My First Campaign Part 1

My First Campaign.

by J. W. Grant.

PREFACE.

At the earnest request of many of my comrades of the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers, I am induced to publish this narrative, which, with very little addition or alteration, I have copied entire from my private journal. This was written under many disadvantages during a campaign of unusual hardships and privations. Hoping it may prove of use, as a reference, to many of my companions, who from the very nature of the campaign, found it impossible to keep a record, is the only apology I have to offer for publishing a work of this nature.

DIAMOND HILL, R. I., August, 1863.

MY FIRST CAMPAIGN.

CHAPTER I.

On the 16th day of September, 1862, the author of this narrative was duly enlisted as a volunteer in the service of the United States; and, on the 22d of the same month, reported at Camp Stevens, Providence, R.

I., for duty. At this place, the Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers was organized; and in this city, on the 13th day of October, 1862, it was mustered into the service of the United States, for a period of nine months.

As a member of this regiment, your subscriber was duly elected, and from the 13th of October, 1862, until the 29th of July, 1863, was known as J.

W. Grant, private, Company F, Twelfth Regiment Rhode Island Volunteers.

Our regiment was under the command of Colonel George H. Browne, and as yet no lieutenant-colonel or major had been a.s.signed us. The following were the company officers:

_Company A._--Captain, Edward S. Cheney; 1st Lieutenant, ----; 2d Lieutenant, John S. Roberts.

_Company B._--Captain, James M. Longstreet; 1st Lieutenant, Oscar Lapham; 2d Lieutenant, Albert W. Delanah.

_Company C._--Captain, James H. Allen; 1st Lieutenant, Jales Macharet; 2d Lieutenant, Matthew M. Chappell.

_Company D._--Captain, George C. Almy; 1st Lieutenant, William H. King; 2d Lieutenant, George H. Tabor.

_Company E._--Captain, John J. Phillips; 1st Lieutenant, George F. Bicknell; 2d Lieutenant, Christopher H. Alexander.

_Company F._--Captain, William E. Hubbard; 1st Lieutenant, George F. Lawton; 2d Lieutenant, George Bucklin.

_Company G._--Captain, ----; 1st Lieutenant, William C.

Rogers; 2d Lieutenant, James Bowen.

_Company H._--Captain, Oliver H. Perry; 1st Lieutenant, ----; 2d Lieutenant, Edward P. b.u.t.ts, Jr.

_Company I._--Captain, George A. Spink; 1st Lieutenant, Stephen M. Hopkins; 2d Lieutenant, Munson H. Najac.

_Company K._--Captain, ----; 1st Lieutenant, Edmund W. Fales; 2d Lieutenant, James M. Pendleton.

John L. Clark, of c.u.mberland, was appointed Quartermaster, and John Turner, of Bristol, Adjutant.

On the 21st day of October, at six o'clock, P.M., the Twelfth Rhode Island Volunteers formed for its last parade, on Camp Stevens, and at seven, P.M., of the same day we were aboard the cars, and hurrying on our way _en route_ for Washington, by way of New York and Baltimore.

We reached Groton at half-past nine, went aboard the steamer Plymouth Rock at this place, and at eleven were moving down the Sound.

It was rather an unpleasant night; the wind blew fresh from the south, rolling up the clouds in heavy ma.s.ses, with every appearance of its raining immediately. However, at daybreak, the wind changed to the north-west, the clouds began to disperse, and at sunrise the sky was perfectly clear.

Just beyond Hurl Gate we pa.s.sed the steamer Great Eastern lying at anchor, and had as good a view of her as we could desire to have. She appears to be a beautifully modelled vessel, of tremendous size and power.

We arrived in Jersey City at eight, A.M. Disembarking from the Plymouth Rock, we reembarked on the steamer Kill Von Hull, and at ten, A.M., were steaming towards Elizabethport, the wind blowing a gale, dead ahead. Pa.s.sed by Staten Island, which by the way is one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen. The land rises from the bay to a very great height, and is covered with groves of beautiful trees, interspersed with houses here and there. I should think, from the appearance of Staten Island, that it must be a delightful place. As we sailed along, close by the sh.o.r.e, the people came from the houses to salute us, waving flags and handkerchiefs; in the groves and upon the house-tops we saw and heard them cheering us. We arrived at Elizabethport about twelve o'clock. I should think it to be a place of some importance as a depot for the shipment of coal, there being every convenience in the line of railways and wharfs. It is a small place, however, nothing doing except in connection with the coal trade. We started from this place at three, P.M., _en route_ for Baltimore, by way of Harrisburg. The soil at Elizabethport, and all the way through New Jersey, by rail to Phillipsburg, Penn., is a reddish brown clay, and for the first twenty-five miles beyond Elizabethport the country appears quite monotonous, a vast level plain, with here and there a shrub, and a few houses, but no good farms. The only fruit trees I saw worth mentioning were quinces; these were of large size, and many of them were loaded down with fruit. I should suppose this road ran through the most barren part of Jersey, as I could see no signs of thrift and industry.

Upon entering Phillipsburg we came upon a most beautiful country, abounding in hills and valleys, covered with forest trees, with here and there an excellent farm. The hills are high and smooth--no rocks to be seen upon the surface--thereby affording some of the finest situations for farming I ever saw. The scenery is most beautiful all the way through Pennsylvania on this line. In consequence of the unevenness of the surface through this part of the country, the railroad cuts are very frequent and extensive, some of them extending for a mile or more, and so deep that we could hardly see the top of the bank from the car window. The road, also, of necessity crosses ravines, some of them one hundred and fifty feet in depth. We arrived at Phillipsburg at five o'clock, P.M.; halted the trains, filled canteens, and relieved four or five apple trees of two or three bushels of fruit. Stopped at Phillipsburg until after dark, to allow trains of coal to pa.s.s, this being the great thoroughfare over which vast quant.i.ties of coal pa.s.s to Elizabethport, from the coal districts of Pennsylvania. After starting from Phillipsburg we moved along very slow, stopping often, and pa.s.sing frequently tremendous long trains of coal, drawn by powerful locomotives, two locomotives attached to many of the trains.

We arrived at Easton at nine o'clock Wednesday evening. Here I saw ca.n.a.l boats running for the first time, pa.s.sing and repa.s.sing one another, and learned we were upon the Schuylkill River,--and crossed this beautiful stream immediately after leaving this place.

After leaving Easton, we slept in the cars, as well as we could. Pa.s.sed through Reading in the night, and the next morning found ourselves close by, and at sunrise entered Harrisburg, the capital of Pennsylvania. It is not a very large place, but it is pleasantly situated, the neighborhood abounding in beautiful scenery. Stopped at this place, got out of the cars, crossed the ca.n.a.l, and formed in line; called the roll in the streets of Harrisburg, went immediately aboard of the cars again,--and, after a series of running ahead and backs, into and out of the depot, finally started, changing direction for Baltimore. The bridge crossing the Susquehanna at this place is a very fine structure; I should think it to be nearly a mile in length, and crosses the river at a height of nearly seventy feet above the surface of the water. The road lay close by the river for a long distance, affording us a fine view of this celebrated stream. I looked forward, with a great deal of interest, to the time of crossing the line into Maryland, expecting to see quite a change in the looks of things upon entering a slave state, judging from what I had heard. We crossed the line about twelve o'clock, and I found myself agreeably disappointed in the appearance of things.

Instead of seeing an abundance of negroes I hardly saw one. The houses are small and cheaply built, most of them, as they are indeed all the way from New York, but I could see no difference in the people; all I saw, on the whole route from New York, were not as well dressed, or as neat in appearance as they are in New England. The scenery, all the way to Baltimore, continued to be most beautiful, and the country appears to be well adapted, in all respects, to farming operations. I saw quite extensive fields of corn in Maryland and Pennsylvania; the corn was being carried outside of the fields, to be husked there, most of it, I should think, as I saw men busy in many places stripping off the husks and carrying it away. They manage to get their corn off in time to sow the same piece to grain. Several of the fields were already cleared of the corn, the grains sown and already up two and three inches high.

There seems to a New Englander a great lack of barns and other outbuildings in these States, but with the crops they raise perhaps they are not necessary.

We journeyed along very slow after leaving Harrisburg, stopping often for wood and water, also for trains to pa.s.s by us, &c. The road we found to be strictly guarded, long before we came to Baltimore, pa.s.sing company after company on picket duty along the road, who cheered as we went past. Feeling our way along, we came into Baltimore just at dark, Thursday evening, the 23d. Got out of the cars, the regiment was formed, and we proceeded through the streets of this city to our resting place for the night. Halted at the general rendezvous for soldiers long enough to take refreshments; sat down, unslung knapsacks, and commenced our supper, which consisted of coffee, white bread, beef, ham, tongue, sour krout, &c. Slung knapsacks, went from there to the depot, unslung knapsacks again, and camped for the night upon the depot floor. Drums beat at six o'clock, A.M., the 24th, for roll call; tumbled out of _bed_--the regiment was formed, and we went to breakfast, at the same place where we took supper the night before, which was but a short distance from the depot. After breakfast we marched back, formed in line in front of the depot; rested there until ten o'clock, then marched through the princ.i.p.al streets of the city; visited Washington Monument, a beautiful structure of white marble, surmounted by a statue of the _Great Chieftain_. Halted to rest around the base; then marched back, visiting the monument erected to the memory of those who fell at Fort McHenry in 1812, and formed in line where we started from, to wait and take the cars for Washington. Baltimore is indeed a fine place--no wonder the rebels envy us the possession of it. I saw some splendid buildings in the Monumental city.

We finally got aboard of the cars, and started for Washington, at five, P.M. Just before dark pa.s.sed the "Relay Station," where the Ma.s.sachusetts Eighth were encamped in 1861. Pa.s.sed picket after picket, guarding the road, their camp fires burning, lighting us up as we pa.s.sed along, and finally reached the great capital, at eleven, P.M. We proceeded immediately to our quarters, unslung knapsacks, then marched about forty rods to the "Soldiers' Retreat," where we took supper; then marched to our quarters, and at one o'clock, A.M., turned in. At half-past six we arose to look about us. It was indeed a pleasant morning, the sun was shining brightly, and every thing betokened a pleasant day. The first object that struck my eye was the Capitol, not more than quarter of a mile distant. It is yet unfinished, but nearer completion than I supposed it to be from what I had heard. At nine, A.M., with a few others, I went inside; stopped in the rotunda a while, to look at the paintings, and then pa.s.sed up a flight of marble steps leading into the right wing of the building, to get a view of the House of Representatives. We pa.s.sed through entries, and by reception rooms, the floors of which were of "stone mosaic," looking to all appearances like beautiful carpeting. The ceiling overhead was supported by marble pillars of exquisite design and finish, situated just inside of niches in the walls. The "House of Representatives" is a magnificent room, entirely beyond my powers of description. From thence we proceeded to the rotunda, and entered the left wing of the building by a flight of stairs, corresponding with those we had just left, the style of finish being the same along the whole pa.s.sage as of that leading to the House, in the other wing. This pa.s.sage leads to the "Senate Chamber." This room is somewhat different from that of the House, but rather plainer in its general appearance. The pillars supporting the galleries and ceiling are very numerous, of Egyptian marble, or something similar in appearance.

The walls and arches overhead are covered with fresco paintings, of great beauty and variety. We had but a short time allowed us to visit this place, and consequently did not see but a small portion of it. I had understood, that apart from the Capitol, the city was a miserable looking place. I do not see it in that light. There is certainly a great deal to do--a great deal yet unfinished--but it is certainly more of a place than it has been represented to be. A few years more and this will be a beautiful city; the present war already begins to tell upon it.

The business doing here necessarily in carrying on this war is creating a stimulus; buildings are going up, improvements are being made, and men of real business talent are encouraged to come here. The ball is set in motion, and this place, in a few years, will present a far different appearance from what it does at the present time.

I was hoping we might stop in Washington two or three days, but was disappointed. At eleven o'clock Sat.u.r.day, the 25th, we formed in line, pa.s.sed in front of the Capitol, down Pennsylvania Avenue, turned off to the right in the direction of Long Bridge, pa.s.sed Washington Monument, leaving it to the left of us, and forming in line opposite General Casey's head-quarters, to whose division we were a.s.signed, gave him three hearty cheers, and at twelve o'clock pa.s.sed on to Long Bridge, and into _Dixie_.

The Potomac is very broad and shallow at this place, except in the channel. It has the appearance of the flats on the sea coast, the water being but about six inches or a foot deep at the time of our crossing, showing a smooth, muddy bottom, covered with weeds, &c. After crossing, we proceeded about a mile up a hill, and came to a halt upon a plain. It was quite a warm, dusty day, and a rest at this time was very acceptable to us. Stopped half an hour, started again, proceeded about a mile farther, filed to the right, and forming our camp upon an eminence within sight of the dome of the Capitol, we pitched our tents, Sat.u.r.day night, just in time to shelter us from the rain, which the next day (Sunday the 26th) commenced pouring in torrents, and continued through the day and night.

We had twenty-two in our tent Sunday night; two of them slept immediately in the centre of the tent, just under the "cap." This "cap"

is a circular piece of cloth (peculiar to the "Sibley Tent") ingeniously contrived for the purpose of ventilation; it is easily moved by means of ropes which hang upon the outside, and the aperture which it covers can be made larger or smaller, at the pleasure of the occupants. As it happened it blew a gale in the night, and the "cap" not being properly fastened on, blew off, and the rain came down upon T----n and J----s, who turned out in the morning in rather a dilapidated condition.

Monday the 27th the storm blew over; at noon the sun came out; we dried our blankets, and Tuesday, the 28th, re-pitched our tents in regular order.

Sunday, November 2d, we received orders to move. Packed knapsacks, and at eleven, A.M., bade farewell to "Camp Chase," filed out into the road, and turning to the right, pa.s.sed on up a hill, and continued on in the direction of Fairfax. Pa.s.sed the Seminary buildings at twelve, M.

These buildings, so often spoken of in connection with this rebellion, are built of brick, with some pretension to beauty in their architecture; connected with the main building is a fine looking tower, from the summit of which the country can be seen for many miles around.

Upon an eminence, and almost hidden from view by the thick grove of trees surrounding them, they stand objects of interest to all acquainted with the history of this war. Six miles to the north of here, and partly in view, is the capital, from which place the course of the Potomac can be discerned for many miles, as it bears away to the south and east of us.

Leaving this place we descended a hill, and pa.s.sed the Common, which is a short distance south-east of the Seminary. This Common is now used as a burial place for soldiers. Each grave has a neat wooden slab, with the name of the deceased, the regiment and company to which he belonged painted upon it. Continuing along one-half a mile farther, we filed to the right up a steep hill, and at two, P.M., formed our camp again, and pitched our tents upon the top of it, on a level s.p.a.ce directly between two large houses, the owners of which are now in the rebel army, having left this beautiful situation to be occupied by our troops, and their houses to be used as hospitals, for the comfort of our sick and wounded soldiers. The road from "Fairfax Seminary" pa.s.sed along close by, on the side of the hill, our camp facing it towards the east. The city of Alexandria is one and a half miles to the east of us, and partly in view. The great highway from Alexandria to "Fairfax Court House," and Mana.s.sas, pa.s.sed our camp, running east and west, not more than fifty rods south of us, at right angles with the road pa.s.sing from the north, and connecting with it. This road was lined with ambulances, baggage wagons, &c., going to and from Alexandria, Fairfax Court House and Mana.s.sas, in the vicinity of which a portion of our army were at that time encamped. The railroad from Alexandria to Mana.s.sas was half a mile to the south of us in the valley, and ran parallel with the wagon road for two miles--then bore away farther to the south, as it rose the hills beyond. The trains were running night and day, carrying reinforcements and stores to our army. These roads were in full view of our camp for three or four miles. We could see the trains as they started from Alexandria, and could watch them as they continue their journey far to the west of us. The level s.p.a.ce on the top of this hill covers an area of perhaps six or seven acres, of an irregular shape. Our tents were pitched upon the southern point, and those of another regiment upon the northern part of the s.p.a.ce, at an elevation of perhaps two hundred feet above the level of the Potomac, which flows along in full view of us.

Across a deep valley to the north-west, and perhaps half a mile distant, was Fort Worth, and to the south of this fort, upon the wagon road, were "Cloud's Mills," so often spoken of during this rebellion.

The descent of the hill, towards the south and west was very steep. Its side was covered with springs, which afforded us plenty of water; and at the bottom of the valley, to the west, was a fine stream, running towards the south, originating in a spring at the foot of the hill, south of the Seminary buildings. The Seminary, Fort Worth, and our camp, were all on about the same elevation, forming half of a circle--the Seminary at the north, our camp on the south-eastern, and Fort Worth on the south-western point. Taking into consideration the surroundings and a.s.sociations connected with the situation, I think we could not have chosen a more pleasant or interesting place for our camp.

Monday, November 3d, the next day after forming our camp, we packed haversacks, and had our first experience in picket duty, our Company and Company G being detailed for that purpose. At half-past eight we filed down the hill, turned to the right, on the road to Mana.s.sas; pa.s.sed "Cloud's Mills" at nine, A.M., and continued on as far as "Bailey's Cross Roads," a place become familiar to us all in the history of this war. At this place we stopped, and fixed our quarters; posting our pickets along the road. We were fortunate in having pleasant weather while we were upon this duty.

The next day, at eleven, A.M., the reserve formed in line to receive the "New Guard," and at twelve o'clock we started for camp. Stopped when within half a mile, and discharged our pieces, which were heavily loaded with ball and buckshot, and at two, P.M., arrived again in camp, bringing in two prisoners, who by the way, however, proved to be loyal soldiers, without pa.s.ses.

Our camp was named "Camp Casey, near Fairfax Seminary," and we, with three other regiments, were encamped close to one other, formerly the first brigade of General Casey's Division, commanded by Colonel Wright, acting Brigadier-General. Our regiment was engaged in drilling, doing fatigue, picket and guard duty, which kept us busy. Fifty of our regiment were detailed November 7th to do fatigue duty in Fort Blenker, digging, shovelling, &c. The boys going out, came in at ten, A.M., driven in by the storm which was raging there. It commenced storming the 6th, and at ten, A.M., the next day it had culminated into an old-fashioned New England snow storm. The wind blew a gale; the air was very cold, and the snow, whirling about us, made our situation very uncomfortable, especially to those who were on guard, and exposed to its fury. B. was the only one from D. H. happening to be on guard, except W.

S., who volunteered to take another man's place for $1.25. I think he earned his money.