HOMEWARD BOUND.
There had been stories about camp for a day or more, of fighting at
Batchelder's Creek, and the death of Colonel Jones, of the 58th Penn.,
was reported, but we had treated it as a mere rumor. Our astonishment
was great when, just before roll-call Sunday evening, May 24th, the
order was given to the different companies to prepare for an immediate
departure to Batchelder's Creek. The train stood in front of the camp
awaiting us, and in twenty minutes from the time the orders were
received by the colonel we were on the cars and off for the front.
When the regiment arrived at the picket-station we found everything
quiet, but the death of the colonel was confirmed. Two of our companies
were immediately sent out on picket, and the rest of us stretched
ourselves on the parade-ground for the rest of the night. It appeared
that the 58th Penn., in company with two or three other regiments,
under command of Colonel Jones, had made a raid up the railroad, and,
at the same earthworks we stormed the month before, surprised and
captured nearly two hundred prisoners, besides a piece of artillery,
baggage-wagons, etc., the general in command barely escaping.
The rebels, receiving large reinforcements from Kinston, pressed
closely upon our retiring column, and its gallant commander was shot
by a sharpshooter just before reaching the camp. A fight ensued
over his body, which resulted in the repulse of the enemy, and the
58th retired within their entrenchments, the joy over their victory
wholly overshadowed by the loss of their colonel. The rebels, hearing
doubtless of the arrival of reinforcements, had fallen back in the
night, and as all fear of an attack was dissipated, we started for our
own camp about noon, taking the body of Colonel Jones on the train to
Newbern, there to await transportation to his home in Philadelphia. So
ended our last expedition in North Carolina.
The following week we were summoned to escort the body of Colonel
Jones to the steamer from the house of Captain Messinger, the
provost-marshal, in company with all the high officers in the
department, who were proud to do honor to the remains of a brave,
Christian soldier. After services at the boat we marched back to camp,
very tired and dusty, and fully convinced that escort duty at a funeral
was no sinecure. The next day General Foster visited the camp, and
praising the regiment for its general satisfactory conduct, strongly
urged its re-enlistment in his department. The time for such an appeal
was unfortunately chosen, just as the men were becoming very weary of
military duty, and anxious to see home once more, and the response
at the time was not very hearty. But many did ultimately embrace the
offer, finding that the excitement of a soldier's life had unfitted
them for anything else.
The departure of the 43d and 44th Mass. naturally served to turn our
thoughts northward, and we did little else but discuss the chances
of a speedy return, talk of our reception, and lay wagers as to the
probable time of sailing, etc. As the weather grew warmer, the climate
began to have a marked effect upon the health of the regiment. Drill
was shortened, and everything possible done to avert the evil; but one
after another sickened, until the regimental hospital was crowded, and
numbers were sent every day or two to the hospital at Beaufort, to have
the benefit of the fresh sea-breeze.
But in vain. The sun beat hotter and hotter on those little tents,
until we lived, as it were, in a fiery furnace. The sickness increased
daily, and some poor fellows passed on to their resting-place above,
when almost in reach of that earthly home towards which their thoughts
and dreams had so long been directed. As one after another fell victims
to the terrible fever, we began to fear none would be left to return
unless the summons came quickly. After much weary waiting, our hearts
were rejoiced by the news of the arrival at Morehead City of the
steamers "Spaulding" and "Tillie," prepared to transport us from the
land of sickness and sorrow to a more genial clime.
Our joy was somewhat lessened by the rumor that we were ordered to
report to General Dix, at Fortress Monroe, and if needed, to join the
force then operating in the vicinity of the White House, Va.; but that
was as nothing in view of the fact that we were actually homeward
bound. The night before our departure the following farewell order from
General Foster was read to the regiment:
HEADQUARTERS, DEPARTMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA, }
18TH ARMY CORPS, }
NEWBERN, June 23, 1863. }
SPECIAL ORDER NO. 178.
The Commanding General bids farewell to the officers and soldiers of
the 45th M. V. M., with the most sincere regret at losing a regiment
which has proved itself so good and deserving in every position which
it has been called upon to occupy. In the various marches and fights
they have exhibited that order, discipline, experience and courage,
which he hoped and expected to find in an organization so worthily
descended from the "Ancient and Honorable Corps of Boston Cadets."
For those who have fallen in the fight or by disease, the General
offers his sincere and heartfelt sympathy to their comrades in arms,
and to their bereaved friends at home. To those who have survived the
dangers, though sharing them, the general bids God Speed!
By command of
Major-General JOHN G. FOSTER.
JOHN F. ANDERSON,
_Major and Sen. A. D. C._
On Wednesday morning, the 24th of June, we broke up our camp, leaving
everything standing in expectation of its speedy occupation by some
other regiment, and embarking on the cars, were hurried towards
Beaufort. There we found the vessels awaiting our arrival at the same
wharf at which we had landed nearly eight months before, then a happy
company, full of life and health, eager to be at work in our country's
cause, but now a forlorn and weary number, sick in body and mind, with
scarce energy enough left to realize that the hour for which we had
longed and prayed so many weary days had come at last.
Sick and well, we were all after a time embarked, and in twenty-four
hours were anchored off Fortress Monroe. On mustering the available
strength of the regiment, it was found that out of about eight hundred
and sixty men but three hundred and fifty were fit for active service.
The colonel went on shore to report the condition of the regiment, and,
after some delay, received orders from the War Department to proceed
with his command directly to Boston, so on Friday afternoon we were
once more headed homewards. Most of us were too miserable to display
our joy in noisy mirth, but the spirits of the men brightened visibly
as the way grew shorter. Two of our number passed away to their eternal
home in that short passage, and others survived the voyage only to die
in the arms of loved ones at home.
After a bright, calm passage, the "Spaulding" steamed up Boston harbor
early Monday morning, the 29th of June, and was quickly boarded by a
party of friends who had been cruising about the harbor the whole of
the previous day in anticipation of our arrival. After landing the
numerous sick at the wharf, the vessel again hauled out into the stream
to await the arrival of the "Tilly," which was but a poor sailor. The
latter steamer arrived so late in the afternoon that it was deemed
advisable to postpone the reception till the following day. The poor
fellows were consequently condemned to pass another night on board of
crowded transports in full sight of their own homes.
Tuesday dawned as bright and pleasant as heart could desire, and about
nine o'clock the regiment landed, and, escorted by the Cadets and
Massachusetts Rifle Club, proceeded _en route_ for the State House.
After a reception by Governor Andrew, it marched to the parade-ground
and had a short battalion drill, then, having had a collation, the men
were delivered into the arms of their expectant friends. After all
these ceremonies had been gone through with, the regiment went to the
old camp at Readville, and having turned over arms and equipments to
the quartermaster, were furloughed till the following Monday, when they
were mustered out of the United States service, but neither paid nor
discharged.
After enjoying the luxuries of home life for about three weeks, the
news of the New York riots came upon us in all their horror and
wickedness. Symptoms of uneasiness betraying themselves in our own
city, a notice appeared in the papers signed by the colonel, requesting
the regiment to assemble at Readville on Wednesday, the 15th of July,
to aid in quelling any disturbance that might arise. About two hundred
of the men obeyed this order, which, in the scattered state of the
regiment, was all that could be hoped for on such an unexpected summons.
It seemed quite like old times, meeting once more in the barracks,
and making preparations for an expedition, though the consciousness
that this time we were only bound to the city of Boston had a very
enlivening effect upon us all. The quartermaster furnished us with
arms, ammunition and equipments, and, with our blankets slung in the
old fashion, we could very easily have imagined ourselves on the point
of starting off on a tramp up country from Newbern.
Having formed in line, the colonel equalized the companies, a rather
important matter, as the Nantucket company, Co. H, had but one
representative besides the officers, and the Cape Cod company, Co. D,
but four or five. We then went through a short drill in street firing;
and having loaded our guns with ball cartridges, started for the cars
and were deposited at the depot in town. Having executed the order,
"prime," with guns capped and at half-cock, to show the bystanders
and all interested that this did not mean blank cartridges or holiday
parade, we marched to our quarters in Faneuil Hall.
This was the day following that of the Cooper street riot, and as a
renewed attack on Dock Square and its gun-shops was expected that
night, this, the post of danger and honor, was assigned to the 45th, as
well as the support of four guns of the 11th Battery, Capt. Jones. We
were on duty through the night, half of the regiment at a time, under
command of the lieutenant-colonel and major, a company being assigned
to each gun, they being placed one at each corner of Faneuil Hall, thus
commanding all the streets converging upon Dock Square. There were
pickets out on all the neighboring streets, and no persons, except
market men, were permitted to enter the square.
Strict orders were given to fire immediately on the approach of any
threatening body of people, and thus, by a wise severity at the outset,
to prevent such a prolongation of outrages as had resulted from the
misjudged leniency of the New York authorities. The night was passed
very quietly, excepting some disturbance from a noisy crowd in the
evening, which was, however, quickly dispersed by a patrol of dragoons.
A regular guard was stationed at the entrance of the building, and
there we had to stay throughout the day, short furloughs of an hour or
two being occasionally granted. There is reason to fear, however, that
during the week spent in the hall a good many private furloughs were
taken by way of the windows and spouts, but as we were only on duty at
night, it mattered but little.
We continued to spend our nights in the open air, generally in the
Square, and on one or two occasions detachments were sent to other
points, South Boston bridge, the armories, etc. Though the city seemed
to be restored to its pristine security, yet fearing some outbreak on
Saturday night or Sunday, we were detained till the next Tuesday. It
seemed very strange to post sentries about the streets and alleys,
with orders to allow no one to pass through, and the indignation of
some of our worthy citizens at being made to go some other way, was
very amusing. Our days were spent in watching the passers-by from the
windows, and one or two afternoons we were treated to a battalion drill
on the Common, in which we certainly showed rather how much we had
forgotten than what we knew, for our mistakes were very numerous. The
gaping crowd were, however, none the wiser, and doubtless thought them
all a part of the show.
But all good things must sometime have an end, and so did our rations
of bologna sausage and Washington pie, daily served out to us in the
Cradle of Liberty. The rioters thought better of their plans, and
wisely concluded that it was preferable to run the risk of being
drafted and then killed, than to be shot down at their very doors; a
fate they had every reason to expect if they attempted any further
disturbance of the peace. Thanks to the prompt action of the state and
city authorities, the riotous proceedings were nipped in the bud, and
law and order again reigned supreme.
The men had been dropping in to the rendezvous from day to day, drawn
from a distance by the summons, until we numbered five hundred strong,
and on Monday night, knowing it would be the last time we should be
together as a regiment, we devoted the evening, for we had no duty
to perform that night, to having a good time. We sang all the army
songs till we were tired out; cheered all the officers and everything
connected with the regiment, individually and collectively, till we
were hoarse, and made such a scene as even old Faneuil Hall, in all
her long history of stirring events, had never witnessed the like of
before, and probably never will again.
Our task was ended, our nine months more than full. Leaving behind us
a name blotted by no stain of dishonor, and with a proud consciousness
of having done honor to the noble State that gave us birth, having, in
camp and on the battle-field, striven to do our duty by the government
we had volunteered to serve, on Tuesday, the twenty-first day of July,
eighteen hundred and sixty-three, we were paid off and discharged, and
the old Forty-Fifth lived only in history.
We had seen every variety of service, life in barracks, in tents
and in houses. Our losses in battle, twenty killed and seventy-one
wounded, outnumbered that of all the other nine-month's regiments in
the department taken together, while our loss from disease was very
heavy. Our officers were worthy of their commands, and the men worthy
of their commanders. Never, from the commencement of the war, was an
officer sent from the State better fitted for the responsibilities of
his position than our noble colonel, Charles R. Codman. Perfect in
his drill, firm in his discipline, yet free from all severity; brave
in the hour of danger, yet without rashness; loved, and respected, he
was truly a model officer. In the coming years it will be the pride
and boast of every member of the 45th Mass. that he served for such a
country, in such a cause, from such a State, under such a commander, in
such a regiment.
[Illustration: THE END]
Transcriber's Notes
Obvious punctuation errors repaired.
Hyphen added: battle[-]field (p. 114).
Hyphen removed: block[-]house (p. 55), night[-]fall (p. 7).
Both "earthwork" and "earth-work" appear and have not been changed.
P. 60: The phrase in brackets in the following sentence seems to be
out of place and has been deleted: "A mill at the entrance of the town
was fired to prevent the use of its timbers for the reconstruction of
the bridge, [and some one at the same time let on the water,] and as
the groan of the machinery rose above the roar of the flames, we could
imagine it some huge creature awaiting in agony a fiery death."
P. 98: Gore Creek -> Core Creek.
P. 121: at T wharf -> at the wharf.