen’ Banks. We
have heard Gen Banks with all of his command has crossed the
river and taken Leesburg with a gun fired the same day we left
Darnestown. Williamsport is a very pretty place it is right
on
the river bank our camp is back on a hill as I set now in my tent
writing I can see some of the houses and the sp steeple of a
meeting house and the Virginia side of the river they say there is a
brigade of
rebels encamped over their. We expect to march over before
this
week is over. The people of Williamsport say they will build
barracks for us if we stay and guard the town. We may stop
here
sometime. I hope so. We are only six miles from  Hagerstown
and hereafter you must Direct your letters to Williamsport
Md. No
division you must not direct them to Washington. We are 80 miles or
over from Washington so they would not send a mail that distance with a
railroad. I have a great many things I would like to say
about
our march but I have not got time to spare one thing on the road from
Boonsborough there is a place in the road called the Devil’s backbone
the road is about the usual width and on each side is a river running
in opposite directions till one of the rivers breaks through the road
and runs into the other at the top of the road it is about a hundred
feet down to the river but the road runs down hill till the two rivers
meet here is a plan of it.
There is a rough sketch of a
view from where I am
setting. The mountains in the distance are in Virginia.
Direct your letters
Jas -
Company E 13th Mass regt
Williamsport, Md.
Ps Give my love to
all. I will write soon again
From your
Son
James.
|
Return to Top of Page
The
Camp at
Williamsport.
Letter
of James Ramsey, Company E.
|
Williamsport,
Md Oct 23d
Dear Mother
I
received your letter dated the
21st 6 oclock this morning I was glad to hear from
you.
Since I wrote to you last we have moved our camp about a half a mile
from where it was before. there we could have been shelled
from
the hills in Virginia now we are protected by a hill. I like
the
camp ground we are in now for some reasons, we are nearer water then we
was before. We have made an underground stove in our tent we
have
made it of stone the stove part is in the centre of the tent and
covered by a large flat stone. There is an underground flue
for
the smoke to be carried out of the tent at the end of the flue is a
barrel with the bottom knocked out which serves as a chimney.
We
built the first fire in it last night it worked very well You
want to know if I want any under clothes or a blanket I can
get
plenty of under clothes and another blanket. I have not got
that
box yet but I may get it if it is directed right. If a box or
paper is directed to Washington it is throne one side when it gets to
Washington such is the doings of our splendid republican government and
I gess I aint the only one that thinks so either. If you
direct
the papers to the place I am in I will get them if I don’t happen to be
at the place at the time they will send them after the
regiment.
If you can get a heavy gray blanket and think it is worth while to send
it you can put it in a box and send it by Adams express (and no
other) to Hagerstown Md here is the direction
written large
and very plain
Jas F. Ramsey
Company E. 13th Regiment Mass Vol
Hagerstown, Md.
Care of Capt. Pratt.
Direct letters to Williamsport, Md.
I should like to have Hugh’s
daguerotype I had a daguerotype
sent
to me in a letter this morning it was taken on sheet iron
about
this size. (Drawing) have you got the one I sent to
you I
hope so. I was not in that fight I was 26 miles from it only three
companies are there. I. K and C. There is
some talk
of going over into Virginia I hope it is true. To day it is pretty cold
and windy there are plenty of nuts in the woods. Last [night]
some of the men had a bivoac fire and they sat around it and cracked
nuts and told stories. I gess they had a good time. I was
pretty
tired myself and went to bed early. sometimes I wish I was at
home to see the folks from New York. I am enjoying myself very
much. I never was so healthy and fat most of the men envy
me I have gained 15 lbs. It is dinner
time I cannot
think of anything more to write just now. I wish you would send me a
map of the seat of war. Give my love to all
Kiss Hugh for me
From your son James.
|
Companies
C, I
& K rejoin the regiment from Harper's Ferry.
From
Austin Stearns memoirs “Three Years with
Company K”
Fairleigh-Dickinson University Press; 1976, Used with Permission;
( p. 39-42).
At night we tied up at the mouth of
Antietam Creek, and resumed our
journey the next morn. When tired of riding, all we had to do
was
to jump off and travel on the tow-path. Co. C, who had the start of us
by several hours, reached Williamsport before dark, where the regiment
was drawn up to receive them, and with the band playing and colors
flying they escorted them to camp, where coffee and soft bread were in
waiting. Speeches were made and Co. C were lauded to the sky. I and K
did not arrive till after dark; only a messenger was there to pilot us
to camp, no band, no speeches, no welcome awaited us, who had for nine
long weeks worked hard and gained for the regiment an honorable name.
Co. G. came over with coffee and in many ways showed their interest in
us; tired and without tents we laid our weary selves down to
sleep. Company C were the lions of the hour, not enough could
be
said in their praise. Chaplain Gaylord preached on the
following
Sabbath, taking for his text Co. C. He could hardly find
words to
express the fullness of his love and gratitude for that noble
company. “I thank God for Co. C.,” he said; not a word did he
utter about I and K, who had labored hard and exposed their lives in an
equal degree with the favored company. The reason for this was [that]
we did not belong to the “Fourth Batt.” That fever was raging very hard
at this time.
Our camp was
about a mile from the
village in a pleasant grove just off
the Hagerstown Pike. After being here a few weeks we built
houses, as we were rather cramped for room in our tent. We
lay
around within a circle with our feet inside. If anyone from
the
side fartherest from the door wanted to go out – nine times out of ten,
he would step on every man’s gut as he went out; then there would be
language used neither complimentary or of a high order.
The second
mess thought they did not
need a house, so they dug out the
earth to the depth of two feet within the tent and battened up the
sides and thought they were comfortable for the
winter. As
long as the weather remained fair they were all right, but there came a
storm of rain and the wind blew, and one night when they were sleeping
sound and thought they were all right, the earth around the tent gave
way, and down came the tent; the water ran in and filled the
hole. Out from the debris crawled the half drowned boys, more
like fish-worms than soldiers. They got permission to go to a straw
stack a short distance from the camp. I was one of the boys of our mess
who opposed building a house, thinking a tent would do as well; after
the experience of the 2nd mess I was heartily glad that we were so
comfortably housed.
Our cooking
was done by men detailed
for that
purpose, in a building or shed made for that purpose and called the
cook house.
Company
K Cook House, from W.H. Forbush's diary.
The oven is marked with an 'X' lower right.
Pictured (left
to right) is presumed to be: Dan Warren, John Flye, & Alden
Lovell,
(seated).
Stearns continues:
We built an oven where we
could bake
meat and beans. On the whole we
lived quite comfortably. Lyman Jones, John Flye, Dan Warren, and Alden
Lovell were the cooks for a considerable portion of the time.
Lovell wore a
pair of over-alls which
by long wear had become pretty
well saturated with grease. We used to have a good deal of sport over
them, and with him, by advising him to try them out and make a soup, as
we thought they would make a richer one than we had had for long time,
but he would not listen to our advise and we did not have the pleasure
of partaking of an over-all soup.
Provost
Guard
Duty; Description of the Town; Letter of John B. Noyes, Co. B
MS Am 2332 (19) By Permission of
the Houghton Library, Harvard University.
Williamsport, Md., November 1, 1861
Dear Mother,
As I have a good opportunity this evening to write a few lines I take
it. Since my arrival at this place I have written a letter to
you
dated the 19th, one to George of the 23d, one to Charles dated the 27th
& one to father dated the 25th ult. I have received
Martha’s
letter of the 18th (on the 30th) and fathers of the 25th on the 28th
ult. In one of my letters I asked you to send my mittens, and
a
pair of stockings by express. I hope you have not sent the
package, as I have no use for the stockings as Chandler has given me a
couple of pairs of the same kind as the one you sent me. I
shall
need no more for months to come. As to the gloves I hope you
will
send them forthwith, as it is by no means a warm operation standing
guard at dead of night. The stockings you & Martha
make for
me will do when I get home where I may need them. Besides
there
is no knowing how long the war may last, though I hope it will be of
short duration.
I have never given you a
description of the
town of Williamsport which contains within it a goodly number of
secessionists. How many open ones the vote next week will
show. We came to Williamsport by the high road which leads
from
Boonsborough & does not pass through Hagerstown, and encamped
just
outside the village. As you come from camp to our quarters you pass by
the Eagle Hotel, which is a moderate size boarding and drinking
establishment. A large number of exiled Virginians including
a
sheriff of Berkley County make this hotel their exchange. The
sheriff is a very intelligent gentleman, but most of the “crowd” are
tradesmen & farmers of very moderate attainment, their chief
occupation now being to sit all day in the bar room, taking a glass
now & then, and to walk by way of variety 3
times a day
to the dining room for the purpose of supporting their
constitutions. When their money and credit is gone they will
probably join the 1st Va. Regt, or enlist in some of the many cavalry
companies hereabouts. I have been on guard at the town
twice. My duty is to see that no soldier procures the draft,
that
oft, inebriates. Passing up the street some distance you
arrive
at Wilson’s grocery store which is at the corner, a street running by
at right angles with the main one. This store is Post
7. I
have been there twice on guard. Turning the corner to the
left
you walk a few rods and halt at the Globe a very respectable hotel
where you get a dinner for 38 cents quite as good as what you pay 25
cents for at the other hotel in the place. Crossing the
street
and walking towards the main street you pass Ma’m Longs candy and fruit
store & turn in at the apothecary’s shop and post
office. The
store is well stocked for Maryland & the Post Master is a union
man
to the back-bone. Having deposited your letter you leave and
drop
in at Parker’s a couple of doors below. Parker’s I say, for
by
this name a very neat oyster saloon is distinguished, in memory of the
School Street palace. I come here occasionally & take
a very
comfortable seat before a glorious soft coal fire. The best
lager
beer in the village is to be found here. You cook the oysters
yourself in a chafing dish. Though 25 cents is not a very
exorbitant price for this delicate dish, still not so many oysters are
called for as would be acceptable to my palate. Lager unfortunately is
fluid and disappears with mysterious rapidity. If in a hurry
we
rapidly walk down the street and enter Culbertson’s at the corner to
buy some cheese. (Culbertson’s is the dry-good cheese
&
butter store of the place; all stores here being variety
stores. Crossing the main street you enter the door
of the
Potomac the largest hotel in Williamsport. I haven’t sat guard here and
do not know the frequenters of the place. Suffice it to say
that
in the rear of the building we draw all our water. From the
“Potomac” to our barracks is but a short distance. Crossing
the
street again you pass by a house where, when we first came, over a
hundred pies a day were baked and eaten by our company. Very
nice
pumpkin and apple pies the good women of the house supply us
with. But we do not now patronize them as at first, for now
we
fare well out of Uncle Sam, where as at the first naught but tough salt
beef greeted hungry stomachs, - salt beef not to feast upon while milk
is 3 cents for 3 half pints. Next to the pie house is the old brick
house, (the front of which bears vestiges of mastic,) which constitutes
our barracks. Going up 3 or 4 steps you enter a room used for the
storage  of salt. The next
room on the same floor has a large
fire
place. The room which was very dirty, was cleaned by 5 or 6 boys and is
now occupied by them. They sleep in bunks made by themselves.
From this room by a stair case you ascend to the story above where are
two rooms and a roomy entry. My mess occupies the smaller
room
which has a fine place and two windows opening upon the South
East. As there is not room for the whole mess to have
separate
places here I spread my blanket in the entry with Chandler.
Occasionally however I occupy the place of one on guard in the mess
room. A bench 10 feet long, prigged from the guard of the
next
building where the quartermaster’s stores of the 1st Va. are kept, is
placed on one side of the room opposite the fire place. This
with
several nail kegs and boxes form our sitting accommodations.
A couple of shelves have been set up opposite the fire place. Between
the windows is a board fixed on hinges, which serves alternately as a
writing desk and a dining table. Opposite the desk at which I
now
am writing is another wall table which also serves as a desk.
Tin
mugs canteens, haversacks, & various articles of clothing hang
from
the nails on the walls. Guns hang from nails, or are placed
in
the corners, or on the tables and shelves and bench, late papers, a few
magazines including Harper’s & Atlantic for November, and a ten
cent novel or two are laid. The knapsacks line two opposite
sides
of the room, - the bench & fire side. On the mantle
piece you
would notice two or three small bottles of ink, a pen or two, brush
broom, blacking brush and a small  mirror. Let four boys
be
seated
around a board playing whist, two or three at a table writing,
&
two or three reading and you will form quite an accurate picture of my
mess room. The other room is as large as two of ours, but has
no fire
place. An immense stove however warms the 4 windowed
room.
This
room occupied by two messes sports a couple of tables, prudently
covered by two red blankets. Short benches abound.
Pleasant
as the rooms are in the day time, give me the entry to sleep in
especially where the rooms are heated as they are apt to be at this
period of the year. Going down stairs & out of the
outside
door you turn to the left and immediately ascend a flight of 8 or 9
steps to a platform & thence enter the guard house, quite a
large
room from which a door opens into the office of the Provost Marshall,
the sanctum sanctorum of the establishment. Passing through
the
guard room you find yourself in an entry on one side of which is the
turnkeys room & the other the orderly’s; before you a narrow
entry
leading to a door in the rear of the house, opening upon a platform
with steps leading to the yard below where at all times in the day men
may be seen pitching quoits with horse shoes. – Secession prisoners
& their guard mingling contentedly in the same spot.
If you
don’t want to see the game of quoits walk up stairs and call on the non
coms, who have a pleasant front room at the head of the stair
case. They have plenty of room and indulge in cots of various
descriptions. Over the guard house Mess. I live in a smaller
room. The two rooms looking upon the yard are occupied by
prisoners. A cellar kitchen with supply rooms completes the
view
of our barracks, not half so good as we might to have, but which will
be better furnished when we are certain of taking up winter quarters
here. I have described the rooms; suffice to say of our
occupancy
of them that we have to stand, which means to sit guard every other day.
Roll call is at 6 1/2. How slow we have got to be answering
that
call! Breakfast at 8 % (o’clock) Guard mounting at
9 %. Roast
beef at 1 % Drill commenced to day from 3 to 5 P.M. Peas or
trencher at 6 %; tattoo at 8 1/2; taps at 9 or 9 ½ I don’t
know
which.
Our Regiment is at last together, Co. C, I & K returning last
night. To day I visited the camp & talked over the
battle, in
which Co. C had been engaged, with Corporal Russell, late of Cambridge
Law School. He said it was providential that no more were
killed
as the bullets rattled around them like hail. By order every one in Co.
C shifted for himself, protecting himself by stores, trees, &
what
not, lying on the belly when the enemy fired. By marching
solidly
the Wisconsin men lost almost all who suffered in the
engagement.
At one time the Company fired upon a Company of cavalry, at within 100
feet, yet they could not tell whether they shot any or not.
After
the fire they picked up a sword, a couple of guns & a blanket
or so
which very likely belonged to wounded men. The Co. destroyed
an
iron foundry by fire which was used to make arms or cannon
balls.
This was in Virginia. Add Williamsport to all the letters you
now
send, and direct to J.B. N. Co. B. 13th Regt Mass. Vols.
Williamsport, Md. as father has done in his letter of the 30th ult.
just received. Do not add “Gen’l Bank’s Div” as
this delays
the letters several days. As this letter may interest all,
though
I thought it might particularly interest you, I expect it to be
considered as a reply to Martha’s and Father’s letters. That is to say
they need not wait to have me answer theirs if they have any news to
transmit. Send me my world regularly.
With regards to friends I am Your Aff. Son
John B.
Noyes |
Return to Top of Page
A
Freak and a
Fiend.
By C. E. Davis, Jr.
The
following article, written by Charles E. Davis, Jr. was printed in
the Thirteenth Massachusetts Regiment Association, [Circular #20] Dec.,
1907. This article describes some of
the locals
encountered in Williamsport when Company B, did provost duty
there.
Our
regiment
reached Williamsport, Md.,
early in October. The town was situated on the north bank of the
Potomac river
and prior to the war had acquired an unenviable reputation by reason of
its
being the winter rendezvous of canal boatmen who made the place lively
with
drinking and gambling, to the very great annoyance of the good people
who
resided there and whose feelings were often outraged by disturbances
that grew
out of cards and alcohol a combination that rarely brings pleasure or
happiness
to a peaceful community. Affairs were said to be in a wretched state
when we
arrived, and a guard was requested for protection. A provost-marshal
was thereupon
appointed and a detail of men from Company B to act as  provost
guard
with
headquarters in one of the houses on the main street of the town. There
were
about a dozen “secesh” prisoners confined in the same building,
awaiting
discharge or commitment to some more secure prison. For a few weeks the
guard
patrolled the streets at night as police officers, with loaded guns and
with
orders to arrest any persons disturbing the peace. After a few weeks of
this
duty we were transferred to the bar-rooms, where we remained all day.
Our
instructions were to prevent soldiers from drinking, and citizens from
drinking
too much. The custom of drinking in that town was very much aggravated
by the
quantity that many men imbibed on each occasion. A man would fill a
large
tumbler with whiskey and another with water. The whiskey was generally
new and
swallowed with rapidity immediately followed by water, which latter was
called
by the odious name of “chaser.” We had
read considerable about southern ladies, their beauty and general
attractiveness, and our curiosity was quite excited to see some
evidences of
this distinction. There were some pretty girls in Williamsport
and we had the pleasure of meeting and becoming acquainted with some
very
charming people during the five months we were stationed there, but the
person
whom we have selected for consideration belonged to a very exclusive
set and
few ladies in the town were admitted to her society. Her name was Marie
Antoinette Lydia Corbay. Our
acquaintance began on the first night we were on guard in town. While
standing
after midnight
on the corner of the
main street she approached us and with upraised fist remarked that she
could
lick any Massachusetts
"nigger-lover” with one hand. On close examination we believed her and
proceeded at once to transfer our Commonwealth affections to some other
race.
"Niggers" having been wiped off the schedule of complaints against
our State she referred to others, ending up with wishing we were all in
h--l.
In physical strength she was much our superior and we had a feeling of
gladness
when the interview ended. The next time we had the pleasure of meeting
her was
while stationed in the bar-room of the Eagle hotel. It was during the
morning,
after the early drinkers had subdued their thirst, and an interval of
quiet had
occurred before the eleven o'clockers appeared, that she made her
appearance.
Our interest in "southern ladies" was renewed and we carefully
inspected her appearance. Marie Antoinette Lydia Corbay
was not a beauty and took no pains to supply the defect. She
was about five feet eight inches in height, with light hair,
strongly-marked
features, broad shoulders, and a strong body. Her hair was cut after
the
fashion adopted by Richard the Third.
She had the same nervous gait
that Richard
had and was also like him in disposition, though she discarded the use
of the
hump as being unfeminine. She resembled that tribe of Amazons we read
about as
inhabiting the forests and banks of the mighty river of that name and
who are
very unlike the Amazons we have seen on the Boston Theatre stage. Marie
Antoinette Lydia Corbay was a person
of simple tastes. She wore a calico dress, no hat or extra covering
except a
long narrow woolen scarf which she wore hanging untied from her neck.
She wore
her overcoat on the inside and when it became too thin for protection
she
swallowed another one. Her manly breast differed in contour from her
sisters of
the Boston Theatre and her general appearance was otherwise noticeable
from the
fact that she wore no hoops as did the rest of her sex in the early
sixties. A
less independent woman would have shrunk from so violent a contrast
with the
prevailing fashion. In spite of her Amazonian resemblance she could
speak
English, Scotch, and Irish with fluency and could accept a drink of
whiskey in
many other languages. She had none of the polish that people have
acquired by a
residence in the French capital. She didn't require it because in the
exclusive
set to which she belonged veneer was not considered an evidence of
gentility. On
taking a seat beside us she announced that
after she had had three drinks she felt like a "son-of-a-gun;" a
remark that we felt no inclination to dispute. We were invited to drink
but
declined on the score that we had never tasted liquor, which wretched
lie was
protested by the blush on our face and prompted her to say we were a
d--d liar.
She made other remarks that would have seemed disagreeable if repeated
in New
England. She was charmingly frank, as southern women are said to be. It
is difficult
for a person brought up in New England, enduring the rigor of a fickle
climate,
to appreciate so artless a nature. So much depends upon the point of
view that
what is considered beautiful in one locality is hideous in another.
Very likely
we might change our opinion after becoming more familiar with the grace
and
polish attributed to southern ladies, but at this time we declined to
believe
she was one not withstanding she repeatedly said she was.
Marie
Antoinette
Lydia Corbay was fond of cards and,
as
bridge-whist was at that time unknown, she made choice of poker as a
game fit
for her intellectual abilities. Not finding the ladies of Williamsport
to
possess sufficient capacity to play the game as it should be played,
she was
obliged to seek the companionship of men, among whom we are told were
several
members of the Thirteenth. The
familiarity growing out of this communion led to her being called "Lid
Corby," though familiarity is said to breed contempt. As she
believed in the freedom of women
she
was
obliged to submit to the liberty taken with her name by the men with
whom she
associated, and so when they called upon " Lid " to " ante up
" she expressed no offence beyond a few casual remarks that any lady
might
possibly make on being reminded of her negligence.
Among the people
who came to Williamsport
to spend
the winter was Mr. John Henry Pott, a gentleman who had traveled much
about the
world, having enjoyed the society of many brilliant and renowned men,
without
diminishing his respect for lesser lights. Like many great
men, the affection felt
for
him found expression in the
abbreviation of his name, as everybody called him “Jack” Pott instead
of Mr.
Pott. He
had no occupation, so far as
we have heard, was never seen about town, which fact, to those
un-acquainted
with him, lent an air of mystery to his habits. In the evenings he
might be
seen at a game of poker, though he played very little, preferring to
watch the
game. Now and then he would take a hand in response to earnest demands
of others,
and at the close of an evening when urged he would join in a final
round of
hands.
 His winnings he
distributed among the lucky ones. Those
who were unlucky at cards received no sympathy from “Jack” Pott. Marie
Antoinette Lydia Corbay took a great
shine to Mr. Pott, but received very little encouragement, and so
transferred
her affections to Mr. Hall, another gentleman who was spending the
winter in Williamsport,
and with whom, for some time previous, she had been flirting.
His name was Albert Coe
Hall, but people
generally called him “Al” Coe Hall. He was very proud of his middle
name. He
was always seen at card parties where poker was played, and was a very
pleasant
and companionable person. He was often seen walking about town or in
hotels and
bar-rooms and frequently visited our camp, about a mile from town,
where he was
sure to meet a warm welcome. Although
a
charming companion he often proved a treacherous friend.
Not to prolong
the account of this "southern lady" we must proceed to say that Marie
Antoinette Lydia Corbay, presuming
on
the rights which she claimed for her sex, became boisterous and unruly,
wholly
oblivious to the rights of others and so was arrested, brought to the
guard-house and placed among the other prisoners, all of whom were men
and all
occupying one room. Among
the prisoners
confined in the building occupied by the provost guard was a man named
Speroe,
whose reputation was un-savory. He was commonly mentioned as “Old
Speroe” by
people in Williamsport, but on the opposite side of the river he was
designated
as "an old reprobate," while some called him a “fiend.” The unanimous
feeling was that he was a terror. His arrest and confinement was
considered by
many as a protection, and the government was criticised for its mercy
in
preventing his being hanged.
No
one
unacquainted with the situation can form an accurate conception of the
persecutions to which people living on the border-line of the two
armies were
subjected during the civil war. Persons having a grudge against a
neighbor
found an easy means of venting their spite by turning informer and
reporting
stories about their neighbors, often with the grossest disregard of
truth. During
the first year of the war officers
were easily impressed with stories related by these "informers," but
as time wore on experience taught them to be cautious about accepting
statements uncorroborated by facts. Persons with union or secesh
sentiments
suffered alike in persecution by their neighbors.
 Speroe
took upon
himself the duty of punishing union women on the Virginia
side of the Potomac river, their
husbands being away, by
making them disrobe and dance while he sat with a loaded gun and
watched them.
Those who refused to obey he drove into the river to be drowned. Many
horrible
stories were told of his doings so that other prisoners confined in the
same
room despised him. He was the only one among the number who had a
mattress,
which he had procured prior to our coming, and which excited a lot of
wrangling
and disturbance that frequently required the efforts of the guard to
quell. The
house was heated by fire-places, so that it was necessary to have wood
prepared
daily, and it was our occasional duty to take the prisoners out into
the yard
and make them chop wood for the whole house. Speroe objected to this
labor,
because, as he said, he was a "southern gentleman." One day
we reminded him that his deeds
were
not those of any kind of a gentleman, much less a "southern gentleman,"
whereupon he assailed us with an axe, but he came in contact with a
bayonet
which slipped into his flabby flesh so easy that we were
surprised. His screams brought the
guard and he was soon
relieved of the axe, which he held in a threatening attitude.
Now
when Marie
Antoinette Lydia Corbay was thrust
into the room her eye lighted on old Speroe, and she assailed him with
language
too picturesque to be repeated, recounting the deeds in which he had
played the
hero, and then made for his corner, hauling him from his bed, and while
he
begged and screamed for mercy smacked him first on one side of the head
and
then on the other with the flat of her hand. She was very strong and
her hand
was like that of a longshoreman. Having relieved her rage she again
hauled him
from the mattress and kicked him into the middle of the room, throwing
his
boots and clothes after him, then laid down on the vacated bed and went
peacefully to sleep while he groaned in the middle of the floor.
When a man
proclaims himself to be a gentleman it is pretty safe to believe that
his conscience
assures him that he is not one. Gentlemen
do not announce themselves as such, for "actions speak
louder than words." Prior to the war we had read with much delight the
works of Gilmore Simms and had acquired a love for the southern
gentleman
because of his sweetness of character, his generous impulses, often
ruinous we
admit, but self-sacrificing. His high breeding and courtly manners were
often ruled
by his emotions, but he was honest from the ground up. To have 'a fiend
like
Speroe calling himself a southern gentleman was an outrage we could not
endure
with patience, therefore we experienced a feeling of satisfaction to
see him
basted by Marie Antoinette Lydia Corbay,
though it may argue our lack of Christian forbearance.
On the
first of March, 1862, we
crossed
the river into Virginia,
leaving
old Speroe to the consideration of our successors, and our interest in
him
ceased. Two years or more after our departure from Williamsport we
learned that
Marie Antoinette Lydia Corbay, being
impressed with the idea that divided skirts were more suitable for one
of her
disposition, had adopted the habit later worn by Dr. Mary Walker,
commonly
known as trousers, and proved conclusively that she was a freak
The 39th
Illinois
For a brief time the
fortunes of the 39th
Illinois Regiment intersected with the 13th
Massachusetts. Following the attack on Fort Sumter some
patriotic Chicago
citizens met to see if something could be done to help the government.
In
less than six weeks 1300 recruits were
organized, eager to be mustered into Federal service as a result of
this meeting.. The regiment had
taken on
the name “Yates Phalanx” in honor of Illinois Governor Richard Yates.
The
government in Washington could not accept their services at this time,
as presently the requirement for troops had been met. This
broke
up the initial organization with some companies leaving to join other
organizations still looking to fill their ranks.
When the Federal
forces were defeated in battle at Bull Run,
July 21st, the Federal Government made its 2nd call
for troops. By August 10th,
806 Chicagoans were organized into the 39th; they were partially
equipped and drilling. Company H was not yet full
and continued to recruit to fill its ranks.
October 11th
the regiment moved to
the training camp 'Benton Barracks' in St.
Louis.
Two weeks later Colonel Ward H. Lamon arrived from Maryland
with orders for General Fremont to send the regiment to Williamsport
to be joined with ‘Lamon’s Brigade,’ Army of the Potomac,
under General Banks. The 39th Illinois Regiment
left Missouri
for Maryland
October 31st. By train the 900 men
traveled 36 hours to reach their destination of Hagerstown, Maryland.
En route in Pittsburg
they received an
enthusiastic welcome and collation.
Afterwards, the train proceeded to
Harrisburg
where the men transferred to cars on the Cumberland Valley RR.
The train arrived in Hagerstown,
midnight,
November 1st.
The falling rain kept them bottled up
inside
the cars until morning. On
November 2nd the 39th
Illinois Regiment trudged in a drenching rain storm 6 miles
toWilliamsport. They were quartered in vacant warehouses along
the canal.
John Noyes of
Company B, wrote
"the 39th Illinois Regiment arrived here from St. Louis on the 2nd
inst. and is attached to Col. Leonard's Brigade. They marched
here from Hagerstown in a driving storm with overcoats on and were
thoroughly wet through, from top to tow."
The regiment was
un-armed. The guns
they received in St. Louis
were un-acceptable and they waited for Col.
Leonard in command of the post to supply them. (field and staff of the 39th Illinois pictured; from their official history).
Measles
Outbreak in the 39th Illinois
The following
reminisence is from the book
"The History of the 39th Regiment, Illinois Volunteer Infantry, "Yates
Phalanx" in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, by Charles M. Clark,
M.D.
"Dr. De Normandie On Guard"
Soon after we arrived at Williamsport,
Md.,
an extensive epidemic of measles broke
out in our regiment. About five hundred members of the regiment had the
disease,—most of them, however, in a mild form; and as it was mild and
very
pleasant weather, only about ninety were obliged to be taken care of in
the
hospital.
Of
course there was no regular
hospital in a small village like Williamsport,
consequently Surgeon Blake was obliged to extemporize a hospital. The
ninety
patients in this hospital were very sick and caused the attending
surgeons a
great deal of anxiety. Among others, Company A had quite a number of
very sick
members. Captain Munn, of this
Company, afterwards Major
of the regiment, was very solicitous about his men, and anxious that
they
should have the best of care. He, like many other officers, had
recruited his
company from among his neighbors and acquaintances, and was prompted by
his
warm heart and patriotic zeal to promise the wives, sisters, and
sweethearts of
the recruits that he would see that they were well taken care of, and
especially when they were sick or wounded; and now it seemed to these
officers
the time had come for the fulfillment of these promises.
Surgeons
Blake
and Clark fully appreciated the responsibility so suddenly thrown upon
them,
and were obliged to make very stringent rules for the government of the
hospital, and in order to prevent interference with their duties,
Surgeon Blake
issued an order that no one should visit the hospital unless having a
pass
either from the Surgeon or Assistant Surgeon. . As soon as these
officers
learned this fact they were very angry, and boldly announced that no
d—d
surgeons were going to interfere with their looking after their men,
and that they
would soon convince these surgeons that they would visit the hospital
when they
pleased.
Consequently a
number
of officers, headed by Captain Munn, in
a very determined and boisterous manner started for the hospital. Upon
arriving
at the door of the hospital they were halted by a guard, who of course
had not
seen much real service, and as his superior officers demanded to pass,
the
guard was trying to persuade them to desist and first get a pass; but
Captain
Munn told the guard that lie would give him to understand, and also
Surgeon
Blake, that no d—d surgeon could keep them from visiting their men when
they
pleased. De Normandie, who was then hospital steward, hearing the noise
at the
door of the hospital went to ascertain what the trouble was, and
Captain Munn
informed him; the Dr. stepping back a few feet, placed the gun to his
shoulder,
saying,
"Captain
Munn, you are my
friend and the captain of my company, and you ought to know better than
to
attempt to force a guard; and I can assure you that unless you have a
pass from
one of the surgeons you cannot enter this hospital, and if you attempt
it I
will put a bullet through your body or the body of anybody else who
attempts
it."
Captain
Munn afterwards said that
the "old Doc," as he called him, showed by his eye that he meant
business. These officers, now more enraged than ever, started for the
headquarters of the commander of the regiment, Colonel T. O. Osborn. As
it
happened, Colonel Osborn, with the Colonel of the Thirteenth
Massachusetts
Regiment, and other officers, was visiting Surgeon Blake at his
quarters, and
while pleasantly conversing about affairs of the command in rushed
Captain Munn
with his fellow officers, and in great excitement began to abuse the
surgeons
and especially Surgeon Blake, telling the Colonel what an outrage had
been
committed towards himself and comrades. To the great chagrin of both
Captain
Munn and his comrades, the Colonel coolly informed them that he had no
control
over the medical department of the regiment, and advised them to go to
their
quarters and look at the army regulations, and see what sort of a
position they
had placed themselves in.
On
the next morning after this
episode, as Surgeon Blake was sitting on the front porch of his
quarters, he
saw coming down the street a little squad of officers, but they looked
very
meek and were apparently in very earnest conversation about some
serious
affair. When they saw the Surgeon, Captain Munn called him one side,
and in a
most anxious manner asked him what he was going to do about the affair
of last
night. The Surgeon, with an apparently offended air, very coolly said
to the
Captain that he had not yet determined what he would do about it.
Whereupon the Captain in an
excited manner replied that he had heard that
the Surgeon intended to have them all court-martialed; and then in a
most
imploring way, said:
"Blake,
do
you know that if you call a court-martial we shall all be shot? The
regulations
say that to attempt to force a guard while in active service shall be
punished
by death! For God's sake, let's settle the matter. We made d—d fools of
ourselves, and will assure you that we will never be guilty of such
foolishness
again."
Surgeon
Blake, after keeping them
on the anxious-seat for a few days, never had occasion to mention the
matter
again. This incident did more to establish discipline in the regiment
than
anything that ever happened to it.
It
is gratifying to be able to state that every man
who was sick at that time recovered, and that this severe attack of
sickness
thoroughly established the surgeons in the confidence of the entire
regiment,
which was never lost during the war.
Letter
from
Company K.
Copies of the
Westboro
Transcript, December 22nd, 1860 - January 10th 1863, are stored on
Microfilm at the Westboro Public Library.
|
Westboro
Transcript, November 30, 1861.
From Co. K. – A letter from ‘Camp
Jackson,’ under date of Nov. 20th and
21st, says: ‘The Thirteenth have just been down to the
village to
escort off the Illinois Regiment. The Illionians (I refer to this
particular Regiment) are as shabby a set as I ever saw. Only
two
companies of them had any guns, and what they did have were
rusty. They had a band of music with them; but their so
called
‘music’ was even a greater misnomer than the energetic blasts
‘executed’ by the Westboro Band of a year ago.
(Whew!) I
think we were taken down there more for the purpose of stimulating our
pride by showing us how we looked beside other Regiments then simply to
do escort duty. Positively and without boasting,
Massachusetts
troops do make the best appearance of any in the service.
While returning to camp we drilled in a
movement called ‘street
firing.’ It is a neat movement and with the practice we have
has
we are vain enough to think we could clean a street in a ‘thorough and
workmanlike manner.’
‘Possibly the next letter I write you
may be from Western
Virginia. Col. Leonard has gone to meet and consult with Gen.
Kelly, whose brigade is a part of Rosecranz’s force. If we
join
him we shall see some fighting very soon.
‘The Col. tells us that we can have
Lieut. Hovey for Captain by
petitioning for him, which we shall probably do, as he is a splendid
officer.
‘Since I commenced writing our officers
have brought in for our
Thanksgiving dinner eight turkeys, a lot of nuts and a box of raisins.
‘This is Thanksgiving morning, and the
boys are picking turkeys all
over the camp. During the day a match game of ball is to be
played, - the right wing of the regiment against the left
wing.
Three men are to be selected from each company, making fifteen men on a
side. Co. K, is in the left wing which is to be the winner,
of
course.
(digital
transcripton by Brad Forbush).
|
Return to Top of Page
Thanksgiving
in Camp, November 21, 1861.
Thanksgiving
with members
of the 13th Mass., 1861. This photo was shared with Art
Rideout by Thomas Traxler;
descendant of William G. Ward, Company G. (It has been
heavily
touched up in photoshop).
Thanksgiving;
Hagerstown Herald & Torchlight.
|
Hagerstown
Herald of Freedom & Torchlight
November 27, 1861.
13th Massachusetts Regiment – Its
Thanksgiving Day. Thursday
last
having been the day designated by the Governor of Massachusetts for
Thanksgiving, the soldiers of the 13th Regiment from that State, now
encamped near Williamsport, paid their respects to the day in an
old-fashioned frolic. Thanksgiving day originated with our
Pilgrim forefathers, and was held in commemoration of their landing
upon Plymouth rock, in 1620. It was an appropriate and
special
recognition of the Providence of God, in bringing them safely through
the perils of a long and adventurous voyage; and in New England it is
still associated with such reminiscence, although they are gradually
receding from public attention, and the day partakes more of the modern
sentiment as it prevails with us. This innovation upon
time-honored custom the brave sons of old Massachusetts now in our
midst fully illustrated by devoting the day to a grand festival, which
terminated at night in a joyous dance upon a large platform erected for
the purpose in their camp. We understand that the Regiment
was
paid off on the previous day, which, in addition to the presents of
pumpkin pie, turkeys, &c. received from home, enabled its
members
to do the occasion ample justice. It was a curious sight, however, to
behold these descendants of the old pilgrim fathers celebrating a
Thanksgiving day within full view of Virginia, the land of Secesh, and
the “mother of statesmen,” but they came from their far-off homes as
the defenders of the stars and stripes, and we honor them as friends
and loyal citizens, while we despise the traitors who have dishonored
that flag and rendered necessary the presence of an armed soldiery upon
the soil of Washington County.
(Newsclipping
courtesy of Timothy Snyder; digital transcription by Brad Forbush).
|
Thanksgiving;
Letter of John B. Noyes, Company B.
|
MS
Am 2332 (22) By Permission of
the Houghton Library, Harvard University.
Williamsport Md. November 22nd
‘61
Dear Father & Mother,
Your
letter of the 14th inst. was
received on the
17th. I concluded to wait till after Thanksgiving before
writing
to you. Perhaps you will like to have me answer your note
before
telling how I spent my first Thanksgiving day in Md.
I am
sorry to hear of the death of Mrs.
Campbell. She has long been feeble and a great care to her
friends, who on that account must feel the loss the more.
Miss
Popkin must feel quite lonely these long winter nights. I
suppose
Martha will cultivate her acquaintance even more now than
ever.
From life to death is but a single step, and I am glad that cousin
Sumner rejoices in a second grand daughter. May he live to
have a
grandson to relieve somebody of a gold watch, if for nothing
else. But who is that somebody ? I have forgotten
if I ever
knew. Alice’s sinking hope of getting the watch are again
revived. Who knows but the tortoise may yet win the race? What is Mr.
White’s name and address? So Dr. Whitney is not going
home.
I don’t know what reports you have heard of the Surgeon I have seen
nothing in him to unfit him for his duties. He is not very
popular, in the Regiment, partly owing to his infirmities, that is his
fatness, and partly to the fact that Dr. Heard, the Ass’t. Surgeon is
the favorite. Hurd is a slim built man, very dark in
complexion,
quick, active, and more neat in attire than his superior
officer.
Of two Doctors, one must in time fall under when their patients are the
same. The chief complaint against Dr. Whitney, however is his
giving too much quinine to those affected with the chills.
Several men in our Company haven’t ceased to shake since we left
Antietam & will not feed on quinine. Now Dr. Hurd
prescribed
for those cases, although his sickness prevented his constant
attendance. Dr. Whitney agreed with Hurd on the quinine
subject;
that is on its use, and the benefits to be derived from it by those
affected with chills & typhoid fever. So you see Dr.
Whitney
suffers where Hurd should bear the burden, unless we adopt the
principle “qui facit per alesin(?) facit per se.” Dr. Zeller,
as
he informs me himself, agrees with Dr. Whitney with regard to the
applicability of quinine in the cases I have mentioned, and in addition
is very favorably impressed with the knowledge, and attention to
patients displayed by him. It is worthy of note that
notwithstanding the fact that several of our Reg’t. have been very
sick, some with no expectation of recovery, not one has died from
disease. This fact speaks much for the merits of the Dr. as a
physician. No one doubts his abilities as a surgeon. Indeed
the
Dr. asserts what is true when he states that the men have not followed
his prescriptions & have refused to take the quinine they talk
so
much about. I do not intend to praise the Surgeon, I only say
that the only complaints I have heard are on the subject of
quinine. Surgeons are almost invariably unpopular.
There is
a petition to remove the Surgeon of the 39th Ill. Regt. As to
drinking, no man in our Co. has seen him drunk, & I do not hear
that complaint made against him. He believes in making some
men
do duty who say they are unable to. Perhaps the Dr. is
right. Perhaps also he is obliged to act as he does by orders
he
is bound to obey.
Allyne’s
package arrived safe.
The stockings
were very acceptable and are much better than those I have by
me.
The mittens are ne plus ultra. I did not see Allyne as I was
on
picket the night he came, and he started immediately for
Washington. The pair of stockings not quite finished will do
to
send next spring. The catalogue sent by father reached me
yesterday morning. I have given it to Zeller. No
apples
came with it. There may be some by the time I get
home.
Meantime what of the pears? Stephen wants to hear from
me.
Why does’nt he write then? I believe he has not written for
some
months, save just before I left Darnestown which letter I immediately
answered. He is somewhat remiss in his correspondence. I
wrote
him a day or two ago & the letter being a business one like the
last one he answered. It makes very little difference as to
Stephen’s
writing and visiting habits, whether he has plenty or no
time. He
is sometimes busy when he has absolutely nothing to do.
Perhaps
you recollect my old friend Geo. D. Rice, son of M.M. Rice, lately
deceased. His brother Edmund is Captain, and now acting Major
of the
19th Mass, Col. Hank’s Regt. George has been on a business
tour
among the western soldiers, and has seen most of the camps out west,
including Kentucky. He is now visiting the camps on the
Potomac. For the last week he has been in Williamsport, but
is
going directly home in a day or two. By him I shall send a couple of
pair of woolen and two or three cotton socks besides my Horace, the gem
of my books. I don’t want the Horace lent. Put it
in my
bureau drawer. Next Summer I may want a pair or so of the
summer
socks. I send also $15.00 in treasury notes by the same
hand. Perhaps Rice can give you some interesting information
about the affairs hereabouts.
And now
for Thanksgiving. Of
course it was a
holiday. Some spent it one way, some another. Co.
E. had a
dinner at the Globe, for their friends at home sent them Turkeys, plum
puddings &c. Other companies fared
differently. In my
company one mess dined together down town. No others of that
mess
could get out of the lines on passes. Never the less by hook,
or
by crook four of our mess dined together at the Eagle. Six
others
in 3 different parties got out of the lines & rendezvoused at
Parker’s. I was one. We had the parlor of the
establishment
which was the front 2nd story room, the gayest looking room I have yet
seen in Md. We invited in one of our men who was stationed at the Eagle
on guard. We had no cranberry sauce. That was
because we
had plenty of others such as peach, apple & pear; for one of
the
Co. had cranberry sauce in his box which came from home a couple of
hours before dinner time. I did’nt have the folks at home at
the
table; that was impossible, we however made ourselves at home, if we
could not bring you to us. A roast turkey & chicken,
a la
Massachusetts graced the board, into which we soon made inroads with
fixed knives and forks. Floating island succeeded the main
staple
of the dinner. To that home made pudding & mince
pies.
We could not proceed to the sardines and nuts we had at hand, but
turned our attention to, - dulce est despere in loco – champagne, and
cigars. After dinner we sauntered round the streets, and
finally
five of us rode up to camp in a hack !! and were landed at
our
tents. Perhaps others may have had as good a dinner as I did,
but
they did not drive up to camp in that luxurious style. The
hack
ride was free of expense, the driver fancying my looks. I got
to
camp just in time to witness the pig-tail chase which was a failure,
owing to the fact that the tail was not greased. Dress parade
followed the pig-tail scrape. No one wanted supper.
In the
eve’g. came the ball, for which a board floor had been made in the
grove near the Col.’s tent. Only half a dozen ladies graced
the
floor. The ball did not amount to a great deal, though it
well
rounded off a very pleasant day. There are very few girls in
Willliamsport – very few indeed. Such was the day &
so I
spent it. When I was in town A.M. & P.M. a
base ball
game between the right & left wings of the Reg’t. was played by
three men from each Company. A mule race followed which was
said
to be successful. I forgot to mention that the Chaplain had
services, which however four fifths of our company did not
attend. Among the majoritie I regret to say, pars magnus
fui. Various are the rumors which fill the camp.
Scarcely
one who believes any of them. The latest is that we are to
march
for Cumberland, 80 miles from here. This report seems to have
several roots to it, besides one or two branches. Still
incredulous, I do not allow any expectation of an 80 mile march to
disturb my sleep. I received a letter from Charles just as I
was
wrapping my blanket around me for dreamless slumbers. This
was
the end of Thanksgiving. I am out of postage
stamps. With
love to all
Your Aff.
Son
John B.
Noyes.
(I
apologize for mistakes in transcribing the latin. If any
readers have corrections please let us know - webmaster). |
Pictured
are John
Theodore Heard, Asst. Surgeon, Allston Waldo Whitney, Surgeon,
&
Servant. This photo was in W.H. Forbush's diary.
The
original image was flopped. Through the miracle of photoshop
the
image has been corrected, but the handwriting still corresponds to the
original mirror image. The regimental history; "Three Years
in
the Army" was dedicated to Whitney.
Surgeon Allston Waldo
Whitney of
Framingham proved his skill on the battle field as Noyes would later
attest. His reputation as a confident and successful surgeon spread
among combat surgeons in the field. During most of his service he
served as Surgeon in
chief of brigade or division. He was captured June 1, 1863 while in
charge of a hospital in Falmouth Va, and released from Libby Prison,
somewhat thinner, in November of that year. He died November 11, 1881.
The
regimental history "Three Years in the Army" was dedicated to him.
Asst. Surgeon
J. Theodore Heard’s
record from the reg’t. history is as
follows:
Age 25 born, Boston; physician; mustered in as
asst.-surg., July 16,
1861; mustered out as surg., Oct. 25, ’65; promoted to surg., U.S.
Vols., May 1, ’62; brevetted lieut.-col., March 13, ’65; May 1, ’62
assigned as brig. Surg., 1st Brig., 2d Div., 1st A.C. (then Durea’s
brigade of McDowell’s Corps); Oct. 28, ’62, assigned as surg.-in –
chief, 2d Div., 1st A.C.; Nov. 10, ’62, assigned as medical director of
the 1st Corp, Army of the Potomac, commanded by Gen. John F. Reynolds,
remaining in that position until the 1st Corps was consolidated with
the 5th Corps under Gen. Warren, March 23, ’64; March 25,
’64,
assigned as surg. –in-chief of artillery reserve, Army of the Potomac;
Aril 30, ’64, assigned as medical director, 4th Corps, Army of the
Cumberland; promoted to lieut. – col. by act of Congress ( dated Feb.
25, ’65), March 13, ’65; residence, 20 Louisburg square, Boston.
Thanksgiving;
Letter in the Westboro Transcript.
|
Westboro
Transcript
Dec. 7, 1861
Camp Jackson, Williamsport, Md.
Nov. 28th 1861
Mr. Editor, - Thinking a few stray items
from the 13th would be of
interest to some of your numerous readers, I take the liberty to note
them down hoping that they may prove crumbs of comfort to the
unenlightened.
Thanksgiving was a notable affair with
us, or as the boys have it ‘a
big thing,’ the weather was splendid, and they made themselves
comfortable in almost every conceivable way. Foot balls were
kicked, bat balls were batted, greased pigs were chased and caught, the
tilt was in full blast on horse back and foot, the air was filled with
shouts and ebullitions of mirth, and all went merry as a marriage bell,
our thanksgiving dinners allow me to say can't be beat
easily.
Turkeys and chickens graced every mess pan and to give you something of
an idea of the extent of our feasting I will state that Co. F. had 22
turkeys and 14 chickens, these were all stuffed and cooked by our
neighbors of Williamsport. This I think is about a fair
sample of
the whole, though Co. E of Roxbury was more fortunate than the rest of
us in having had an excellent dinner all ready for the table brought to
them by some of their friends in Roxbury; the weight of the whole I
believe was about 1500 pounds. During the day our excellent
Chaplain delivered an eloquent discourse on Temperance, Virtue,
Patience &c., which was well received by the men and we trust
was
as seed sown on good ground. In the evening there was a
social
hop by the boys with a very slight sprinkling of ladies from
Williamsport and Hagerstown.
Another feature peculiar to this
Regiment is a “picture gallery,”
conducted by Crosby, (George Crosby-B.F.) formerly of Union Block,
Marlboro; this was also in active operation on Thanksgiving day, and
since; and probably many a wife, mother and dear one has received
“shadows” which they will hold sacred until the return of the soldier
from the war. Yesterday four companies, A, B, H, and E, left
our
camp for Hancock, which lies up the river about 24 miles – What the
movement means, or how long they are to be gone, or any thing in regard
to them, or us, in the future, is a perfect blank. Truly, we
live
in a blissful state of uncertainty. Co. F. has at present 20
men
stationed at Hagerstown, under Provost Marshall C. F.
Morse. Co. I, is here with us, and also Co. K,
generally in
good health, I believe, with the exception of prevalent
colds. I
believe I have gleaned most of the items of interest.
(digital
transcription by Brad Forbush).
|
Thanksgiving;
Letter of Edwin Rice; 13th Mass Band
|
Williamsport,
Maryland
November 28th 1861
Viola,
I suppose
you will be looking for a letter from me.
Haven’t heard as you have gone to Walpole
but suppose so.
Thanksgiving
passed off very well with us. The
stuff
which was sent to the Band from Marlboro we took downtown to a hotel
and put
some more with it and had a first rate dinner.
We had the Adjt., Capt. Pratt of Co
E, Lieut. Frost, Co E, Lieut.
Richardson of Co G. The
Lieut. Col.
and Chaplain were invited but could not be present.
We bought all the extras besides
what was
sent to us, and we had to pay a dollar a plate for what there was
there, 24 of
us. As there was
nothing said about the
price, we paid the bill and took away what was not eaten.
Last
Saturday, myself and 7 others of the Band crossed the river with Capt.
Carey on
the ferry. The boats cross every day.
No
one except the soldiers are allowed to cross over unless they are
pretty well
known. When we came
back there were
three or four men, one women, and three children coming over with us.
They come
over every day and are mostly from Martinsburg.
Tuesday,
Companies A, B, E, and H had sudden orders to start for Hancock, 27
miles from here up the river. They left about 6 p.m.
They expected to get there the next morning. A part
of Company D has gone down the river 17 miles to dam no. 4 and part of
Company F is at Hagerstown. Since we in this vicinity were
paid off, the Illinois boys have gone to Hagerstown on a drunk and
raised the Old Harry and frightened the citizens half to death and so a
detachment of Company F were sent there to keep them straight.
The nights
are quite cool now. Last
night there was
such a heavy white frost that the ground looked as though it was
covered with
snow. I don’t think
the men suffer much
from the cold except those who are on guard as they have fires in their
tents
nearly all the time. The
horses, I
should think, would suffer a good deal from the cold.
As wheat straw is plenty around here
they
have lots of that to sleep on, but they have no blankets.
Yesterday it
was cold and rained nearly all day. In the morning it hailed
nearly an hour. It has got to be so chill around here that I
hope we shall move soon for some other place.The trraveling now is
quite bad except on the turnpikes as the ground freezes a little every
night and then thaws during the day and makes it very muddy traveling.
Today is Thanksgiving in this state and tonight there is
going to be a Thanksgiving Ball downtown. I should like to go
to it and see what kind of a thing it is but don't suppose I can.
I received a
letter from Henry, Tuesday morning. My ear does not trouble
me any now. I received a paper and some pills from Mother yesterday.
The blanket which Mother sent is a first rate one.
I think it is beter than a bed blanket would be for me to
use. I saw some horse blankets the other day that they asked $1.75 a
piece for. I had rather have mine than three of them.
They were coarse and were not more than 2/3 as large.
Gassett had a
letter this morning and it said that Sidney Learning was going into my
old place of business. Hope he won't give much for the goods
in there and hope he will be used better than I was.
Yours,
Edwin Rice
P.S.
The companies have had orders to pack up and cook two days
rations, and to have 25 rounds of cartridges dealt out. The
Band has not had any orders yet. We may all leave tonight or
may stay 2 or 3 weeks. If we go anywhere it will be to
Hancock.
(Gassett is Foster Gassett of the Band).
|
Return to Top of Page
Picketing
the
River - Detachments from the 13th Mass.
From Three Years in the Army; Estes &
Lauriat, 1894 by Charles
E. Davis, Jr.:
The duty which we performed this winter
was a very important and
difficult one, as General Stonewall Jackson, at his own request
(according to the official reports of the Confederacy), received orders
to do all the damage he could to the dams of the Chesapeake and Ohio
canal, and to harass the enemy in any way his genius could
suggest. General Jackson was no sluggard, as the world knows,
and
he made it lively for us to prevent him from carrying out his purposes.
While we were at Williamsport, Colonel Leonard was in charge of all the
troops on the Potomac, from Harper’s Ferry to Oldtown, a distance of
more than one hundred miles, by the river, while the duties of the
regiment included guarding the Potomac river from Harper’s Ferry to Sir
John’s Run, a distance of more than fifty miles. The work was
so
well done as to prompt a commendation from General Banks. Prior to our
arrival, this part of the river was protected by troops supplied with
the old smooth-bore musket of a very antiquated pattern with too little
power to carry a bullet across the river, so that they were a constant
source of ridicule by the enemy, who were much better armed,
and
who amused themselves by coming down to the river daily, and placing
the thumb of the right hand to the nose, and the thumb of the left hand
to the little finger of the right hand, would make rapid motions with
the fingers, to the great exasperation of the Union men, who were
powerless to prevent it. After we were placed there with our Enfield
rifles, there was less time spent in arranging their fingers, and more
in the use of their feet. As they tried one point after another from
Falling Waters to the end of our line of fifty miles, they were
prompted to inquire what regiments were guarding the river, and when
the oft-repeated answer was “the Thirteenth Mass.,” they were
astonished at our number, and were interested to know what arms we
carried. A Virginia paper, published in Martinsburg, brought
across the river by a Union man, contained an editorial warning the
people about “trusting themselves too near the river, as there was a
regiment from Massachusetts, several thousand strong, with a gun that
could carry like a piece of artillery.”
In order to
carry out so extensive a
system of pickets it was necessary
to make large and frequent details of men from each company, the
particular dates of which are omitted, and only the larger ones
mentioned.
Nov. 5. Co. D sent to
Hagerstown. Returned on the
7th. All
of Company B, except twelve men, returned from provost duty in town, to
camp.
Nov. 26. Companies A, B, E, and H
sent to Hancock.
Dec. 7. Company C sent to Dam No. 5.
Dec. 8. Co. G sent to Dam No. 5 to
relieve Co. C.
Company K
sent to Dam No. 4, but was overtaken by an order to return.
Co. C
sent to Dam No. 5, but returned before night.
It was D--n the hats in summer and Dam No. 5
in winter.
Skirmish
at
Dam No. 5; December 7 - 8, 1861.
Drawing
by
artist Henry
Bacon, Co. D, accompanied this article in Leslies Newspaper.
After the war Bacon studied fine art in Paris &
became a
noted European artist.
Frank
Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper
January 18, 1862.
(Letter
transcriptions taken from the now defunct web-site "Letters of the
Civil War").
THIRTEENTH MASSACHUSETTS.
DAM NO. 5
Scene of the late
Skirmish between the
Rebels and a Company of the Massachusetts 13th Regt. of Rifles
On Saturday,
December 7, 400 or 500
rebel infantry, with six pieces of artillery, made their appearance at
Dam No. 5, nine miles above Williamsport, Md., with evident intentions
of destroying the dam, so as to prevent the navigation of the canal for
18 miles below. They commenced firing at the dam, which firing was
heard at Williamsport, where the 13th was stationed. Col. Leonard
immediately dispatched one company of riflemen, who took position at
the lock opposite during Saturday night. On Sunday morning
the
rebels again commenced their work of destruction, but were soon
answered by the rifles, when they precipitately retreated, leaving for
a time their guns, but finally succeeded in carrying them
off.
The engagement lasted for several hours. The 13th had one man wounded,
receiving five shots in the legs, but who will recover. The rebels lost
seven men, and 15 or 16 men wounded, without accomplishing anything
towards the destruction of the dam.
Accompanying this is
a sketch of the
lock-keepers's house, shelled by the rebel artillery during the
skirmish, and behind which some of the 13th riflemen were stationed.
A correspondent of a
Boston paper who was present gives the following account:
 "On Monday night
last, at Williamsport,
our 1st Lieutenant, Palmer, now in command of the company, received
orders to hold himself in readiness to march at a moment's notice for
Four Locks, about 10 miles up the river from Williamsport. Accordingly,
on Tuesday morning we started, and arrived here about two p.m. We
found a company of the 1st Virginia regiment occupying the only
suitable building for quarters, and as that company were not to leave
until the following day, Lieut. Palmer took possession of a barn,
where, after supper, we turned in, as we supposed, for the night,
having previously relieved the Virginia company's pickets, according to
orders. About 10 o'clock we were awoke by the report that our up-river
pickets were attacked, and Lieut. Brown immediately started with a
squad to their assistance, while the rest of us went to bed
again. In
about two hours from that time our pickets, who had been stationed at
Dam No. 5, sent up word that the rebels were at work destroying the
dam. Lieut. Palmer immediately turned out all the men left in
camp, and we started at double-quick in a bee line over hills, rocks
and fences for the dam, and on arriving there found the rebels at work
as reported.
We commenced firing
upon them, and
continued to do so until daybreak, when we discovered that they had
erected barricades across the dam, in such a manner that it became
necessary for us to go down the river a short distance, and come up
under the bank, in order to bring them under the range of our rifles.
We managed, after sharp firing and much exposure, to drive them from
their position, when they took shelter in an old stone mill near the
dam, and battered out loopholes with crowbars, and opened a severe fire
upon us. Meanwhile, about 200 sharpshooters (cavlary) came down into
the woods on the other side, and opened on our left flank, sending
their balls with remarkable accuracy. We, nevertheless, held our
ground, keeping well covered by trees and fences, and called upon them
to come over, which they appeared to have no idea of doing, and seemed
to dread our rifles, from the distance they kept from the river. The
firing was kept up all day, and at night a strong guard was posted at
the dam, to repel any attempt which might be made in the night to
destroy it. Early on Wednesday morning one piece of artillery
and one
company of the 1st Virginia regiment arrived to our assistance. The
artillery opened fire on the mill, and soon drove the rebels out, and
as they left we gave them the Enfield bullets to their sorrow, killing
and wounding, as we think, quite a number. About two p. m., all being
quiet at the dam, we returned to camp, and on the way, by invitation of
a loyal Marylander, partook of the best dinner we had eaten since we
left Massachusetts. We had just reached headquarters when intelligence
was received from our pickets at Little Georgetown, two miles above
here, that the rebels had appeared opposite in strong force, numbering
as many as three regiments; that they had yelled across the river that
they should cross that night at all odds, asking if 'we didn't want
some more Bull Run soup,' etc. Lieut. Palmer, with a squad, went to
their assistance, and had fired several volleys at the rebels, when
they suddenly opened fire upon us from a masked battery, throwing three
shells directly through a barn which our pickets made their
headquarters. Our boys stood their ground, however, and about
nine
o'clock that evening the rebels withdrew their cannon, thinking it of
no use to fight the 'miserable yellow-bellied Yankees,' as they called
us. During the night the old mill at the dam, where the rebels had
taken refuge during the day and night previous, was discovered to be on
fire, and as no one who had an interest in the property seemed disposed
to put it out, in a few hours nothing remained but a heap of blackened
ruins. It isn't known who started the fire, but some fearfully accurate
guesses could be made by certain parties if they were so disposed.
On Thursday we wore
out Uncle Sam's shoe
leather travelling up and down the river, to see if any fresh
adventures would turn up, but all was quiet until three o'clock in the
afternoon, when the rebels again made their appearance at Little
Georgetown, with their flag flying, and having a large number of boats
with them. They swore they would cross that night, and Lieut. Brown was
left there with a detachment to watch them; but the night passed and
'nary cross' took place.
On Friday, all being
quiet and no rebels
in sight, Captain Kennedy, of the Virginia 1st regiment, Lieut. Palmer,
Mr. Palmer, Mr. Stanhope (who built the dam), and myself, crossed the
river in a crazy old skiff, to examine the dam where the rebels had
been at work. We found it not very much injured, although they had been
at work at it for three days. It is a splendid work, and cost, I was
informed, about $200,000. During these four days we ate little and
slept less, but we liked the excitement, and our lieutenants, Palmer
and Brown, seemed to grow fat on it. Both lieutenants are very popular
with the company, as they are afraid of nothing, and the boys are
always ready to follow where they will lead. All is quiet here now, and
we are ready for the next affair that may turn up."
[Contributed by Timothy Snyder] |
The man wounded, mentioned above, was
James Kennay,
Company C. His wound is not listed in the roster, but was
listed
in corrections to the roster published in the 13th Regiment Association
Circulars, (#8, Dec. 1895) to read: "wounded at Dam no. 5 in
the
winter of 1861." Kennay was shot in several places but
survived
and was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the 57th Mass. in 1864.
Warren
Freeman writes about 'Kenny's' recovery in letters home December 21st
(see Hancock page), & Jan. 10th: "James
Kenny came into our tent yesteday; he is getting along well - he is
very weak, but does not suffer much pain from his severe wounds; three
rifle balls struck him, making six holes, all flesh wounds; five balls
passed through his overcoat; it is said here he stood a "right smart
chance" of losing his life."
On Dec. 11th, Company K was sent to Dam No. 4, but was overtaken by an
order to return. Co. C was sent to Dam No. 5, but returned
the
same
night.
Return to Top of Page
The
Story of 3 Captains.
Newly
commissioned Captain
William H. Jackson
was the hero of the
day for the part he and Company C took in the Battle
of
Bolivar
Heights October 16th. The present camp at Williamsport was
named
Camp Jackson in his honor. His star continued to
shine brightly
for several months before loosing some of
its lustre, first with his company, then with the rest of the regiment.
Mysterious Captain Schriber, (Company
I) had
worked his way into the good graces of Major General Nathaniel Banks,
and gotten himself appointed Aide du Camp for the General.
His
quick rise to power was underway. It would end suddenly in
August
with a fiery descent. His absence cleared the way for First
Lieutenant Moses Poore Palmer to take his rightful place as Captain of
Company I.
Captain
William P. Blackmer's speedy
departure from
the regiment following the battle of Bolivar Heights created a vacancy
to be filled in Company K. Austin Stearns explains how
Captain Charles Hovey was appointed.
Letter
of Captain Schriber
"GLC03393.21
Captain Shriber to Colonel Leonard, 31 October 1861.
(The
Gilder Lehrman Collection. Not to be reproduced without written
permission.)"
Muddy
Branch Camp :
Headquarters Gen. Banks Division:
October 31st 1861.
To Colonel Leonard 13th Mass. Vols.
Commanding Forces
At
Williamsport
Maryland
Colonel,
Major
General Banks desires me to
state to you that he wishes me to stay with him as an Asst. Aide de
Camp on his Staff for a short time longer, as he is at present almost
entirely reduced of Staff officers, but he expects Major Perkins and 2
more Regular officers in a week or so. You will therefore be kind
enough to report me.
On special duty.
I shall be truly happy to meet you, Colonel, again as it is now a long
time since I had the pleasure to talk to you - but I fear that I shall
not be much longer connected with your excellent Regiment, as the
Governor of Rhode Island has offered me the Command of his 6th Battery
of Light Artillery with the view of becoming Major as soon as the 8th
will be formed and drilled –
As much as I desire to advance, which is only natural, as much shall I
feel the parting from You and your officers, the dear 13th and
Massachusetts – had I any view what ever for promotion in our State
Troops, I would stay, because I feel as if I tore myself from a new
home away, but those who have taken an interest in me in Boston are now
away and I can not hope for anything –
Trusting, Colonel, to meet you and your Staff, to whom please convey my
very warm compliments, soon at Will’pt. I beg to believe me
Colonel to be
With greatest Respect
Your
Most obedient Servant
RC. Shriber
Capt. 13th Mass Vol. Asst. Aide de Camp of
Bank’s Division.
|
Letter
of First-Lieutenant Moses Palmer.
|
Westboro
Transcript, Dec. 14, 1861
Williamsport, Md.,
Camp Jackson, Nov. 20, 1861.
Mr. Loring, - Dear Sir: I believe you told me in your letter
that
if we needed any thing in our Company to let you know what it was, and
you would attend to it. - Now it is coming on cold weather,
and
we are in want of Woolen Gloves and Towels. If you could send
us,
say 90 pairs of Gloves, and 90 Towels, our Company would be very
thankful. We are in want of something to keep the men’s hands
warm this cool weather, and if you can do any thing in this line, just
send them along as soon as possible. We do not like here, as
well
as the Ferry; the boys are getting tired of doing nothing but drill.
Col. Batchelder said yesterday, at our
monthly inspection, that Company
I, was the best Company on the field; their guns and quarters were in
the best shape of any Company here. – Four of our Companies are up the
river – A, B, E, and H. I hope they will have as good luck as
we
had when we were away. Company I, has gained for the Regiment
about all the glory it has had so far. Capt. Schriber is
away;
has been absent about six weeks. We get along
finely. Our
boys are in good spirits, and there are but a few sick. I
suppose
we shall get into winter quarters soon; that is, if we do not move
forward into Virginia. After we get into winter quarters you
must
come out and see us sure. We will try and make your visit as
pleasant as possible. A good many of the Boston people have
been
out here to see their Companies from Boston. This is a muddy
place, and just like all the rest of Maryland.
I should be happy to hear from you, and still more so to see you out
here.
Yours truly,
M. P. Palmer
(digital
transcription by Brad Forbush). |
Captain
Charles H. Hovey, Company K.
From Austin Stearns memoirs “Three Years with Company K”
Fairleigh-Dickinson University Press; 1976, Used with Permission, (p.
43-44).
"We were without a Captain; it was time to have
one; Lieut
Bacon aspired
to the place. There were a few of the boys wanted he should be,
thinking
they would have an easy time. A petition was circulated to get signers
for him. Those who brought it to our mess said if we did not have him
we should have to have the seniour Lieut. of Co. A. [Lt.
Samuel
Neat] Of the two evils, we chose the least, signing for
Bacon. After doing so, some of us went out and
enquired of
the Field, Line, and Staff, and learned that the Col. wanted to promote
Lieut Hovey of Co. D. Another petition was circulated for him without
consulting the friends of Bacon, [and] the result was [that ] we had
Hovey for Captain. Our nine weeks stay at Harpers Ferry gave us no time
to drill, [so] when we came to the regiment we were one of the poorest
drilled companies. The Boston Companies looked upon us with an air of
superiority. Hovey, on taking command, said, if we pay strict attention
to drill, he would do his best to make us second to none in point of
drill, or anything that goes to make a soldier. He said he was
satisfied the material was there, and all it needed was to be brought
out, and he would do his best to bring it out. His
predictions
were all filled."
On
Nov. 6, 1861, first Lieutenant Charles H. Hovey, Co. D was promoted
Captain of Company K. Hovey proved to be an able
officer.
He served all three years with the regiment and completed his service
with the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. (photo of Capt. Hovey courtesy
of the
Westborough Historical Society, Westborough, MA).
Return to Top of Page
Letter of
Edwin Rice; 13th Mass Band
According to private John B.
Noyes, his best friend William F. Blanchard was accidentally shot by an
Illinois man with a pistol. Noyes was at Hancock, and
wouldn't
have known the details when he wrote: "One of my mess, Blanchard is at
the point of death, accidentally shot by a pistol in the hands of an
Illinois soldier. He was well educated & perhaps the
best
informed man in the mess, had studied Virgil & was thoroughly
versed in same departments of history. He was an
indefatigable
devourer of knowlege and had known good society. Add to this
a
thorough knowledge of common seamanship & extensive travel and
observation. I write as though he were dead. Indeed
he may
be. There are conflicting reports." The 13th Mass roster
states
Blanchard was wounded November 28th, 1861. Edwin Rice who
was in
camp & close to the hospital was able to report on Blanchard's
recovery. [William Blanchard, pictured left].
Rice also
mentions the death of
a third man in the newly arrived troops of the 39th Illinois.
A
measles epidemic was raging through the ranks of that regiment, but
their history states the 3 men died of other causes. They are
listed as Lt.
Joseph
Richardson; of typhoid fever, Private William Parrish, Co. G; organic
disease of the heart; and Priv. Henry Hosington, Co. B;
turberculosis. A touching tribute to the 13th Mass is given
in
the following anecdote from the 39th Illinois history:
"While here,
First-Lieutenant
Joseph W. Richardson, of Company A, was taken sick with typhoid fever.
He received the best of care at the Globe Inn, where he was quartered,
but after a painful illness he succumbed to the disease, November 17th,
1861. The ladies of the house contributed a very pretty wreath of
flowers, and the regimental colors, furled with crape, were hung at the
window of the room where he lay. He was buried with military honors on
the banks of the Potomac river, between two hostile armies—the friends
and foes of the Union.
"The regiment
had no arms at
this time, and upon request to Colonel Leonard, commanding the
Thirteenth Massachusetts and the Post, to send a firing party, he
responded with his whole regiment, which turned out with the
Thirty-Ninth to do the last sad offices for the dead lieutenant. This,
perhaps, is the only instance during the war where two regiments, at
the front, attended the burial of a soldier, no matter of what rank.
Chaplain McReading read the impressive burial service of the Masonic
Order, to which the deceased belonged, and soon after the hills echoed
the salute which Massachusetts fired over the grave of a patriot son of
Illinois."
Letter of Edwin Rice
|
Williamsport,
Maryland
December 2nd 1861
Viola,
I received your letter which was mailed
the 28th, Saturday night. I should have written to you
yesterday but I wrote to Mother and that took about all the spare time
I had.
For a week past we have had a considerable rain. Last Friday
it rained nearly all day and it was quite warm too. Saturday
it was very pleasant overhead and very unpleasant underfoot.
Yesterday it was cool and cloudy and I thought that by this morning we
might find some snow on the ground. But it cleared off last night and
this morning it is very cool but pleasant.
What kind of a place have you got? What sort of a place is
Walpole? Seen anything of “Tab Lass” yet? When I
wrote you last, I thought we might leave here, and hoped we
might. But we are still here and if the different reports are
true we shall stay here during the winter. I heard yesterday
that the Q.M. was going to look up some lumber to build barracks to
live in this winter. Another report is that four companies are going to
Sharpsburg and the other two were going to Hagerstown where the
headquarters will be. The Band will stay where the
headquarters are.
Blanchard who was accidentally shot is much better. The
doctor knows where the ball is, but it is so far in that he cannot get
it out the way it went in. John Burnap of Co K is very badly
breached and the doctor says that he cannot live but a short time
longer. He has been so about a week. Gassett has
got a very bad cold, and has been spitting blood this morning. He is
feeling pretty blue.
The Chaplain got back from Boston Saturday afternoon and yesterday
instead of preaching a sermon, he gave a short account of his
adventures in Boston. John Brown has just come in and says he
heard the Chaplain say that we should know by Wednesday where we shall
stay this winter. He thinks it will be about a mile from here in or
near a large wood lot, in huts. It takes three days for
letters to come here and I suppose about the same to go to
Mass. I haven’t written Uncle Edwin for some time.
I don’t like to write letters unless I get answers to them.
Haven’t had one from him since September 22nd.
The Illinois 39th buried another of their men last Friday
afternoon. This is the third one that has died since they
have been here.
It is so cold here today that my feet have got cold whilst sitting in
the tent with a fire in it all the time.
Had a letter from Wm. Piper Saturday night. He wrote that Willis was
having a good time. He says his patriotism is not up to the
sticking point this cold weather.
I don’t know as I can think of anything more to write about.
It will not take much colder weather to put a stop to our playing
outdoors. There is always a little water in the valves of our
horns and one of these days they will be freezing up. One
morning last week, 2 or 3 horns did freeze up.
Good
Bye,
Edwin Rice
|
Death
of John S. Burnap, Company K
There were
two deaths in the 13th Mass camp.
John S.
Burnap, age 21 died Dec. 10th, and George C. Haraden, age 18, died
December 22; both of Company K. On the home-front, the
townspeople continued to worry and provide for the comfort of
the boys away from home.
|
Westboro
Transcript
December 14, 1861
Westboro
Company K, has at length been visited by
death. John S. Burnap died at
the Camp Hospital, Williamsport, on Tuesday, 10th inst., at 5 o’clock
A.M., after a painful illness of nearly a fortnight. His
father
was with him at the time of his death, having left home the previous
Thursday in response to a summons by telegraph. Deceased was
the
elder son of Albert J. Burnap, a well known citizen of this place, and
was twenty one years and four months of age.
He was entitled by reason of threatened
physical disability, to be
honorably excused from military service; but ignoring his privilege he
promptly responded to the government’s call for aid, and marched to the
field with as patriotic impulses, as high hopes and as firm a purpose
as those which animated his comrades. The spirit was indeed
willing, - but the flesh was weak. After a brief but faithful
service of four months the young soldier sank under the hardships and
exposure of the Camp, and died a martyr to the sacred cause.
At the time of writing the body had not
arrived in town.
Among the goodies lately sent out to Co.
K, was a large cheese donated
by Mr. And Mrs. Emory Bowman. So pleased were the boys with
the
gift that they passed a special vote of thanks to Uncle Emory and his
wife. Two cheeses sent out by Dea. Lyman Belknap were also
handsomely acknowledged. People may rest assured
that such
kindness is not thrown away.
(digital
transcription by Brad Forbush).
|
Letter of
Edwin Rice; December 15th
|
Williamsport,
Maryland
December 15th 1861
Viola,
I received your letter Monday night and
should have
answered sooner if I had anything in particular to write
about.
The general complaint here seems to be “nothing to write about”, though
I suppose that those who belong to the companies find more to write
about than we who belong to the Band.
It is
thought in camp now
that there is a larger force of the rebels from dam No. 4 to dam No. 5
than there has been since we have been here. Wednesday, Co’s
I
and K were ordered down to dam No. 4 but before they had got down there
they were ordered back. A capt. and 9 men of an Indiana
company
who are stationed there crossed the river and were taken by some rebel
cavalry who were concealed in the woods. An attack was
expected
and they sent up for reinforcements. About 2 o’clock
yesterday
morning Co’s D and K were ordered up to dam No. 5. They came
back
last night without seeing anything or anybody on the other side of the
river. We expect to hear soon of battle between Gen. Kelly
and
the rebels near Martinsburg. The 39th Illinois have at last
got
their arms and equipment and I have heard that they were going to join
Gen. Kelly’s forces.
Burnap of
Co K died last Tuesday morning. The
Chaplain preached a funeral sermon Tuesday afternoon down
town.
Co K with the band attended it. The Chaplain made a few very
good
remarks. We played the Vesper Hymn, Russian Hymn, Dead March,
a
dirge Come ye Disconsolate and Peace Troubled Soul. His
father
was here and took the body to Massachusetts on Wednesday.
Wednesday
the band went to
Hagerstown to have a photograph taken. The artist could not
take
a photograph outdoors, and so we cuddled up into a heap in his room and
he took us the best he could which is not saying a great deal for
him. We got them last night. I have one which I am
going to
send home and am going to get another one and send to you.
Kennedy {Kennay} who was shot a week ago
today at
dam No. 5 is getting along pretty well considering his
wounds. He
was wounded in his thigh, hip, and calf. I heard the doctor
say
that Blanchard was getting along very well, and would get well.
I bought
a Harpers for
December yesterday and as soon as I finish this I am going to enjoy
myself for a time reading it. The time during the day passes
away
pretty slow but the weeks pass away so fast that it does not seem as
though there were more than 4 days in a week. I am expecting
another box from home with a few things in it.
 The boy
that Tom had did
not like it very well so he left. He is with Seargent Paff, the boss
teamster. Paff has a brother here who is going home in a few
days. The boy (Jim Brown) told me this morning that he was
going
with him. He says he will have to go to Greencastle in
Pennsylvania before he can get onto the cars, as he will not be allowed
to take the cars in Hagerstown. He is, I should judge, about
12
or 14 years old. His masters’ name is or was Bill Poole and
lives
in Poolesville. He says Mr. Paff is going to send him to
school
after he gets to Boston where Mr. Paff belongs. If he only
had
some education he would make a pretty smart boy. (Sgt. William Pfaff, pictured right).
I don’t
think of anything
to write about now. Oh yes, we had a very good time at
Hagerstown. We were there nearly all day. We took
our horns
with us and played a number of pieces which seemed to take very
well. The best piece we have got, we got of the Illinois
band. It is “Then You’ll Remember Me” from the opera of the
Bohemian Girl. It is not very hard but is the best tune I
ever
heard a band play. It is a serenade.
The Illinois band is not a very good one.
Yours &c
Edwin Rice
|
Return to Top of Page
Oliver H.
Walker
|
Head Quarters 13th Regt. Rifles, Mass.
Vol.
Camp
Jackson
Williamsport, Md Dec. 2nd/61
(?)
Dear Father and Mother
I put a
little note for
you in a package that I have sent to Julia to day but I have thought it
also better to write you by mail, because a note is a poor return for
your kind letter that was most gladly received though long time in
coming. I should have answered it before I know, but very
many
reasons have I to allege for the why and wherefore of my not writing. I
did receive that box long ago. It came to me when we were in Camp at
Monocacy and I do not know how I came to be so stupid as not to
acknowledge its receipt. It was most welcome and the cake was
pronounced excellent by all hands. I also believe that I have
forgotten to thank Edward for the Balsom and slippery elm that he so
kindly sent to me. He wrote to me some time since saying that
he
was trying to get an appointment in the Navy, and I was much pleased to
receive a letter from him a few days ago, stating that He is going as
Surgeon’s Mate in the U.S. Ship Huron. I am very glad for him and feel
that he is well placed. I think it the duty of every capable
young man who desires to serve his country in her hour of trial, to
place himself in as good a position as possible, and I am truly glad
that Ned is not going in a humble capacity.
You tell me that Martha wondered that I
did not
write to her. I have been obliged to neglect her as well as others of
late, but she has heard from me since you wrote me, and I must be more
prompt to you all in future. Until I received your letter I was not
aware of the arrival in New England of Uncle and aunt Hilton. I am very
much relieved to hear that this is so. I have heard all sorts of
stories; that Uncle Oliver and Henry Wirren? went in the rebel army;
that Uncle was killed at Bull Run, and a great deal more of the same;
now if the rest? can only get away as safely how nice it will
be.
Julia wrote me that she has seen Aunt Ellen and was much pleased with
her; she said she thought her very pleasant and chatty. I
fancy
she must be as chatty as ever. I wish with you that I could
see
your dear little birds, I do not know when I shall come to take mine
away. I do certainly think that little Cherry has done very
well,
she is a fine little Mother. You ask when I heard from Lizzie
Ball. I wrote to her some time since, but have not heard a
word
from her in reply, most probably one of the letters
miscarried. I
was thinking a few days ago of the same subject that you mention, the
time several years ago when you were a bride. It does not
seem to
be so long ago, I can not realize that so long a time has passed, and I
seem to be a great deal younger than I am when I think how near??? and
yet how far away the happy days of child hood are.
Father asks me if I do not need my
flannels.
I am beginning to need them, now that winter is on us. And if
you
please you may send them to me as soon after you receive this as you
can do so conveniently. My two under shirts are all that I
need,
if you will please put them in a box they will come to me safely. Julia
is to send me some little articles and I have asked her to send them
with the flannels, so you can make a little package together.
Please direct to “Oliver H. Walker Co. C. Capt. Jackson, 13th Regt
Mass. Vols. Williamsport Md. via Hagerstown” Adams &
Co’s
Express. I will pay the expense. Please send as
soon as
convenient. And write me a good long letter and send in the
box. When did you hear from Grandpa and Grandma.
Please let
me know. Do take good care of your health both of
you. My
regards to Joseph and to all friends and with much love
I am your son Oliver
|
In
mid-December, 1861, Oliver H. Walker obtained a commission in the 24th
Massachusetts Volunteers and left the 13th Regiment. He wrote
home on December 10th, "I have received an appointment in the 24th
Regiment as Orderly Sergeant, and leave for Annapolis tonight to join
my new company." Then, from the 24th Regt. on December 29th; Camp Foster, Maryland:
"The Regiment is going South in Gen. Burnside's
Expedition... my place is really the one involving more labor than and
quite as much responsibility as, any other in the company; and it takes
some little time to fit myself perfectly in the position so that
everything will work smoothly. I am gald to say however that
my
experience as a private in the 13th Regt. has proved beneficial to
me...I like my company very much, the men are smart and willing, mostly
young men, many from the country and are just the stuff for which to
make good soldiers. My Officers are splendid young men and
are
just such men as I should select to be over me...an officer in my
position is hardly watched and severely tried and this knowledge if
none other would keep me humble or at least free from
anoyance...
"We are
destined to make a heavy
stroke (as I believe) with this division and our Regiment will have an
honorable past, perhaps one of much danger, and some of the young and
brave who hold commissions here can hardly fail to fall in the
struggle, and sad hearts will be in many proud homes in Boston; those
who fight in the ranks have dear ones at home also, and if any of us
fall, there will be weeping for us also..."
Burnsides
expedition to Roanoak
Island was a success. Oliver followed the successful fortunes
of
Union campaigns in North Carolina, South Carolina and finally St.
Augustine, Florida through 1863, when Lieutenant Walker of the 24th
Mass, was
mortally wounded in action, December 30th of that year.
Twelve of his letters are in the Pierce Civil War Collection, Navarro
College, Corsicana, Texas.
Return to Top of Page
Stonewall
Attacks Dam No. 5.
 Col.
Leonard's vigilance continued. From the Regimental history
the following pickets are listed:
Dec. 14. Companies D and K sent to
Dam No. 5, but returned
the same night.
Dec. 17. Company I sent on picket
(to Four Locks)
On Dec. 17
Confederates showed up again
at Dam No.
5. This time Stonewall Jackson was leading them in person.
For
several
days he tried to throw the Union troops off guard, while dam-wreckers
worked away at destroying the structure.
With Colonel
Leonard acting
Brigadier,
Lieutenant-Colonel N.
Walter Batchelder was in command of the regiment in camp.
During
Stonewall Jackson's second attempt to destroy Dam No. 5, of
the
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal, (Dec.17-21) he sent a
diversionary force to Falling Waters, in an attempt to draw away
federal troops from his true object. In response,
Lt.-Col.
Batchelder was dispatched to Falling Waters. His
report to
Col. Leonard
describes
what happened. (Photo
of Lt.-Col. Batchelder).
Report
of Lieutenant Colonel N. Walter Batchelder, commanding regiment.
"GLC03393.31
N.W. Batchelder to Colonel Leonard, 21 December 1861.
(The
Gilder Lehrman Collection. Not to be reproduced without written
permission.)"
Head
Quarters 13th Regt. Mass Vols
Camp Jackson near Williamsport, Md.
December 21, 1861.
Colonel,
It is with pleasure that I have to report to you the result of the late
skirmish with the enemy, near Falling Waters.
In obedience to orders received from you on the night of the 18th inst,
I marched my command, consisting of Cos. C, D, & G of this
regiment, with a section of Capt. Best’s battery under command of
Lieut. Crosby, in the direction of Falling Waters. Arriving
on
the main road, Co C was deployed as skirmishers on both sides of the
road, and advanced very cautiously, expecting every moment to meet the
skirmishers of the enemy. Companies G & D, with the
artillery
in front, followed on the road, in the rear of Co C. I
advanced
in this way until we arrived at the road leading to Falling
Waters. Co G was then ordered to deploy on the Downesville
road
and Co C on the road to the right leading to Falling Waters.
Co D
acted as a reserve. One gun was planted in the main road sweeping the
Downesville road and the other was planted in a field to the left of
the main road, so as to command the road leading to Falling Waters.
We remained in this position until near morning when Co D was sent to
Falling Waters, to reinforce Co K. At this time, considerable
firing was heard from the direction of Co K’s pickets on the river, and
heavy firing from Dam No 5. The enemy appeared to be in
considerable force, but made no attempt to cross the river.
The
section of artillery before mentioned, was then ordered to Falling
Waters, where they opened fire on the enemy, but with little
effect. The enemy replied with their guns, and finding ours
of
little or no use, owing to their short range, they were ordered to
retire out of range of the enemy’s fire. We remained in this position
during Wednesday and until Thursday P.M. when we were reinforced by a
Parrott gun from Lieut Ricketts command, which was immediately sent
down to the river. Several shots were fired at a large barn
(which
appeared to be a rendezvous for the cavalry of the enemy) one or two of
which took effect. The gun was then sent to Falling Waters,
and
having taken up a good position, immediately opened fire on the enemy,
who were seen in large numbers behind some hay stacks. They
consisted of Infantry and cavalry; several well directed shots, caused
them to dispurse in every direction. Company G. Capt Fiske,
was
ordered in from the Downesville road at 7 o’clock P.M. on Thursday and
ordered to picket the river, connecting with the line of pickets
opposite Falling Waters.
Company K was then ordered in and sent to camp. Everything
remained quiet during Thursday night.
Friday morning at 10 A.M. Co D returned to Camp, together with the
three guns. In the afternoon, the enemy having entirely
disappeared, the remaining Companies of my command, C & G, took
up
the line of march for the camp, where they arrived at 8 o’clock P.M.
I am happy to state that there were no casualties on our side, while the
loss of the enemy must have been considerable.
N.W. Batchelder Lt-Conl
To Col
S. H. Leonard
Com Post. |
Letter
of Charles B. Fox, Company K.
December 22 Jackson departed and things
remained relatively quiet for
the next two weeks. Second Lieutenant Charles B. Fox, Company
K,
writes to his father and describes the situation in camp.
|
Charles
Barnard Fox to Rev. Thomas Bayley Fox, letterbook, 23 December 1861,
Fox
Family Papers, Massachusetts Historical Society; used with
permission.
Camp Jackson Md. Dec. 23/61.
I shall try to remit about $50- per
month if possible.
Circumstances are rather against me for saving, as Capt. Hovey and
Lieut. Bacon wish to live rather higher than I care about doing, and
besides, as they both have private servants, a division of expenses
brings some what more to my share than belongs there – However, I don’t
complain for it might be worse by far. Dr. Heard has returned
to
his post, rather soon for his own good I fear, but much to my
satisfaction for Dr. Whitney, by reason of much drinking, is at times
entirely unfit for his position and duties. And the times come quite
often I fear. If our officers are not careful the Regt. will lose more
men from disease than in the field. Some exposure cannot be
helped, but unnecessary evils should be avoided. Our guard
quarters for the last month have been uncomfortable in the extreme, and
yet no effort has been made to improve them. The officers do
not
suffer much, it is the enlisted men. The crying evil in our regiment,
in my opinion is, to use a common phrase, “Muchness of Whiskey” – But I
did not commence this to fill it with grumblings, and will hold up,
though sometimes I feel awfully like grumbling. If this war
is to
continue, a more thorough system must be observed in our volunteer
regiments – Nothing but strict observance of the regulations will ever
make them serviceable as they should be. Now an officer who tries to do
his duty, only incurs the ill will of men favored and flattered by
those who wish popularity. I think Senator Wilson’s bill, abolishing
the differences between Volunteers and Regulars, will if a good one in
its conditions, pass. From the movements of the rebels in
this
neighborhood, I think the intention is to decoy us over the river and
then meet us with a much superior force. I don’t think they will
succeed – Col. Leonard is not I think, to be entrapped that way. They
annoy us very much however, as the distance from Dam No. 5. to Falling
Waters, owing to the bend of the river, is about 15 miles on our side
of the Potomac and only about 4 on theirs. The consequence is
that we have occasionally to move around rather lively. I do
not
believe Jackson’s force opposite is over 9000 – and he will hardly
attempt crossing as yet, with that. If he does he ought to be
very severely whipped. Their advantages for re-inforcing are superior
to ours however, and Gen. Banks needs to keep his eyes open.
They
have an especial dislike to the 13th Mass. as they say “they can go
nowhere, from Harper’s Ferry to Hancock, without some of them turning
up within 24 hours with those damned rifles.” Rather profane
but
very true, for we have bothered them with the long range of our guns
exceedingly.
|
Report
of Colonel Leonard to Major-General Banks.
On Dec. 24th Col. Leonard was able to report
to General N.P. Banks "I
have the honor to report everthing quiet all along my line."
On the 30th he sent the following report:
|
(Banks
Papers; Library of
Congress).
Head Quarters
Williamsport Md
Dec. 30,
1861.
Major Gen’l Banks
Com’g Div’n U.S.A.
Sir,
Your communication came duly to hand
having received
them last evening on my return from Hancock, having been there in
Company with Capt. Shriber A.D.C. I have given him all the
information in regard to the troops, positions and regiments that I was
possessed of. Mr. Spates has not called upon me neither has
he
commenced operations yet, and I cannot ascertain what his intentions
are. The Arms received for Lamon’s Brigade, were two thousand of the
Springfield rifled Muskets. One Thousand were delivered to
the
39th Illinois Vols. And I have about six hundred on hand. Two
Thousand French Rifles came also and they have been sent to Hancock
by Gen’l Kelley’s order. They are I believe for two
Pennsylvania Regiments. The Rebels have again appeared at Dam
No.
5. and at Falling Waters. The force I have not yet learned but it is
evidently smaller than before. I think their intentions are
to
destroy the rail road from Bask Creek, as they are running cars to that
point. I have sent a Parrott Gun to try and stop them. I am momentarily
expecting an attack from them, and feel fully able to take are of them.
I will Keep you fully advised as to their movements.
I send
you two more applications for
furloughs.
I have the honor to be
Yours Very Resp’y
S. H.
Leonard
Col.
Com’g Post.
|
Return to Top of Page
Letter of
Edwin Rice; Christmas Eve
|
Williamsport,
Maryland
Eve of December 24th 1861
Viola,
I received my box and a letter from
Mother last
night. The box was nearly two weeks in coming. She did not
write
much.
The
weather since Saturday
has been pretty cool. Yesterday it rained, hailed, and
snowed,
and froze. It was a disagreeable day outside but was
comfortable
in the tents. Yesterday morning the trees were all iced over
and
the limbs of the trees would keep breaking off and the ice would rattle
down on the tents. Last night it cleared up a little and the
wind
blew very strong during the night. We expected it would blow
the
tents down but it did not. It is bad weather for the horses.
There is
not much doubt now
but that we shall quarter in this vicinity during the winter.
The
Quartermaster has received orders to get the lumber to build barracks
with. It is reported that this regiment has done more picket
guard duty than any other regiment in Bank’s division.
There has
another death
occurred in Co K. George [Harraden] died in the hospital
yesterday morning of the dropsy. He had been sick about two
weeks
and it was thought that he was getting better as he sat up nearly all
day on Sunday. He died quite suddenly. Funeral services are
to be
held this afternoon. His body is to be sent to Westboro.
The
rebels are pretty quiet
around here now, though they are still at Falling Waters and dam
4. Co F is at dam 5 and Falling Water and Co G is at dam
4.
We got our winter regulation blankets. They are between 5 to
6
feet wide and 8 to 9 feet long. They are first rate
blankets. Mother sent me some sausages, butter, a small loaf
of
bread, a sponge cake, a mince pie and a lot of apples, some shirts and
drawers.
I
received a letter from
Henry last Saturday. He did not write much but from what he did write I
should think that soldiering with him was not what it was before he
left the fort. I suppose he feels about the same as we did
when
we first got to Sharpsburg.
He will
feel better after
he gets settled down the same as we have. If we can’t get
what we
want, we take what we can get, and thank our Stars that it is not worse.
I haven’t
read that piece
by Mr. Bird, but shall this evening. I have just received the paper
which you sent me. Uncle Edwin sent me a Boston Journal of
the
16th which I got this morning.
The
troops that are around
Washington, I don’t think have the luxuries that we do, such as milk,
eggs, chickens etc. I don’t mean to say that I have all those things
for I don’t.
Yesterday
I did a little
tailoring. I put two pockets in my overcoat. Had better luck
than
I expected and flatter myself that they are done pretty well.
As
tomorrow is Christmas and to be in season, I shall wish you a Merry
Christmas.
Yours,
Edwin Rice
|
Returns
for December
|
(Letter
transcriptions taken from the now defunct web-site "Letters of the
Civil War").
Roxbury
City Gazette
January 16, 1862.
Returns
from the 13th regiment, for the
month of December, have been
recieved at the State House. Two men have died of disease -
John
S. Burnap and Geo. C. Haraden, of Co. K, at Williamsport.
Charles F.
Mose, 2d Lieutenant, is Assistant Commissary at Hagerstown.
Capt.
Rob't. C. Schriber is Acting Aid-de-Camp to Gen. Banks.
Charles
H. Hovey promoted to be Captain of Co. K. Col. Leonard
commands a
brigade. Lieut.-Col. Batchelder is in commmand of the
regiment.
Major Gould has reported to the Commissary General at
Washington.
The
Mass. 13th are feared by the
rebels, as will be
seen by the following conversation, which took place between the rebels
on one side of the Potomac River, and Co. C, [13th] on the other: -
"What regiment is guarding that place?' "Mass. 13th.'
'Where in time aint the Mass. 13th? We have
travelled up
and down this river for fifty miles, and everywhere we find the
Massachusetts 13th, and every man appears to carry a small cannon on
his back.'
(digital
transcription by James Burton).
|
Return to Top of Page
To read a very thorough article about
Jackson's attempt to
destroy Dam No. 5, follow the link from the 1861 page on this
website.
İBradley
M.
Forbush 2009.
|
