A SKETCH
OF THE
29th REGIMENT
OF
CONNECTICUT COLORED TROOPS.
BY I.J. Hill,
GIVING
A Full Account of its Formation; of all the Battles through
which it passed, and its final Disbandment.
BALTIMORE:
Printed by Daugherty, Maguire & Co.
1867.
PREFACE.
The author of this has for a long time been greatly concerned for
this land and nation, and for the human family in general, but more
particularly for the unfortunate African, both in this and every other
part of the world. I was born in Selings Grove, Union County, Pa., in
the year 1826, the 2nd day of June, and was the youngest son of four
brothers. My father's name was Isaac, and my mother's, Rachel. The
family consisted of thirteen in number. My father being a poor man, I
was put out to a gentleman of Louisville, Kentucky, at the age of six
years; I was brought up with a limited education, not being permitted
to go to school, for it was against the laws of the State for a white
person to teach a colored child; but having kind friends to live with
and being beloved by white boys, I gained some information in spelling,
and with diligent study I learned to read and write. I never had the
opportunity of going to school a day in my life, when it became known
to the citizens that I could not write, I was sent home to Pennsylvania
in the year 1840, then 17 years of age. I embraced religion in the year
1846.
I was called to the ministry in the year 1852, in which position I
studied; when the war broke out in 1861, I went out with the 3rd
Pennsylvania Cavalry, under Col. Emory, I was in the charge at Falls
Church, Va., and Fairfax Court House. When the rumor reached me that
the Government was enlisting colored men, I then left the Regiment
and went home, and in 1863 enlisted in the 29th Connecticut Regiment,
January the 7th, 1863.
The author's desire and prayer is, that tranquility, peace and
happiness may cover the earth, as the waters cover the great deep.
Forasmuch as there has been a great deal of confusion in relation to
my afflicted nation, and different parties holding opposite opinions
have come forward with a desire to alleviate their condition; their
good intentions have taught us: First, that it is necessary to become
christians, to love and fear God and keep his commandments, to have
patience and faith in our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, then we shall
be delivered in due time. Secondly, the reader is referred to the pages
of this work; please read it impartially and carefully, and you will
see plainly that the author's sole aim is to promote the happiness of
the human family, here and hereafter; therefore, I pray that those who
will read this book may be forever blessed in this world, and receive
endless happiness in the world to come.
I.J. HILL.
_Woodbury, New Jersey, 1866._
THE
PRINCIPAL BATTLES
OF THE
TWENTY-NINTH REGIMENT,
U. STATES COLORED TROOPS
1st. DEEP BOTTOM, VA.
2d. STRAUSBURG PLAIN, VA.
3rd. PETERSBURG, VA.
4th. NEW MARKET ROAD, VA.
5th. FORT GILMOR, VA.
6th. CHAFFIN'S FARMS, VA.
7th. DARBYTOWN ROAD, VA.
8th. RICHMOND, VA.
9th. TEXAS EXPEDITION.
Col. W.B. Wooster led us on, he had no right to fear, there
was not a faint heart in the 29th Volunteers.
A SKETCH
OF THE
29th Connecticut Colored Regiment.
The 29th Connecticut Colored Regiment was gotten up by Colonel Pardee,
and encampted at Grape Vine Point, New Haven, Connecticut. The
recruiting was commenced in August, 1863. The inducements held out to
men to join this Regiment were these: they were to receive a bounty of
$310 from the State, $75 from the County from which they enlisted, and
$300 from the United States. The $310 from the State we received, the
other bounties we did not receive.
There were several men who took an active part in recruiting for this
Regiment, among them Lieutenant Brown of New York, to whom great credit
is due. There were others, both colored and white, who did very much
towards filling up the Regiment. Sergeant Archie Howard, Orderly of
Company C, recruited more men than any other excepting Lieut. Brown,
but I am sorry to say, that after all he did the parties failed to pay
him according to promise, and he was ordered to his Regiment without
receiving a just compensation for his labors.
The first of January, 1864, the 29th Regiment was filled up. The writer
of this narrative was in the last squad of men that enlisted for this
Regiment, and out of the forty men I was the only one that was admitted
into the 29th, the balance of the recruits being put into the 30th
Regiment, that was then recruiting in the same camp. We remained at New
Haven until the 8th of March, and nothing of interest happened up to
that date, when we received orders from Colonel Pardee's Headquarters,
stating that the 29th Regiment was to move to Annapolis, Maryland.
March 8, 1864. We broke camp to leave New Haven for Annapolis, Md. At
10 o'clock the whole Regiment was drawn up on the old parade ground,
with their knapsacks, to receive the flag, Col. W.B. Wooster in
command. The flag was presented by the Rev. Dr. Mott. On account of
the Regiment not receiving the $75 which was promised them at their
enlistment, they made no response to the presentation, and the Colonel
gave them no command to do so. The order was given to "forward, march,"
and the Regiment paraded through the principal street of New Haven;
at 2 o'clock it halted in the public square, where we were visited by
our friends, also by some of the first families in the city. After
resting two hours, the word was given "attention," and every Company
was brought into line, and at the command "forward, march," the
Regiment moved down Chapel street to State st., and then to the long
wharf, where it halted and awaited the near approach of the transport,
that was still out in the stream. At 5 o'clock the troops commenced
embarking, Company A taking the lead, and at half past 6 o'clock all
were on board, excepting a few, with the writer of this journal, who
were detailed for duty at the Regiment's previous headquarters. On
my way from the long wharf I met the crowd of citizens that was not
permitted to go to the wharf with the Regiment. Never did my ears hear,
or my eyes perceive, or my heart feel the strong yearnings of nature as
they did at that moment; mothers weeping for their sons, and wives for
their husbands, and sisters for their brothers, and friends for their
friends, that were then on their way to the scene of conflict. White
and colored ladies and gentlemen grasped me by the hand, with tears
streaming down their cheeks, and bid me good bye, expressing the hope
that we might have a safe return. My heart felt the sobbing impulse for
the first time, and although I had no mother, no wife, and no sisters
there to greet me, yet strangers ministered unto me, and never shall I
forget their kind attentions to me. At 8 o'clock in the evening I went
on board the transport, and received an introduction to Col. Wooster as
Regimental Orderly Hill. The Colonel met me very kindly, and put his
state-room, which was letter K, into my care.
At 10 o'clock I learnt the transport would not move anchor until next
morning at 6 o'clock; after gaining this information, I had a desire
to go ashore, but could form no excuse for doing so. While I was in
doubt what to do about it, one of the officers, Lieut. Leonard, came
to me and said. "Orderly Hill, can't you go to the post office for
me, as I can't go ashore?" My answer was, "I will try and go for
you." I had never spoken to the Colonel, and felt somewhat delicate
about approaching him, but as I had never been refused a favor by a
commanding officer, I took heart, adopting for my motto, "Without a
trial, there can be no denial," and started for the Colonel, and found
him in his berth. I said, "Colonel, can I go ashore?" He remarked, "If
I grant you permission, except on business, others will expect the
same favour." I said, "I have letters to carry to the post office."
He said, "Well, you can go." I left him, and went to Lieut. Leonard,
of company D, and asked for Dr. Bigbee, whose family was living in New
Haven. The lieutenant passed him outside the guards with me, and we
felt it to be a great favor, for which we were very grateful. When my
errand was done, we proceeded to the residence of Dr. Bigbee, and found
his wife had retired, but on learning who had arrived she arose, and a
friend who was stopping with her, and they prepared us a good supper.
We enjoyed it--still we were saddened with the thought that we might
not meet again for three long years. We remained there until 2 o'clock,
and then bid the last farewell to our friends in New Haven, and went on
board the transport again, and laid down to sleep, but sleep had fled
from me entirely, and daylight found me as I laid down, wide awake.
Sabbath morning at 6 o'clock, we weighed anchor, and the stream bore us
down its rapid tide until New Haven was lost in the distance. The day
was spent very pleasantly, and at 3 o'clock we passed New York; and as
we passed the city, our drummers assembled on deck and played, at which
flags were displayed by the citizens, and cheers given in response. At
12 o'clock, the same night, we passed Cape May.
I fared the same as the officers. The great anxiety now was to see
Annapolis, Maryland, which place we reached on Tuesday at 10 o'clock.
As we approached the place all became disheartened at the appearance of
things. Officers and men were much disappointed when we learned that we
should have to camp three miles from the town. Now, for the first time,
we had to pitch tents--the clouds threatened a storm, and the boys went
eagerly to work and most of them had their tents up before night.
I spent the night in the Colonel's tent, and the next morning we found
the earth covered with snow to the depth of eight inches. We found the
people very inferior at this point; and a great many of the colored
people had caught the distemper from the whites, their so-called
masters. It was hard to find a pleasant family of colored people in the
place; they appeared to be afraid to speak to us. The first Sabbath I
spent in camp, and had the pleasure of listening to a very interesting
sermon from a reverend gentleman that paid us a visit for that purpose.
The text was, "And on him they laid the cross." He handled the subject
with great credit to himself, and great applause was given by the
soldiers. On the next Sabbath, which was the 27th of March, I visited
the Methodist church at Annapolis. At 11 o'clock I preached to a
crowded house, from Joshua, 3d chap. 11th verse. I preached at Zion's
church in the afternoon, from Revelations, 3d chap. 4th verse, and
truly the good Lord was with us. At 5 P.M. I returned to camp, and
accompanied the Colonel to dress parade, and after it was over, I was
informed that an appointment was made for me to preach in the camp at 7
P.M. Feeling much exhausted from the severe labors of the day, yet at
the time appointed I was there, and endeavored to preach from the text,
"The wages of sin is death." It was listened to by the officers and men
with the utmost attention. The week following the Colonel was absent on
business at Washington, D.C.; and according to frequent rumors in camp,
our regiment was to spend the summer at this point. I had cherished the
hope of greeting my dear family, whom I had left quite unwell at home;
but on Friday my hopes were blasted by a general order, stating that
the 29th Regiment should break camp at 7 o'clock on Saturday morning,
and embark on the transport then lying in the stream opposite the navy
yard, bound for Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Saturday morning found me up at 4 o'clock, and in the best of spirits,
and as usual in a pleasant mood, but still I thought of home, sweet
home--it was lost to my sight, but not to my memory--and although
I was very busy, I did not forget the dear ones there; and while I
was waiting for the cars to come and take the officers' baggage, as
a soldier, the rail track was my chair and the cross-beam was my
writing desk, I wrote to my wife at this last moment. I went by rail
to Annapolis, and when I arrived there, I joined those who had gone by
boat. My lot was cast to the steamer Swallow. I went on board and put
the Colonel's things in his state-room and mine also, and then went
on shore and spent the day until 5 o'clock in the afternoon, when the
transport was launched out into the stream, and I was left ashore with
the Colonel, Adjutant and Lieut. Colonel. All kinds of rumors prevailed
on board. Some said I had deserted--others, that I was taken up for
carrying arms, but 5 o'clock found me in a life-boat with the Colonel
and his staff, bound for the Swallow, that was waiting our arrival.
When the boys saw me, they gave three hearty cheers for Orderly Hill.
We remained all night, and the next morning at 6 o'clock the Swallow
started down the stream, and Annapolis was soon lost to view. The
Swallow took the lead, and we soon lost sight of the other boats.
Monday morning at 9 o'clock we arrived at Fortress Monroe and the pilot
went ashore, and after remaining a few moments we set sail again for
Hilton Head, South Carolina.
The wind was tolerably high, and the officers and men felt somewhat
concerned in reference to passing Cape Hatteras that night, but God
was in the wind, and when we passed the cape at midnight it was quite
calm; and Tuesday morning found us on the blue sea, out of the sight
of land. This was the first time in my life that I was ever out to sea,
and it seemed very strange. All this time I had not been sea-sick, and
began to think I should entirely escape, as I had been on the water two
days. But at 3 P.M. I was very sick, and in company with many of the
old seamen I had to cast up accounts for relief. It was very rough, and
poor me! I thought I could not live, but the utmost attention was given
me by the Colonel and officers. The same night the boat took fire, and
being too sick to sleep, I was enabled to give timely warning of the
accident, or we should have perished by the flames or a watery grave;
but God was with me, and I got up in the midst of smoke and called the
first mate, and then went to the Colonel's state-room and told him what
had happened, and we put out the flames without arousing the other
officers and men.
Wednesday morning I felt better. The first sail we had seen for two
days was that of a brig, which passed us this morning on our right. The
sea was quite calm, but as the day wore away the wind began to rise,
and 3 P.M. found me sick in the Colonel's berth. At 6 P.M. we were
in sight of land, and this, the last night we spent at sea, was the
hardest time we had, but joy came in the morning as we neared Hilton
Head. When we came to the landing, the Colonel and Adjutant went on
shore, and we waited their return. When they came aboard, the Colonel
told the Captain of the Swallow that he was ordered to Beaufort,
where we arrived at 10 A.M. and were received on the wharf by a large
crowd of people. We disembarked the same day, which was April 16th,
and marched through the main street, and went up to the camp of the
New York 26th U.S.V., and encamped on the right of Beaufort. We found
Beaufort a pleasant place of about five thousand inhabitants.
May 20th, 1864. Nothing of importance had occurred up to this date. I
passed up the line of tents, and saw the Major in a wagon--he informed
me that the Paymaster had arrived. When I made this known to the 29th
Regiment the boys were much pleased, for they had not received any
money since their enlistment, but soon their spirits fell when they
learned they would receive only $7 per month. Company A took the lead
in the dissatisfaction, it being the first company, and company B next,
company K next, company C next, and so on till company D, it being
the last company and the one to which I belonged. After the companies
all expressed their indignation at the small sum of $7 per month, the
officers called them in line and told them they would receive $16 the
next pay day, and they had better take this--at the same time promising
them, that in the future they should receive full pay. They did as he
wished. This has been the failing with the colored race--they are
always ready to comply with wrong teachings of strange gods, especially
when they come from white men, and that is the reason we cannot be a
united nation. I would not and did not accept of the $7 per month, and
I stood entirely alone. All in my company took that sum but myself,
and when I was called up my response was, if the government could not
afford to pay me a soldier's wages I would peril my life and die for
my country without it. When I consider the sacrifice I have made of
my beloved family, and think that the general government does nothing
for them, and then to insult me with the sum of $7 per month! No, as
I have given my life I will become a martyr and die before I will
accept that sum. But I am happy to relate that when they found there
were some that felt the dignity of their manhood, the Paymaster Major
endeavored to make apology to me in reference to the affair, but there
was no compromise in me. I would accept nothing but $16 per month.
"Well," said he, "you will get the balance next pay day." My answer
was, "Whether I do or not, I will not accept of less than $16 this
time." I was brought to think of the psalmist David, when he said "Many
are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord will deliver them
out of them all." Notwithstanding our troubles, on Sabbath morning,
the 22d inst., my mind was very much relieved at 6 P.M. While at dress
parade, the General rode along the line, and the Colonel brought the
companies up in broken columns in front of the flag. At the command
of the Colonel, the regiment came to "order, arms"--and at this point
General Saxton dismounted, and gave me his horse. Taking off his hat he
commenced some brief remarks by saying, "Boys, I have come to greet you
with an order I have received that you are to be considered soldiers of
the United States and receive your pay as white soldiers, and I hope
you will consider yourselves men. Although your skins are dark, you
have the same muscle as white men, and the same courage to fight. It is
for you to get the same skill by strictly attending to your duty, not
from fear of punishment, but because you are soldiers. Two years ago I
came here to Beaufort and raised the first colored regiment. They were
all slaves, and their masters were in the rebel army. One day a flag of
truce came in from the rebel line, and the colored troops were out on
picket. Before these colored men became soldiers they could not look a
white man in the face, but at this time they began to feel like men.
One of the so-called masters came over, and seeing his so-called slave,
he exclaimed, using his own language, 'There is my negro in arms,'
but the colored soldier looked him square in the face, and as I never
make use of the word negro, I said to him, if he was once a slave he
is free now, and God has made him so, and there is not a regiment in
the department I would sooner go into the field with than the first
Southern, now called the 33d United States troops." He concluded by
saying, "Boys, if you ever want to make good soldiers you must look a
white man straight in the face, and let him know that you are a man."
I spent the morning at the first colored church, and at 3 P.M.
preached from the 14th chapter of Job and the 14th verse. My theme was
"Death--an important change, not annihilation. It does not reduce us to
nothing, but alters our frame of being."
At 7 P.M. the elder spoke from the text "Strive to enter in at the
straight gate," and I closed the meeting.
The next Sabbath we had service in the camp in which I took part. The
Rev. Edward Scott preached. At 7 P.M. I preached from Revelations the
7th chapter and 9th verse. My theme was "The society and happiness of
the heavenly state. Life is a journey. Christians are but travellers to
the unseen world. The world to which we are going is unknown to us."
Truly we had a good time.
May 25th. A general order, stating that a part of the 29th regiment
was ordered out on picket duty. Company D was asked for, but owing to
one of the officers being sick, and the Captain on detached service,
it could not go, so Co. E was substituted, and for the first time they
commenced packing to face the enemy in the field. When they were all
ready to move the boys started off cheerfully. As the officers looked
dejected, my prayer was, may God go with you and give you strength
to face the enemy. The camp was unusually quiet at this time. The
Colonel and Adjutant had orders to go to the front, and it left the
camp without a line officer, excepting the Major, and he looked quite
lonesome. The rumors were that the rebels intended to attack Beaufort
the 25th instant, but the day passed of all quiet along the line.
August 9th--we broke camp at Beaufort and embarked on board the
transport Trade Wind bound for Hilton Head, where we arrived at 10 A.M.
The Colonel went ashore and received orders to go to Fortress Monroe.
At 6 P.M. we weighed anchor and soon found our bark stemming the rapid
tide, and when night came on I was soon in the arms of sleep and
forgot all earthly care. The morning of the 10th instant I rose at 5
o'clock and gazed upon the glorious sun as he rose out of the sea;
truly it was a grand sight to one as ignorant of such things as myself.
The day passed pleasantly, and the transports stemmed the rapid tide
three in number. When I stood on deck and took an observation of the
surrounding scenery, I was lost in wonder at the profound immensity
of the great waters, and I came to the conclusion that the hand of
God had formed all these things; in this profound thought the morning
passed gently. After dinner, I had some talk with the boys on board
in reference to their fare, and they informed me they would be glad
to boil their coffee with the coals that the fire-man raked from the
furnace, but even that was denied.
The night of the 10th came, and all retired to their sleeping places,
(and you may imagine they were not feather beds,) officers and men,
with the exception of Col. W.B. Wooster and a few Captains, who had
state-rooms, and they were the most miserable I ever saw, and dirty
accordingly, but they were the best they could have, therefore they
were contented. The night passed rapidly, and the morning of the 11th
inst. found all on board well and ready for breakfast. We found hard
tack and raw pork were not as agreeable as the fare we had been used
to, but hunger made it very palatable. After breakfast I went on
deck and amused myself by talking with the boys generally. I met the
Sergeant Major, and after inquiring of his health, he informed me that
he was on board with nothing to eat. I went to the Colonel's state-room
and brought my haversack with some cheese, cakes and pies, that my
friends in Beaufort put up for me, and I said, "Here is enough for you;
help yourself;" he looked up and said, "Mr. Hill, I never shall forget
your act of kindness to me in this hour of suffering."
In the evening at 6 o'clock we came in sight of the light house off
Fortress Monroe. I went to the Captain and asked him when we should get
to the Fort, he said "In the morning about 8 o'clock." I retired and
went to sleep. The morning of the 12th found me up at 5 o'clock, and
looking around me I saw the land on my left. We arrived at Fortress
Monroe at 10 A.M. and dropped anchor, and the Colonel went ashore and
remained until 1 P.M. When he came on board he informed the officers
that he must proceed to Bermuda Hundred, Va. At 4 P.M. we weighed
anchor and left for our destined place. I was much pleased with the
scenery up the James river. The first thing that attracted my attention
was Jamestown in its desolation--nothing but a shattered wreck--the
only building is that of a brick church that stands in the midst of
green trees lifting their heads high and lofty, looking down on a city
doomed as Sodom was for sin. When we reached City Point within five
miles it was night, and the captain of the Trade Wind stated that he
did not think it safe to run up that night, as the rebels had guns
planted on the shore. We dropped anchor and waited the approach of
day. The boys slept soundly, but sleep had fled from my eyes. The
morning of the 13th came, and we weighed anchor, and at 6 A.M. we found
our little transport safe at the wharf at Bermuda Hundred. We passed
City Point, and the troops went ashore and took up the line of march
for the General's headquarters. The day was intensely warm, and the
regiment marched five miles into Virginia, and not being accustomed
to marching they became weary, and most of the men threw away their
blankets. Being Regimental Orderly, I was detailed at Bermuda Hundred
till four o'clock, and then started for the regiment, which I reached
at 6 P.M. and found it encamped in the woods close to General Birney's
headquarters. The boys cheered me as I passed along the line on my way
to the Colonel's quarters. We remained there until 11 P.M. and received
an order to proceed to Deep Hollow. We marched until 2 A.M. and crossed
the pontoon bridge, and proceeding two miles farther passed----;
halted in a corn field in the rear of the advanced pickets, and for the
first time laid on our arms in the open field. I lay near the Colonel,
with the reins of my horse tied to my wrist, my gun in my arms half
cocked, and in this position rested the night--the rebels being quite
close to us--within a stone's throw.
The morning of the 14th inst. the Colonel sprang to his feet at 4
o'clock and gave the order "Attention." The boys all arose from their
dusty beds, waiting for the order to load, expecting to take the
advance pickets, but at this juncture the General sent an order for him
to fall back to the fort at Malvern Hill. We got breakfast and the men
were stationary. All was quiet until one P.M., when the rebels attacked
the pickets that were stationed on the outposts. The Colonel gave the
order "Fall in." For the first time the boys put on their equipments
and fell in; and when the order was given "Forward," they rushed to
the battle in good order. Quite a battle took place, at which time a
number were killed and wounded on both sides, and we took a number of
prisoners.
On the 15th inst. we remained quiet, with the exception of some
skirmishing. The 16th, we received orders to move the regiment and join
the 3d division 10th army corps, General Birney's brigade having at
this time fallen in with the 22d, 7th, 8th and 9th U.S. C. Troops, and
with the 29th they numbered 5,000. At 2 P.M. we took up our line of
march for Jones' landing. We crossed the pontoon bridge and marched up
the valley in a drenching rain, and in the midst of the deep mud the
boys were cheerful. We arrived at our place of destination at 7 P.M.
and rested in an open field in the rear of the advance pickets. The
boys stacked their arms and commenced putting up their shelter tents.
I took my tin cup and coffee, and prepared supper for the Colonel,
Lieut. Colonel, Major and Adjutant. After this I was at my wits end to
find a place for them to sleep; at last I formed this plan: I got nine
rails and laid three abreast and spread the blankets on them, and the
Colonel and Major laid down. The Lieut. Colonel laid on the ground. I
slept on the third tier, and being tired rested comfortably. The night
passed swiftly, and the morning of the 17th we rose early and got
breakfast, and awaited the order to advance to the front. At 10 A.M. we
halted in the woods, and the boys commenced clearing up to pitch their
tents, and while they were at work the General rode up at one P.M. and
told the Colonel to draw the division back to its former position,
which they did in good order. We got dinner and remained but a short
time, when the rebels commenced driving in our pickets, and the order
was given to "fall in," and the men fell in in good order, and rushed
to the battle; the 29th had the right centre, the 22d formed next to
the 29th on the right of the centre, the 7th on the left of the centre,
and the 9th in the centre. At the command "left flank," the whole
column marched at double quick. They halted at the woods, and quite
a battle took place, at which time our Lieut. Colonel was wounded in
the leg and his horse was shot from under him; he has since recovered.
We remained in line of battle till 12 o'clock, and to the surprise of
officers and men not a soldier of the 29th was killed or wounded, I
being the only one that a ball struck. While standing on an elevated
spot a rebel ball struck my hat and caused me to look around.
On the 17th inst. the whole column moved back and remained all day
where Gen'l McClellan retreated from in the fall of 1861, twelve miles
from Richmond. We remained there until the 18th instant, and at 8
P.M. the whole corps and 3d division moved down the valley. We halted
in an open field for two hours opposite the pontoon bridge crossing
the Chickahomney, at which time the order was given "Attention." The
whole regiment came in line, and when the order was given "Forward,"
the column marched towards the bridge and halted on the bridge, on
account of a broken plank. The bridge being repaired, which detained
us an hour, we again took up the line of march and passed the general
headquarters, almost to our original position, and halted for the day
in an open field.
The 19th instant we remained quiet. The 20th we started for the
front of Petersburg, and marched in a drenching rain to the forts on
the right of the Point of Rocks hospital. The 21st--came near being
flanked by the rebels, and marched back to Malvern Hill and repaired
breastworks. The 22d had quite a skirmish with the rebels, when we
were quite successful, killing and taking 75 prisoners, and had as
yet lost none of the 29th regiment in killed or wounded. We left on
the day of the 23d for the front of Petersburg again, and at 10 A.M.
crossed the James river on the pontoon bridge, and passed the heights
where the first New Jersey battery was stationed. We arrived in front
of Petersburg at 2 P.M. and were amused looking at the doomed city. The
rebels sent a shell, which passed over the regiment, and fell close to
the Colonel, who was sitting on his horse at the right of the brigade;
he gave the order "Attention," and countermarched the regiment and
fell back to the woods, and waited the order from the General, which
he received at 5 P.M. to fall back to the fort four miles distant,
to protect the pontoon bridge opposite the Point of Rocks, where we
arrived at 6 P.M. coming at almost double quick. On our return the
roadside was strewn with stragglers from different regiments, and
when the column met them they inquired the cause of our return, and
the reply of the boys was "the rebels are after us." It was a source
of laughter to us to find the stragglers falling in, and many of them
could out walk the well soldiers when they heard the rebels were
coming. We remained the night of the 23d at the fort in a drenching
rain, and the Johnnies did not come.
On the morning of the 24th I found quite a number of my white friends
from home--Dr. Clark from Woodbury, N.J., and others. We were glad
to meet again alive, and talked of beloved friends at home, and the
morning passed rapidly and pleasantly to all. At one P.M. the order
came for the regiment to return to the front of Petersburg, when the
white soldiers seemed to regret that the 29th were going to leave the
fort. We took up our line of march and at 3 P.M. were again in front of
the land of Destruction, which was Petersburg. We halted in the rear
of Gen. Birney's headquarters and got supper, after which the regiment
moved to the rifle pits, with the exception of a few detailed men, of
which I was one. I was attracted by the remarks of a white soldier as
we left the fort. He looked at the colored troops and said, "Well,
they are taking those colored men to their slaughter pen in front of
Petersburg." Truly his saying was correct, for on the first night Co.
H felt the first stroke, having the first man killed out of the 29th
regiment. It was private Henry Mings, a native of Africa, who emigrated
to this country in 1862, and joined the 29th Connecticut Volunteers
Jan'y, 1864. He was very broken in speech, being a regular African, and
was, as is too often the case among soldiers, a very wicked man. He
died as he lived, a rebel to his God but true to this country.
On the 25th, Co. K felt the horrors of war. Private Samuel Burton was
killed, being shot through the head while moving the company; he was a
resident of Hartford, Conn. On the 26th Co. D felt the blow. Private
George Porter was shot in the shoulder, and died at the hospital four
days after. On the 27th Col. Wooster was brought in from the rifle pits
quite sick. The 28th we lost our first officer, a worthy man, who was
captured while out strengthening the pickets on the outpost. On the
29th we had two men killed, I could not ascertain their names, but they
belonged to Co. A. On the 30th we had two killed, one out of Co. B, and
one out of another company. The 31st we lost two men out of Co. E, and
one out of Co. K, private Chester Phillox.
Sept. 1st, we struck tents in front of Petersburg, and took up our line
of march for our place of destination, unknown to all but the Generals.
When the line was drawn up, the colored troops of the 3d division, 10th
army corps, numbered 75,000, the 29th forming the centre. At 3 P.M. we
started on the main road leading direct to City Point, thinking we were
going by transport to some place of rest, but about 12 o'clock the same
night our hopes were blasted, when we took the left hand road leading
to Broadway Landing, and we soon found ourselves crossing the pontoon
bridge that brought us in the rear of Petersburg. Daylight found us on
the Old Market road leading direct to the front of Richmond. We marched
all night.
Eight o'clock, on the morning of the 2d inst. found the whole brigade
engaged in front of the enemy; we drove them five miles, and at 1 P.M.
were inside the rebels' first line of works surrounding Richmond. We
had a hard battle, commencing at 2 P M., and had been engaged three
hours when a charge was made on two of the rebel forts. The left of the
line was charged by the 8th U.S.C. troops, supported by the 29th. The
centre was charged by the 9th Maryland, supported by the 7th U.S.C.
troops. The day was one long to be remembered; the rebels fought
hard, but the colored troops carried the day, and night found us in
the rebels' line of works. We lost quite a number of brave men and
among the wounded of the 29th was Capt. Thorpe and Lieut. McDonald;
we greatly regretted their loss, but to the surprise of all not one
of the 29th was killed; they all came out of the fight well. When I
looked upon the dead and wounded, it was awful to see the piles of legs
and arms that the surgeons cut off and threw in heaps on the ground.
We lay in front of the works all night, and the morning of the 3d we
had quite a warm reception. The bombarding was heavy on both sides,
and we could frequently see rebels carrying their dead and wounded out
of their trenches and forts. We had several wounded but none killed.
The Colonel being unable for duty, Major D. was in command, who was a
worthy and careful commander, and gained high praise from both officers
and men. The Colonel, officers and men generally, regretted the absence
of Lieut. Col. J.C. Ward, who was at that time sick at Fortress Monroe.
The morning of the 4th inst. we moved on the left of the line, and
planted our flag under the rebel fire of grape and canister, bombshell
and musketry. When the rear guards came over the field the dead lay
strewed on the ground, but to my surprise we could find none of the
29th killed. The 5th inst. we rested in the rifle pits, with the
advance pickets thrown out in front of the third fort of the rebels;
nothing went on of importance, except the artillery fought a duel with
the rebel fort at long range. On the 6th instant, we remained still
in the breastworks. On the 7th we received orders to fall back to the
general headquarters to rest. The 29th had just reached their resting
place when a fight broke out in the centre, and they were ordered back
to the breastworks on double quick. On the 8th we remained at the
breastworks until 3 P.M. and then received orders to move on the right
to support the 45th at the fort on Lookout mountain. We arrived at
Lookout at 6 P.M., tired and weary, and hoped to encamp for the night,
but at 10 o'clock our hopes were blasted by an order, stating that the
29th must return to the front to support the 8th U.S. C. troops, then
laying in the breastworks. We remained at this post six days, when the
General ordered a scout to explore the woods in front of the rebels.
We left camp in front of the breastworks at two P.M. on the 14th inst.
and as we were accustomed to have it rain, the rain fell in torrents,
but General Birney gallantly led his band of the 3d division, 10th army
corps, numbering 75,000 colored troops. We arrived at our destination,
and the General ordered out the skirmishers, but whether he saw any
rebels, or saw too many of them to engage in a fight is yet a profound
secret, but the night of the 14th inst. found us back in camp in the
rear of the breastworks. The rain kept falling. The men were ordered
to have two days' rations and be ready to fall in at one A.M. in light
marching order, without knapsacks. Col. Ward, then in command of the
29th, said to me, "Hill, I would like you to be close to me, as I shall
want you early in the morning." At this I spread my blanket on the wet
ground and lay down to rest; sleep had fled from me, and as I looked at
the Colonel I could see a change in his countenance. Adjutant Spalding,
who had but lately rejoined the regiment, was also with us. There
seemed to be an uneasiness among the field officers. The morning of
the 15th inst. rolled round, and at 3 o'clock the line was formed and
gradually moved off to the right, and as we marched along the Captain
of Co. D commenced singing "Are there no foes for me to face? Must I
not stem the flood? Is this vain world a friend to grace, to help me
on to God?" These sublime words oftentimes cheered the moving column
as it marched through the dreary roads of Virginia. When the glorious
sun arose it found us on the extreme right of the front, three miles
from Richmond, where the white troops were repulsed on the 6th inst.
The column was halted and drawn up in line of battle in front of the
woods, the white troops on the right, and the colored troops on the
left, the 8th and 29th forming in the centre, the 29th supporting the
8th. They entered the woods, and immediately attacked the enemy, and at
8 A.M. the battle became general along the whole line, and many a brave
soldier fell, killed or wounded. Among them were thirteen of the 29th.
The Adjutant fell wounded early in the engagement; Corporal George
Burr, Co. L, Corporal Sidney of Co. H, private Joseph Halstead of Co.
D, killed instantly. George E. Peters wounded in the side, Sergeant
James Evans wounded in the foot by a piece of shell. To my regret,
George Halstead was left on the field dead.
A very striking instance came to my notice through the course of the
day of the 16th. A private of the 8th U.S.C. troops was wounded in the
head early in the engagement and brought to the rear. I found him lying
in his blood, and he would have died in this condition but I lifted him
up and raised his head. I went to my post, and at 1 P.M. returned, and
found him still alive, and when making some inquiries I learned that no
doctor had given him any attention, and inquired to know the cause of
this neglect. I made some stir about the case, and corn fodder and had
him laid on it and put by the fire. When the wounded were moved back he
was taken along and was soon in a condition to be sent to the hospital,
with hopes of his recovery. Many of like cases could be saved by a
little care and attention after the battle, but the complexion and rank
of a man has a great bearing. There was a great distinction made among
the wounded, so much so that it would make the heart of any christian
ache to see men treated so like brutes.
On the evening of the 15th, at 5 o'clock, the cannon was sounded
for the army to fall back while the artillery spoke destruction and
slaughter to the rebels; we fell back, the cavalry covering our
retreat. The colored troops wore the first to go into the fight and
the last to come off the field. With what eagerness I looked for the
flag of the 29th, and at last I saw it floating among the pines; and
truly my heart leaped with joy when I once more saw the colors of our
Regiment. The-night found us back in camp, in the rear of our former
position.
All was quiet in front of Richmond, from the 15th until the evening of
the 28th inst., when we received the information that the 10th Army
Corps had light marching orders, and as it was in our former marches,
different rumors prevailed. The Companies left their knapsacks at their
company quarters, and the morning of the 29th, at 4 o'clock, we were
on the march for the field of battle, which we reached at 6 o'clock;
the 8th formed in line in front of the enemy, the 18th formed on the
right, the 10th Corps, to which my Regiment belonged, was in the
centre. The 29th Regiment was put out on a skirmish in the advance to
charge the rifle pits. At the time of this battle, the highest officer
in the 29th was a Captain; the Colonel was home on a sick leave; the
Lieut. Colonel, W.C. Ward, was promoted Colonel of the 41st U.S., and
the Major was sick in camp. We mourned the loss of our field officers,
but Captain Camp, of Co. D, took the position of Major and formed the
line, and said to us, "Boys, we have got to fight to-day; do the best
you can; do your duty and I will stand by you till the last; will you
stand by me?" The boys replied, "we will stand by you till the last."
The Captain said: "Be careful and keep in line and obey the orders,"
"Forward, double quick;" and the regiment charged the rebel rifle pits
and carried the works, and held them twenty-four hours. This was one
of the most desperate battles of the campaign. We lost in the fight
one hundred men killed and wounded. The 29th Colored Regiment covered
themselves with great praise given them from all the officers. General
Birney greatly complimented it for bravery in the battle. One of our
first Orderly Sergeants of Co. D, named Spencer, captured three rebel
prisoners. The fight lasted from 6 in the morning until 7 P.M.
The morning of the 30th, while the regiment lay on the rebel works,
they shot away a 50 pounder. They received forty rounds of cartridge
and rose up and stormed the rebels' main works, and then received
orders to fall back, which they did in good order, and the evening of
the 30th found us safe back again in front of Richmond. We were called
to mourn the loss of Mr. Charles Bentley of Co. A, who fell in the
early part of the engagement with a ball in his breast, a champion of
liberty and a noble christian; also James Spriggs of Co. F, and 13
others who fell asleep on the field of battle.
Oct. 16, 1864. All was quiet up to this date. 3d division 10th army
corps, 29th regiment, Gen. Birney's brigade. To the surprise of the
regiment we were presented with the United States national colors,
which greatly pleased the boys. The flag was presented by the Major
of the 45th U.S.C. troops to Lieut. Col. W.C. Ward in a pleasing
manner, and in his statement he spoke of the bravery of the 29th in the
battle of the 15th inst., to which Lieut. Col. Ward replied, "I am no
speech-maker, but I have 672 guns that will speak for me when occasion
requires better than I can, and they are ready whenever called for."
Notwithstanding this pleasant incident, quite a mourning sensation
occurred in the regiment on the 19th inst. While on dress parade Lieut.
Col. Ward made a very feeling and parting address to the 29th regiment,
and told them he was promoted to Colonel of the 41st U.S.C. troops. He
said, "I intend to leave you in 24 hours. I would rather stay with the
29th, but duty demands it and I must obey." Truly, these remarks fell
upon the ears of the boys with tremendous weight.
Col. W.C. Ward was generally beloved by the 29th regiment for his
gentlemanly and good discipline, and his careful protection of his
men. He was careful never to order the private to go where he was not
willing to go himself, and for these traits the men loved him. He was
in command of the regiment at the absence of Col. Wooster, and he led
it in and out of two battles with the loss of few men, and this made
us regard him as a leader we could look up to. While we were quartered
in the breastworks in front of Richmond, Col. Ward was mounted on
his horse, and I rode in the rear of him, and when we halted a rebel
sharpshooter shot at him just as he dismounted, and the ball went
through his hat. Col. Ward never flinched, but came to "attention,"
and said "Well, Hill, I believe that was meant for me, but he did not
get me this time." This was during the first day's fight, and he had
not had his boots off for five days, and slept on the ground with his
men, faring as they did. Sometimes I would get him to take my blanket
to keep him warm, as I would rather do without it myself than see my
officers uncared for. But he left us, and no one felt his loss more
than I, for I was his first Orderly. When he came to the 29th regiment
as Captain of Co. E, I was promoted by him to Regimental Orderly, and I
was the last to escort him to his regiment, and with reluctance I left
him Colonel of the 41st U.S. regiment, encamped in the rear of the 29th
in front of Richmond.
On the 5th of November I left camp in front of Richmond and went
on business to Bermuda Hundred, and to my surprise I received the
intelligence at 10 A.M. that the 29th regiment had moved to Malvern
Heights, one mile from Spring Hill, Virginia. After attending to the
business entrusted to my care I mounted my horse and started for
regiment, then laying at the fort, this being the first time the
regiment ever moved without my being with it. At 9 P.M. I found the
regiment in the forts on Malvern Hill in good spirits. The regiment
was divided in four different forts in the immediate front of the
rebels. All was quiet up to Nov. 8th, at which date we ranked in the
second division, 10th army corps, the 29th yet in the forts at Malvern
Hill. Nothing of importance occurred up to the 3d of December, when
we received moving orders at 4 P.M. and at that time the tents were
struck. This was on the Sabbath, and the relief did not arrive until
Monday. The 5th inst. at 10 A.M. we took up our line of march for a
destination unknown to us. All kinds of rumors prevailed among the
boys. Leaving comfortable quarters they had constructed, they did
not feel pleasant about going, but 2 P.M. found us on the left of
Fort Harrison in the centre of the line, the latter place being quite
inferior to our old company ground. When halted the boys went busily
to work at fixing up as usual, carrying timber and putting up their
cabins. They all worked busily until Tuesday evening at nine o'clock,
when there came an order stating that the 29th should pack up with
two days' rations. The hearts of the boys were sad enough before, but
when they heard of having marching orders they felt worse. We packed
up but did not start; and Wednesday, the 7th inst., found us still in
camp, in front of the rebs in a drenching rain. The same day found us
somewhat changed--the colored regiments all being consolidated in the
2d division, 3d brigade, 25th army corps. A number of detached men were
taken from the regiments. I was detailed at headquarters as Brigade
Postmaster. I felt somewhat strange in the new office, but I entered
upon my duties with a willing heart. All was quiet along the line, with
the exception of the Johnnies cheering. The evening of the 8th inst.
the advance pickets were fired on.
January 1st, 1865.--Fort Burmen, in front of Richmond. The closing of
1864 passed off up to this date with frequent picket firing, our boys
taking their regular turn. On the 8th of January the rebels fired on
the pickets on the left of the line; the 29th at the sound fell in line
in their entrenchments waiting to receive the Johnnies, but they failed
to make an attack. We lay under marching orders up to the 13th inst.
when Col. W.B. Wooster received orders to move his headquarters in the
rear of the 29th regiment.