also from the fleet. Brig.-Gen. C. P. Stone, Col. Birge and Brig.-Gen.
Dwight were designated by Gen. Banks as such commission. At 9 o’clock
this morning the commissioners from both armies met just in front of
our position, and nearly on the spot where Lieut.-Col. O’Brien had
formed his men while waiting for the word on that eventful 27th of
May. On the Confederate side the commissioners were Col. Miles, Col.
Steedman, 1st Alabama, and Lieut.-Col. Smith, Chief of Artillery.
Gen. Andrew was designated to receive the surrender, which it was
finally decided should take place tomorrow morning, the 9th. The men
of the 48th can feel with considerable satisfaction that through the
carrying out of Col. Paine’s plan (to crowd the hard work of the siege
onto the nine months regiments) they have been placed in a position
where they can claim the honor of receiving the flag of truce which
surrendered this great stronghold after so many weary and exciting
weeks of fighting, digging and suffering. While the negotiations have
been going on officers from some of the rebel regiments came over into
our lines and fraternized with us as socially as though no state of war
ever existed between the two sections of the country, and one officer
expressed the wish that the war could now close and the North and South
combine and whip out England; his reason being “that England had not
recognized the independence of the Confederacy after the Trent affair.”
July 9. The 48th was in line promptly at 4.30 this morning, in
accordance with orders, but was obliged to wait until nearly 10
o’clock before commencing to march into Port Hudson, en route for
Donaldsonville, at which hour the 48th with the Massachusetts 49th
and 21st Maine took up the line of march to the landing and embarked
on board steamer “Louisiana Belle” late in the afternoon after the
ceremony of surrender, which was very short. The rebels were drawn
up in line with Gen. Gardner at their head, the right resting near
the railroad station. When the command “ground arms” was given every
man placed his musket upon the ground. It was a very affecting sight,
and there was no man in the victorious army who did not experience
a feeling of pity go out to the brave men who had been compelled to
surrender after so long and so brilliant defense. Gen. Gardner tendered
his sword to Gen. Andrews who declined to receive it. The rebel flag
was hauled down from the flagstaff where it so defiantly floated
through the siege. A salute was fired by the naval battery, the stars
and stripes run up. The garrison filed off as prisoners of war, and all
was over.
More than 6,000 rebels surrendered. The soldiers were paroled but
the officers were held as prisoners of war. Twenty pieces of heavy
artillery and more than 30 pieces of field artillery were captured.
The loss of the 19th army corps during the siege has been nearly
5,000 men. No correct account has been made of the rebel loss, but
an approximate calculation will give it as nearly 1,000, which,
considering that their fighting has been entirely behind breastworks,
is very heavy. Port Hudson is a very strong place and would have cost
us many more men to have taken it by storm. As we steamed away from
the landing and gazed at the bluffs and remembered the long weeks of
waiting in front of its land batteries we could but take a long drawn
sigh of relief. We shall no doubt soon be sent home. Home! Can any
outside the army imagine what this word means to us who have lain so
many weary weeks in the swamps of Louisiana, watching the lines of the
enemy with the eyes of hungry wolves, dying by hundreds, by bullet, and
shell, and disease. It means friends, comfort, life itself, in exchange
for misery, squalor, dirt, a dog’s life, and death, and an unknown
grave.
July 10. Reached Donaldsonville at 9 o’clock A. M. While on the passage
down, and we were at breakfast, the steamer was fired on from the
shore, but happily no one was hit. The shots were returned from the
boat, but with what results of course we could not know, but we were
not further molested.
After landing we made a reconnaissance till nearly dark when the
regiment bivouacked for the night near the levee. The rebels have
evidently drawn away their forces from the river and we shall probably
have to seek them further inland.
July 11. False alarm in the night. Regiment fell in with arms, but were
soon dismissed.
July 12. A steamer came up from New Orleans which shows that the
blockade is raised, and the Mississippi river throughout its whole
length is clear for the first time in two whole years.
July 13. Col. Paine’s brigade received orders while at breakfast to
fall in and march to support Col. Dudley. Marched out several miles
and halted to make preparations for dinner, there being no indications
of being called into action very soon. Some were fortunate enough to
dine early, their meal being very frugal, and hard tack and coffee
constituted their principal fare, and a little green corn from the
fields. We were startled by the rattle of musketry in our immediate
front, and we were at once ordered into line and found that Dudley
was engaged with the enemy and had been gradually driving them back
until he came upon their main line, when he was in turn being slowly
and obstinately forced back. Our brigade was now ordered to the front
at “double quick” on the road parallel to the bayou, and soon ordered
to file to the right into a little green plantation road or path, and
halted, our left resting on the bayou road. In our front was a rail
fence with a deep ditch at the side of the road; beyond the fence an
open field of about 125 yards extent and beyond that an immense corn
field. By the waving of the corn tops we could trace the movements of
Dudley’s men and could see that they were slowly retreating and coming
back gradually towards our line. The regiment was ordered to occupy
the ditch at the side of the road. Very soon Dudley’s men made their
appearance out of the corn, loading and firing as they fell slowly
back. A more soldierly appearance could not have been made than was
made by the regiment in our immediate front (the 161st New York. Col.
Harrower,) as they retired, slowly, towards our line, turning and firing
as they retreated. They came over the fence in our front and passed over
us to our rear, where they laid down. The rebels followed them closely
to the edge of the cornfield, and attempted to cross the open field
in our front, but were immediately sent to the “right about” in some
confusion, by the fire from the trusty rifles in the hands of the 48th
boys who laid close to the ground, firing under the bottom rail in the
fence, and the range being low the shots were very effective.
A short time previous, Col. Paine had taken the 49th out of their place
in line, which was on our immediate right, leaving a gap in the brigade
line which the 48th was directed to cover with an oblique fire, thus
giving us double ground to cover. Col. Paine before leaving with the
49th came to Lieut.-Col. Stanwood and directed him to hold our ground
at all hazards till his return.
The rebels tried several times to charge across the open field in our
front, but were as often driven back by the steady fire from our men in
the ditch.
While this was transpiring, the rebels had driven back the brigade on
the opposite side of the bayou until their fire enfiladed the left
of our brigade, and at the same time were rapidly flanking the whole
force on our right which began to fall back, and in a short time we
were left alone upon the field. A staff officer from Col. Dudley rode
up and ordered the Lieutenant-Colonel to retire the regiment. His
authority was not recognized, Lieut.-Col. Stanwood having received
orders from our own brigade commander (Col. Paine) to hold the ground
at all hazards until his return, which order he held himself bound to
obey. Soon on looking to the right and left not a blue-coated soldier
could be seen, and away to the right the rebel could be seen passing
rapidly to the rear. On the opposite side of the bayou the fighting was
going on far to our rear while from our front in the corn desultory
shots came, viciously striking the fence rails above our heads. Feeling
that in this case “discretion was the better part of valor” and not
caring to be a second Casabianca, he directed the men to pass the word
quietly down the line, without rising, and retire from their position
as best they could, and rally in the rear on the colors.
This they did, and the rebs were so close that many of the men were
captured before they had time to retire from the ditch! The 48th lost
in killed, wounded and missing 65 out of a total 201 men engaged.
Lieut. Wilson, Co. D, and Lieut. Bassett, Co. I, were taken prisoners.
Lieut. Wilson was reported as also wounded.
The men after retiring from the ditch rallied in the rear, and later
took their place in the line of the brigade in the rear and in a low
swamp. A tremendous rain storm came up towards night flooding our camp.
July 14. Our camp is located in a low swamp and is completely
inundated. The men are all thoroughly soaked to the skin. The day has
been spent in bringing in the dead and wounded. Among the dead is
Edward T. Bennett of Co. B.
July 15. Still in camp at Donaldsonville. Received dispatches from
New Orleans, announcing a great victory in Pennsylvania by Gen.
Meade’s army, on the 1st, 2d and 3d days of July. The first week
in July has been a week of tremendous importance to the Union
cause--Vicksburg-Port Hudson, and now this great victory of Gen. Meade’s
at Gettysburg--three names long to be remembered in American history.
We hear that Col. Stone has recovered his horse which was captured from
him at the battle of Plains Store, May 21.
July 16. Regiment received orders to change camp to the rear to secure
higher ground, by which move the 48th has secured the best location
in the brigade line. There are all sorts of rumors in regard to going
home. Suppose that some of them may be true and expect that now that
Port Hudson has been taken that we shall be sent home before long.
Received word from Baton Rouge that Joseph B. Hale of Co. B died in the
hospital there today.
July 17. All prisoners taken from us on the 13th have been paroled, and
have returned to camp today having marched from Thibodaux. They say
that the rebs had less than a thousand men on our side of the bayou in
the battle, and our defeat was all owing to bad generalship on the part
of our commanding officers.
July 18. Daniel F. Connell of Co. B who was taken prisoner on the 13th,
came back to camp today, having been paroled, and walked from the rebel
camp (which he thinks is nearly 100 miles from here) with one hardtack
and a little corn meal for his rations during the march.
He thinks there are from 10,000 to 20,000 rebels between Donaldsonville
and Thibodaux, with considerable artillery. A continued discussion of
the question of “going home” now principally occupies the time of the
men.
July 21. Capt. Bainbridge, a U. S. army officer, came to camp today and
the Lieutenant-Colonel at once went before him and was mustered out as
captain and immediately mustered in as Lieutenant-Colonel.
July 22. Capt. Schoff, Lieut. Morrison with a detail of thirty-three
men went foraging at 4.30 this morning and returned at 3 P. M. having
gone out about nine miles and obtained a large amount of corn. The
regiment is now nearly destitute of commissioned officers.
July 23. The glorious news from Gen. Meade’s army confirmed. Gen. Lee
entirely defeated at Gettysburg, Penn., and driven back into Virginia.
Our friends at home have by this time heard of our victory at Port
Hudson and will be now looking for our return. Heavy thunder showers
today.
July 24. Paymaster Maj. Palmer arrived at 7.30 o’clock A. M. and
proceeded to pay off the regiment, which feat was accomplished at noon.
Maj. Palmer informs us that the campaign is over and the men are being
sent home as fast as transportation can be furnished.
July 25. Alarm in the night caused by the pickets firing into some old
horse or mule.
July 26. Col. Love, 116th New York, in command of the brigade during
Col. Paine’s absence.
July 27. Very quiet in camp last night.
July 29. Regiment received drums today, and resumed regular dress
parades which have been greatly interfered with during the siege of
Port Hudson and during the stay here in Donaldsonville.
July 30. The camp here at Donaldsonville is evidently breaking up; some
of the troops are on the move at daylight. Gen. Weitzel’s old brigade
has marched for Thibodaux. We are still kept on the “ragged edge” all
the time looking for orders to start for Baton Rouge and home.
July 31. Orders have been received at headquarters for our removal
to Baton Rouge, as soon as transportation can be furnished. At
11.30 o’clock this forenoon orders were received to prepare to move
immediately. Several steamers have come and gone but none for us as
yet, which is very tantalizing.
August 1. Steamer “Kepper” arrived and the 48th immediately went on
board as also the 49th. Quarters were very much crowded and the men
have suffered intensely on the hot deck during the passage up the river
to Baton Rouge where we arrived just before dark. Disembarked with
military precision.
August 2. Glad to get to our old quarters which seems something like
home. During the night some of the men were jubilantly celebrating
their return and became over-boisterous. The chaplain’s tent caught
fire from some mysterious cause and burned down. Col. Stone, although
having left the regiment when in front of Port Hudson, and remained
in Baton Rouge since that time on the sick list, took command of the
regiment at once.
August 3. Col. Stone decided that he is able to take command of
the regiment. How little we anticipated when we left Baton Rouge
in May what changes would take place before we should return in
August--Lieut.-Col. O’Brien and so many other brave and good men gone.
August 4. The Colonel has reported for duty. Orders have been received
for an inspection of the regiment which at this time looks much like
going home.
August 5. Our old parade ground which we used when we first came
to Baton Rouge does not look at all familiar. The 49th Regiment has
received orders to take transportation for New Orleans at once.
August 6. We are expecting every moment to get orders to start for
home, and the delay is very vexatious.
August 7. Received orders to start for home by way of the Mississippi
river and Cairo, Ill. (and in consequence we are all feeling happy), as
soon as transportation can be secured.
August 8. The men are all busily engaged cleaning up guns and
equipments to turn over before going home. Home! how pleasant the
sound, when it means so much to us who have for so long a time been
deprived of all the comforts of home.
August 9. Inspection came off this morning at 7 o’clock and everything
was found in “spick and span” condition. Notice has been received
that the steamer is awaiting us at the landing, and we have turned in
all ordnance and ordnance stores, surplus clothing, camp and garrison
equipage and are now on board steamer “Sunny South” ready for the
start.
August 10. Steamer started up river at 3 o’clock this morning and
arrived opposite Port Hudson at sunrise. Our passing of the batteries
was much more quietly accomplished than was Commodore Farragut’s last
March. The scenery on the Mississippi River is very monotonous and
tame. Have passed only one little village today. Fort Adams passed at 3
o’clock P. M. The men are suffering terribly from heat on the “burning
deck.” At 10 P. M. arrived at Natchez. Since coming to Louisiana we
have been using New Orleans horse car tickets and postage stamps for
change.
August 11. We left Natchez at 5 P. M. The bluffs here at Natchez are
150 feet in height. The city is very prettily situated. Passed village of
Washington on the left at 10.30 A. M.; Passed Gen. Taylor’s plantation
at 11.30 A. M.; Grand Gulf at 3 P. M.--a very strong place. Passed
wreck of Indianola at sunset. Arrived at Vicksburg soon after 11
o’clock at night.
August 12. Passed head of the celebrated Vicksburg canal at 11.15 A. M.
Passed Millican’s Bend at 2 o’clock P. M. Steamer “Tempest” with the
49th Massachusetts on board has passed up.
August 13. Passed Napoleon Ark at the mouth of the Arkansas River about
9 o’clock.
August 14. Arrived at Helena, Ark., at 1.30 P. M. Stopped to coal till
4 o’clock and went on shore to stretch our legs during the stay. It is
a very strong natural fortification, and many artificial works have
been erected in addition. Two men were drowned attempting to come on
board.
August 15. Arrived at Memphis at about 6 o’clock A. M. Left at 11.30 P. M.
August 16. Steamer ran aground and stuck fast for hours; reached Gayoso
Landing at 4 P. M.
One must travel on the Mississippi River to get any idea of its
greatness. Here we go puffing along, day after day, and night after
night, and we wake up every morning and the same grand old river
stretches away before us.
The distances on the Mississippi River are as follows: Passes to New
Orleans, 125 miles; New Orleans to Baton Rouge, 130; Baton Rouge to
Port Hudson, 30; Port Hudson to Natchez, 100; Natchez to Vicksburg,
140; Vicksburg to Memphis, 360; Memphis to Cairo, 240; total 1125
miles.
August 17. Arrived opposite Columbus, Kentucky, at 8 A. M. when the
steamer was brought to by a shot across her bows from the Battery at
this point. Arrived at Cairo, Ill., at 10 A. M. While stopping here
there has been some trouble with some of the more turbulent men on
account of their not being allowed to go on shore.
August 18. At 10 o’clock A. M. commenced changing baggage from the
steamer to the cars which occupied the time till about dark when
the regiment went on board the cars and run out about 20 miles to a
station called Wetaug, arriving a little before midnight and stopped
till daylight. The delay is very tedious and vexatious. We are going
home and trains going to the front have the right of way and so we are
side-tracked to await their passing.
August 20. Still dragging slowly along. Arrived at Indianapolis, Ind.,
at 11 o’clock A. M. Regiment marched to the Soldiers’ Home where a
bountiful collation was furnished by the people of the city. James H.
Short of Co. B, who was very sick when we left Baton Rouge, was left
here in the hospital, he not being able to travel further.
August 21. Arrived at Gallion, Ohio, at 6 o’clock A. M. Could get
nothing to eat on arrival, being at so early an hour. Reached Crestline
at 6.30 A. M.; Cleveland at noon. Here we met with a very kind
reception from the citizens with a good dinner; also the same repeated
at Erie, Penn. Reached Buffalo at 9.30 P. M. and received another
splendid reception with collation. Here we changed cars and started for
Albany at about midnight.
August 22. Arrived at Utica at 10.30 A. M. and were tendered another
fine collation spread at the side of the track. Continued on for Albany
where we arrived about 4 o’clock P. M.; went at once to the ferry and
cars en route for Boston at sunset. Made good time and arrived at
Springfield, Mass., at midnight. Here a few minutes were allowed to
obtain lunch for which we had to pay a good round price--the first
which has cost us a cent since leaving Cairo, and some considerable
comment has been made that Massachusetts should be the first to ask her
returning soldiers to pay for their rations.
August 23. Arrived in Boston without further incidents at 7.30 A. M.
Marched to the Beach Street Barracks where we were served a government
ration (which did not compare favorably with the food served out to us
by the citizens of the cities and towns through which we have passed
on our way home) after which the men were furloughed till September 3,
then to report at our old Camp Lander at Wenham to be mustered out.
September 3. Regiment reported at Camp Lander, Wenham, and were
mustered out. Casualties during the campaign: Killed and died of
wounds, 23; wounded, 73; died of disease, 40; total, 136.
Maj.-Gen. Christopher C. Augur was in command of the 1st Division, 19th
Army Corps, to which the 48th Massachusetts was attached and served its
whole term of service.
He was born in New York, but was appointed to West Point from Michigan;
graduated 16th in the class of 1843 (in which class Gen. Grant was the
21st). He served in the Mexican war with credit, and at the breaking
out of the Rebellion was given a commission of Brigadier-General of
Volunteers Nov. 12, 1861; was in command of a Division under Gen. Banks
in the Shenandoah Valley, and was wounded severely at Cedar Mountain,
receiving therefor a brevet of Colonel in the Regular Army; was
promoted to Major-General of Volunteers, Aug. 9, 1862, and assigned to
the command of the left wing of the army before Port Hudson, retired as
full Brigadier-General in the Regular Army in 1885.
Colonel Edward P. Chapin, who commanded the 1st Brigade in Gen. Augurs
Division, of which the 48th Massachusetts constituted a part, was
the Colonel of the 116th New York. He was a very able and efficient
officer, and it was expected that he would rise to advanced rank, but
was killed in the desperate assault on Port Hudson, May 27, 1863, and
thus the army and the country lost the services of a very promising
officer. He was succeeded in the command of the Brigade by Col. Charles
J. Paine of the 2d Louisiana Infantry, who remained in command during
the remainder of the 48th’s term, and subsequently received the brevets
of Brigadier and Major-General of Volunteers.
The regiment, as finally made up, represented all classes. It contained
recruits from the best old New England families in Essex and Middlesex,
and from emigrants recently from foreign countries. A good example of
the former was the late Samuel Hoar of Concord (son of the late Judge
E. Rockwood Hoar and nephew of the late Senator George F. Hoar), who
left college to enlist as a private soldier in Company E, and who
served the full term, then re-entered and graduated at Harvard College.
He subsequently became a very able lawyer and distinguished citizen. He
died April 11th, 1904, aged 59 years.
Col. Eben F. Stone was a man of high character and standing in the
community in which he lived, and that had much to do with his selection
to command the regiment. As time went on he failed somewhat as a
tactician, and the regiment was at a disadvantage on this account,
although he could have passed an excellent examination in tactics. He
was a brave officer and well liked by the officers and soldiers of his
regiment. Colonel Stone, after the war, made an honorable record in
the civil service of the government. He served two years in the State
Senate and two terms in Congress.
Lieut.-Col. O’Brien was regarded as a good officer and brave to the
degree of recklessness.
Capt. Stanwood earned the promotion which he received by a unanimous
election as Lieutenant-Colonel by able, faithful, and patriotic
services.
Dr. Yorick G. Hurd was one of the best surgeons of the Civil War. The
death rate from sickness in our regiment was less than in any other
in the Department, and that was due in great part to the faithful,
conscientious, and untiring services of Dr. Hurd. He had not a lazy
bone in his body. After the war he rendered good services in the
military and civil service of the State. He was medical director of the
Division on the Staff of General B. F. Butler, with rank of Colonel,
from 1867 to 1876. He served two years in the State Senate. He did for
many years excellent service as Master of the House of Correction and
Superintendent of the Insane Asylum at Ipswich.
Capt. Edgar J. Sherman (of the same family of Roger Sherman and General
William T. Sherman), enlisted as a private soldier and was subsequently
elected Captain of Company F.
When the regiment advanced on Port Hudson he was in the hospital sick
of malarial fever. Hearing of the affair of Plains Store, the Captain,
somewhat relieved of the fever but weak and emaciated, decided to
join the regiment. The surgeons tried to induce him to remain a while
longer, but not succeeding in this, gave orders forbidding it. The next
morning the Captain put on his uniform, left the hospital, and took the
early steamer for Springfield Landing. There he was met by the surgeons
who called him a “walking ghost,” and ordered him back to Baton Rouge.
The Captain said he was not going on duty but only to visit the surgeon
of his regiment and he was allowed to proceed.
He was there several days, remaining with Dr. Hurd, when he learned
that there was to be a charge on the enemy’s works the next day. He at
once determined to go on duty. The Colonel and surgeon advised against
it, withholding their consent, the doctor saying, “Captain, if you go
into this fight and are not killed, your fever will come back and you
will leave your bones in Louisiana.” Capt. Sherman made the long march
that night, with the aid of his soldiers, and led his two companies
which carried the colors in the charge next day. When the charge did
not succeed and the order came to get off the field, the Captain
finally reached the ravine on the left, and was subsequently carried on
a stretcher to the rear. Dr. Hurd found him exhausted, with the fever
returning, and ordered him sent at once to the hospital at Baton Rouge.
[Illustration: THE IRONCLAD ESSEX.]
[Illustration: WHARF BOAT NATCHEZ,
At Baton Rouge, La., 1863.]