History of the Eleventh regiment, Rhode Island volunteers, in the war of the rebellion

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I I I STO KY

ELEVENTH REGIMENT,

RHODE ISLAM) VOLUNTEERS,

IN THK

WAR OF THK KEUELLIOK

!HY R-. \V. KOCK.

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Pl'BLISHKl) »Ya
ELEVENTH REGIMENT VETEllA X '

PROVIDENCE:

PKOVIDKNCK PRKfiS COMPANY, PKINTKRS.

1881.

5

PREFACE

THE history in the following pages has been prepared by the
undersigned, under the direction of a committee appointed by the
Eleventh Rhode Island Veteran Association, consisting of Com
rades William A. Mowry, Robert Fessenden, Ansel I). Xickerson,
Hopkins B. Cady and John C. Thompson.

It aims to give a simple and succinct narrative of the rise and
progress of the regiment from the first beginnings of recruiting to
the time of mustering out from the service of the United States.

The writer has drawn freely from the following sources of infor
mation, viz.:

The letters of Chaplain J. B. Gould to the Providence Journal,
of A. I). Nickerson to the Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle, of
" Equipment" to the Providence Journal, and the private diaries
and accounts of Comrades Mowry, Parkhurst, Fessenden, Stone,
(Jay, Bartlett, "NV. E. Simmons, Bowen, AVesteott, and others,
beside. the letters of R. W. Rock to the Providence Evening
I 'rests.

It would not be surprising if, after this history appears in
print, many interesting facts should be forthcoming. It is to be
hoped that any information hereafter brought to light may be
carefully collected and preserved in manuscript, if not in print.

J. C. THOMPSON.

M208966

0 O N T E X T S .

PART 1.

Introduction.

Enthusiasm in Recruiting, 2.

War Meetings. 5.

Filling the Companies. <!.

Companies I and K. 10.

Camp Stevens, 12.

Life at Camp Stevens, 12.

The Departure, 15.

Reception at New York, 17.

The Sail to South Amboy, 17.

By Rail to Baltimore, 18.

At Baltimore, 19.

In Washington, 20.

Camp at East Capitol Hill, 20.

March to Chain Bridge, 21.

First Camp on the " Sacred

Soil,1' near Chain Bridge, 22.
A Speech from the Colonel. 2:'>.
Fatigue Duty, 24.
A Sabbath in Camp, 2(5.
An Essay on Army Mules, 2S.
And Army Horses, 2l>.
Ordered into Cowden's Brigade,

Change of Camp, ,50.
" The Old Persimmon Tree," 31.
The Maine Law, 32.
I'p in the Morning Early. 32.
< >n the March to anew Camp. :>•'>.
Minrr'sHill. :*4.

Life at Miner's Hill, :I5.

Visitors — Brigade Review, 35.

Common Life, 3(5.

Letter-writing Sunday, .'57.

Division Review, 38.

The Drum Band, 38.

Contrasts, 3i).

AVinter Quarters, 41.

Sickness in Camp, 41.

Picket duty and the First Snow
Storm, 42.

Changes of Officers and Promo
tions, 4:5.

Col. Metcalf's Farewell. 4."..

(ray and Grave, 44.

Going to Church on Picket. 4<>.

The AVoodworth Family, 47.

Picket Experiences and Enjoy
ments on the Lewinsville
Road, 51.

Gen. Cowden's Headquarters —
Other Camps— Gen. Cowden,
57.

An Unpleasant Uncertainty, 5«».

Boxes from Home, (JO.

Who Goes There? (if).

The Weather — Dissolving
Views, 01.

P.akrd Beans and Roast Beef. i»l.

\ 1

HISTORY OF THE

" Thanksgiving," <>:>.

The Regimental Hospital ami
Brigade Changes, ('*>.

Skirmish and other Drill, ti".

Brigade Drill— Intense Cold,(W.

The Chapel, »>«.).

The Weather — Bathing — Quar
ters for Boxes, 70.

Various Events, 71.

Death of Hospital Steward
Pervear. 7->.

Merry Christmas in Camp, 74.
Mills' Cross Roads, 75.
Variety — New Year, 7H.
Rewiew of Three Months' Ser
vice, 7<».

New Year's and New Orders, HI.
Changes and Orders to Move, H2.
Preparations for Moving, n;i.
Selection of a Camp, 84.
The March from Miner's Hill, Ho.

PART II.

Camp Metealf, H7.

Quarters — Guaid duty, HH.

Col. Horatio Rogers ami Camp
Metcalf, H!>.

More Bad Weather — Improved
Quarters, !)2.

Pay-day and Changes, <>:5.

Cold Weather — Home Remem
brances—Music, !4.

Our Second Colonel's Farewell,
%.

Improvements — Visitors — Our
Hospital— Changes, JH».

Camp Convalescent, W.

The Lost Sheep— Camp Distri
bution and other Camps, 103.

Rev. Dr. Charles Hall's House,
104.

Amusing Scenes — Prizes and
Duties, 100.

Trades and Games, 10H.

Health — Promotions — Library —
Visitors, 10H.

Awake and Asleep, 10i>.

Presentations, 110.

Our Brass Band, 112.

Guard duty at Convalescent
Camp, 113.

A Storm — Return of the Wan
derers — Promotions, 11").

Our Third Colonel — Rumors, ll«i.

] )eath— A Storm— First Appear
ance of Col. Church — Six
Months' Service, US.

Fairfax Seminary Hospital, ll'.t.

Discipline — Pay — Marching
Orders, 121.

Farewell to Camp Convalescent
— Welcome the Potomac and
Chesapeake, 12'2.

Off for Norfolk and Suffolk —
Flag of the Cumberland, 125.

Suffolk and the Black water.
At the Front, 127.
What the Rebels tried to do-
Capture of a Rebel Battery, 12*.».
The Routine of the Eleventh,
131.

PART irr.

The Situation— Tin- Eleventh

Ready, 132.
The Crow's Nest at South Quay

Battery, 133.
Death — Inspection — Statistics,

136.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

Vll

Rain — Water Couch — Dignita
ries, i:'8.

More Light Wanted — Contra
bands — Reconnoissanee of the
One Hundred and Ninety-
ninth New York, 139.

A Disastrous Reconnoissanee,
140.

How the Siege of Suffolk was
Raised, 141.

An Illumination, 14;?.

Rebel Rifle Pits,— Rebel Relics
and Secesh People, 146.

People we Met, 147.

Routine—" Camp Perry "— Pig-
gerel, 148.

In the Field — The Deserted
House, 150.

The New Camp — Variety, 153.

Sunday — White Trash — Sere
nade to Gen. Corcoran, 154.

Reported Disaster to the Elev
enth—False Alarm and March
to Windsor, 155.

On the March — Windsor, 157.

The Eleventh in the Advance-
Skirmish with the Rebels, 158.

Back to Windsor— Cooking Ra
tions—Those Hams, !(>().

Barrett's Plantation, 1<>7.

Who was in Command? Ki!>.

Wonder of the Slaves at the
Music of the Band, 1<>1>.

Orderly Foraging, 170.

A Government Team becomes a
Chariot of Freedom, 171.

End of the Raid, 172.

Result, 173.

Some other things that we Ob
served, 174.

Routine — Attendance at the.
Episcopal Church— Dress-pa
rade, 175.

Gen. Terry — Great Service in
the Methodist Church, 17(5.

Contraband Service — Another
Shampaign, 178.

Second Raid to the Blackwater,
179.

Reflections, 183.

Away for Yorktown, 184.

Camp at Yorktown, 185.

The March for AVilliamsburg,
18(5.

Homeward Bound, 188.

Another Death — Waiting for the
Final Order, 180.

Nearest to Richmond, 11)0.

On Duty after Date, 1!K).

For Home, Sweet Home, 1!>1.

The Stowage of the "John
Rice," 15)1.

A Sad Event, 192.

The Glorious Fourth, 193.

Reception of the Eleventh Reg
iment, 197.

Appendix, 201.

The Twelfth Regiment, 217.

THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

PART I.
MIXER'S HILL.

Ix that dark period of the war of the rebellion, between
the seven days' battles before Richmond and the battle of
Antietam, the temper and patience of the loyal north were
tried to the utmost. The practical change of commanders
from McClellan to Pope, who was placed in command of the
Army of Virginia, which at first raised the hopes of the
naturally hopeful, brought only bitter disappointment and
dissatisfaction in the final result. The government saw the
need of a far larger army, and, rising to the emergency,
called for three hundred thousand three years' troops. In
obedience also to a popular theory which suddenly sprung
up and rapidly gained ground, that a large force of nine
months' men could readily be obtained, and if put into the
field at once would probably bring the war to a close, three
hundred thousand nine months' volunteers were called for,
and a proclamation was made that if by the 15th of August,
1862, the necessary quota from each State was not forth
coming, a draft would be resorted to.

As the condition of affairs grew more threatening, and
tin- prospect of a speedy triumph over the rebels seemed
more unlikely, the people at home began to look matters
squarely in the face. The public journals presented the

"HISTORY OF THE

exigencies of the situation in the plainest language, and
urged the people of all classes to prompt and continuous
effort.

The single act of the government in calling out an addi
tional force of six hundred thousand troops astonished and
measurably shook the faith of the enemy in their final tri
umph, while at the same time the spirit of the Northern
people gave token that, although the Union army had been
foiled in its most important movements; they were by no
means disposed to give up the contest.

In this juncture the whole population of Rhode Island
awakened to a clearer sense of the magnitude of the work,
and began to stir each other up, until, as war meeting after
war meeting was held and an almost universal disposition on
the part of many to make sacrifices was manifested, the
excitement rose to fever heat.

Rliode Island's quota of the six hundred thousand volun
teers called for, was twenty-four hundred men, and the
Eleventh and Twelfth regiments of nine months' men, raised
and equipped in a very brief period, formed a large part of
that quota.

It may as well be noted here that though in the language
of the government, the Eleventh and Twelfth nine months'
regiments were accepted "in lieu of drafted men," and, in
the distribution of bounties after the war closed, were so
treated, every man was a volunteer. In fact, most, if not
all of them, would have scorned to have entered the service
in any other way. The class of men that composed the
Eleventh regiment could not have been obtained by draft,
and the authorities at Washington were only too ready to
accept them, though Congress, notwithstanding the efforts
of our Senators and Representatives to prevent it, discounted
their more valuable services on the technical plea that they
were accepted in the place of drafted men.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 3

In an account of the services of the Eleventh regiment of
Rhode Island volunteers in the "Great American Conflict,"
we shall tell the story of an arduous service but not of a
regiment celebrated for its many battles with the enemy, for
they were not permitted by the controlling powers to enter
into any general engagement. A strong desire was mani
fest, however, on the part of each of its commanders to be
ordered to the front. An earnest and special endeavor was
made by its second colonel to induce the War Department
in Washington to execute this order, that the laurels of war
might be obtained by a regiment whose morale has been
rarely excelled. But, as evidence will be given in these
pages, the Eleventh was retained by the government for
three months for a service which no other regiment alone
could have performed, and the fighting honors, which both
officers and men were anxious to win, were denied them.
They were sent to the front in the last three months of their
service, when, in April, 1863, Longstreet with an estimated
force of thirty thousand men attempted the capture of Suf
folk. They rendered efficient service in that siege and in
the pursuit of the retreating enemy to the Blackwater river.
Subsequently they were employed at Yorktown and Wil-
liamsburg. For all this they received the hearty approval
of the generals commanding.

ENTHUSIASM IN RECRUITING.

On the day that President Lincoln issued his call for three
hundred thousand three years' men, and three hundred thou
sand nine months' men, August 4th, 1862, a very large and
enthusiastic war meeting was held in Market Square, Provi
dence, presided over by the Mayor of the city, Hon. Jabez
C. Knight, supported by a large number of Vice-Presidents

HISTORY OF THE

from the most prominent men of the city and State. Ad
dresses were made by the following distinguished citizens of
Rhode Island and eminent speakers from abroad : Gov.
Sprague, Bishop Clark, President Sears, of Brown Univer
sity ; Rev. A. L. Stone, of Boston, Mass. ; John L. Swift,
Esq., of Boston, Mass. ; Gen. Isaac Rodman, Rev. Harris
Howard, Gen. C. C. Van Zandt, Rev. Augustus Woodbury,
Hon. Thomas A. Jenckes, Hon. Abraham Payne, ex-Mayor
Rodman, and Col. Nicholas Van Slyck.

Thus began a new spirit of recruiting in behalf of old and
new regiments, which did not abate until Rhode Island had
contributed more than her share of soldiers ready to fight
the battles of the Union. This grand mass meeting was
followed in a few weeks by a succession of meetings in the
Academy of Music in Providence, supplemented by meetings
in the various wards of the city and by still other meetings
held in Roger Williams Hall with special reference to rais
ing companies by the Young Men's Christian Association.
In conjunction with these efforts large numbers of citizens
gave themselves up to the business of encouraging enlist
ments ; places of business were closed for a period at three
o'clock in the afternoon, recruiting officers with drummers
and fifers paraded the streets, and there was one grand patri
otic revival. The spirit to enter the country's service in her
hour of danger ran from heart to heart, and the good impulse
rapidly filled the quota of the State.

The wealth of the city and towns was laid upon the altar
of patriotism, in order that provision might be made for the
families and friends of those who enlisted. The fact that
the government was about to draft if volunteers were not
immediately forthcoming, brought into prominence the
thought of the hardships that many families must undergo
if their chief support were taken away, and this raised the

ELKVKXTII HK<!IMKXT. 5

question at once, what should be done by those who remained
behind to aid the families of those who would either volun
teer or else be compelled to enter the army ? What should
the State, the city, and what should individuals do?* As a
draft was greatly deprecated, bounties were offered by the
towns and by the State to encourage men to enter the re°i-
ments whose ranks had been thinned by battle and disease, and
when recruiting for nine months' men began, and it became
apparent that many men who had families were willing to
enlist from patriotic motives, the enthusiasm to make this
provision was equal to the emergency, and took tangible
form in a succession of war meetings, before alluded to,
held in the Academy of Music.

WAR MEETINGS.

The first of these was held September 8th, 18G2. A large
audience assembled, eloquent addresses were made and a
committee was appointed, with instructions to report at an
adjourned meeting one week from date, what should be
done. The second meeting was held September loth, and
the report of the committee recommended that four dollars
per week should be provided for each family and that seventy
thousand dollars should be raised by voluntary subscription.
The enthusiasm of this meeting reached its height when one

* Bounties were offered by the different towns in the State, varying in amount
from one hundred to five hundred dollars for each recruit. In some towns an
additional sum per week was added for the families of enlisted men. This
action of the towns produced dissatisfaction, and Governor Sprague convened
the Legislature to consider this and other matters pertaining to the war. The
Legislature at that session voted from the State, a bounty of one hundred and
fifty dollars for each nine months' volunteer. The citizens of Providence by
subscription provided eighty-five dollars for each recruit. The City Council
voted four dollars per week for the families of the men, all of which, with the
government pay for nine months, amounted, for the men enlisted from Provi
dence, to $508.

0 1IISTOKY OF THE

of the speakers* began with the remark, "I am in favor
of the marriage of muscle and money," and, at the conclu
sion of his address, which called forth the wildest applause,
a well-known wealthy citizen f stepped to the front of the
platform and offered one thousand dollars. This was fol
lowed by another offer of like amount, and still another,
until twenty-four or twenty-five thousand dollars had been
pledged. A committee was then appointed to solicit further
contributions, and the meeting was adjourned for one week.
At that meeting, September 22d, the committee reported that
more than sixty-nine thousand dollars had been secured.
With this assurance to the men who were ready to take their
lives in their hands and do battle for their country, the ten
companies of the Eleventh Rhode Island were almost imme-'
diately filled and the Twelfth regiment was well advanced.
The war meetings in the various wards began September
10th, and were continued from week to week, enthusiasm
being aroused by stirring speeches and lively martial music.
Pawtucket and Central Falls held similar meetings and con
tributed two companies for this regiment.

FILLING THE COMPANIES.

As nearly as we can ascertain, recruiting for the Rhode
Island Eleventh began in August, 1802, and the honor of
enlisting the first recruits belongs to Lieut. William Stone and
Lieut. M. O. Darling. Lieut. Stone's recruiting station was
at Hoyle Tavern. These recruits were sent to Camp Stevens,
on Dexter Training Ground, in Providence. Lieut. Stone
having experience in drill, was assigned by Capt. A. C.

* Rev. Sidney Deun.

t Hon. Henry Lippitt. The same gentleman also offered a thousand dollars
to the ward that would raise the tirst company.

ELEVENTH REGIMEXT. 7

Eddy, who was in command of this cam]), to the duty of
organizing and drilling the different companies as they arrived
on the ground.

Companies A, C, I), E, G, and II were recruited in the
third, fourth, fifth, seventh, sixth, second, and first wards
of the city of Providence, under the stimulus of meetings
held in the different ward-rooms, and in a number of instances,
in the open air, addressed by prominent officials, business,
professional and military men, — some just from the fire of
conflict and at home to recruit their regiments. Street parades
were made and bands of music added their inspiration.

The headquarters of Company A, of the third ward, was
in their ward-room on South Main street. War meetings
were constantly held in the ward-room, and in the open air
at the junction of South Main and Wickenden streets.
Shepard's Cornet Band furnished music on several of these
occasions.

The war meetings of the fourth ward were held in their
ward-room, then located where the City Hall now stands.
The recruits of the fourth and fifth wards formed Company
C, Capt. Charles H. Parkhurst, and prominent in the efforts
for recruiting were Messrs. Parkhurst, Davidson and C. F.
Phillips.

The fifth ward pitched a recruiting tent on the old training
ground adjoining the Beneficent Church, now called Abbott
Park. • Open-air war meetings were held there and in the
ward-room, addressed by speakers aglow with enthusiasm.

Company D, Capt. Gordon, was composed mainly of
seventh- ward recruits, and we believe a portion of those
recruited for the sixth ward. Lively and enthusiastic war
meetings were held in the ward-room.

Company E was formed of sixth ward recruits. Messrs.
William E. Stone and M. (). Darling recruited two hundred

S HISTORY OF THE

and eight men tor the Eleventh and Twelfth regiments.
Their tents were at the Hoyle Tavern and at the junction of
Broadway and High street, in Olneyville. James II. Hud
son also recruited here. To encourage enlistments war
meetings were held in the ward-room and in the open air at
the junction of Broadway and High street. This company
received the one thousand dollars offered by Hon. Henry
Lippitt to the company that should first have its full comple
ment of enlisted men. The full number was obtained on
Wednesday, September 24th, 1862, at eleven o'clock. Com
pany G filled their quota at twelve o'clock on the same day,
but Mr. Lippitt decided that the award belonged to Com
pany E.

Company G, Capt. Thomas, formed the second ward com
pany. A recruiting tent was pitched on the east side of the
Great Bridge. Enthusiastic war meetings were held to
encourage recruiting. It was but an hour behind Company
E in enlisting the requisite number of men.

The first ward company, H, was recruited by Capt. Joel
Metcalf, whose office was in a building where the bell-tower
now stands at the junction of Benefit and North Main streets.
Open-air war meetings were held in that locality, and a suc
cession of spirited meetings to stimulate enlistments were
held in the ward-room. Martial music aided to increase the
enthusiasm.

In the various wards, war meetings were held in the after
noon as well as in the evening. Street parades were made,
as before stated, places of business were closed in the latter
part of September after three o'clock in the afternoon, that
the people might give themselves more fully to the work.

Companies B and F were recruited from Pawtucket, east
side, and Smithfield or Central Falls, and from Pawtucket,
west side, then in North Providence. Great exertions were

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 9

made by these towns to fill their quotas, and much enthusiasm
was finally awakened in the effort.

Capt. C. W. Thrasher and Lieut. Thomas Moies were
chiefly instrumental in recruiting Company B in Pawtucket
and Central Falls. Charles II. Scott, afterwards sergeant-
major of the Eleventh, was a recruiting officer and recruited
for this company.

Capt. Taft and Lieut. Beatty had a recruiting rendezvous
at Armory Hall, Pawtucket, and enlisted men for Company
F, called then the North Providence Company.

Enthusiasm in raising men for the nine months' regiments
grew somewhat slowly, but increased greatly in the month of
September. A Avar meeting was held August 22d, addressed
by C. B. Farnsworth, Rev. Dr, Blodgett, W. W. Blodgett,
C. W. Thrasher, and others, but no great interest was
awakened. This was followed early in September by a grand
military display and parade, in which five companies partici
pated. A succession of war meetings were held in Armory
Hall, one of the largest meetings being addressed by Gov.
Sprague, Francis W. Miner, Rev. Drs. Clapp and Swain,
Revs. Lyman Whiting and Sidney Dean, Dr. G. S. Stevens,
Chaplain Wocrdbury, William M. Rodman, Major Edwin
Metcalf and Capt. William B. Weeden.

At this meeting it was^ voted to meet for drill on the com
mon at three o'clock in the afternoon and to close stores arid
places of business at the same hour until the quotas of North
Providence, Pawtucket and Smithfield were filled.

Companies B and F were full on or before the 19th of
September, 18G2, which was five days earlier than the first
of the ward companies of Providence was reported full. A
company fund of one thousand dollars was provided for
Company B, by the patriotic citizens of Pawtuckef and Cen
tral Falls. Provision was also made for the families of
volunteers.

10 HISTORY OF THE

COMPANIES I AND K.

Messrs. Joseph H. Kendrick, William A. Mowry, Albert
C. Howard and Edwin II. Burlingame were the first movers
in the formation of Companies I and K. The plan of
raising companies from the Young Men's Christian Asso
ciation was suggested by Messrs. Kendrick and Mowry, after
the former had been considering the question of enlisting in
a company organized for the Twelfth regiment by Capt.
C. Henry Alexander.

At a meeting of the Board of Managers of the Young
Men's Christian Association held September 2d, 1802, to
consider this subject, J. II. Kendrick was appointed recruit
ing officer, and recruiting began in the lecture-room of the
Association. For some days little progress was made, but
when it became known that the city would make provision
for the families of those who enlisted, and that the City
Council and State made further provision, Companies I and
K were filled in two or three davs, and a part of Capt.
Cheney's company for the Twelfth regiment.

This movement was stimulated by large and spirited war
meetings in Roger Williams Hall, on the llth of Septem
ber, in the afternoon, and on the loth of September, in the
evening.

At the meeting on the llth, addresses were made by
ex-Mayor Rodman, Dr. Swain, Bishop Clark, Revs. Lyman
Whiting and J. B. Gould, Rev. Mr. Keyser and Rev. Sid
ney Dean, and at the close of the meeting it was announced
that at the next meeting the speakers would all be volunteers.

The second meeting was held September 15th, in the
evening. John Kingsbury, Esq., presided. Addresses were
made by W. A. Mowry, J. II. Kendrick, II. E. Simmons,
Edward C. Coggeshall and F. P. Brown. The Orpheus

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 11

Club sang spirited patriotic sonars, and "'Joe Greene" added
the charm of his bugle.

As an illustration of the character of the addresses made
by volunteers in the Association companies, we add a brief
account, not reported in the daily papers at the time :

At this meeting a gentleman* who had that day enlisted,
was called out and spoke substantially as follows : " It is
clearly the duty of some to enlist and devote themselves to
their country. The unity of the nation must be preserved.
One section of the country must not be permitted to conspire,
in the interest of slavery, for the overthrow of this great
republic, and carry their conspiracy to a successful issue.
We are to-day making for future ages an important chapter
in the history of the world's advancement. Who shall
volunteer for the war? Many say, 'I can go, because 1
have no wife and children to leave at home.' Fellow
citizens, I wish to say to you, to-day, that I shall go to the
war because I have a wife and two boys to leave at home.
I am unwilling that, in the years to come, when this chapter
in our country's history has been closed up, when those boys
of mine shall ask me, i Father, what did you do in the
war? ' I shall be obliged to say, 'nothing ; I staid at home.'
No patriotic father who can go, should be obliged to tell his
boys that."

As might be expected, this short speech "brought down
the house." Many persons to-day remember that remark.

Rev. James C. White, pastor of the Free Congregational
Church, Roger Williams Hall, delivered an address to the
Young Men's Christian Association volunteers, Sunday,
September 21st, taking for his text, " Cursed be he that
dot-til the work of the- Lord deceitfully," from Jeremiah
48th chapter, 10th verse.

*Capt. William A. Mowry.

12 HISTORY OF THE

On the 23d of September, these companies marched to
Camp Stevens headed by the Mayor, Hon. Jabez C. Knight,
Col. Metcalf and Chaplain Gould, all mounted, accompanied
by Shepard's Cornet Band, citizens and friends.

CAMP STEVENS.

On the 10th day of September, 1862, a camp was formed
by order of the Adjutant General of the Rhode Island
militia, on Dexter Training Ground in Providence, and as
fast as recruited, most of the enlisted men of the Eleventh
regiment proceeded to that rendezvous. Capt. A. C. Eddy
was commandant of this camp, which was named Camp
Stevens, in honor of Gen. Isaac Ingalls Stevens, who had
recently fallen in battle.

As the companies were filled they, in some instances,
voted for their own commissioned and non-commissioned
officers, and in most, if not all cases, these preferences were
respected bv the Governor and authorities in command.
Numbers of the men who were enlisted in August or in the
early part of September, were not required to go into camp
at once, and therefore it was not until the close of September
that all the men were on the ground.

LIFE AT CAMP STEVEXS.

From the day of their arrival at Camp Stevens until their
departure, the men were drilled in the duties and evolutions
of the soldier ; but the boys could always manage to mix some
fun with the sober duties of every day. There was guard
and police duty ; squad, company and battalion drill, and
drill in the manual of arms for beginners ; for a large
proportion could not readily handle a musket, but could far

ELEVENTH K'K(JIMEXT. 13

more easily smoke a pipe. Then came the inevitable dress-
parade, at which, in due time, the Eleventh became unusu
ally expert. In all the.se exercises the improvement conse
quent upon continual practice was marked alid satisfactory.
Many had their first experience in drawing and eating
government rations, in wearing government clothes, in
washing at the pump upon a cool morning, in running the
guard at night and stealing back in the gray dawn, and in
all the pranks incidental to such a lite.

Every day brought a great influx of visitors, and the fre
quent greetings of friends when the men were off duty, and
many a comfort and remembrance, cheered the boys on these
occasions. There were ludicrous experiences, too, which
might be related if space would permit. Who can forget a
memorable rainy Sunday, when everything was afloat, when
faces were long and sleep at night decidedly uncomfortable,
with enough of hardship to give a hint of what might be
expected in actual service. On this same day, the 28th of
September, the regiment attended divine service in the
Mathewson Street Methodist Church, and listened to a' dis
course from the Rev. Sidney Dean, whose text on that occa
sion was from Isaiah 41st chapter, 9th and 10th verses:
"Thou art my servant ; I have chosen thee, and not cast
thec away. Fear thou not; for I am with thee; be not
dismayed ; for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee ; yea,
I will help thee ; yea, 1 will uphold thee with the right hand
of my righteousness." Topic: The mission of the loyal
American soldier, and the qualifications necessary to ensure
his success.

The regiment performed honorable duty on the 4th of
October as escort at the funeral obsequies of Gen. Isaac
Hodman, of South Kingstown, an unselfish patriot who
began his career as a soldier by raising a company of volun-

14 HISTOKV OF THK

tcors for the Second Rhode Island regiment. He was chosen
their captain and fought bravely at the first battle of Bull
Run. He followed the fortunes of Burnside in his North
Carolina campaign, and in ten months rose to the rank of
brigadier general. At the battle of Antrctam he fell, mor
tally wounded, while acting as commander of the Third
Division of the Ninth Corps.

The last Sunday in Camp Stevens was passed in the recep
tion of visitors and of friends generally. Jn the morning
the Christian Association companies held religious services,
to which all were invited. '

Monday, October 6th, the day of departure, was a day of
great preparation and confusion ; of business transactions ;
of the reception of a few last comforts and mementos with
which to overload knapsacks ; of the mustering into the
United States service, by Capt. Silvey, of the United States
army ; of the presentation of an elegant set of colors to the
regiment, by the ladies of Providence ; of receiving a por
tion of the bounty ; of farewells and sad partings with those
who 5vere near and dear, and with whom some would meet
no more on earth.

Nothing marred the history of the regiment up to this
date but the failure to receive all the money that had been
promised to the men before their departure. This failure to
receive the promised bounty led Company G, parts of Compa
nies H, A and E, to remain behind, rather than trust the
promises of those authorities in which all the other compa
nies were ready to put confidence. Those who remained
behind until the next day ought not, however, to be greatly
blamed for demanding an exact fulfillment of the contract.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 15

THE PKI'AiriTKK.

With knapsack and banner and drum, after a deal of
preparation, we left Camp Stevens as the sun descended below
the horizon, and marched to the cars at Olneyville. The
men, in good spirits, went singing on their way, and multi
tudes of people, of both sexes, friends and citizens, thronged
the line of march and waved and cheered them on. The
short march over, after a tedious waiting for the cars, and a
necessarily long time in getting places, all were seated; the
signal was given, and a long train of twenty or more cars
rolled out of sight of home and friends ; the great -back bur
dens, unwittingly overloaded by kind friends and the boys
themselves, resting on the bottom of the cars.

The men went onward, in a jolly mood, till calming
down as night advanced, wearied by the exertions and excite
ment of the day, they were constrained to sleep as best they
might.

About midnight we reached Groton, and in due time
marched on board the steamer Commonwealth. Up to the
time of reaching New York, next morning, no trouble had
been experienced on account of scarcity of rations, or of
their inferior quality. In Camp Stevens we had been well
supplied with good and substantial food. We could not tell
of meat .so lively that it crawled out of our haversacks and
crawled overboard; nor of bread so hard that it must* be
broken with a hammer before it could be eaten. A history
of the regiment that preceded us must suffice for tales of that
sort. Our trip thus far was altogether too pleasant to lead
us to complain very loudly about anything. We only men
tion the fact that Companies I and K, Capts. Kendrick and
Mowry, and others, were unexpectedly treated to a deck
passage through some lack of preparation, or misfortune, or

1(5 HISTORY OF THE

mismanagement of some sort. This was not the way the
boys were accustomed to go to New York. Owing to dirt
and bad smells in some localities it was very disagreeable,
and to some it seemed unbearable. Complaints about this
were as abundant as leaves in autumn and as sharp as the
crack of a. rifle. It is pleasant to know, however, that our
excellent and estimable Colonel and our gentlemanly Cap
tains came in for no share of such maledictions. It seemed
evident, however, that we were not considered second-class
passengers, for the men were allowed all the privileges of
other passengers, not the least of which were the fine accom
modations for washing, which these splendid boats afforded,
to which we did ample justice in the morning.

There was, however, enough to amuse as well as to com
plain of. As the time of retiring came, every man cast
about for the best spot ; the principal aim of some being to
get good air. Hard beds were not feared, lint desirable places
for locating them were at a premium. Here was an Orderly
wedged into the smallest possible space on the deck side of
the ladies' cabin, while another gentleman, well known in
educational circles, lay down in the most approved style1 on
the other side. Two narrow passages on each side of this
door, sufficient, if one took off all superfluous clothing, to
accommodate two persons, were Jield above par, and the rev
erend gentleman who occupied one- led, declared it could not
be. parted with short of a "quarter." Friends at home
would have laughed heartily if they could have seen this
group of a do/en or more, and known who they were.
But sleep soon overcame us, and all passed into the land of
dreams to awake quite refreshed in the morning. The floor
of the gentlemen's cabin and the saloon were tilled with men
who passed the night as comfortably, certainly, as in their
tents on the camp ground.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 17

We reached New York soon after nine o'clock. A bright
morning sun made glorious the landscape as we passed up
the Narrows. As we approached the city we had a fine view
of the monster " Great Eastern." The men were in excel
lent humor and ready for another day's journey.

RECEPTION AT NEW YORK.

Immediately upon landing we proceeded to the steamer
Joseph Belknap, which was to take us in due time to South
Amboy. Here the regiment deposited their knapsacks and
marched back to Castle Garden barracks. The sun was
warm and grew still hotter as the day advanced. A detail
of New York police watched over us while we waited as
patiently as possible for our breakfast. A donation from
somebody, consisting of bad ham, soup, bad coffee and bad
bread, utterly unfit for a Rhode Island soldier or any one else,
and wholly unworthy of, if not disgraceful to, the great
and wealthy city of New York, was served to us on this
occasion. Fruits, including peaches and other refreshments,
were freely bought by the men to supply the place of these
detestable rations. We gained a good reputation in this
brief stay, for the New York police declared us the best
behaved regiment that had passed through their city.

THE SAIL TO SOUTH AMBOY.

At one o'clock we were again on board the Joseph Belknap,
.and soon on our way to South Amboy. The sail was fine
all the way, and proved one of the richest sweets among the
bitter that must mingle on such a journey. Down New
York bay we passed, and along the beautiful shore of Staten
Island, lined with its delightful villas, while innumerable
groups of ladies, gentlemen and children upon the shore, gave

18 HISTORY OF THE

us the heartiest of greetings and made the entire passage
an ovation. AVe steamed through Newark bay with its
attractive surroundings, and entered the Kill Von Kull open
ing by a deep and narrow passage into the South Bay, and
at about half-past two o'clock landed at South Amboy.

ItV HAIL TO BALTIMOKK.

Iii due season we seated ourselves in the meanest string of
cars that ever pretended to be passenger cars. They appeared
to have been made in the time of the flood. They were
dirty, without cushioned seats, no backs, and other features
wholly indescribable. On we went through the afternoon
and- evening, arriving at Camden about ten o'clock. We
were ferried across the river to Philadelphia and found our
selves, about eleven o'clock, marching for the Cooper's Shop
Refreshment Saloon, where so many hundreds of Union
regiments had been generously and nobly entertained. The
opportunity to refresh ourselves with a copious application
of clean water was not the least of our blessings at this time.
The bill of fare consisted of boiled ham, Bologna sausages,
excellent bread, butter, cheese, pickles, and invigorating hot
coffee. When we had concluded our repast the rousing
cheers of the men for everybody and everything connected
with the establishment, told how fully the reception was
appreciated. "God bless Philadelphia," was in the mouth
of every man in the regiment, and words cannot tell how
deeply we were impressed with so glorious a reception ; for,
though it was past midnight as we marched to the cars for
Baltimore, flags in abundance were waved over our heads
and hundreds of people were in the streets to cheer us on
the way and bid us God-speed.

About one o'clock we took freight cars, having a seat

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 19

around the outside and one in the middle, for Baltimore. It
was an enchanting moonlight night, revealing dimly the
beauty of the country through which we passed. At day-
dawn we reached Perryville, at the head of Chesapeake bay,
Havre de Grace being on the opposite bank. About half of
the train passed over quite early, and the remainder about
half-past six o'clock. The hour or more of delay was a
season of no little enjoyment. Here we met the Eighteenth
Connecticut and exchanged friendly greetings. The scene
up and down the river was charming, and we were treated
to a sunrise beautiful beyond description. The ride to Balti
more, which city we reached about ten o'clock Wednesday,
was full of pleasure tempered slightly by delays when other
trains had the right of way.

AT BALTIMORE.

Leaving the cars about eleven o'clock, we were soon
enveloped in clouds of dust, marching through long and
muddy streets, under the rays of a burning sun, and, as it
seemed to the men, an unnecessarily long route, to the cars for
Washington. It tried the men to the utmost. We were
halted at the depot and thence marched to the refreshment
saloon provided for the volunteers of the Union, where we
partook of an excellent and substantial repast from well-laid
tables, and, as at Philadelphia, we were treated like men.
A great many Union flags, some of them splendid affairs,
were displayed on the line of march through the city, and
the kind treatment we received at the hands of the citizens
of the Monumental City was an agreeable disappointment.
We started in box cars at three o'clock for Washington, pass
ing through a fine country, ran for seventeen miles, and then,
lest we should interfere with other trains, waited until eight

20 HISTORY OF THE

o'clock. The evening was tine, and the camp tires reveal
ing several regiments which we passed on our route, lent
additional beauty to the scenery. At eleven o'clock we
were in Washington, at the Soldiers' Home. A not very
palatable meal was provided, but rather better than we had
been led to anticipate. An hour and a half later we retired
to rest in the barracks near the Capitol. Few of the men,
during this tedious journey, had eight hours' sleep, but they
bore it with great good humor, officers and privates sharing
very much alike. The men were allowed large liberty on
the whole route, and proved themselves worthy of the confi
dence.

IN WASHINGTON.

Robin Hood and his merry men could hardly have been a
merrier set of fellows than the thousand men from the homes
of Little Rhodv, that awoke on Thursday morning, October
9th, refreshed by a few hours' sleep, after a journey of nearly
five hundred miles. At seven o'clock, the reveille aroused
us from our slumbers and we made preparation for the day's
duties. A soldier's toilet was quickly made, and breakfast was
served to each man individually. The few hours before we
fell into line were faithfully improved. Letter-writing was
almost universal. Sight-seeing was enjoyed by many. Some
fell into the hands of barbarians and returned to their fellows
looking much like monkeys minus a caudal appendage.
About twelve o'clock we took up our line of inarch over a
hot and dusty road, Col. Metcalf ahead and on foot, and at
about half-past one o'clock halted on East Capitol Hill.

CAMP AT EAST CAPITOL HILL.

It will not soon be forgotten that this hill was composed
of a clayey material, like polishing-powder, hard beneath

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 21

tin* surface, very muddy when wet, and when dry, movable
as the sands of the desert. We were near the east branch
of the Potomac. The afternoon was idly spent, and towards
night many enjoyed the privilege of bathing.

Here we had our first experience of sleeping without
shelter, under the broad canopy of heaven. It was rather
startling to some, but down we went, officers and men slept
like tops, and awoke in the morning with blankets wet with
dew on the outside, but bodies warm beneath. The tents
arrived and were speedily pitched in the sun-dried soil, and,
notwithstanding rain in the afternoon, and hard rain at
night, on leafy or hay beds we slept warm and soundly, ,

In the morning the boys prepared it/ 511"* k'e*. tfe', best; <j!f ',ijt».'
Some rations were cooked ; the balance ' ^'f J)Qivit,y,».p\)tatn<?d
from Pamaster-General Knight, of ProVklifHtfe ) rkt'Vertrft- '

Knight

cates for four dollars per week for the soldiei^ fc
received, when the order came to " strike tehn*s"'ptvck" k'nap-
sacks, and prepare to march." The line was rapidly formed,
and at three o'clock the Eleventh was waiting for orders.
This camp was nicknamed Camp Misery and Camp Desola
tion, and no tear was shed in taking leave. The regiment
had been ordered, the night before, into Gen. Casey's Divis
ion and Col. Burnham's Brigade. The Twenty-second
Connecticut were encamped to the north of us and formed
on the right of the line.

MARCH TO CHAIN BRIDGE.

We moved at half-past three o'clock for an unknown des
tination. The Connecticut boys stepped quickly to the beat
of the drum through Pennsylvania avenue, past the Capi
tol, past the "White House," through streets slippery with
mud, and no word of halt. It was too much. The men

'22 HISTORY OF THE

took the sidewalks despite the urgings of officers, who also
aided some of the man in carrying their knapsacks ; not till
then came the word •» halt," and the wliole line at once sought
door-steps, curb-stones and every available resting place.

Heavy maledictions fell upon the head of the Connecticut
Colonel. The Rhode Island boys had this satisfaction, that
on the whole route they did not come out second best. There
was no more driving. In passing through Georgetown the
roads grew rougher and muddier, till we were compelled to
move in single file. Chain Bridge, which we were to cross,
seemed like a butterfly which we should never catch, but it
was, reached and crossed at last, and we ascended the heights
'•Gn^tb'ciotb^'.skVb^JE'pth1 steeper than College street in Provi-
dept'e; ; with -a, brisk .step and no lagging. A few steps farther
and we WhoVK'il irplpid on to a side hill, halting near the One
iiumfred' 'iffyl* -Twenty-seventh Pennsylvania ; and with no
tents' witliin' iiiH'es of us on a cold, damp night, about half-past
eight o'clock, we gladly sought rest on the bosom of mother
earth. So much for the first four hours, ten miles knapsack
march. Older soldiers declared that the regiment had done
well.

FIRST CAMP ON THE SACRED SOIL NEAR CHAIN BRIDGE.

Sunday morning, early, on account of the damp and cold,
the men built large camp-fires of fuel from the trees that
had been felled for military purposes, and made themselves
comfortable. It was a line, woody country, with many a
gorge and brook and dell to make it romantic.

With the crackers and meat of the dav before, some coffee
was provided, with little or no sugar, and in spite of the
unpleasant weather, the men were very cheerful.

ELEVENTH KEGLMEKT. 23

f'AMP NEAR FORT ETHAN ALLEN.

At ten o'clock we again fell into liiii', inarched about t\vo
miles and encamped near Fort Ethan Allen, the givat dome
of the Capitol looming up to the east of us. The various
companies pitched their tents, policed the streets of a former
camp, made comfortable beds of juniper boughs, and between
four and five o'clock prepared a meal cooked by the com
pany cooks, consisting of salt beef, potatoes, French turnips
and coffee. It being Sunday, by invitation of Capt. Ken-
drick, as many as could be accommodated, held a religious
meeting in the early part of the evening, in his tent.

The next day, the 13th of October, the usual routine of
drill, dress-parade, and regimental religious service was
begun. There was a lack, however, of regular rations. For
breakfast, coffee with sugar, and ham was provided ; at
noon, hard-tack and water; at night, a few crackers.
Water was obtained at the springs near by. The scarcity
of rations made the sutlers' patronage greater, and prices
seemed to go up as rations got down. Ten cents were paid
for common candles ; twenty-one cents per pound for cheese ;
twenty cents each for pies, and other articles in proportion,
and this was an advance of thirty-three to fifty p?,r cent, on
Washington prices a few days previous.

A SPEECH FROM THE COLONEL.

When the evening of October 13th came, several compa
nies in good order, but without their officers, marched to the
(Quarter-master's tent, and our cool and collected Colonel,
learning of the movement, marched there, too. What he
said, the writer cannot certainly say, but he made them a
speech and the boys cheered, and matters were by some magic
ivctitied, and the storm subsided. The tide turned the next

24 HISTORY OF THE

dav, and rations began to pour in, including the soap and
candles of several days previous. In the few following days
every one enjoyed the delightfulness of the climate and
observed the splendor of the moonlight nights.

At four o'clock on the 15th, a surprise came, in an
order to prepare for inspection. The boys were ready in
twenty-five minutes, arms, knapsacks and tents were care
fully looked into by our officers, and the raw recruits became
aware that this exercise was to come once a week to keep
us on the qui vive.

As the Colonel passed through the lines of knapsacks in
one company, he remarked in his dry way : 4k I don't wonder
you breakdown, if you carry such loads as these." On the
previous evening, in response to an invitation by the Chap
lain at dress-parade, a spirited prayer and conference meet
ing was held in and around his tent, by all who could partici
pate. Many such meetings were held while tfie regiment was*
in the service.

FATKil K 1)1 TV.

Another surprise came to us on Thursday, the l(>th, in
an order at dress-parade for Companies F, I) and I to
report at seven o'clock next morning for fatigue duty. Any
change seemed desirable, and the boys cheered lustily as they
reached their company streets. Half-past five the next
morning the order came to fall in. The men jumped from
their beds and made ready for the unknown duty. They
were in high spirits, and determined to have a good time if
that was possible. They breakfasted on soft bread from
Washington and fried bacon and coffee, and took a day's
rations in their haversacks. Pursuant to orders, they took
their rubber and woolen blankets and overcoats. The column

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 25

moved at seven o'clock. The morning was very fine. The
sun rapidly dispelled the mist which lay in the valleys, wind
ing among the hills, and looking, as you beheld it from some
elevated point, like a mighty river, silent and smooth as glass.
Every hill was crowned with sunbeams, and the woods
seemed clothed in a fresh and polished green. The effect
was further heightened by the many camps in view, as their
tents, in shining whiteness, clustered on the hills and nestled
in the valleys here and there, while ik old glory" floated
above each encampment, by the smile of Heaven an inspira
tion and defence. Fort Ethan Allen crowned a near, and
Fort Marcy a more distant, summit. Forward was the
word, and on they marched, over hill and through dell,
through mud and mire, the result of the previous night's
rain, until Fort Ethan Allen was reached. An hour pjissed
before the One Hundred and Thirty-third New York and
the Twenty-second Connecticut boys came up, but in the
meantime the companies received their axes and learned of
the work before them. It was nine o'clock, and in another
hour they came to a long belt of woods, where they rested a
feu moments and prepared for labor.

The boys will remember a tall walnut tree that stood in
the path, near the woods, full of ripe nuts waiting for the
nipping of Jack Frost, but not proof against clubs and
stones ; the rest can easily be imagined.

The axes had been ground to peel an apple, and at the
word of command the men walked into the woods and plied
them with an energy that made the trees bow like grass
before the mower's scythe. Captains, lieutenants and men,
Xe\v York, Connecticut and Rhode Island, vied with each
other in the work, and acre after acre was bared to the
broad beams of the mid-day sun, and cleared for the range
of the guns of Fort Ethan-Allen, and to prevent the rebels

26 HISTORY OF THE

from building a battery unseen by the Union commander.
We rested at noon. In about four hours, ten or more acres
were laid low by six or seven hundred men. The ringing
music of the axes was inspiring. The crash of falling trees,
many of them one hundred, and acres of them fifty feet high
and upwards, resounded for a long distance around, and
cheer after cheer burst from the throats of the excited men.
The return to camp, notwithstanding the fatigue of the men,
was, by the same circuitous route of the morning, a march
of several miles, from a point but a mile from the camp of
the Eleventh.

A SABBATH IN CAMP.

A military life necessarily imposes upon the soldier many
duties on the Sabbath which, in the quiet of our peaceful
homes, would be an offence against the law of God. As
well discard the night and day police in our cities when the
Sabbath dawns, as to say that there shall not be due prepara
tion in camp to keep the soldier in readiness to meet the foe.
But notwithstanding military regulations, this Sabbath in
camp was a demonstration that the day can be profitably
kept when the soldier is not upon the move, and that he may
"remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy," if there is a
disposition to do so. Roll-call was at six o'clock,— the usual
hour. Breakfast at seven. Inspection of arms, knapsacks
and tents at half-past eight. At ten o'clock, preparation
was made for morning religious services. In a little more than
an hour the order passed through the streets for the men to
appear in dress-coats, with arms and equipments, and be
ready for church. Just before eleven o'clock, Company I
moved to the north line of the encampment and sung a hymn
from the soldiers' hymn books, given the boys before they

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 27

left Camp Stevens. Soon the other companies came up and
formed a hollow square, the regimental officers taking posi
tion on the north side, while all who were accustomed to
sing were asked to gather round the Chaplain. A large
number responded, and the service, began with the hymn,

" "Welcome, sweet day of rest, that saw the Lord arise ";
prayer, by the Chaplain, followed, and a second hymn,
" My soul be on thy guard."

Chaplain Gould then delivered a short, appropriate and
pointed discourse, from 1st Timothy, 4th chapter and 7th
verse, "Exercise thyself unto godliness." The doxologv,

" Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,"
\vas sung in conclusion. The whole service occupied but
little more than half an hour, so that the most impatient and
unwilling men, if such there were, could not complain of
being wearied. Neither was there any compulsion of con
science, for previous to the commencement of the exercises
the Colonel remarked in substance : u I am sorry that any of
the companies, by their delay in getting into line, seem to be
unwilling to join in this our first religious service. I should
think you knew me well enough to believe that I wouldn't
compel any man to attend upon the ministrations of a religion
where he cannot conscientiously worship. If, now, there is
any Roman Catholic who cannot unite in this service, or any
other man, who will say that he is conscientiously opposed
to attending upon these exercises, let them step two paces
forward and I will excuse them." Only three men asked to
be excused, and the service proceeded in the order given
above. In the afternoon, by invitation, quite a number of
men from different companies, attended the religious services
of the Twenty-second Connecticut, our Colonel excusing

28 HISTORY OF THE

them for that purpose. The sermon, by Chaplain C. C.
Adams, was from Ephesians, 4th chapter and 1st verse : "I,
therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye
walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called." In
the evening fifty or sixty men from the various companies
in the regiment attended a prayer and conference meeting,
led by the Chaplain, in a tent loaned to us for the occasion.
It was an excellent meeting. This description will suffice
for many a Sunday passed in camp during the time of our
enlistment, except as there were occasions of special interest.
It should be observed that at this period, and on Miner's
Hill, daily religious services were held at dress-parade unless
the weather was inclement, or unavoidable circumstances
prevented. The selections of Scripture at such times were
from the Psalms or Proverbs, and those portions of the
word of God seemed to possess a beauty, impressiveness and
power seldom experienced before. It was plain that Col.
Metcalf was disposed to give the regiment every moral
and religious advantage consistent with his position, and
took pleasure in uniting witli us on all proper public occa
sions. A camp expression in favor of the Colonel would be
to the point just here, but would not look well upon paper.
Enough, that he grew in favor with the, men of the regiment
while he remained its commander.

AX'KSSAY ox AKMY MTLKS.

The transportation of government rations and stores from
Washington was by mule teams. We have seen no better
description of these ubiquitous affairs than that given by Chap
lain Gould, in his letters to the Providence Journal, over the
. signature "J. B. G." : "A government team with a con--
traband to drive it is an institution. One sees them, thou-

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 29

sands of them, by day, and hears the animals emitting hor
rible yells by night. The roads are a perfect representation
of the atheist's idea of creation. Everything is by chance ;
gullies and rocks, stumps and broken bridges are mingled
together most promiscuously. The pavements of Washing
ton and (Jeorgetown, never perfectly even and comfortable,
are now perfectly disarranged, and great carts go thundering
and crashing into the pits, from which they are extricated by
a wrench of the mule and a yell of the driver. On almost
every open space in and around Washington these teams are
seen covering scores of acres, while for miles on every road
they are seen wending their way to different encampments.
When one is far enough away to lose sight of the ribs of the
poor beasts and can forget their sufferings, it is a pleasant
sight to see the trains slowly winding their way up the hill
sides and through the valley. The poor mules are called
ugly and obstinate, but any man, used as they are, who
would not be ugly and obstinate would be a fool. They are
said to kick in all directions, and it is asserted that a man in
front of them has not more security from their heels than in
any other position. They are frequently harnessed after a
poor breakfast and drag a heavy load all day, and perhaps
get stuck in some gully or hemmed in by a broken cart and
do not get back to their forage till the next day at noon or
night, and then, in all probability, start again for a similar
trip the next morning.

"AND ARMY HORSES.

' To pass through a government stable where horses are
kept, is only second to observing the mule teams. There
they stand, black horses and white, red horses and gray,
large horses and small, but mind you, all poor horses, wait
ing patiently for a requisition to be made to attach them to

30 HISTORY OF THE

some regiment. By some kind of accident it always hap
pens that the poorest are selected, while their somewhat
superior fellows are doomed to remain till they have passed
through a process of starvation that renders them fit to

enter active semce."

ORDERED INTO COWDEN's BRIGADE CHANGE OF CAMP.

We learned Monday, October 2()th, that we were ordered
into Brig.-Gen. Robert Cowden's brigade, and that we
should at once leave camp for a location about two miles
south or southwest. Reveille sounded at five o'clock the
next morning; we were ordered to strike tents and be ready
to march at seven. Rhode Island was ready promptly, and
.waited an hour and a half for the One Hundred and Thirty-
third New York, which had the right of the line, and for the
Connecticut Twenty-second, which had the left. A march of
about two hours along the tortuous roads of the country,
brought us to an open field to the south of Miner's Hill, not
far from Falls Church. Here we unslung knapsacks and
encamped. To the east was a large farm-house, and its occu
pant manifested a kind and generous spirit of accommodation
to the men. More houses were to be seen around us than
in our former camp, and more of the colored race appeared,
the deepest midnight showing itself in their countenances.

Tents were hardly pitched when three companies of the
Eleventh were ordered on picket, and all necessary prepara
tions were made for this new duty, and the boys were in high
"•lee at the prospect, but it turned out to be "a sell. A march
round the field and return to the company streets, was all
that it amounted to.

On the march to this camp, which we occupied for so
brief a time, the boys observed a persimmon tree, the first
that most of them had seen. The time of persimmons was

ELEVENTH KKGIMENT. 31

"not yet." Jack Frost had not added his chemistry to the
fair, round fruit, to make it palatable and to send it tumbling
to the ground for the benefit and pleasure of mortals. But
the boys could not wait, the fruit was too tempting. Clubs
and stones soon brought some of it within reach, and a single
bite sufficed to make the boys wise — the puckery quality
predominated. A few of the persimmons, that were bruised
and less inviting to the eye, were pleasant to the taste.

A Rhode Island man, connected with the United States
chasseurs, having had a more delightful experience, thus
describes the tree and its fruit :

THE OLD PERSIMMON TREE.

While autumn blasts go wailing by,

And surly grows the air;
While falling leaves in eddies fly,

And woods grow lean and bare,
Come wander forth o'er hill and dale,

And search the woods with me,
To find in some secluded vale

The old persimmon tree.

Ho! see it tow 'ring on the plain,

With few companions near;
While storms of sleet and frosty rain

Beat on it through the year;
But, like a sentry stout and brave,

It stands the shock, you see,
While high aloft its branches wave,

Good old persimmon tree!
•*'»••

Now taste the fruit ere it be ripe

By sunshine from the South,
And ten to one you cannot wipe

The pucker from your mouth;
But time will give the mellow taste,

And then you'll hail with glee,
The queen of all the woody waste,

The old persimmon tree.
# * * * *

32 HISTORY OF THE

God made the sea, the earth, the air,

And man, and bird and beast,
And bringeth forth all frnit so fair,

That all enjoy the feast.
Then let His praise resound abroad,

Who gives to thee and me
The mellow fruit around thy root,

Good old persiimuon tree.

THE MAINE LAW.

A day or two before we left the camp near Fort Ethan
Allen, there were some mysterious doings in the woods and
among the brush, not far to the north. Canteens for water
multiplied and formed in line in that direction, when sud
denly there came an order that no more canteens should be
allowed to fill themselves with water of any kind. It did
seem cruel that soldiers should ever be deprived of this heaven
sent beverage. The next day, however, six intoxicated men
were brought in and put in the guard house, and the " mur
der was out." Some one who was willing to live on the
life blood of his fellow men, with accomplices equally guilty,
had secreted himself at some distance from camp, set a
watch, sent out runners and enticed lovers of whiskey, and
sold it in bottles holding about three gills each, at one dollar
a bottle. When this movement came to the knowledge of
the Colonel the trade was stopped at once. The watchman
on the hill telegraphed to his principal, and devil number one
skedaddled to a more congenial clime.

UP IN THE MORNING EARLY.

The most novel thing in this brief portion of our service
occurred on the morning of October 22d. While the men
were sleeping soundly, "not dreaming of the hour," the
various Captains, at half-past three o'clock, came quietly to

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 33

the door of tin- tents, saying. " (Jet up and tall into line as
quickly as possible. Strike no lights and make no noise."
In twenty minutes the companies passed out of the streets
and formed in line in front of the camp, awaiting the order
to march. Oar Colonel and Lieutenant-Colonel were mounted
to direct our movements, but we waited in vain. The whole
division was under arms, and after waiting patiently two
hours in the face of a northwest wind, the order came,
"March off your companies." "Sold again," said the
boys. That explained the matter to them ; but the know
ing ones were aware that the order was given to ascertain
how promptly the division could get under arms and into
line of battle.

ON THE MARCH TO A NEW CAMP.

The rest, after having our slumbers so rudely broken, was
brief. The reveille soon sounded, and breakfast was hardly
eaten when the order to strike tents and be ready to move
at seven o'clock, was given. The Eleventh promptly
responded, and waited until nine o'clock before the column
was ready to move. The wind was high, the roads dusty,
the grade ascending, and the tramp disagreeable. When we
reached the summit of the hill we perceived a light-colored
expanse with not a blade of grass in view. The word
" halt " told us that this was to be our u Soldiers' Home "
for an indefinite period. An involuntary exclamation revealed
the impression upon the minds of the men. East Capitol
Hill was quite cast in the shade. It seemed as if a portion
of the Desert of Sahara had been taken from Africa and
transported to this place in the midst of a basin of constant
verdure ; for a deep vale of woods and dells surrounded it.
The Fortieth Massachusetts were encamped in the valley to

34 HISTORY OF THE

the west, through which ran a convenient brook, presenting,
as viewed from our streets, a picturesque scene. On the
first day in this encampment the dust swept in numerous
miniature simoons over the whole ground, until the patience
of the men was well nigh exhausted.

MINER'S HILL.

This wras the first of the regiment's more permanent abodes.
It is nearly a mile long, having only the width of the road
at the summit, with a base of perhaps half a mile from east
to west. It was undoubtedly reduced to the barren condi
tion in which we found it, by the constant occupancy of
troops from 18G1 to that time. It is about three miles from
Chain Bridge. Washington was beyond the hills to the east.
Fairfax Seminary could be seen a little to the southeast.
Falls Church was, perhaps, a mile and a half to the south
west. We could imagine it a fine camping-ground in the
summer, when the trees were in their glory, and the hill
was clothed with a carpet of green. Just north of the
Eleventh was Battery D, of Uncle Sam's Regulars. The
four regiments which composed our brigade were in close
proximity.

As soon as the streets were laid out the Rhode Island boys
didn't stop long to exclaim or complain, but merrily went to
work with a will to make this unlovely spot as comfortable
as possible. The streets wrere policed, the rubbish burned
up, the tents pitched in spite of the high wind, which laid
them flat many times, the woods were laid, under tribute,
pine boughs were brought to make comfortable beds, and at
the hour of dress-parade most of the tents seemed homelike
and cosy. After supper and roll-call, when the hour of sleep
came, the men, well tired out, lav down under the roofs of

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 35

their canvas houses, and the beautiful stars of heaven,
heralded by the most delicate new moon, looked smilingly
down and seemed to bid them rest in peace.

LIFE AT MINER'S HILL.

This was the outermost post of the defenses of Washing
ton. The orders of Gr.'ii. Abercrombie, in whose division
we were brigaded, required that we should rise at day-break,
armed and equipped. Tims wo appeared the next day, the
23d of October. The routine was as usual : company drill
in the morning ; battalion drill in the afternoon ; dress-parade
if the weather was pleasant at the close of the day. Brigade
guard mounting was a new feature to many of the boys, in
which each regiment was represented by a company. Unmil-
itary people might call it a kind of dress-parade in the morn
ing. It was soon found that guard duty was not more
unendurable than the other routine of the soldier's life, and
that it had the compensation, if nothing unlocked for occurred,
of relief from ordinary drill on the following day. In the
language of Artemus Ward, " it may be "highly respectable,
it may be a privilege, but it is not an enticin' performance."

VISITORS — BRIGADE REVIEW.

Saturday, October 25th, was memorable for visitors to
our camp. Beside Maj«-Gen* Abercrombie, there were Mr.
Isaac H. South wick, of Providence, at that time President
of the Providence and Worcester Railroad Co., and daugh
ters, and His Honor Mayor Knight, of Providence. Vis
itors from home Were always gladly welcomed. Then came
a brigade review. To participate in this, the regiment
marched about a mile in heavy marching order to a level
plain and were reviewed by Gen. Cowden and staff. This

36 HISTORY OF THE

was all the same as a regimental review multiplied by four.
Gen. Cowden was frequently about our lines, and on the day
previous he made an inspection of guns and knapsacks,
making a very favorable impression upon the men. At this
time it was hard to realize that we were so far from home,
and every homelike feature possessed a wonderful charm.
The boys will not forget a farm-house known as Birch's,
which they visited to get their clothes washed, and not a
few of them to enjoy a meal now and then, including an
occasional rabbit pie. A pleasing reminder of home, at
Birch's, were the flowers in bloom here and there.

The Rhode Islanders always did well what they were
ordered to do, and it should be mentioned here, that on the
day when a part of the regiment mowed the woods, four
companies went over to Fort Ethan Allen constructed three
hundred feet of breastworks, and did other work on a
redoubt, and were commended by the Colonel and Engineer
for doing twice as much as they expected, and doing it well.

The weather at that time was exceedingly fine ; neither
very hot nor very cold, though early in the morning, and we
" rose with the lark," we were treated to several white
frosts, which told us plainly that Jack Frost's dominions
were extensive, and if we wished to escape him we must
move far south of the redoubtable city of Richmond.

COMMON LIKK.

Three hours a day at that time were spent in drill, beside
dress-parade and inspection of muskets, knapsacks and tents
now and then. The streets were policed as soon as the day
break roll was called, and then away, half a mile to the
brook, to wash. It took some time to cat ; but this was
not an irksome task to the men, who wore hungry and not

ELEVENTH KKGIMENT. 37

especially lazy. There were lazy men, it was said, in all
the companies, and this did not lighten the burdens of those
who cheerfully performed their part.

The soldier had his clothes to mend. This arose in part
from the poor sewing on the garments which our dear Uncle
Samuel furnished the boys, and, to go a little farther back, to
the poor prices which the poor women who made them got
for their labor. If the ghost of one of Hood's shirts did
not appear at some time to some of their employers and
frighten them into an unwelcome eternity, they certainly
deserved a just retribution in this life.

Everybody knows that the soldier was obliged to be his own
washerwoman, and when this agreeable duty came round
we were reminded of the helpfulness of the other sex, who,
at that time, were as rarely to be seen as flowers in the
desert. All this used uptime. Then the musket and equip
ment* were to be kept in a condition to pass inspection.
There were other contingent duties, such as providing wood
and water for the cook, attending to this and that, which
stole away the soldier's leisure hours and shortened his time
for penning those loving epistles which friends at home
expected, and complained if they did not receive. These
friends were advised to turn the tables when they felt thus,
and write three letters to the soldier's one, for it would help
him along wonderfully.

LKTTKK-WKITIN<; St.'NDAY.

On this day, the 2Gtli, owing to the fatiguing duties of
the previous days, the regiment was excused from all extra
duties, including religious services. A northeast rain storm
began at eight o'clock in the morning and continued through
the night. Everybody, but those who went for rations or on
some special service, stayed indoors. The regiment took

38 HISTORY OF THE

to letter-writing. In many tents there were singing, praising,
praying, and -reading the Bible. To many it. was one of
those quiet Sundays which, at times, are very enjoyable.
The product for that day was at least one thousand letters.

DIVISION REVIEW.

Roll-call was omitted the next morning, and at half-past
seven we were ordered in line and marched off in the storm
a mile and a half to a grand review ; but the storm raged so
furiously that the review was postponed, the regiment was
ordered back to find, on arriving at camp, that several tents
had been prostrated by the violence of the wind. The dam
age, however, was soon repaired and at noon the storm
ceased.

An ambulance corps, composed of a detail of ten men
from each regiment, in accordance with the then recent army
regulations, was formed at that time. Rev. Philo Havvkes,
believed to be eminently fitted for the position, was detailed
from Company I.

The review did come off on the next day. It was not so
grand an affair as we had hoped. Probably less than three
brigades were present and passed in review before Gen.
Abercrombie, whose headquarters were at Fort Ethan Allen.
It was an imposing sight, however, to see even eight or ten
thousand men march in review.

On the 31st, the men were paid off. To this end every
man must fall in line with his knapsack strapped upon his
back. The only answer to the men's wonder at this require
ment was, Uncle Sam says so, and that must suffice.

THE DRUM BAND.

The music added much to the life of the regiment, and
we gladly refer to it at this point in our narrative. Officers
and men greatly enjoyed it, and at dress-parade on the even-

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 39

ing of October 30th, the drum band, under the direction of
its Drum-Major, Mr. W. L. Dunbar, of Providence, intro
duced a new roll, which attracted not only the attention of the
regiment but of the visitors, of whom there were more or less
present each evening. The interest was maintained while
the music sounded, and when the tune changed and the band,
in tip-top time, played "Dixie" until they reached the right
of the line, if the performance had been in some public hall
in Providence there would have been tremendous applause.
We have no doubt that the men, and the Colonel, too, would
have felt better if they could have ventilated their throats
upon the occasion. We are still of the opinion that our
drum band was not excelled by that of any regiment about us.

Two weeks made such changes in the camp at Miner's
Hill, that if our friends at home could have looked down
upon the regiment from one of the war balloons of that
time, they must have concluded that we meant to spend our
nine months there ; for the soldier soon learns to arrange his
quarters as if his stay was to be permanent, though he knows
full well that at any moment an order may issue to strike
tents and move forward.

Hon. A. C. Barstow, of Providence, visited the regiment
on the 1st of November. He was present at dress-parade,
and spent a portion of the Sabbath in camp. He called
upon all the men with whom he had any acquaintance. His
visit was greatly appreciated, and so also were the visits of
Messrs. Salisbury and Mason, two young gentlemen from
Providence, who called upon their friends in camp next day.

CONTRASTS.

The contrast between Sunday, November 2d, and the
Monday following was quite marked, and was a fair sample
of what we became accustomed to. In order that the men

40 HISTORY OF THE

might have full rest, the Colonel deferred the religious services
until towards night, and included dress-parade. These dress-
parades received frequent compliments from visitors, but on
this occasion the display was unusually fine. The line was
formed on the narrow hill, facing the west. It was near
sunset, and a curtain of clouds of a neutral tint hung above
the horizon, causing every object to stand out in bold relief.
This curtain grew thinner as the sun declined. The long
line of men, as they stood at parade-rest, every musket
aslant, every bayonet flashing back the sunbeams that
had dispelled the clouds and lit up the western sky with
glory indescribable, combined to render the scene exceedingly
impressive. The parade over, regular religious services
began, the Chaplain preaching from Matthew, 5th chapter
and IGth verse, kkLet your light so shine before men that
they may sec your good works and glorify your Father
which is in heaven." The brilliant display of nature, which
called forth exclamations from every one able to appreciate
it, seemed to be a part of the closing exercises of this day of
rest.

The middle of the niglft brought a storm, and after a
shower of rain we awoke in the morning in the midst of a
terrible gale, that beat great clouds of dust with the severest
fury upon our tents and filled the streets for several hours.
It poked its way into every opening and fairly sifted itself
through the canvas, so that everything was covered with an
impalpable powder and a yellow hue. The men appeared
in the same uniform from the eyebrows to the toes. Thus
we had grit with our food, and grit with our drink ; grit
for breakfast, grit for dinner, and grit for supper ; and it was
thought that, if these periodical visitations were combined with
the efficient labors of our Colonel, there was a promise of
grit enough to meet the rebels, and to spare.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 41

WINTER QUARTERS.

Rhode Island boys were not to be baffled by the elements ;
they not only met this event in a good spirit, but set to work
at once to make the most of it.

The dust storm of Monday, combined with the increasing
cold, inaugurated a new movement. The boys of the vari
ous companies began to erect houses of various styles of
architecture, built with great rapidity and more or less fitted
to protect us from the weather, in however "questionable
shape " it might come. The quarters of some were stock
aded two or three feet from the ground, with a double or single
tent perched upon the top. Others dug down and built up
also. Some were entirely of logs, with flat, or round, or
peaked roofs, as taste and rivalry prompted. Cook-houses
and officers' quarters were roomy, convenient and substan
tial. When it is remembered that these were, perhaps, but
for a day, it shows the zeal of the men for their own com
fort, or from a desire to exercise their ingenuity. Those
least prone to work were the most energetic in this business.
Company E, at this time, began to fit up a gymnasium, a
work in the right direction.

SICKNESS IN CAMP.

The number of men on the sick list now began to increase,
though there were but few in the hospital and no one danger
ously sick. There seemed to be -no good reason for this.
The location was healthy. Perched on a hill, we were free
from bad vapors, and pure air was abundant. Imprudence,
over-eating and drinking were doubtless the chief causes of
disease in the Eleventh in that early part of the service, and
experience taught us many good lessons.

42 HISTORY OF THE

PICKET DUTY AND THE FIRST SNOW STORM.

Capts. Tat't, Thrasher, and Kendrick, Companies F, B,
and I, were ordered to take their turn on picket, Friday,
November 7th. The night before, the sun set partially
clouded, and the cold rapidly increased. The morning
brought a leaden sky, such as we had seen in Rhode Island
on a Thanksgiving day, when lo ! at eight o'clock it began
to snow. It was no joke, and the men, singing merrily,
though inwardly dreading the prospect, marched off' to their
posts, which extended for a mile and a half or two miles on
the Lewinsville road. Huts of various kinds had been
erected at these posts, and, having rations and blankets, the
boys prepared to spend the twenty-four hours. The storm
of the morning became a driving northern snow storm, which
lasted till seven in the evening, making at least eight inches
of snow on a level. It seemed a pretty good first lesson in
picket duty. This in the sunny south, when a few days
before the weather had been like July. But the men pre
pared to laugh at the storm. Rousing fires built in the day
time, making abundant coals at night, enabled the pickets to
keep comfortable. Bread was toasted, sweet potatoes, from
farm-houses near by, were roasted, coffee and good fare
generally, completed the improved rations. In the hours of
sleep the men slept, contrived to be comfortable, and
returned to camp in the morning in fine spirits. One
improvement was suggested, that Uncle Samuel ought to
furnish all pickets with sweet potatoes and an umbrella.
Perhaps the boys should have returned thanks to the rebels
for letting them alone. Otherwise this duty might have
been a different affair.

ELEVENTH IJE(JIMRXT. 43

CHANGES OK OFFICERS AM) PROMOTIONS.

Important changes of officers were made early in Novem
ber. Capt. Moss, of Company II, was promoted to major :
Second Lieut. Frank Dennis was attached to Gen. Cowden's
staff; Lieut. Bacon was made brigade commissary; Private
Samuel Thurber, of Company I, was promoted to second
lieutenant. The impression prevailed also, that our Adju
tant was to leave us, but that, much to the satisfaction of
the men, did not happen. The change most deeply felt by
the whole regiment was the removal of our Colonel. Officers
and men were filled with sorrow at the prospect of this event.
The men felt that they had lost a personal friend, and were
deeply impressed that they had lost a leader in whom they
had entire confidence, while at the same time they wished
for him the attainment of his most ardent hopes and the
most gratifying success. At the conclusion of the religious
service, Sunday, November 9th, an earnest benediction upon
the Colonel was invoked by the Chaplain.

COL. METCALF'S FAREWELL.

Before dismissing the regiment, the Colonel addressed us
in appropriate and feeling language. He stated that he had
been called to the command of the Third Rhode Island, then
at Hilton Head, S. C. He added, that when, a few weeks
previous, he was offered the colonelcy of the Eleventh, he
would have declined the honor had not duty required its
acceptance, and now he was surprised that, after the lapse
of so brief a period, since his connection with the regiment,
he felt so much regret in parting with its officers and men.
Again, he felt that his personal preference would now prompt
* him to remain, and he only yielded to his sense of duty in
accepting this new appointment.

44 1IISTOKY OF THE

His connection with this regiment had been from the out
set an agreeable one ; its conduct, except in a few, rare indi
vidual cases, was deserving of praise ; -its progress had much
exceeded his anticipations ; he had been as pleased as a boy
with the daily improvement. This he did not consider
especially due to himself, but it belonged to the regiment,
and he urged upon the men a continued determination to be
nothing less than the best regiment in the service. None
came out here, said he, without a greater or less personal
sacrifice. He considered it the highest privilege of every
soldier to fulfil his duty to his country, prompted by right
motives.

The success which every man desired was best procured
by a strict performance of every obligation, and promotion
otherwise obtained was dishonorable. We could not always
have what we deserved, and could not all be major generals ;
he thanked God for it, for there were too many men in the
service who desired to do little work and make a great show.

He trusted that in a few days some leader would be pro
vided, in whom the whole regiment could deservedly feel the
confidence that had been reposed in him. He hoped that
this regiment, as its promise was, would attain the highest
honors, and wherever he might be he would not begrudge
them any reward that might be measured out to them.

Capt. Cady, of Company K, was at this time transferred
to the Second Rhode Island Cavalry, and left camp for Provi
dence six days after Col. Metcalf, Both appointments were
sent from Rhode Island at the same time.

GAY AND GRAVE.

The hours on Miner's Hill brought little variety. Only
two or three events out of the ordinarv course transpired
fro in the Oth to the 17th of November, The fir^t wan rather

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 45

comic in its character. The officers of our brigade, what
ever their personal conduct as temperance men, were wide
awake on the liquor question, and did their best to execute
the Maine la\v most effectively. In their oineial capacity
in camp, liquor was not a sacred article, and liquor sellers
were put on a par with the stuff' they sold. Just before
dress-parade on Thursday, the 13th, a nice covered buggy,
surrounded by a lively crowd, moved slowly southward from
Gen. Cowden's headquarters, while a drum and fife, sound
ing merrily, rang through the camp. Two well-dressed
looking men were seen, a soldier on each side, three soldiers
with charged bayonets in their rear, a drum and fife ahead
playing the Rogues' March, marching with chop-fallen, woe
begone looking countenances. They marched across and
out of our lines, cheered on by the crowd and laughed at to
their hearts' content, probably by some of the very chaps
that had previously imbibed their whiskey. The majority of
the regiment rejoiced at their fate.

The next day, Friday, most of the companies, invited by
Lieut. -Col. Pitman, went out for target practice. This was
new and agreeable business to many, and was repeated on
several other occasions. The green hands performed their part
much better than was expected. If shooting was to be the
principal business, it seemed to be important that we should
know how, rather than "how not to do it."

A sad serene on Saturday was the funeral procession of a
member of the One Hundred and Thirty-third New York,
who had been left at the hospital of the Eleventh, hopelessly
sick of typhoid fever. A military salute was fired as the
procession passed our lines. The drum band of the regi
ment was detailed by Lieut. -Col. Pitman, that music might
be furnished for the occasion. Thus the story of mortality
was repeated to us, while our hearts could but be thankful

4fi HISTORY OF THE

that the angel of death had thus far failed to lay his hand
upon any one of the thousand of our number. Friends at
home had gone before us to their long account, while we
remained in the land of the living.

The news of the important changes at the head of the
army occasioned some excitement. There was a general
satisfaction that one so much loved and esteemed as a soldier,
and by the soldiers, as Ambrose E. Burnside, was deemed
worthy to take command of a mighty army. The sentiment
of the regiment then, was, God speed Rhode Island's first
soldier ! It is a matter of rejoicing, that since the close of
the war he has been rewarded by the highest honors that his
State can bestow, that he still retains the love of those
who followed his fortunes in the field, and is honored and
esteemed by the citizens of a restored Union.

fiOIXG TO CHURCH ON PICKET.

Sunday, the 16th, was a dull, cloudy day, with hardly a
gleam of sunshine. The routine of the Sabbath was
observed. Companies H, F and I were out on picket, and
each, in their own way, claimed that they had a good time.
Some of the officers, and a few of the men, mostly from
Company I, were permitted to enjoy, what they least expected,
the privilege to attend church while not especially on duty
at their posts. Old Revolutionary and Old Colony times
were re-enacted. A tall Captain at the head of a squad of
men, inarched in good order, some two miles, ''armed and
equipped as the law directs," to the church at Lewinsvillc.
They were greeted at the door by a few persons faithful to
our glorious Union and faithful to God also. They marched
in, took their seats in the pews, leaned their muskets against
the backs, and, in the style of the old Puritans, bowed

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 47

their hearts and worshipped. Loud and sweet notes of
praise, from male and female voices, blended and filled the
house. The Chaplain of the Eleventh officiated after the
usual New England form, delivering a discourse from
Hebrews, (5th chapter and li)th verse, to which the audience
gave the closest attention. A considerable number of citi
zens, looking like good New England farmers, were present,
and some dozen or more females, dressed in northern style,
intelligent and polite in their manners, able and willing to
sing, and to appreciate a good sermon. This church and the
many Union people who composed it suffered from the war,
but the fire of faith and the spirit of loyalty seemed left in
many hearts, and we could not doubt that when the great
cloud which then darkened the land was removed, the spirit
of the Lord would breathe upon a once active organization
of one hundred members, only one of whom was a Virginian,
and the "dry bones " would live again.

Some of the Union families near Lewinsville, that stood
up boldly for our cause, were found out and visited by the
Rhode Islanders.

But I must not neglect to pay a well-merited tribute to a
Union family that lived near Lewinsville, by the name of
Woodworth.

THE WOODWORTH FAMILY.

"Soon after our regiment reached Miner's Hill, one day we
were on picket duty, when a Chaplain rode up and presented
his pass from the general in command, for him to pass
through the lines to Lewinsville. He was going out to visit
a Union family named Woodworth, and extolled them in the
highest terms. He urged the writer to go out by all means,
and make their acquaintance. On his way back, late in the

48 HISTORY OF THE

day, ho repeated and urged his advice, that we should find
this family ; so, taking his directions as to how to find their
house, the " officer of the day ' and the k officer of the
guard ' determined to pay them a visit.

ik Never shall I forget that first visit to the house of this
excellent family. As we passed along by one plantation
after another, we finally came in sight of a house that looked
more like a northern home than anything we had seen since
coming upon the ' sacred soil ' of Virginia. It was painted
white, and had a pretty piazza in front. We rapped at the
door. It was soon opened by Mr. Woodworth's daughter.
As the door opened, at a glance we discovered several things
we had not seen since we landed in Virginia : First, a ladv
with her hair neatly combed ; second, with a clean, white
collar about her neck ; third, a stove, other than a cook
stove ; fourth, a cabinet organ ; fifth, paper upon the house
walls ; sixth, a carpet upon the floor.

"We stayed to supper, and partook heartily. The table
was spread with a clean, white table cover. The dishes
reminded us strongly of home. The nice, white, light flour
biscuits were a novelty in that country.

kk Before leaving, we joined this family in singing that
good old hvmn,

<»»

' My country, 't is of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing,'

accompanied by the cabinet organ.

••This visit was like an oasis in the desert, or like a spring
of fresh water in a " dry and thirsty land.' It is safe to
say, that any members of the Kleventh who had once visited
this family were glad to repeat the visit. One of the most
enjoyable of evenings, was that spent at the Woodworths' one

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 49

evening, by a company consisting, perhaps, of ten or
twelve men — captains, lieutenants, sergeants and men —
who, getting the countersign, poured through the entire length
of the picket line, and made a visit at this hospitable home
of Union people.

" We sang ' America,' *• The Star Spangled Banner,' ' The
Red, White and Blue,' ' The Sword of Bunker Hill,' and
other stirring and patriotic airs.

kkThe old gentleman, Mr. Woodworth, was, perhaps, sixty-
five years old. He had gone down into that country many
years before the war, from northern New York. After the
disaster of the first Bull Run he and his family took refuge
in Washington, and after Pope's repulse, at the second Bull
Run, they again withdrew within our lines at Georgetown.

4k One day, not having heard for some time of any raids
by the rebel cavalry through that section, he decided to run
the risk of a visit to his home, and to some of his neighbors
who had remained at their homes. Walking up from George
town, across 'Chain Bridge,' and around, he finally came
upon his home, now all desolate and dilapidated.

" After looking his place over and attending to whatever
needed attention, he crossed over to one of his nearest neigh
bors, a member of the same Presbyterian church to which
he belonged, a widow, from whom he learned that no rebel
uniforms had been seen there for many days.

"Emboldened by this bit of news, he determined to run the
risk of remaining to draw up for this neighbor a load of
wood from the forest hard by, since he found her wood-pile
almost entirely exhausted. This he proceeded to do. After
unloading the wrood he took dinner with his friends, and then
stepped out to the barn to give the horse his dinner.

k ' As he was going to the barn he espied two rebel cavalry
men just galloping along towards the house, from out of the
5

50 HISTORY OF THE

woods beyond. Hoping he had not been seen, he secreted
himself in the barn and awaited their arrival. Soon they
came up, hunted him out, took him prisoner, and carried
him over to their headquarters. He was adjudged a Union
man, and sent to Richmond. There he spent several months
in prison and was almost starved. The old man told me
that while there, occurred the only time lie ever stole in
his long life. He said that in carrying potatoes to the cook,
he used to purloin a few, put them in his pocket, and eat
them — raw potatoes! so hungry was he. Finally, he was
set at liberty, in Richmond, and told to go where he liked.
After walking, and sometimes getting a ride upon the cars for
a piece, he finally arrived at the rebel headquarters, within
a few miles of his home. Meantime the Union forces had
extended their lines so as to take in his home, and his family
had returned. Here he was stopped and not permitted to
go further. For six weeks he was obliged to remain there,
near the rebel headquarters, and report every morning. He
must sleep upon the ground, and as it was now the fall of
the year, and the nights growing cold, it brought on the
rheumatism, so that he suffered extremely.

" One day a small detatchment of our forces marched up
near Lewinsville and with a light battery opened upon the
rebels. The shot and shell flew so promiscuously about, that
the rebel forces were obliged to 'skedaddle,' and Mr.
"VVoodworth was once more permitted to go where he liked.
He lost no time in reaching his home, and has since expressed
no desire to return to Richmond."

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 51

PICKET EXPERIENCES AND ENJOYMENTS ON THE LEWINSVILLE

ROAD.

" For nearly three months the Eleventh Rhode Island did
constant picket duty on the front which lay between Lewins-
ville and Falls Church. It would fall to each company to
'go on picket' about once a week. No duty was -more
agreeable to the boys. It offered them every variety of
adventure. Six men were usually detailed for each 'post.'

" One of the picket lines began at Mr. Kerby's and
extended to Mr. Stuart's house, on the Lewinsville road.
This Mr. Kerby pretended to be a Union man, but was at
heart a rebel. He had a son in the rebel army. The boys
of the Eleventh sold coffee to him at a very low rate, and he
took it into Georgetown and sold it at a very high price.
Each company had at least one tailor, who would make bed
sacks. These sacks would be carried out on picket to
Kerby's, of whom hay or straw could be bought at a high
rate, and so straw beds would soon render more comfortable
camp life. The second post beyond Kerby's house was
upon the hillside, where the road had been dug down eight
or ten feet on the one side to level up the other. One day
the six men who were detailed to this post, carried out from
camp an ax, a hammer and nails, and two or three shovels.
Every two men were on duty four hours, and off eight. This
always left four men off duty. These men worked with
wonderful skill and energy nearly all day, as the weather
was quite cold, to build for themselves a hut where they
could be sheltered, especially at night, from the weather.
They dug a hole into the hillside, about eight or ten feet
square, with a large fire-place at the rear end. The smoke
was carried up and out from a hole left in the ground
above. The front of this subterranean hut was 'boarded

52 HISTORY OF THE

up ' with rails held by stakes firmly planted in the ground
and the tops bound together by withes. Rubber blankets
were hung up on the inside of this rail barricade and over
the place left for a doorway, so as effectually to keep any
light from shining out from the fire in the fire-place. The
top was first covered with rails, upon which was thrown
boughs and limbs of trees, and dirt upon the top of all.
This made very comfortable barracks for night for these
men, and well did they enjoy the fruit of their labor.

u At another post, where no arrangement of this sort was
practicable, a large stove, or fire pot, was made in the ground
by digging and covering with large, flat stones, and building a
chimney at the farther end. Here a huge fire would be kept
through the afternoon, and when the sun had set and the
countersign was put on, then the draft for the fire was stopped
up, the chimney covered, and every precaution taken to
allow the fire to keep until morning. Then through the
lon<r hours of the ui<»'lit the two men would march from this

c r>

common point in opposite directions through the length of
their proper beat, ' about face,' and return, to halt a moment
upon this covered bed of coals and thus keep their feet warm.
Still other devices were used to diminish their hardships and
add to the comforts of picket duty.

*4In one case a large hut or wigwam was made from rails
and brush, so thick and compact that no light from the warm
fire could be detected through this opaque environment.

4 'Some strange adventures were occasionally experienced
in the course of picket duty. In the earlier history of the
regiment, of course the soldiers were to be instructed in
their duties. Sometimes officers felt called upon to put the
trustworthiness of their men to the test. One night, just
after the countersign had been put on, a first lieutenant sent
a corporal from one post past another to a brook for a pail

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. "h)

of water. He directed him to go forward by the men on
duty as though the countersign had not been put on, unless
stopped by the guard. If he should be halted, then to stop
and give the countersign. Just about time enough had
elapsed for the soldier to reach the next post, when there
rang out upon the still, quiet evening air, quick and sharp,
'Halt! halt! — halt, or I fire.' Bang went the rifle, with
out a moment's pause. Quick as thought, officers and men
were running down to the next station, their hearts fluttering
with the fear that the proposed trial of fidelity had proved a
tragedy. They were quickly relieved, however, by finding
the corporal safe and sound, and that the shooting, which
had proceeded from the station beyond the brook, at the
edge of the wood, was occasioned by the running of a cow,
which had been challenged in the darkness, and not respond
ing, but continuing her rapid retreat, had been fired upon.
It is safe to affirm that that lieutenant tried no further experi
ments after that fashion. This old cow belonged to a Mr.
Stuart, whose wife was sister to Jackson, the hotel keeper
at Alexandria, who shot Ellsworth.

"The Stuart family lived in a miserably dilapidated house,
just opposite the last picket post, on the Lewinsville road.
In going 'grand rounds,1 the officer of the day passed this
house, and, as stories were quite in vogue how rebels visited
the house by night, to get information concerning our forces,
a sharp lookout was kept, and every suspicious circumstance
was thoroughly examined. One night, an exceedingly dark
night, as the officer was making the 'grand rounds,' he
discovered some one cautiously creeping across the open lot
towards the Stuart house. Of course, the navy revolver
was quickly whisked out of the belt and cocked. Then, to
make sure work, the officer crept carefully along towards
the offending intruder, until the nearness and constant

54 HISTORY OF THE

peering into the darkness, finally revealed the dim outline
of Stuart's horse, quietly grazing in the grass field. No
one will doubt that the revolver was quickly returned to its
place, and 'grand rounds' continued without causing the
camp to be alarmed.

"Mr. Stuart had two boys, nearly the same age, of per
haps from ten to twelve years. One of these lads always
proclaimed himself a Union boy, and the other always as
confidently pronounced himself a rebel. Each had a kitten
to which he manifested a strong attachment. The Union
boy named his kitten Abraham Lincoln, and the secesh lad
called his pet Jeff. Davis. The boys often had hard words
with each other, upon political subjects, and the rebel boy
always contended that his cat, Jeff. Davis, was going to kill
Abraham Lincoln. It happened that a few nights after a
sharp wrangle of this nature, a door, which had fallen from
its hinges, had been set up in its place, and by some sudden
gust of wind was blown over, and fell upon the cat
Abraham Lincoln, and crushed it to death. The Union boy
mourned the death of his favorite with unfeigned grief, but
the rebel youth apparently rejoiced with true joy, and said :
'I told you so, and Jeff. Davis is going to kill Lincoln, too,
and you may depend upon it.' So coming events cast their
shadows.

" Sergeant B., of Company II, relates that while the regi
ment was on Miner's Hill, and picketing the road to Levv-
insville, a special lookout was kept over the house where the
sister of the rebel Jackson, the slayer of Ellsworth, lived,
as it was supposed to be a rendezvous for rebel spies. On
one night, when Sergeant B. was on duty, the sentinel on
the beat nearest Lewinsville, halted a person who was about
to cross his beat, and kept him at the point of his bayonet
until the sergeant relieved him of his prisoner, who proved

ELEVENTH KEGIMKXT. 55

to be a second lieutenant of the regiment, who, having a fond
ness for ladies' society, had been gone all of the afternoon,
and not having the countersign was taken prisoner on his
return. There was no doubt in the lieutenant's mind but
what the sentinel, 'Gen. Scott,' took a grim satisfaction in
doing his duty that night.

"The same sergeant recollects that, being stationed at the
end of the Lewinsville road, nearer Falls Church, one very
cold evening, he was cautioned by the retiring sergeant to
pay particular attention to a house about a mile distant,
where, it was said, signals were made at night to the enemy.
His orders were, if the lights were displayed, (which was
supposed to be the mode of signaling,) to ascertain the cause,
and take steps to suppress it. It was his usual plan to be up
himself with the first relief. He recalls how cold it was, as,
sitting by the fire which was built on the bluff, he was roasting
in the face and freezing at his back. Nothing occurred the
first part of the night, but he was awakened shortly after
retiring, by the corporal, who informed him that the signals
were being made. The sergeant came out, and sure enough,
there was the light. Here was an opportunity which he
had long been waiting for ; a chance to distinguish himself,
perhaps to capture some rebel spies. It might be a general,
perchance the cavalry general, which the regiment had been
sent out to the cross roads to intercept a few weeks before.
Filled with these thoughts he woke his sleeping men,
explained to them the situation, and asked for volunteers.
Selecting the three who seemed the most eager to go, they
started for their prey. On nearing the house, he disposed
his men so as to approach it in four directions, expecting to
surprise the rebels. Reserving to himself the approach to
the light, as he drew nearer he discovered that what had been
mistaken for signal lights was the glare of the light from a

•)() HISTORY OF THE

room, on the side of an out-building, which, from the
picket post, looked like something very suspicious. On
arriving in the yard he found an ell to the main building all
alight, but no person in sight. Looking in at the window, he
saw a room entirely bare of furniture, with a fire blazing in
the open fire-place, and on the floor, covered with an old and
ragged quilt, a negro, sleeping. The main building was
shrouded in darkness. By this time the sergeant was
rejoined by his men, and placing his hand on the latch of
the door, he pushed it open and all marched in. As they
halted, their muskets came to an order, and the noise awoke
the negro, who was so frightened he could hardly answer
the questions demanded of him, but which he did finally
answer to the satisfaction of the sergeant, who withdrew with
his men and left the negro, fully satisfied that his chance for
distinction by capturing a rebel was destroyed for that night
at least. As the sergeant was never afterwards at that post
again, he cannot tell whether the negro died of fright or
subsequently became a member of Congress."

On our picket line were many houses where meals could
be had for a reasonable consideration, an opportunity which
officers and men were not slow to improve. At some places
the families were true blue, and at others they had taken the
oath of allegiance and were " blue " without the true. The
Eleventh regiment maintained throughout their entire term
the reputation, expressed in the language of this people,
" there never has been no better behaved regiment in this
neighborhood." There was no good reason why the people
with whom we came in contact should not receive kind
treatment at our hands ; leaving to the government to do
justice to all who deserved merited punishment,

ELEVENTH REOIMEXT. 57

(JEN. COWDEN'S HEADQUARTERS.

The headquarters of Gen. Cowden, wlio commanded our
brigade, were at the house of Mr. Miner, who owned the
hill where we were encamped, and a large tract of land about
it. The cluster of buildings, including that in which the
General and his wife then resided, were, from their age and
roughness, worthy of a place in Lossing's Field Book.
Logs predominated in most of them, and the wind whistled
merrily through the walls of some of the out-buildings.

OTHER CAMPS.

Almost directly north of the headquarters, but hidden by
a small piece of pine woods, was the camp of the Twenty-
second Connecticut, in an opening surrounded by a forest of
pines, which broke the force of the winds and saved it from
bleakness. In one thing the Connecticut boys were quite
ahead of us. They had a splendid national banner, which
floated high above their encampment, and quite outshone that
of any regiment we had seen.

The Fortieth Massachusetts were, as before mentioned,
encamped in a valley to the left of the General's headquarters.
With their background of evergreen, and the distant hills
bounding the horizon, the picture \vas a very pleasing one.
The Blue Ridge (fifty miles distant, it was said,) could be
plainly seen in the northwest, with one peak, called by
some "Sugar Loaf," and by others "Slaughter Mountain,"
crowning the range.

GEN. COWDEN.

The General was frequently present when the Eleventh was
out on parade or drill, and his tall figure became as familiar
as those of our own officers. He was also often present,

")8 HISTORY OF THE

sometimes with several ladies, at dress-parade, and at
religious services. Sometimes he was mounted, and at other
times on foot. His bearing was soldierly, gentlemanly and
commanding ; his hair reddish, with heavy whiskers, and
distinctly marked features. He had well earned the reputa
tion of a brave and energetic soldier, such as the Rhode
Island boys were ready and eager to follow. In obedience
to orders they felt willing to remain a long time, if need be,
in that position, but would have rejoiced if, in a position of
greater activity, they could have aided more directly in the
great purpose for which they were called into service.

The following anecdotes of Gen. Cowden are vouched for
by a member of the Ambulance Corps. They illustrate
traits which made him popular with his men :

"On the first night after the Ambulance Corps was
brigaded, a number of us comrades sat round a large camp
fire. We were seated on logs. Jt got to be about eight
o'clock, and I looked and saw somebody right ahead, and,
said I, ' How are you ?' said he, 'Halloa!' "We might
make room for one more,' said I. ' Who might you be? '
said another. 4 My name is Cowden,' he answered. k What ! '
said we, k the boss of this crowd?' He says, 'I am.'
' What you up here for? ' said we. He said, ' I was kind
o' homesick, and saw a crowd around this fire and thought
I would come up.' So he spun his yarn the same as the
rest of us. He would tell his story, and the boys would tell
theirs ; and so the hours passed pleasantly witli the General
and his men, till he took out his watch, and saying, ' I guess
it 's about time I was going home,' he bade us good-bye and
went to his quarters.''

Gen. Cowden could answer a question with a little story,
after the style of President Lincoln, as the following account
will show :

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 59

'k At Mills' Cross Roads, after we had been there awhile,
the chief of the Ambulance Corps said to me, ' You hitch
up and go back to camp and get rations for the men and
horses.' I said I would, and while I was hitching in the
horses, the General (Cowden) stood about thirteen feet
from me, and up came one of the colonels — I had an idea
from his appearance it was Col. Porter — and he said, 'Gen
eral, I want to ask you one question.' 'Ask as many as
you please, and I will answer,' said the General. ' I would
like to know,' said the Colonel, ' why you placed these regi
ments in the shape of a letter V ? The Fortieth Massachu
setts here ; the Connecticut Twenty-second here, and the
One Hundred and Forty-first New York there, and you put
the Eleventh regiment way down in the woods.' The Gen
eral replied, ' If Stuart's Cavalry should come this way, I
calculate that when Stuart comes up, he is going right by
yours, and the other regiments, but they will never get by
the Eleventh Rhode Island.' The Colonel being satisfied,
turned on his heel and went to his regiment."

AN UNPLEASANT UNCERTAINTY.

The 19th of November furnished a good illustration of
the uncertainty of things military. An order was issued on
that day to be in readiness to march at ten minutes' notice.
The news sped to our friends at home. It did us no imme
diate harm, for weeks passed before the order was actually
given, but it came near costing us a Thanksgiving dinner.
The committee in the city of Providence who had obtained
contributions for this purpose and made ready to forward the
supplies, suspended operations on receipt of the news that
we had orders, to march. We became, in consequence,
more faithless as to such orders, which proved to be, as a
waggish comrade expressed it, ""only a cautionary word."

60 HISTORY OF THE

BOXES FROM HOME.

About this time a tide of boxes from home, with nice things
for the men of the regiment, set in. On one day it would be
fifty, on another thirty, then seventy-five, and again fifty,
so that the Quartermaster, it was said, became alarmed at
the influx ; but lie brought them to camp with commendable
promptness, and his patience was hardly ever exhausted. A
great variety of articles came in these boxes, and in some
cases in a "questionable" shape. Sometimes a bottle of
peppermint or some other essence was packed in the box
with a cloth around the cork to make it extra tight. But
the cloth, in rebellion at such a contrivance, quietly soaked
up all the essence and distributed it among all the other
articles in its company, a result which the friends at home
did not anticipate. These good gifts were fully appreciated.
The men needed them, because they were expressions of love
and sympathy, which greatly cheered them in the kind of
life which deprived them of the sweet and elevating influ
ences of home.

"WHO (JOES THERE?"

An amusing discussion arose at this season of our service
as to the matter of challenging sentinels, and for a while it,
rivaled in magnitude the discussion of years since, "Will
saltpeter explode? " The parties were the three months'
men, the officers, the United States regulations, and the raw
recruits. On any day or evening, after guard or picket duty
had been performed by any of the companies, you could
hardly pass a tent but you might hear, " Who goes there? "
"Halt!" "Advance," "Grand rounds," etc. Neither
party was inclined to yield, and the subject gave way, in
time, to some new excitement.

ELEVENTH KKCJIMKNT. ()1

Tin; WEATHER DISSOLVING VIEWS.

The weather tor the week ending Sunday was very try
ing, a cold rain and wind prevailing most of the time.
Sunday, the 23d, was so unpleasant, raw and blustering
that religious services were omitted, except that at dress-
parade, which had an innovation that reminded us strongly
of home, Gov. Sprague's Thanksgiving Proclamation was
distinctly read in our hearing by the Chaplain, who also
proclaimed that our Providence Plantation and Rhode
Island friends had resolved to remember us very substan
tially' on that day. We could not cheer, we had no orders,
but each heart beat a little quicker, and the thoughts of a
regiment of men sped five hundred miles in double-quick
time.

Dress-parade was rather tough at that season, and our
commander, Lieut. -Col. Pitman, who had seemed consider
ate on several occasions for the health and comfort of the
•men, treated us to a movement which stirred the boys up
considerably. Just after the Chaplain concluded the religious
service, and we were a little shivery, we quickly formed com
panies and moved up and down our parade ground at double-
quick, until we became thoroughly warmed up. It was an
agreeable sight to see so large a number of men on a meas
ured trot, and, under those chilling circumstances, the boys
enjoyed it.

BAKED BEANS AM) HOAST BEEF.

When the men had become so accustomed to soldier life
that they planned as if they expected to stay, they improved
their cook-houses as well as their quarters, and increased
their facilities for cooking. Coming from Yankee land thev
were bound to gratifv their desire for baked beans. Thev

62 HISTORY OF THE

scoured the country for the bricks of tumbled-down houses,
transported them sometimes for a long distance and built
ovens for each company, or two companies united and shared
an oven between them. Uncle Sam furnished the beans and
the pork. Boiled beans soon fell below par. In one instance,
on Miner's Hill, when a load of bricks had been secured for
one of the companies, the commandant of the regiment
(not Col. Metcalf) spied them as they were about to be
dropped and ordered them to be carried to his own quarters.
The Captain of that company, however, did not intend to
be cheated out of his bricks in that style. He ordered out
his company for drill the next morning, requiring every man
to take his knapsack strap, marched them off to a spot
where the bricks could be found, and each man marched
home with half a dozen bricks in his strap, unloaded them
at the cook's quarters, and the oven was built. Of brown
bread there was none, for Uncle Sam did not furnish "hog
and hominy," as the Confederacy did. Wheat bread and
hard-tack were the only kinds provided.

The ovens served to provide roast beef as well, and thus
the government rations were supplemented with dishes which
could not have been enjoyed had the regiment been always
on the march. The men who confined themselves to gov
ernment rations, which were abundant and of good qual
ity, and let the sutler and the pie vender alone, were among
the healthiest in the regiment. Some of the companies
accumulated a considerable fund from the sale of uncon-
sumed rations, and used them for the benefit of the company
in various ways.

As Thanksgiving approached, the landscape about us began
to change materially, an 1 rjminde 1 us of tli3 dissolving views
of the stereopticon. The leaves had almost wholly deserted
all but the evergreen trees, and we could see the hills beyond

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 63

them, and also many a dwelling that had been shut out from
view. Camp after camp appeared in the distance that we
knew nothing of before. The village of Falls Church as
well as the church spire could be seen, and every now and
then the locomotive and cars of the Alexandria and Lees-
burg Railroad emerged into view and gladdened the sight.

THANKSGIVING.

This New England festival came on the 27th of Novem
ber. It was truly a day of thanksgiving to the boys of the
Eleventh, and, to no small extent, of u sending portions of
good things." We were agreeably disappointed in the
weather, for on the night before a fierce cold wind and a
cloudy sky gave token of a cloudy, snowy day to follow,
but the morning was calm though frosty, the sun rose in
beauty, and strange to say, as those who took their morning
walks through the woods to the brook, can testify, the birds
sang us a sweet thanksgiving song.

The regiment was disappointed in one respect. They had
set their hearts upon an entire holiday ; but after a short
religious service about ten o'clock, we had, per order, more
than an hour of battalion drill. It was endured by the men
with the best grace possible.

Our public worship was, of course, conducted by the
Chaplain, who read the 148th Psalm, and the regiment sang
America —

" My country, 'tis of tliee."

A brief and appropriate address followed, in which Mr.
Gould set forth the remembrances of home, the duty of being
thankful, the mercies which day by day overlapped the
trials and hardships by which we were surrounded, and, in

64 HISTORY OF THE

conclusion, urged the duty of praise and gratitude to the
Giver of all good. A fervent prayer to God for His bless
ing and the singing of

" Praise God, from whom all blessings flow,"

concluded the exercises, which did not exceed twenty minutes
in length.

The remainder of the day was spent in anticipation, in
feasting and enjoyment. The regiment expected a Thanks
giving dinner from Rhode Island, and they knew that three
large loads came in the night before", and more would be
here at mid-day. In due time they arrived, and, as box
after box appeared, short faces and merry ones soon had the
majority. As the boxes were opened and their contents
displayed, a Hogarth only could have done justice to the
scene. In some messes the plenty reminded one of the
quails in the wilderness ; in others nothing was received ;
but the liberal souls were many, and great effort was made
that all might be pleasantly reminded of Thanksgiving at
home.

An impression also prevailed that a dinner would be sent
from Rhode Island beside the individual donations in boxes,
and some had urged their friends to delay their boxes in
consequence. From various causes a few of the men were
unprovided.

Messrs. Talbot and Prince, of Providence, were a com
mittee to bring these gifts to the regiment, and it was
through great energy on their part, and the presence in
Washington of the Quartermaster, one of our Captains, and
the Chaplain, that the boxes came in season.

The writer learned from Messrs. Talbot and Prince of
the liberality, kindness and attention of the officers, agents
and employees of the Camden and Amboy Railroad Com
pany. They charged not a cent of freight from New York

ELEVKXTII KKCJI.MKNT. <>">

to Baltimore, and relieved the committee of all trouble on
their part.

" A. D. N." puts it in this way: ik Intelligence having
reached camp that the entire regiment was to be supplied
with on old-fashioned Rhode Island Thanksgiving dinner, at
an early hour everybody was on the alert, . . . for
notwithstanding six tons of poultry left Providence, as is
alleged, for the Eleventh regiment, there was not enough
for a dinner for one thousand men. One of two things must
be true, the men of this regiment are terrible eaters or six
tons of poultry never left Providence for its Thanksgiving
dinner." He goes on to say that, " with Company B every
thing was lovely." Its officers made bountiful preparations
for each and for all. One hundred and seventy-five pounds
of turkey were forwarded to the Company by friend Dis-
peau, of Pawtucket. A second edition of Thanksgiving was
enjoyed by Company B on its return from picket, at which,
beside turkey and fixings, there was a plum pudding, pre
pared by their cook, Mr. Church, and there was a special
remembrance of friends at home.

The officers on Thanksgiving day sat down to a table
bountifully spread by the Lieutenant-Colonel, and doubtless
in somewhat better style than the privates ; but on the Fri
day after, eleven persons sat down to a table in what was
called the " Hotel de Miller," which was so spread that the
private soldiers, for the time, believed that they fared as
well, and had hearts as joyful as their superiors. Appropri
ate toasts added zest to the occasion.

If feasting and thanksgiving are synonymous, it was
expanded into Sunday and after ; for the pickets which were
out on Saturday and on Sunday morning, performed duty
on the drumsticks or carcass of a turkey, as well as guarded
the road to Lewinsvillp.

l)h HISTORY OF THK

THE REGIMENTAL HOSPITAL AM) BRIGADE CHANGES.

4kA. D. N.'s " excellent account of a visit to the hospital
we transcribe here :

" The hospital is in a dwelling-house situated about half a mile
from camp, and of course, under the charge of Surgeon Perry and
assistants, aided by Mr. J. S. Pervear, Jr., of Pawtucket, as Hos
pital Steward; Mr. E. A. Browne, of Central Falls, as Ward Master,
and Mr. C. C. Holland, of the same place, as Chief Nurse. There
are, at the present time, twenty-eight patients in the hospital. The
diseases are chiefly fever, dysentery and rheumatism. The inmates.
I think, are better cared for by surgeons and nurses, and greater
pains are taken to gratify their numerous wishes, than in any other
regimental hospital in this vicinity. Much pains is also taken to
gratify the appetites of the sick men, many delicacies being fur
nished for them by private contribution, articles not provided for
by 'regulation,' such as cakes, lemons, oranges, apples, milk,
oysters, preserves, etc. Thanksgiving day was duly observed at
the hospital."

We note here some changes in Cowden's brigade. On
the night of the 25th of November, the One Hundred and
Forty-first Ne\v York suddenly appeared as our neighbors,
taking the place of the One Hundred and Thirty-third New
York, which left us a few weeks previous, and the Sixteenth
Virginia arrived on the 4th of December, which gave Gen.
Cowden five regiments for his brigade. To these were added
the First Virginia battery, which constituted a part of the
defence of the hill. This battery was composed mostly of
Germans. Their orders were given in German. They had
been in the service more than eighteen months and in many
battles. They were a fine-looking set of men, and our boys
were much amused to hear the orders given in a language
which was all Greek to Rhode Islanders.

The weather then was especially fine and the roads in
good condition, the men were as ignorant as friends at home of

ELEVENTH IS KG I M EXT. (57

tin- movements of the army of the country, and only wild
rumors as to their own future were to be obtained.

SKIRMISH AND OTHER DRILL.

The whole regiment, on the 2d of December, received
orders from* Gen. Cowden to drill as skirmishers. This
somewhat elated the men, because one or two companies
only were generally drilled for that service. Their ardor
was dampened somewhat by an order on the following day,
doubling the hours of drill : allowing an hour and a half
each for company drill, and bayonet exercise. The latter drill
was useful and pleasing, but the boys felt that the drill rein was
drawing rather tight, especially as the battalion drill in the
afternoon was more likely to be lengthened than diminished.
There would naturally be some grumbling, but the men con
sidered that all orders were to be cheerfully obeyed and the
profit or loss charged to the benefit of the country. All this
was more easily borne because the officers were required at
tin's time to attend an evening school for instruction, under
the charge of Lieut. -Col. Pitman. In fact, great pains were
then bestowed upon the improvement of the regiment with a
view to active service, and if, at that period, any were ready
for a rose-water experience and a rest in comfortable winter
quarters, the experience of the few following months took
this out of them effectually and made them eager for a move
to the "front." The health of the regiment at this season
was far better than could have been expected. Our hospital
arrangements, before referred to, w:ere unsurpassed. The
other regiments in the brigade sent four times as many as
the Eleventh to the general hospital, while those in our own
hospital were not dangerously sick.

US IIISTOIiY OF THK

BRIGADE DRILL INTENSE COLD.

On the afternoon of December 4th, a very satisfactory
brigade drill was had under Gen. Cowden's command. We
learned in due time that the movements by brigades and
divisions were but multiples of the movements of the smaller
organizations, and were reminded of the stories told of
Napoleon's orders in the height of his power, "My king
doms, by the right wheel, march ! " The same day was made
memorable by the advent in camp of the wives of Dr. Perry,
Chaplain Gould, and Capt. Kendrick. It is needless to say
that they were expected by their lords, and that comfortable
quarters had been provided for them.

On the day after the review we had another of those
interesting seasons of falling into line of battle, having been
ordered to appear at reveille armed and equipped, the roll
bein<>- called after the line was formed. We were treated

O

immediately upon this to a short battalion drill before sun
rise, which we came to regard as our commander's favorite
exercise. The only gain that the boys could see in all this
was an exhibition of promptness in turning out, a sharpen
ing of appetites for breakfast, and the satisfaction of learning
that all the commands in Abercrombie's division were sim
ilarly treated, minus the battalion drill.

On the Sunday morning following, Companies B, C, and
I were sent out on picket. The men on this duty were
always allowed a large liberty, and they prepared to resist
the cold, for it scarcely thawed all day. It was an amusing
sight on that snapping-cold morning to observe the fanciful
arrangements of the blankets of the men. Axes rested on
the shoulders of some ; hatchets in the belts of others ; coffee
pots perched on bayonets high in air ; sheet-iron stoves were
lashed on the backs of several, or borne by two on a pole in

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

the line ; with an appropriate song or two at starting, and
hearts beating any tune but sadness, they started off. As
they passed the guard of the Fortieth Massachusetts, the
faces of the guard, in spite of the sober, serious "present
arms," which military style demands, were upon the broad
grin. With such an equipment they could laugh at the cold.
That battalion drill at early dawn happened to be the drill
for the day. A snow storm came on about ten o'clock,
which lasted far into the night and probably ceased in a con
flict with the moon, the latter coming off victor. The winds
were aroused and the cold increased to an extent that for
bade the melting of the snow, and gave us the coldest and
most blustering day of the season. The snow was about as
deep as in the storm of November. Dress-parade was
shortened. The lips of the fifers and the fingers of the
drummers refused to do their office. The dress-parade
experiment was not tried the next day.

THE CHAPEL.

Sunday morning in camp, the 7th instant, was spent in
the usual way. In the afternoon, by invitation, all who
were so disposed proceeded to the chapel, and listened to an
excellent discourse from Chaplain Gould. Lieut. -Col. Pit
man and other officers were present. The presence of ladies
also added to the homelike character of the occasion. Of
course there was the usual service of song, reading Scripture
and prayer.

This chapel, or as one correspondent called it. our "Log
Church," was built for regimental purposes, or dining hall
of the field officers, and used for religious services, by the
Lieutenant-Colonel's permission, on Sundays and week-days.
It was transported log by log two miles and set up midway

70 HISTORY OF THK

on the cast of our encampment, on a line with the Colonel's
quarters. It was twenty-four or twenty-five feet square,
with steep, square roof, all of logs, the peak twenty or
twenty-five feet from the ground. It was well plastered out
side and in, with mortar manufactured from the soil. It had
a chimney, fire-place and sky-lights. Had the interior been
plastered as at home, it would have been regarded as a good
lecture room. The foundation was laid and its erection
superintended by Mr. Thomas Seekell, of Company D, for
merly of Providence.

THE WEATHER BATHING QUARTERS FOR BOXES.

The extreme cold gave way to wonderfully warm weather.
The middle of December came and passed, and, notwithstand
ing rumors of departure, we remained at Miner's Hill.
Sunday and Monday, the 14th and 15th, were summer days,
and on the latter day many of the men bathed in the brooks
near by.

A rage for obtaining photographs of themselves and their
quarters grew up just then among the officers. One of
those groups included Gen. Cowden. They were greatly
cherished by the friends at home.

The first death in the regiment occurred on the 15th
instant, William J. Wyman, of Company D. Tuesday
brought rain and a gale, and Wednesday brought snow
squalls and winter once more, proving that the weather at
that season was quite as changeable as at the north.

A first-class sensation sprung up suddenly, because the
men were charged a quarter for all boxes from home, brought
to them from Washington. The Quartermaster was roundly
blamed, but there is now no doubt of the fact that he simply
obeved orders, and that the money did not go into his hands.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 71

but into the regimental fund.* Whatever were the good
intentions in this respect, there still remains an opinion that
1 ' somebody blundered. ' '

The news of Burnside's disaster at Fredericksburg,
received in camp a few days after the event, caused general
sorrow, and all the more because the Eleventh was power
less to aid in retrieving the loss.

VARIOUS EVENTS.

The death of Comrade Wyman produced that impression
of peculiar sadness likely to result from the first death in a
thousand men all from the same locality. His funeral took
place on Thursday, the 18th.

Among the pleasant events of that season was a visit
from Hon. A. C. Barstow, of Providence, with wife and
daughter.

The Sixteenth Virginia regiment encamped near us about
the middle of this month, composed of stragglers from other
regiments. The boys will remember it as recruited in
Alexandria, commanded by Col. Close, and composed of a
motley crew of rough, hardy-looking fellows.

A new arrangement of the mails, which had been irregu
lar, enabled us, early in December, to get our letters at four
o'clock each day, Sundays excepted. The letters were
delivered by the Chaplain, who acted as postmaster, to the
orderly-sergeant or clerk of each company, immediately after
dress-parade. The delivery of the letters to the boys in the
various company streets was an occasion of lively and inde
scribable interest.

There was some unpleasant fatigue duty performed at

*Thls was stopped by an order from headquarters:.

72 HISTORY OF THE

this time. The occasion of drawing long and heavy logs
for a store-house for the Quartermaster's department, by
order of our commander, was not specially agreeable to the
boys, and the only consolation they had was that "it was all
in the nine months."

On the wonderfully warm day and night of the loth, Com
pany B was ordered on a secret expedition. They were
excused from battalion drill and made themselves ready for
duty. At five o'clock they marched to the railroad near
Falls Church and remained as pickets ibr the night. A por
tion were stationed at proper intervals on the highway,
crossed by the railroad, while the main body remained in
an open field near by, and those who slept, had the privilege,
of enjoying their nap in the open air. All this because a
rebel cavalry raid was feared, and also on account of the
presence of some guerillas in the neighborhood. Everything
went well until about half- past four o'clock, when, according
to "A. D. N.," from whose letter this account is taken, it
commenced raining "big guns" in the "old Virginia" style,
which wet us through and through in double-quick time.
At six o'clock we formed in line and started for camp, tired,
wet and hungry, and completely satisfied with our first
"secret expedition." They saw "naryareb." A large
number of the company received the full benefit of the
shower bath, for, in order that they might do their whole
duty, even those who were sick in their quarters arose and
joined the expedition.

On the 19th, a brigade review by Gen. Cowden came oft',
and on the 22d instant, a brigade inspection and review, by
Gen. Abercrombie. The latter was at Hall's Hill, two or
three miles from camp. The former was witnessed by a
large number of spectators, including some ladies. It is
described bv "A. I). N." as larger than a dozen Providence

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 73

4th of Julys. Five regiments of infantry and one battery
were in line at the latter, comprising about five thousand
troops. Gen. Abercrombie, it is said, expressed much sat
isfaction.

DEATH OF HOSPITAL STEWARD PERVEAR.

Jacob S. Pervear, an enlisted young man of excellent
character, in Company B, serving in the important post of
Hospital Steward, who, by his kind and obliging manners,
had endeared himself to the officers and men of the regi
ment, died on the 23d of December after a short illness of
typhoid fever. He was buried on the 24th with appropriate
ceremonies. We take our account from the letter of "A.
D. N.," in the Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle:

"The ambulance containing the remains was . preceded by an
escort composed of the non-commissioned staff of the regiment
and sixteen men of Company B, under the command of Sergeant
Crocker, accompanied by the drum corps. The officers and men
of Company B followed in the rear of the procession. Arriving at
the parade-ground, the coffin was taken from the ambulance and
placed on a ' stretcher,' when appropriate services were performed
by the Chaplain, consisting of prayer, reading of Scripture, and
brief remarks; after which three volleys were fired by the escort
from Company B, and the remains were replaced in the ambulance
to be conveyed to Washington, thence to the home of the deceased,
in charge of his brother, Mr. Henry Pervear, who arrived in camp
on the 22d instant. Several other companies of the regiment were
present on the occasion, besides a large number of civilians, as
well as members of other regiments in the brigade. In the course
of his remarks, Chaplain Gould made the following appropriate
poetical quotation:

" Ye number it in- days since he

Strode up the foot-worn aisle,
With his dark eye flashing gloriously,
And his lip wreathed with a smile:

74 HISTORY OF THE

Oh, had it been but told you then

To mark whose lamp was dim,
From out those ranks of fresh-lipped men,

Would ye have singled him?

*****

His heart in generous deed and thought,

No rivalry might brook,
And yet distinction claiming not,

There lies he— go and look."

MERRY CHRISTMAS IN CAMP.

The picket line of our brigade was considerably extended
in the latter part of the month, and required a detail of live
companies, instead of three as formerly. Fine weather
greeted us on Thursday, which was Christmas morning. The
men had been graciously relieved from the customary drills,
when, lo ! at breakfast time came the order, "Fall in, with
arms and equipments. ' ' In a few minutes the regiment was in
line of battle, and remained so for perhaps an hour. This
was followed by an order to stack arms and break ranks.
This was promptly obeyed by hungry men. The line was
re-formed at ten o'clock, arms were taken and the men dis
missed, but required to wear their equipments until noon,
when they were ordered off.

Barring the incidents just described, and the encumbrances
which the men could not shake off until ordered, they sought
enjoyment according to their own good pleasure. A large
number of boxes from home to help the men make merry
with their friends, being reported at Washington, they were
sent for by order of Gen. Cowden. The quarters of many
of the officers and men were decorated in honor of the day.
Gen. Cowden was serenaded in the evening by the boys of
the Fortieth Massachusetts.

One writer says that the alarm in the morning was occa-

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 75

sioncd by heavy firing heard at an early hour, and another
says the morning was foggy and Gen. Cowden did not want
to be caught napping. On the evening following, Gen. Cow-
den was serenaded by the officers of the Eleventh regiment.
The General responded to the compliment in a brief speech,
asking them to follow only where he led. He was a man of
deeds rather than words. He stated that he had been in
thirteen battles and four skirmishes since the war began.
The weather for rather more than a week previous to the

3()th instant, was exceptionally fine and mild.

•

MILLS' CROSS ROADS.

About half-past eleven o'clock on Sunday night, the 28th
instant, the significant long roll sounded in our drowsy
ears. There was no mistake about it, though it was the first
time most of us had heard it. It said very plainly : "Turn
out ! " and with hardly a second thought, the regiment were
out, armed and equipped, into the streets in a few minutes.
But another order, more strongly impressed, came : " Pack
your knapsacks and leave behind what you don't need and
cannot carry." This order was obeyed, and inside of half an
hour the regiment was in line of battle on the parade-ground.
Adieu to many a turkey, and many a nice cake, and to quan
tities of good things just arrived in many boxes from the
loved ones at home. But there was no alternative, no
repining, and no delay. Unexpected presents were made,
and stomachs were distended to meet the emergency, all in
short metre. Oh ! the comfortable quarters that we were to
leave behind, to be forsaken for shelter tents and the damp,
cold ground. Nothing was destroyed, however ; new comers
might have the benefit, and then we might return.

76 HISTORY OF THE

The whole brigade was out. The One Hundred and
Forty-first New York was left to guard the hill, the Six
teenth Virginia remained, and one section of the battery.
The column did not move till more than half an hour after
midnight. The writer passed along the line to observe the
spirit of the boys. It was a full turnout. Songs were
sung, jokes were cracked ; all were in excellent spirits for
the work before them. The effect of so sudden an order
upon a body of men accustomed to obey without questioning
was surprising. They only knew that they were to march ;
they did not know, and seemed to care little, where.

We moved at the word of command ; the Twenty-second
Connecticut, the Fortieth' Massachusetts, and the Eleventh
Rhode Island. It was a fine moonlight night, no drums
beating, no loud talking ; Ave were ordered to move on the
sly. Two sections of the First Virginia battery accompa
nied the column ; ammunition wagons, and ambulances
carrying ammunition, were in the train, and it was not long
before we understood that we were marching to meet the
enemy if we could get within shooting distance of him.
The route was in a southwesterly direction. A halt of about
ten minutes was made at Falls Church, and then forward
till we reached Mills' Cross Roads, some five or six miles
from Miner's Hill. The route was over roads in a horrid
condition, through mud and water, through woods and
briars, over fences and broken bridges, double or single file,
picking and threading our way, half moonlight and half
darkness, for three hours and a half. This, in heavy march
ing order ; some knapsacks were very heavy, and the mettle
of the men was severely tried. The mud holes were nearly
or quite knee deep. About four o'clock in the morning we
filed to the right and formed in line of battle in a large field.
Orders were given to load and cap with as little noise as

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 77

possible ; to unstrap blankets and wrap them around us to
protect us against the chill of an atmosphere filled with mist.
Company B was sent out on picket on the road to Vienna,
and Company I in the opposite direction, to give notice of
the enemy's approach. The men will not soon forget how
they waited till dawn, and sunrise, and broad daylight, and
no enemy appeared. Three rebel cavalrymen, taken prisoners
by our cavalry, passed in review before us in the morning.
Their appearance was not prepossessing ; they had straggled
and were taken in. The Fortieth Massachusetts, the
Twenty-second Connecticut, and the battery, were, like the
Eleventh regiment, posted so as to give the enemy a warm
reception.

Information came to the headquarters of our division that
a body of Stuart's Cavalry, some twenty-five hundred men,
were in the vicinity, in fact had destroyed about two hundred
thousand dollars' worth of government property at a place
three miles below Miner's Hill, and our brigade was ordered
out to intercept them. But the bird had flown, passing that
way half an hour before. He was too sharp for Gen. Aber-
crombie, commander of the division, who had another brigade
in position not far from Cowden's to assist in the hoped for
capture of the rebels. It seems that when the Union forces
were at Mills' Cross Roads, Stuart was at the other cross
roads a mile and a half distant. Rumor said that except
for positive orders, Gen. Cowden would have pushed on
beyond the cross roads and we should certainly have met
them. True or not, we believed he had the grit to do so.
Old fogyism, so we thought then, would never have caught
more than half a dozen of Stuart's cavalry at a time. The
Blunt and Heron style was needed to nab them.

Uncertain as to future movements, we remained in our
position the most of Monday. Camp fires were lighted in

78 HISTOKY OF THE

the frosty morning, except by the pickets, and burned
through the splendid, warm spring-like day. Additional
rations were brought and served out to us before noon. By
four o'clock we had coffee. The boys had sought what rest
they could get, had pitched their shelter tents for the first
time, and began to be merry, when we were ordered to
strike tents and take a new position in a clean pine wood.
Scarcely were they pitched a second time, and the men,
though early, had begun to turn in, when again the order
was given ; it was promptly obeyed, and the regiment was
quickly in line of battle. A half an hour of waiting and
we took up our line of march over the same rough road by
a glorious moonlight for about five miles, marched into our
company streets, gave a grand shout, and retired about ten
o'clock in the old quarters to rest.

Thus ended our first attempt to get at the enemy. It
was tough, sharp work. The men behaved well, and seemed
sorry that the effort was a fruitless one. Half the regiment
were out on picket Saturday, and up to the time of our
return had had, at most, but six hours' sleep. A stronger
force turned out for this expedition than at dress-parade on
Sunday.

VARIETY NKW YEAH.

The boys were permitted to rest until reveille, but Tues
day night, when a misty rain set in and a heavy vapor
enveloped our hill, the ominous long roll sounded at nine
o'clock ; we formed in line of battle ; but were soon sent to
our quarters and ordered to sleep on our arms. To crown
that, our knapsacks were packed ready to march at a moment's
warning. From daybreak the next day until sunset, we
were treated to a succession of outs and ins, pack and

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. < V)

unpack, sufficient to provoke us, excite our laughter, and
make us submissive to any order. Regularity in picket duty
was resumed Wednesday morning. That was the beginning
of the end ; for though owing to firing on the picket lines,
the long roll was beaten again at two o'clock New Year's
morning, it amounted to nothing more than breaking the
rest of several thousand men apparently for no good cause.

On the morning of the last day of the year the men were
mustered, in the usual tedious style, for two months' pay.
Hundreds of men in the regiment needed their pay for the
first three months. They had to wait until they could get it.

New Year's day came. The pickets, who had expected
stormy weather, cani3 in on that fine morning to great their
comrades in camp with a Happy New Year. To recur again
to the march to Mills' Cross Roads. There were many con
flicting newspaper accounts at the time ; but now it seems
clear that a large body of rebel cavalry marched through
and out of our lines on the morning of December 29th,
not far from where we were drawn up in order of battle.
The cavalry pickets skirmished with them and captured a
few, Gen. Cowden's brigade chased them and proceeded as
far as orders would permit.

RKVIEW OF THREE MONTHS* SERVICE.

Tuesday, January 6th, 1863, marked the end of three
months' service for the Eleventh regiment. In that period
we saw quite a variety of soldier life, though we made but
few moves. We had been, however, neither idle nor in a
position of little consequence. Steel had not crossed steel,
death-shots had not been exchanged, and we had not been
enveloped in the smoke of battle. Every available hour

tf HISTORY OF THE

was used to prepare us for the deadly conflict. We earned
the commendation of our first Colonel and of the General
commanding our brigade, for the progress we had made.

The regiment enjoyed a large measure of health. There
were admitted to the hospital within the three months,
eighty-one patients ; sent to the general hospital, four ; died,
two ; returned to duty, forty-five ; remaining in the hospital,
thirty. The prevailing diseases were typhoid malarial fever,
diarrhoea and rheumatism. The percentage of deaths was
very small. It was usually ten to fifteen per cent. The
plan of retaining the sick in our own hospital differed from
that of surgeons in most regiments.

This favorable result was largely due to the elevated local
ity in which the regiment was posted. When first stationed
there, no man thought the place fit to stay in for a day, but
after three months' experience, hardly any one would
exchange it for that of any camp in the region. The camps
of our neighbors looked well and were made comfortable for
the season. The Twenty-second Connecticut quarters were
wholly log cabins, regularly laid out ; the Fortieth Massachu
setts had tents stockaded with logs or boards ; the One Hun
dred and Forty-first New York occupied Sibley tents, while
the camp of the Eleventh combined the style of the Connecticut
and Massachusetts regiments. The Medical Inspector of
Abercrombie's division, after a visit at that time to the various
camps in the division, reported the "Twelfth and One Hun
dred and Eighteenth New York, the Fortieth Massachusetts,
and Eleventh Rhode Island, as models of cleanliness and
good order."

The regiment was in fine condition for. active service.
Out on picket every four days, the boys had a constant taste
of something beside their snug and comfortable quarters in
camp, and on the 10th of January an order was issued

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. K

for the pickets to remain on duty forty-eight, instead of
twenty-four, hours. Happily we encountered no enemy on
the picket line, though in the outermost post of the defences
of AVashington, and in an exposed position. Not many
months after, Mosby's guerrillas gobbled up eighty men of a
Massachusetts? regiment near Falls Church, inside of our
lines.

NEW YEAR'S AND NEW ORDERS.

New Year's day passed as pleasantly as such a life
would permit. At two o'clock in the morning Gen. Cow-
den's staff presented to him a newr sash, belt and sabre.
"A. D. N." says: "He was surprised in the arms of
Morpheus."

Every one knows that New Year's is the day of all days
for turning over a new leaf, and our Lieutenant-Colonel
seemed determined not to be out of fashion, and at dress-
parade we had a series of most important orders, which
made every man prick up his ears and listen. We will add
just here, that our Adjutant, in whom the boys all took a
just pride, read these orders .with a positive snap, so that
every man could hear and receive no uncertain sound. On
this occasion the most noticeable order was that enforcing
the Third Article of War, which forbids the "low, demoral
izing and disgusting habit of profane swearing," imposing a
fine and imprisonment if necessary. Another order, read at
the time, made the non-commissioned officers responsible for
the conduct and bearing of the men when in line or on the
march. It concluded : "It will doubtless be found the case
that where any regiment has been false to its name or colors,
it has been owing to a want of discipline in these matters.

82 HISTORY OF THE

It is to be hoped that the name of the Rhode Island Eleventh
will never be tarnished. To- prevent this, we must remove
all causes that like this would affect its discipline, destroy
mutual confidence, cause confusion, and thus impair its
strength in time of action."

The last order of the series required that the officers of
companies should immediately ascertain and report as to the
amount of clothing which their men would want for the
next three months.

About this time a Sixteenth Virginia boy was shot in
trying to pass the pickets of the Fortieth Massachusetts.
This regiment was composed of about as remarkable a set of
fellows as Sir John Falstaff's Coventry boys.

The weather at that season was generally pleasant, but
storms were frequent enough, however, to make it unfit for
military movements. Rain and mud, wind and dust, and
snow enough to carpet the ground, all visited us in a short
period. "A. D. N." wrote: "One needs to see the
4 sacred soil ' after a heavy rain to form any idea of its
richness. It is clear as mud and slick as grease. If we
don't return covered with glory, we shall return covered with
dirt, for mud is everywhere."

CHANGES AND ORDERS TO MOVE.

The new year brought changes in the officers of the regi
ment. Lieuts. Ayer, Metcalf, and Howard were made cap
tains and assigned to Companies A, II, and E, respectively.
Second-Lieuts. Stone and Mathewson were made first
lieutenants of Companies E and G. First-Lieut. Joseph
T. Snow was transferred from Company Gr to Company I.
Second-Lieut. Cross, of Westerly, was assigned to Com
pany G, and Second-Lieut. Samuel Thurber was assigned

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 83

to Company K. Company I rejoiced in Capt. Howard's
promotion, but deeply regretted his loss to themselves.
They had learned to estimate his worth as a man and his
abilities as an officer. They had become strongly attached
to him, and they felt that Company E gained a leader worthy
of a higher position than captain.

An order came Sunday afternoon, January llth, to be
ready to march at short notice. Of course this was a sur
prise to the boys, and they were not officially informed as to
their destination, but guessed that they would be ordered to
perform guard-duty at the Convalescent camp.

PREPARATIONS FOR MOVING.

There is a place enshrined in every heart, the thought of
which weaves itself into the events of life and tempers its
experience from the cradle to the grave. That spot is home.
There are secondary homes also, which, like the reflected
rainbow, bear stronger or fainter resemblance to the true, as
the state of the atmosphere in the one, or surrounding cir
cumstances in the other, permits. In the ever-shifting life
of the soldier he sometimes remains weeks or months, as
the Eleventh did, on the same ground ; it is a temporary
home to him. He becomes attached to it, and regrets to
leave it, especially if he has spent no little time and inge
nuity in making it cosy and comfortable. Thus it was when
we were ordered from Miner's Hill, where we had arranged
matters quite to our liking. Perhaps if we had been
ordered to Paradise, there might have been some regret in
leaving our home-like camp behind.

Our "moving," for the regiment moved, bag and baggage,
as truly as the people of New York move on the 1st dav of

84 HISTORY OF THE

May, was a military necessity. We understood that we
should be located in the vicinity of Alexandria to act as
guard to the Convalescent Camp; to remain, perhaps, in
that monotonous business for the remainder of our time.
So much do soldiers enjoy a change, that we are sure the
men would have made ready as cheerfully for a march to a
fight as to engage in the new duty which was before them.
The men wondered that the Eleventh was ordered upon
such a duty, and finally guessed that the order previously
read on dress-parade, commending our camp as a "• model
of cleanliness and good order," and our general reputation
for good behavior, had much to do with it. That answered
curiosity, if nothing more.

SELECTION OF A CAMP.

The first thing to be done was the selection of a camp,
and, on Monday, the 12th, our commander, the Chaplain
and Quartermaster proceeded to the vicinity of the Conva
lescent Camp, and selected, in view of the needs of the
regiment, the best location they could find.

The next day, Lieut. Burlingame, by profession a civil
engineer, with a detail of several men each, from Companies
E, D, B, and I, to which were added the Pioneer Corps,
went on to the ground to lay out and make ready for the
camp. There were some attractions in that service, and the
men started off' in excellent humor. The Quartermaster's
teams transported the knapsacks of the men and all the
necessary utensils, tents and provisions, and they were pre
pared, as they were not to return, to spend the night com
fortably on the new camp-ground.

The pioneers marched with the teams, and were longer on
the route. The work was begun towards night, but soon

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 0

ceased as darkness drew on. They had previously built
their camp-fire and made their coffee, so they pitched their
tents, and the Lieutenant and his men lay down together
and made themselves comfortable till morning. They
worked steadily the next day till after the regiment arrived,
which was past one o'clock. The boys of the regiment fell
to with a will. A tented city soon occupied the ground,
eight Sibley tents to a company, and the men made them
selves as comfortable as possible for the night.

The general impression then was, that they would not
exchange for Miner's Hill. The pleased and half-displeased
with the new location were about equally divided.

THK MAUCH FROM MINKK's HILL.

Though but a m irch of six miles, yet, with its accompani
ments, it was no ordinary march. "Equipment" wrote of
it : " It was not without regret that the men trod our beauti
ful parade-ground for the last time. Round after round of
cheers were given by the different companies as they passed
their streets. . . The boys were jolly, ' anything for a
change,' said they, and so, with a merry song, we marched
away."

It was most noteworthy that the boys took with them
almost everything that could be transported, an abundance
of government teams being furnished at the instance of our
commander. ''Even before our departure the vandals had
begun their work. Representatives of high and low degree
from several neighboring regiments, came to see what they
could find to add to their convenience." "The men of
other regiments swarmed like bees," says another, "around
our conveniently constructed quarters, bought what they
could, that the men could not tak*«, received thankfully what

86 HISTORY OF THE

was given them, appropriated, as soon as the feet of our
men left the threshold, everything that was left ; tore the
quarters in pieces after the tents were struck, and in a very
short space of time made our camp a desolation.'' "Some
4 odd 'trophies,' " says ''Equipment," "gathered at our
encampment were borne away. Upon the shoulders of one
sat a glossy-coated mouser ; here the homeliest of dogs
trudged along by a soldier's side, and a lame black crow
adorned the knapsack of another." They took stoves,
boards, windows, kitchen utensils, and many articles useful
for what they called the regular boarders, and, though there
were nearly fifty teams for officers and men (three being
allowed to the men of each company) , some of the compa
nies hired extra teams to transport their boxes, stuffed with
all sorts of soldiers' "nick-nacks."

The march was made in good order and with reasonable
dispatch. "Sometimes our regiment had been made to
' double-quick,' and then to halt at the pleasure of some ill
marching regiment ahead of us ; but this time we were
alone, and were enabled to complete our journey with
unbroken ranks." The column with the baggage train was
nearly a mile long. "It was truly a beautiful sight as it
wound its way through the woods and across plains to our
place of destination."

The regiment was not overmarched. A halt was made
for dinner, and a corps of men went ahead to select the best
route. We left Miner's Hill about ten o'clock in the morn
ing of January 14th, and arrived at the new camp about
half-past one.

ELEVENTH HEGIM KNT.

87

PART II.
CAMP METCALF.

'•CAMP near Fort Richardson, on the road to Alexandria,"
and " Camp near Camp Convalescent," headed the letters
of the men, until the camp was named. The impression
then made upon the mind of a northerner was, that no one
seemed able to tell you of your whereabouts or how far it
was to anywhere, or the names of any places in the vicinity
smaller than large cities or large rivers. For instance, we
were told that we were at Frazer's Farm ; some said
Frazer's Mills, and some, Green Valley. Our camp was in
a "beautiful valley surrounded by hills." "A pleasant
place, yet the dead and the living are side by side, for a
private burial place, with an occasional monument, is just in
the rear of the officers' tents." By another writer, " our
location was a verv fine one, and it was thought would be a
healthy one, if comfortable quarters were arranged, as the
men proposed to themselves on their first arrival." The
tents ranged nearly north and south. On the west side and
northwest corner was a large grove of pine woods. On a
height behind us was Fort Richardson ; hardly a quarter of
a mile opposite,- was the high land, known as Arlington
Heights. In a southeast direction, looking out over the
Potomac and the wide flats along its banks, was Fort Scott.
On the distant hills, up the valley, Fort Albany. To the
southeast, an opening reaches to the Potomac, while the

88 HISTOKY OF THE

valley stretches to the right and includes Camp Convalescent.
Crowning the hills on the south, a couple of miles or more
distant, was Fairfax Seminary, transformed into a hospital,
and to the southwest, Fort Blenker was visible. Forts
Lynn, Barnard, and Ward were also in view.

This was rightly called the Green Valley, but before we
could enjov the season that would beautify the whole region
with verdure and flowers, we were more than two hundred
miles farther to the sunny south.

Ql'ARTKKS (U'ARD DITY.

In the Sibley tents, then occupied, there was an entire
change of messes. What a breaking of ties that had been
formed during the three months' previous service, what diffi
culties in the formation of new messes, what queer and
amusing combinations were made, how, finally, all settled
down into a harmonious contentment with the new order of
things, we leave to the re-creating memory of every comrade
in the regiment. Each mess was composed of twelve men,
more or less. All slept upon the ground. Some laid down
boards and some pine boughs to shield them from the damp
ness, or make softer couches. From the first day of our
arrival the weather was unfavorable. The thermometer Sat
urday, Sunday and Monday, the 17th, 18th, and 19th, stood
at sixteen, ten, and twelve degrees, in the order named, and
the men were taxed to the utmost to keep comfortable. Had
there been no stoves there would have been real hardship.

Guard duty at Convalescent Camp began at once on
Thursday, the lf>th, and the men were on duty every other
day, either at that camp, the new barracks, not then finished,
or our own camp. The service was a heavy one, and the
men began to see that there was work to be done more
wearing than going to the front.

ELEVENTH UEG1MENT. 8

Guard duty was specially trying on Tuesday, the 20th,
when the severest rain storm thus far experienced, began and
lasted for the two succeeding days. The mud and water
beat anything we had seen at the north. The wind drove
the rain fiercely upon the clothing of the men and upon the
tents, but they endured it with a good deal of grit. The
floor of many a tent on Tuesday night showed large pools
of water upon it, which proved the utter worthlessiiess of
th3 covering. Tiv3 next day, the staff officers and surgeons
came round, and, after personal examination, condemned
(in military style) forty-nine of the eighty tents. This is
not an overdrawn picture. Hundreds of letters, written
home at that date, conveyed much stronger impressions of
our evil condition than is given here. One correspondent of
that date wrote: "For three days it is difficult to say
whether we have travelled by land or water."

Company B enjoyed a visit from Messrs. Stafford W.
Razee, James G. Fales, Jabez Wilmarth, and Joshua Clark,
of Central Falls. They made themselves substantially wel
come, and Mr. Razee provided for the company a liberal
supply of stamped envelopes. Mr. Parley Mathewson, of
Providence, visited the regiment about the same time, and
called upon a large number of the men. Alexander Brown,
of Company I, was detailed as shoe-maker to the regiment,
which proved to be as profitable to him as ''shoe-maker to
Her Majesty." The event of the 22d instant, was the
arrival of a new colonel, formerly Maj. Horatio Rogers, Jr.,
of the Third Regiment.

COL. HORATIO ROGERS AND CAMP METCALF.

Favorable reports of Cjl. Rjg3rs had preceded him. He
took command on tha evening of the 23d instant, in the fol-

HISTORY OF Tin:

lowing order, which was read l>y the Adjutant on dress-
parade. It chanced to be a fine, mild dav, seemingly fur
nished for this occasion :

HEADQUARTERS ELEVENTH R. I. VOLUNTEERS, j
CAMP NEAR FORT RICHARDSON, January 23, 18(53. \

GENERAL ORDER, No. 1 :

COMRADES: The Colonel commanding comes to yon with the
highest anticipations for the future. Were it not so, he would
never have left the brave veteran Third to link his fortunes with
yours. Your former Colonel has assured him that no standard of
excellence is too high for you to attain. Undaunted courage, strict
obedience, will make yon soldiers; nothing else can excel in these
qualities, and it will be an honor for any of you to have belonged
to the Eleventh Rhode Island. Let us never shrink from any duty
that God and our country may demand of us.

Comrades, your Colonel will cheerfully make any sacrifice for
your welfare. May we never be disappointed in each other. With
a firm trust in God, let us press boldly forward in this great cause,
and may the only Giver of victory crown our efforts with glorious
success.

GENERAL ORDER, No. 2:

In honor of th* first colonel of this regiment, this camp will
hereafter be known and designated as Camp Metcalf.

** J. B. G.," in connection with the above orders, thus
refers to our previous commanders: kkCol. Metcalf and
Lieut.-Col. Pitman have discouraged profanity, intemper
ance and Sabbath-breaking, by counsel and conduct, and we
are happy to know that the same regard for good morals
and a recognition of the Almighty are to commend our new
commander to our respect and admiration."

A PLEA FOR THE ELEVENTH TO BE SENT TO THE FRONT.

Within a week after taking command, Col. Rogers made
an earnest effort, as appears from the following letter, to

ELEVENTH HKiJIMKN'T. 91

have the regimen! removed from the Convalescent Camp
and take the field :

HEADQUARTERS ELEVENTH REGIMENT, R. I. VOLS., /
CAMP METCALF, NEAR CONVALESCENT CAMP, Jan. HO, 18(5.3. J

CAPTAIN:— I respectfully and most earnestly apply to have my
regiment relieved from duty as guard of the Convalescent Camp,
and that it may be again attached to Cowden's brigade. The regi
ment is of fine material and well officered, but having been put
(here) for many months, it needs regular drill to keep it from
demoralizing. Both officers and men are desirous of seeing active
service, and I certainly wouldn't have resigned the position of
major in the Third Rhode Island, a three years' regiment, now in
South Carolina, with the lieutenant-colonelcy vacant, for the col
onelcy of this, had it not been for the fond hope and expectation
that we should be actively employed here, which hope and expec
tation are equally entertained by his Excellency Gov. Sprague,
who, by them induced me to take this, a nine months', regiment.

Could we be sent back to Gen. Cowden's brigade, I could have
the opportunity to drill the regiment some, which the nature and
extent of this duty now utterly forbids, half the regiment being on
guard duty daily. When the roads were opened I should hope to
be ordered to the front. While, of course, rendering that prompt
and cheerful obedience to all orders in the performance of any duty
entrusted to me, as becomes a soldier, I shall still ardently long for
leave to be placed where I can fit my regiment for the field with
the prospect of taking it.

Hoping the General will excuse my troubling him, I trust he will
give this communication a favorable consideration, and so, do all in
his power to assist me in again meeting the enemies of our country
in a fight; an opportunity which I fear too many do not desire.
I am, Captain,

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

H. ROGERS, JR., Col. Eleventh R. I. Vols.

To Capt. CARROLL H. POTTER, A. A. Adjutant-General, Head
quarters Defences of Washington.

The above letter was forwarded to Brig. -Gen. John P.
Slough, Military Governor of Alexandria, and by him
referred to Maj.-Gen. Heintzleman in command of the

HISTORY OF THE

defences of Washington, who returned it to Gen. Slough
with this statement :

The number at the Convalescent Camp will be reduced soon, and
the regiment relieved as soon as possible.

By command of

Maj. Gen. HEIXTZLEMAN.
CARROLL H. POTTER, A. A. G.

This reply was returned to Col. Rogers by R. C. Gale,
A. A. General at Alexandria.

MORE BAD WEATHER IMPROVED QUARTERS.

Tuesday, the 27th, brought a steady rain, day and night.
The storm continued into Wednesday, turned to hail, and
then snow, of which twelve to fifteen inches fell before the
next morning, and, in spite of melting, left eight or more
inches on the ground. The roads were in a dreadful condi
tion. Government and all other teams got stuck without
warning and almost without redemption. On the road to
Washington, up to the hub was called an easy depth, and
the boys told big stories of the depths they sounded as they
marched to their posts at Camp Convalescent. For all this,
we had not then sounded the depths of the "sacred soil."
The discomfort of the men was very great, arid it was
endured far better than could have been supposed, and the
health of the regiment was not seriously affected.

It was darkest before the dawn. The tide turned ; stock
ades rose in every part of the camp. Bunks for the men to
sleep in were built in the outer circle of the tents ; the stove
occupied the center, and the merry songs of the men pro
claimed that they had begun to "live." Uncle Sam fur
nished bed-sacks and straw to fill them, for the regiment, and
the men were not slow to appreciate it.

ELEVEXTH REGIMENT. 93

The expense of stockading the tents and erecting bunks
came out of the pockets of the men and amounted to about
one hundred dollars for each company.

PAY DAY AND CHANGES.

( hie of the most interesting items to be noted at that sea
son was, not the mustering for pay, which the boys had come
to consider as an empty farce, but the actual signing of the
pay-roll, and the receipt of some of the money due the regi
ment from the government. Each man was paid for one
month's services to November 1st, and from the day of his
enlistment to the 1st of October. The men were glad to
get a part, but rumor then said that the reason for not
receiving all, was the failure to get the regimental rolls to
Washington at the specified time. If this was so, the depart
ment at Washington was free from blame.

Mr. Munroe, Allotment Commissioner, came round the
next day, and a large number of the men sent home what
they could spare from the small amount received, some
seventeen or eighteen dollars to each private. The men also
learned how large bills the sutler had against them.

Quite an unexpected change was made on the 3d of
February. Companies C and K, being detailed to guard the
Distributing Camp, two miles nearer Alexandria, broke up
house-keeping that morning, on one of those sudden orders
so peculiarly military, struck their tents, pulled down their
stockades, packed their baggage, took all the lumber they
could carry, and, on their arrival, made themselves as com
fortable as possible.

The Distributing Camp was often called the ''Stragglers'
Camp," and comprised, then, several thousand soldiers from
Camp Convalescent, that were in condition to go to their

94 H1STOKY OF THE

regiments, and also those who had strayed away from their
regiments, or had been left behind on a march. This dis
memberment of the Eleventh was not pleasing to the men';
the family would much rather have kept together. A few
days previous to this, Companies B and F, who were fre
quently thus favored, received a flying visit from Col. Jacob
Dunnell and C. B. Farnsworth, of Pawtucket, and John
Duimell, Esq., of New York. Col. Dunnell presented fiftv
dollars to Company F, to aid them in stockading their quarters.
The last day of January brought with it a regimental
inspection bv Col. Rogers.

COLD WEATHER HOME REMEMBRANCES MUSIC.

The disagreeable and dirty weather made an unfavorable
impression, respecting our camp, upon officers, men and
visitors, but a drier spell came in February, with very cold
nights and mornings and the chilliest of snowy atmospheres,
one-third of the time, for variety. The only thermometer
we had seen was broken, and the degree of cold could not
be recorded, but on one of the mornings referred to, one of
the stalwart men of Company I froze his fingers while on
his way to the spring and back for water. It seemed the
coldest morning we had known in Virginia.

Reference has already been made to the fine views that
could be had from the many heights around Camp Metcalf ;
we return to this subject again to couple it with another.
The view of Washington and the Potomac from some of
these points reminded us strongly of Providence. The
Navy Yard answered to Fox Point ; the east branch of the
Potomac to the Seekonk river ; the bridge, some distance up,
to the Red bridge, and this was so striking, that the moment
our bovs obtained their first view from Fort Scott, on the

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

morning of their arrival at our new camp, a large number
being present, they immediately began to point out the
localities which reminded them so strongly of home.

At this camp our music took on some variety. The
buglers, who were appointed when the order came for the
regiment to drill as skirmishers, took part on several occa
sions with pleasing effect on dress-parade. We still enjoyed
our drum band with Mr. Dunbar as leader, and fife-major
Ornam L. Patt, of Central Falls, well known among the
musicians of Providence, who was the instructor of the
band from the beginning. The leader of the buglers was
Mr. Robert Seiler, a gentleman who served his time in the
military service of Prussia, and thrice enlisted in the service
of our own country. But there was a desire for something
still better, and it was decided to organize a brass band.
Col. Rogers headed the subscription list, followed by the
field and line officers, and a long list of men ; in two weeks
the amount required, nearly four hundred dollars, was
obtained, and early in February the band began their
practice.

On the Sabbath, the 25th of January, the regimental
religious services were held in the open air, for those who
were not on guard, and on the following Sunday, the
weather being stormy, services were held by invitation in
the Colonel's mess tent. The Chaplain's discourse was
from the words : "Fear not them that kill the body, and
after that have 110 more that they can do," etc. The large
tent was filled. Half a dozen commissioned officers, includ
ing the Colonel, were present, and when the sermon was
over, by invitation of the Chaplain, the great majority
remained to partake of the Lord's Supper, Col. Rogers
beinjj of the number.

9(> HISTORY OF THE

OUR SECOND COLONEL'S FAREWELL.

After a brief stay he was taken from us. '4 A. D. N.,"
in his letter inquires, "Do we get all the good ones first?
Somebody plays the Dickens with our colonels. He had
already made a favorable impression ; the men had just
begun to appreciate him. His farewell address to the regi
ment at dress-parade, Wednesday, February 4th, was excel
lent. He informed us that he had received a commission to
command the Second regiment, and plainly intimated that
because it was at the front, had been longest in the service,
ani would likely see the most active service, he thought it
his duty to accept the position as its colonel. If he had
found fault needlessly, he hoped that it might be overlooked ;
if for good cause, he trusted that the regiment would profit
by it. He expressed a deep interest in the Eleventh, and,
from his own observation, spoke in favorable terms of its
good character. He concluded with the remark, that his
prayer would ever be that the kind Father and Ruler of us
all would continue to watch over and bless the Rhode Island
Eleventh."

IMPROVEMENTS VISITORS — < )l R HOSPITAL ( HANGES.

A few days of sunshine in the middle of February dimin
ished the mud in a degree. Our streets, instead of appear
ing like so many elongated dough heaps, began to take on
shape and symmetry. Corduroy sidewalks and graded
streets took the place of the mud-and-water style of a few
days previous, and the careful police regulations made the
location comparatively healthy. Corduroy roads and bridges
over brooks, on the route of the regiment to the Convales
cent Camp, and in various other localities where needed.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 1)7

were rapidly constructed. The majority of the tents were
stockaded or boarded to the height of four or five feet,
and made quite comfortable. It was this constant effort
at cleanliness and comfort which made the Eleventh unusally
healthy ; while, under other circumstances in such a location,
a large amount of sickness must have prevailed.

We were favored in this month by visits from Abner Gay,
Esq., of Providence, who came to visit his son, and was
warmly welcomed by many Providence friends, and by Col.
William Yiall, wife and daughter, who came to see us on
the 10th instant, and witnessed our first battalion drill after
we left Miner's Hill. Col. Viall gave us a pretty thorough
inspection, and his visit to us was very welcome. We need
not disguise the fact that visits from Providence ladies, who
took an interest in the regiment, were rejoiced in by the
soldiers, especially in view of the fact that they had
been shut out for months from the refining influences of
home and the genial influences of female society. Provi
dence ladies were always heartily welcomed by Rhode
Island boys.

At this time none were dangerously sick. The number
in the hospitals was not above the average when we were
upon Miner's Hill, though it is true, that for a few days at
a time, a larger number were excused by the Surgeon from
duty. An old-fashioned house, just to the northeast of our
encampment, was appropriated for a hospital, and being well
warmed and properly ventilated, the men who received
attendance there were quite as comfortable as at home.
Every attention was paid to the patients that they could
receive, in the absence of wives and mothers and sisters.
The number in hospital in the middle of February, was
thirty-one. Our hospital arrangements were not surpassed
by those of any regiment in the department.

98 HISTORY OF THE

Our country's soldiers were constantly receiving assistance
from the United States Sanitary Commission. They
bestowed promptly and bountifully anything they had in
the way of comforts and medicines and delicacies, without
the intervention of red tape, that would benefit the sick
soldier, and such was the testimony of the surgeons and
patients in our own hospital. The record of their work has
passed into history, and its example has been emulated in
other countries. A more disinterested and devoted body of
men were rarely ever associated for a benevolent purpose.
A similar testimony should be given in behalf of our own
State Sanitary Commission. At that time, William E.
Hamlin, Esq., of Providence, presented to Company I a
ten dollar case of homoeopathic medicines. We learned on
the morning of the 13th of February, that the other regi
ments of Cowden's brigade were encamped on the plain
above Fort Richardson.

Time and the faithful performance of duty brought further
changes in the officers of the regiment. Second-Lieut.
Burlingamc, of Company I, was promoted to first lieutenant,
and assigned to Company II. Orderly E. K. Thompson, of
Company H, was promoted to be second lieutenant of Com
pany H. He was much beloved and esteemed by the
officers and men of his company, and was thoroughly
familiar with his duties as an officer. Orderly N. K. Rob
inson, of Company E, was promoted to second lieutenant of
Company E.

As soon as the boys of Company H learned of the good
fortune of of their Orderly, a subscription paper was started,
headed by Capt. Joel Metcalf, with a V, and in less than
half an hour over fifty dollars were collected for a sword,
sash, belt and shoulder straps. They were presented to him
on the afternoon of the 14th instant, as a tribute of their

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

high appreciation of him as an officer, and their attachment
to him as a man. The presentation was made by Sergt.
Charles H. Bartlett, who addressed the new officer appro
priately in behalf of the company. Lieut. Thompson,
wholly surprised, with difficulty found words to utter a
fitting response. The outfit was neat and beautiful.

CAMP CONVALESCENT.

To give an adequate idea of the service that the Eleventh
regiment rendered during three months of its term, it is
important that the Convalescent Camp should be fully
described. ;'A. D. N.," speaking of it at the time we
arrived there, writes :

" The present camp is in a filthy condition, and a shame to those
who have charge of it. The camp was originally located about two
miles nearer Alexandria, in the region of what was called the Dis
tributing Camp. When we took possession of Camp Metcalf they
were located in the Green Valley. What was filthy before we went
there, by the middle of February had become clean, and a very
different affair from what it was when the government established
it. It was under entirely different regulation. It grew rapidly
from a small number to a moderate sized army, and what had
been confusion soon became order and system."

Our first view of this camp was street upon street of tents
covering many acres, sufficient to accommodate nearly ten
thousand soldiers, while at the western end the frames of
barracks for five thousand men were just rising. As fast as
these were completed, the dwellers in tents removed to the
more comfortable and substantial structures, until every tent
was vacated, the barracks filled, and the remainder sent to
their regiments or discharged from service.

The buildings going up when we arrived there, were com
pleted in a little more than a month. They were situated

100 HISTORY OF THE

on a pleasant hillside and surrounded by pine woods. There
were two rows of buildings, twenty in each row, and about
two hundred feet apart, ranged north and south, with ten
more barracks across the northern end. The whole was
situated on the road to Alexandria, and extended back several
hundred feet. From the upper end could be had a fine view
of the Potomac and the surrounding country. The barracks
were each about one hundred feet long, provided with bunks,
with bed sacks and blankets for one hundred men. The
woods surrounding the camp were trimmed up high and all
the under-brush was cut away.

Next to the barracks, and just east of them, were the cook
and eating-houses, which were very large, and, in addition to
the cooking apparatus, provided with tables for over three
thousand men to eat at one time. Wells were dug and an
abundance of water conducted into all the buildings ; other
conveniences were added, so that the camp could be kept in
a cleanly state. Headquarters were in the centre, fronting
the road, and a line of officers' quarters extended back
through the centre of the cam]). On the 20th of February,
the barracks were full, and contained a little more than five
thousand men. To what we have already described, add
four large hospitals with cook-houses attached to them.

The arrangements for cooking for this good-sized village,
were on a very large and complete scale, and the food was
well and thoroughly cooked.

To give an idea of the magnitude of the business, in one
of the ranges were eight square kettles for coffee, holding
fifty gallons each ; six boilers for meat, which held forty
gallons each, and eight large ovens for roasting. Water
pipes conveyed water to these establishments, and an exten
sive bakery furnished excellent bread.

It was frequently stated that there were at one time from

ELEVKXTII REGIMENT. 101

fifteen thousand to seventeen thousand men in the Convales
cent Camp, but it is now clear that this number probably
Included all the men in the Distribution Camp as well. On
our arrival there, there were, perhaps, nine thousand men.
On the 10th of February, there were, including commis
sioned officers, a few more than seven thousand. Under a
provision of Congress, large numbers were daily discharged
as unfit for service, and this number, nearly three hundred,
was not made good by the daily arrivals.

The camp was under the command of Lieut. -Col.
McKelvy, an officer in the regular army. There were three
divisions, of New England, Middle and Western troops. In
the middle of February, sixteen hundred or eighteen hun
dred Pennsylvania troops remained in Sibley tents. The
Loudon and Hampshire Railroad, with which it was con
nected by a branch road, constructed by the government,
was but half a mile from this camp.

The convalescents were greatly demoralized. The major
ity had seen terrible service with McClellan on the Peninsula,
and at the second battle of Bull Run, under Pope, and in
his other battles and retreats, and a stranger going among
them could be entertained for days by the wonderful accounts
of the scenes through which they had passed. Almost every
State then in the Union was represented there. Writes
"A. D. N." : "You could there behold some of the most
deplorable events of the war ; young men, middle-aged and
old men were congregated there, suffering from disease or
recovering from wounds received in battle, hoping in some
way to be discharged from further service. Others, able-
bodied, waiting and contriving how to skedaddle. It was for
the benefit of this latter class that our regiment was there."

The convalescent boys did not relish the arrival of the
Eleventh, blest with health, large in numbers, and strong

102 HISTORY OF THE

in determination to do an honest and strict guard duty, and
they vented their feelings in many silly ways and foolish
speeches. They even thought of a rebellion on their own
hook, on account of the stringency of the guard placed over
them, and "A. I). N." remarks, in reference to this:
"Perhaps we may as well fight here as farther down in
Dixie."

On one occasion there occurred a mutiny in a stone build
ing, two stories high ; the upper story being reached through
an opening in the floor by a ladder. At this opening stood
the infuriated men with axes, shovels and whatever they
could lay hold of, and threatened to kill the first man that
ascended. Lieut. Stone, of Company E, officer of the
guard that day, was apprised of the tumult and repaired at
once to the scene. He ascended the ladder, pistol in hand,
threatening to shoot the first man that offered resistance.
They were impressed that the lieutenant was in earnest, and
fell back, and one by one were sent below and taken care of.
At a court martial held soon after, two of these men were
adjudged guilty of an assault and insubordination, and sent
to the Rip Raps for two years.

This was not much to be wondered at. Patriotism does
not thrive on " wounds and bruises and putrefying sores,"
on bad rations or filthy quarters, and the government chose
the true remedy in providing roomy and healthy quarters,
excellent food, the care that they needed and deserved, and
hospital arrangements of the best kind. In this large num
ber of men there were very many who were not grumblers,
and who, notwithstanding all the hardships they had endured,
were ready to do battle again for the dear old flag.

Days of sunshine sometimes came to these men, individu
ally and collectively. "The Pennsylvania soldiers in this
camp, on Saturday, February 14th, were treated to a hand-

ELEVENTH IJEGIMEXT. 103

si MII • collation, furnished by the; liberality of the; citizens of
Goshen and Williston townships, of Chester county of their
own State. The ladies of these two towns prepared eleven
thousand pounds of provisions, consisting of hams, turkeys,
chickens, roast pig, apples, pies, cakes, etc. The feast was
none the less gratefully received for being a surprise. Ad
dresses were made by two Baptist clergymen who were
present, and the soldiers were well pleased with the enter
tainment." This account is clipped from the letters of
"A. D. N."

When, therefore, their quarters had been made as com
fortable as soldiers' quarters could be, and when access to
them by their friends or any interested in their welfare was
easy, quite a deep religious interest pervaded the camp, and
prayer-meetings were daily held in the chapel tent.

THE LOST SHEEP CAMP DISTRIBUTION AND OTHER CAMPS.

The writer and a friend obtained a pass to visit Alexan
dria. On their way, they visited Companies K and C, the
lost sheep of our regimental fold, and were pleased to find
them in the belief that they had found better pasture than
in their former camp. Companies C and K were detailed
as an interior guard to the Distributing Camp, and, like the
portion of the regiment at Camp Metcalf, were located in a
position of their own choosing, near their field of duty. It
was about two miles from Camp Metcalf, on the direct road
to Alexandria, and but a short distance from the residence
of a Mrs. Hall, a large octagonal-shaped building, which
could not escape notice.

104 HISTORY OF THE

REV. DR. CHARLES HALL*S HOUSE.

tw While Companies C and K were stationed at the Distri
bution Camp, the officers and some of the men were much
interested in learning the history of this octagonal house,
used by Capt. Upham, who was in command of the camp,
as his headquarters. Although the house was stripped of
nearly all its furniture, yet enough remained to show that it
had been occupied by a family of culture and literary taste.
We soon learned that the place had been the residence of
Rev. Charles Hall, formerly Secretary of the American Home
Mission Society, in New York.

"Dr. Hall's health being seriously impaired, he had built
a charming home on the road from Leesburg to Alexandria,
near the famous Fairfax Theological Seminary, and thither
transported his family ; away from the bustle and turmoil of
the metropolitan city. But here this beautiful family were
doomed to bitter sorrow and disappointment. Calamity
succeeded calamity. A promising son, educated, talented,
even brilliant, was called from them by death. Another
son, the idol of the family, just budding into manhood, was
drowned while bathing. The father sickened and died.
The widow and daughters were exerting all their powers to
keep their beautiful home, when the war broke out, and
this section was first in possession of one party and then of
the other.

" Being of northern origin, they were suspected by the
Confederates, and, when they were in possession, subjected
to many annoyances. Finally they were obliged to go
north, and their house was ransacked, their property pillaged
and much of it destroyed. Their beautiful home was ter
ribly marred by war, and at a date subsequent to the time
the Eleventh were there, tlje house was burned, and they

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 105

had lost all. During our stay there, the writer made the
acquaintance of Mrs. Hall, a woman of matronly dignity,
cultivated and refined. She had gone to her old home, only to
find it more a heap of ruins than at her last former visit. She
stopped at the house of the nearest neighbor, one Mr. Camp,
who appeared to be a Union man. There Mrs. Hall was
packing the remnants of her furniture, and what there was
left of her husband's formerly valuable library, to remove
them to the north. I have now before me a little book, a token
received from her hand, entitled ' The Daily Verse Expositor
for the Acts.' It was written by her lamented husband, and
published in New York, 1832. Since the war, Mrs. Hall
was for some years a resident of Providence, one of her
daughters having married a prominent clergyman of this
city. Another daughter, a young lady of excellent educa
tion, and much refinement, was a successful teacher, widely
known, and highly respected by a large circle of devoted
friends."

As we approached the city our attention was attracted by
a very long train of baggage wagons, some staff officers
and a few straggling soldiers. We larned that it was a rem
nant of the Pennsylvania Reserves, on their way to a new
encampment on Miner's Hill. This division originally con
sisted of thirteen thousand men. Their ranks had been reduced
to four thousand, and but twenty-five hundred were fit for
duty. Who could say that they should not have time to
rest and recruit?

On our return to camp, we called at the officers' quarters
of Company K. Lieut. Thurber was not present, but Capt.
Mowry and Lieut. Edwards welcomed us heartily, enter
tained us for several hours in true soldier-like style, and
gave us all the information we desired.

This camp, which was under the command of Capt.

106 HISTOKY OF THE

Parkhurst, of Company C, was situated west of the road
to Alexandria, in a position Similar to our old one on
Miner's Hill. On each side was a deep ravine, and healthy
breezes had free course over and around the ridge, but the
scenery was not so inviting. On the Friday after their
arrival in their new camp, a heavy rain deluged the floors of
their tents, especially in Company C, and in one instance, it
was said, to the depth of ten inches ; but they soon had
well stockaded quarters, comfortable bunks, and everything
as agreeable as in the other companies. For want of a
better name we christened that camp, Camp Metcalf, Jr.

The government sent to this camp all stragglers all
detailed privates, all the men fit for duty at Camp Convales
cent, and thence they were sent in large squads to their
respective regiments. There were from five to eight thou
sand men then in the camp. The post was under the com
mand of Capt. * Upham. Contiguous to this camp was a
camp of recruits, also under the commandant of that post.

Still nearer Alexandria, and distinct from the Distribution
Camp, was the camp of paroled prisoners, containing not
more than five or six hundred men ; and we learned that
somewhere between Camp Metcalf and Fairfax Seminary,
was a convalescent horse camp, where horses that had been
under medical treatment and were on the road to sound
health, were treated to further rest and a fat pasture.

AMUSING SCENE PRIZES DUTIES.

Almost all through February pleasant days were curios
ities. In Company I the severe snow storm of the 22d
was followed by a little fun. A "gay" fellow in one of
the messes, challenged Rev. Dr. Hawkes (so dubbed by his
friends) to a duel with snowballs. It was accepted, and

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 107

at it they went, and soon the whole company turned out to
witness the scene. Unluckily the foot of the young soldier-
boy slipped, then came a tumble and a rolling over, the
reverend gentleman washed the youth's face thoroughly in
the snow, and the brave boy acknowledged himself con
quered. Towards night the boys in the lower tents had a
battle with those in the upper, who were led by the commis
sioned officers. The contest was long and desperate, many
a man bit the snow, and in the end a certain tall Captain
looked as much like a snow man as anything else. Both
parties claimed the victory. Darkness put an end to the
contest, and the combatants slept on their arms.

Most of the tents in the latter part of February were
turned into armories. The boys began polishing the barrels
of their Enfield rifles, which were bronzed. Prizes were
offered in some of the companies to the man wrho should
produce the best looking musket. The contest was a sharp
one, the results brilliant ; and it was not long before the
muskets of the whole regiment became of the glittering,
instead of the sombre sort. It was claimed that the bright

O

musket made a better mark for the enemy, but the govern
ment has not ceased to make the Springfield musket with a
polished barrel, and doubtless their fine appearance is a stim
ulus to the men to keep their arms in excellent condition.
A prize was also offered for the best shot, and target
practice, by the various companies, went on for some time.
The award was to have been made on the 21st, but was
delayed that Companies C and K might contest for it, and
when, in the latter part of March, it was decided, it was
won by Corporal David L. Fales, of Company B. Five
men put eleven out of fifteen shots into the target. Com
pany H did the next best shooting.

108 HISTORY OF THE

TRADES AND GAMES.

The regiment was composed of men of many and various
professions, trades and occupations, and at Camp Metcalf a
number of men regularly wrought at their business. The
shoe-maker of the regiment has been mentioned before. A
German watch-maker helped to keep good time. There
was more than one professional barber, and they received a
good share of patronage. Tailors were employed in mend
ing and metamorphosing the worn garments of the men. The
brick masons and the carpenters found enough to do. The
Colonel's quarters and the chapel at Miner's Hill, the brick
ovens in the various camps, the excellent stockades at Camp
Metcalf and the? comfortable officers' quarters in the differ
ent camps, fit to live in at any seaside resort, exhibited the
skill of these latter workmen. A large number of men
turned carvers, and practiced on beef bones the art of mak
ing rings, crosses and a variety of other ornaments.

For out-of-door amusements, quoits and base ball were
played on the parade-ground at Camp Metcalf. Chess,
checkers and other games were enjoyed in the quarters of
the officers and men.

HEALTH PROMOTIONS LIKKAKY VISITORS.

The 1st of March marked five months that the regiment
had been in service, and during that time there were but
two deaths. Colds and rheumatism were the prevailing
complaints. About thirty men in that time were discharged
for disability. "A. D. N." writes: "It takes a whole
man to be a soldier, to hold out well and hearty, and lie
must not only be strong and tough, but his heart must be in
the work."

Among the promotions then made was that of Adjt. Fes-

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 109

senden from the rank of second to that of first lieutenant.
The same writer remarked truly: "Adjt. Fessenden is
deservedly popular among the officers and men of the regi
ment, and increase of rank is well merited by him, both as
an officer and a gentleman."

At that period, through the efforts of Chaplain Gould, a
small library was procured for the use of the regiment,
which was gratefully appreciated by those who availed them
selves of its privileges.

Messrs. Sanford R. Pierce and Miles G. Moies, of Paw-
tucket, also Lewis Fail-brother, Esq., wife and daughter,
paid a visit to the regiment late in February, and were
gladly welcomed.

AWAKE AND ASLEEP.

In one of the companies was a comrade subject to seasons
of somnambulism. He went into this state most frequently
at Camp Metcalf. His performances were as remarkable
as any noted in the medical books upon this subject. Lying
in his bunk in the morning, afternoon, or evening, after he had
come in from guard duty, he would commence talking about
events that had no reference to the life about him. He
would dictate letters to some lady friend, about which he
remembered nothing when he awoke. He would promptly
tell the time by a watch placed at the back of his head.
He would get up in the night and hide the candles, soap and
axe in the stove when there was no fire in it, chuckling to
himself that the corporal would not be able to find them in
the morning, when, in fact, the whole mess were looking on.
He climbed more than once to the top of the tent pole,
about thirteen feet, with no outer clothing on. He ran
down to the guard line in the same condition and chatted
lu

110 HISTORY OF THE

with the guard, received an apple and ate it. He would
believe it was sunrise when a lighted candle was slowly
brought near his eyes, and many other interesting things
might be told about him.

The most noteworthy of all, was a grand levee held one
afternoon, where were present Drs. Grosvenor and Perry,
the Lieutenant-Colonel and Chaplain, with their ladies, the
captain of the company and other officers and men, invited
by one of the mess, the tent being filled. The young sleeper
began his addresses to those who were introduced to him,
and to whom he gave his opinion as to their characters in
no measured terms. He called them by their nicknames,
if they had any, told them their faults, and lectured them
for their conduct to the men, as he viewed it. Imagining
himself on the deck of a vessel, a favorite way with him
while in this state, he put the different parties through such
punishment as he thought they deserved. He answered
questions, sung songs, which he remembered, and did many
other things to the great amusement of the company, who
put him to the severest tests. After an hour or more he
awoke entirely ignorant of all that had transpired.

PRESENTATIONS.

Previous to the 3d of March, Miss Viall, daughter of
Col. William Viall, of Providence, presented . to Drum-
Major Dunbar, an elegant baton, and to Fife-Major Patt, a
fine sash and sword belt. The presentation was made in
camp at headquarters.

"Company B, on the 3d of March, presented to Mr. Ornam L.
Patt, Fife Major, a very fine sword, and Orderly-Sergt. Crocker
made the following address:

" 'MAJOR PATT: I have the honor, in behalf of Company B, to
present you with this sword. May you wear it with honor to your-

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. Ill

self, to this company, and the regiment, and by the protecting care
of Providence be permitted to return with it to your peaceful home.
It is bright now, and occasional rubbing will keep it so. As you
rub and brighten it, may you also keep bright the memories of
those who presented it, and the kindly feelings that prompted
the act.'

" The recipient thanked the donors in a few appropriate words,
in which he stated that he was taken wholly by ' surprise.' The
sword bore the inscription, 'Presented to Ornam L. Patt, principal
musician, by Company B, Eleventh Regiment, Rhode Island Vol
unteers, March 3, 18(>y.' "

For the above account we are indebted to " A. D. N."
Company I also had a presentation on this wise. Second-
Sergt. Remington, on the 6th of March, was promoted to
second-lieutenant, and assigned by Lieut. -Col. Pitman to
the post made vacant by the promotion of Lieut. Burlingame.
The receipt of this news was the signal to raise funds to
procure for one so much in favor with the company, the
equipments appropriate to his rank. Sergt. F. P. Brown
soon collected about seventy-five dollars from officers and
men, and a -committee proceeded to Washington to make the
purchases. The new Lieutenant was induced to postpone
his visit to the city for the purpose of being mustered out of
service, when the trap was sprung and the Lieutenant fairly
caught.

About eight o'clock, on the morning of March 10th,
Company I, in charge of the Orderly, marched to the Cap
tain's quarters, while Lieut. R. was at breakfast, formed
three sides of a square and called him but. Before he
could recover from his astonishment:, Corporal J. C. Thomp
son slipped out about the same time, stepped in front and
addressed him at greater length than we have room for in
these pages. In substance he said :

" LIEUT. ORVILLE M. REMINGTON: As the mouth-piece of this
Company I ask you to accept this gift as an expression of their sat-

112 HISTORY OF THE

isf action and pleasure at your promotion. They rejoice the more
because this honor is conferred upon one who served as a private in
that brave band of Rhode Island's sons, who so long withstood the
foe in the first memorable battle of Bull Run. We hope and trust
that this belt and sash will adorn the breast and girdle the loins of
an ever brave and honorable officer, and that this sword will be
wielded with ability and success— never dishonored. When you
draw this blade and look upon its polished surface, see mirrored
there the obedience, respect and attachment of Company I. For
this pleasant gathering let us render thanks to Him who has gra
ciously watched over and blessed to the present hour, and who
alone can return us in due season to the land and homes that we
love."

Inscribed upon the scabbard was: "Presented to Lieut.
Orville M. Remington, Eleventh Regiment, R. I. V., by
Company I, March 9th, 18(53. " The cost of the sword,
sash and belt was about sixty-four dollars. The remainder
of the subscription was tendered in money.

Lieut. Remington responded in substance :

"COMRADES OF COMPANY I: I thank you for this unexpected
present. It will be my endeavor to serve you faithfully and to
fulfil acceptably the duties of my position. I hope never to prove
recreant in the service of my country or in devotion to my country's
flag. Accept the warmest assurance of my best wishes for your
success and welfare."

Three rousing cheers and a Narragansett for Lieut. R.
concluded these ceremonies.

OUR BRASS BAND.
/

Our new brass band made their appearance on dress-
parade March 4th. Their performance was creditable in a
high degree. Under their leader, Mr. Robert Sieler,* they

*A true soldier, talented, brave and devoted was Robert Seiler, a member of
Company K. He was a native of Erfurt, Prussia, and had .served in the Prus
sian army before emigrating to America. He was a member of Company E,
First Rhode Island. He was leader of the band in the Third Rhode Island,

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 113

had made remarkable progress in their few weeks of prac
tice. Maj. Dunbar, who had charge of all the music,
appeared with a new uniform, and the brilliant baton pre
sented by Miss Viall. Fife-Maj. Patt donned his new
equipments. 'Within the thirty-five days previous to this
occasion there were twenty-three when rain, hail or snow
fell, while some of the storms were long and severe.

(iUARI) DUTY AT CONVALESCENT CAMP.

Guard duty at the above-named camp was an unique busi
ness, and merits a special notice in an account of the service
of this regiment. A regular observer would write change
upon every day of our duty there. These changes resulted
from the removal of the troops from tents to barracks, the
absorption of the Distribution Camp into the Convalescent
Camp and the departure of thousands, either because dis
charged from service on account of disability, or because
they were sent to their respective regiments.

This continual change made consequent changes in the
performance of our duty. To-day the line was here,
to-morrow there. One day the posts at the barracks were at
certain points, to-morrow at other places, and all the time of

until the order came that regimental bands should be discontinued. He was
then mustered out, and enlisted in the Eleventh. Mustered out at the expira
tion of term of service, he again enlisted in the Third Rhode Island Cavalry.
He was sergeant from April 15, 1804. He was taken prisoner, and during
Sherman's march to the sea, he was confined within a stockade, where, the
river rising, he was obliged to stand in the water for twenty-four hours, up to
his waist. He was paroled April ^d, 1805, and discharged after the close of
the war, July 15, 18G5. In the Eleventh, Seiler was detailed as musician.
Soon after the Eleventh went into the Held a brass band was organized and he
was appointed leader. This position he held through the campaign. Four
times was he regularly and honorably discharged. From the etfects of his
Imprisonment, especially from standing in the water, as mentioned above, he
was attacked with rheumatism, and finally with lung disease, from the effects
of which he died about 1870.

114 HISTOHY OF THE

our sojourn there, the rainy and snowy days were so fre
quent that the ground over which the guard had to pass,
and on which they had to stand, approached the batter state
more nearly than any other.

A detail of about half the effective men of six companies
performed the duties of each day, a fresh detail being sent
out each morning. These were made up of three reliefs of
four hours each, each relief from two of these companies.
At ten o'clock in the morning the first relief arrived at the
headquarters of the guard of Camp Convalescent ; a portion
were posted on a line nearly one mile in length, compassing
the right side of the camp, and about an equal number on a
line of the same length on the left. A dozen guards, more
or less, were posted among the barracks. The muskets of
the guard were loaded with ball, and the instructions were
to let no one pass without a pass properly signed.

The men 'preferred to stand four hours and be off eight, so
as to get longer rest and lose less time in passing over this
extended line.

At night the duty often assumed a comico-serious aspect,
which we believe resulted only in the most ludicrous acci
dents. Almost Egyptian darkness enshrouded the camp,
the woods, hills and dells, unless the moon lent her borrowed
light for our benefit. On one such night, when the guard
were returning to the quarters, they performed some singular
feats. Some wandered a long distance out of the way, tum
bled over stumps, fell into brooks and ditches, went in over
their knees in mud, or plunged the butts of their guns into
the mud in feeling their way. One man, after dancing over
a plank, splashing the water all the way, put out his hands
and embraced a horse's head. He was greeted with a show
of welcome, it may have been a horse laugh, but received
no harm. Another undertook to pilot a small squad, and.

ELEVENTH 1{E<JIMKXT. 11;")

just as he was sure he saw a landmark, pitched into a pair
of mules. These are mild samples. Many truthful and
more ludicrous stories might be told which would take the
palm from anything we have written, and an inspection of
the persons of the men on the next morning would have
endorsed the whole account.

A STORM RETURN OF THE WANDERERS PROMOTIONS.

A most singular storm visited us Sunday, March loth.
It began to hail early in the afternoon and continued fiercely
for four or live hours. This was followed about half-past
three in the afternoon, by the most brilliant and dazzling
lightning, accompanied by the heaviest and most magnificent
thunder. This display lasted, with brief intervals, more
than two hours.

Companies C and K returned to us again on the 16th,
and the Distributing Camp was then removed to the tents
in Camp Convalescent, formerly occupied by the Pennsylva
nia troops. To celebrate the departure of Companies K
and C from the Distribution Camp, some eight of the
soldiers in that camp, about to report to their regiments,
armed with axes, broke into the sutler's store (after sur
rounding and threatening a single guard of Company C),
and quicker than it would be possible to tell it, cleaned his
store out. In the confusion, the clerk inside escaped and
gave the alarm. The officers and men of Company C soon
appeared at the door, out of which the thieves, who then
had warning of what was coming, were rushing, and cap
tured four of them at the point of the bayonet. Two more
were afterwards arrested with the stolen goods in their pos
session. That game was not tried again.

The return of these two companies was accompanied bv,

HISTORY OF THE

to them, a rather rough experience. Obliged to guard the
Distribution Camp while removing, they came over in par
cels, had not sufficient time to pitch their tents, and arrange
their quarters, and were obliged to seek shelter from the
damp and muddy ground in their old location amori"' the
other companies in the regiment. A generous hospitality
was extended to them. They were immediately detailed to
do guard duty with the other companies at Camp Convales
cent, and thus performed forty-eight hours' guard duty with
out the accustomed rest, and with no respite to erect their
stockades, except the intervals between guard reliefs. They
had boasted somewhat of their light duties and extra privi
leges, and this change, which was probably considered a
"military necessity," was like a change from the tropics to
Greenland without due preparation.

There were further promotions in the latter part of March.
First-Lieut. James was made captain of Company E, and
Second-Lieut. Clark was made first lieutenant of the same
company. Sergt. Ira Wilson, of Company C, was promoted
to be second lieutenant of Company C.

OUR THIRD COLONEL RUMORS.

Col. George E. Church, a captain in the Seventh Rhode
Island, well recommended to us in advance, arrived in camp
on the 20th instant, and assumed command by an order at
dress-parade.

Camp rumors were generally so idle that they were not
worth noticing, but a sample just here, may not be amiss.
Towards the first of April, the question of our removal was
constantly agitated. One day we were to go with Burnside
to Newbern, the next to guard Long Bridge, and when it
turned out that the gallant Burnside was to go west, it was

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 117

reported, "We shall leave next week for Kentucky."
Shadows of fancy was the better name for these stories, and
the rumors that our friends at home heard concerning us
had about the same value. It was undoubtedly true at thai
time, and, as the event proved, that Gen. Heintzleman, who
was in command of the defences of Washington, and who,
it was then thought, loved to fight the rebels as much as to
eat his breakfast, had no idea of letting us go until some
greater emergency than then existed, required the abandon
ment of one service to attend to another.

From all we can gather, Company B had a greater share
of "extras" than any other company. Paper, envelopes,
stamps, a copy of the Washington Daily Chronicle for each
mess, and a weekly paper, pictorial or otherwise, sand, black
ing, oil, polishing-powder, emery-paper, and in the latter part
of March, "rations of green apples." Their "company
fund" was large, their friends with money many, and their
visitors who remembered them handsomely, numerous.

Adjt.-Gen. Mauran made a visit near the close of the
month, and expressed himself highly pleased with the con
dition and appearance of the regiment. He received a
serenade from our brass band. Also the Rev. J. G. Adams,
who came to visit his son in Company I. He expressed
himself well pleased with the regiment, united heartily in
our religious services, and made a very favorable impression
upon all with whom he came in contact. Lieut. Edwards,*

*" First-Lieut. ,J. T. Edwards was the accomplished and popular principal of
the .Seminary at East Greenwich. He is now the Uev. Dr. Edwards, President
of the Chamberlain Female College, at Randolph, Cattaraugus county, New
York. While Companies C and K were at the Camp Distribution, Lieut.
Edwards was on duty as Adjutant at the Parole Camp, near Alexandria, under
command of Col. DeKorpony. While at this place, Lieut. Edwards was
attacked with heart disease in an acute and aggravated form. In accordance
with positive directions from the surgeon in charge of the camp, he resigned.
His resignation being accepted, he was discharged March 2f>, 18(53, and Second-
Lieut. Thurber was promoted to his place."

11.8 HIMTOlir OF THE

of Company K, who held a position in Camp Parole,
resigned on account of ill-health, and Lieut. Burlingame
also, for satisfactory reasons. Messrs. Henry L. Fairbrother,
of Pawtucket, and Nathan Fuller, Jr., of Central Falls,
visited the regiment on the 26th instant. Our Chaplain took
a furlough, and the Adjutant performed the duties of post
master. Up to April 1st the religious interest at the Conva
lescent Camp was undiminished. Meetings were held twice
a day, and many were spiritually benefited.

DEATH A STORM FIRST APPEARANCE OF COL. CHURCH —

six MONTHS' SERVICE.

The angel of death entered our ranks for the third time
on the 1st of April, taking Mr. Gardiner Northup, a young
man of Company II, after an illness of three weeks. His
health had been good up to the first day of his sickness.
The officers and men cf his company bore testimony to his
excellent character from his first day's service until his
decease. His body was borne to his grave by his comrades
of Company H, under the command of Capt. Joel Metcalf.
The customary military honors were paid to his remains.
Rev. Philo Hawkes, of Company I, officiated most accept
ably at the burial.

Previous to Saturday, the 4th of April, we had a few
delightful golden days, but between five and six o'clock, of
that day, the fiercest storm of wind and snow that we had
experienced began. After two or three hours the wind
abated, but the snow continued till noon th'e next day, and
was one of our deepest snows. Rare as this should have
been at that season, we had learned to expect rare things
and make the best of them.

Col. Church took command at battalion drill for the first
time, Mondav, the 30th of March. A severe cold, the first

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 119

th.it had kept him from duty since he entered the service,
detained him until that time. Upon his appearance the
companies in line gave him three cheers.

We had seen full six months' service Monday, April 6th.
During the time, ending April 1st, we had one hundred and
thirty-four men in the hospital ; sixty-eight had returned to
duty ; six had died ; three of the latter after their discharge
from the general hospital ; thirty-one had been discharged
for disability, and five only had been in the general hospital.
Our lot was similar to that of the Twenty-second Connecti
cut and the Fortieth Massachusetts, both of which, up to
the 1st of April, were far less healthy than the Eleventh,
while we had seen two months of the most wearing service.
We have before shown that earnest efforts were made to
have the regiment sent into active service at the front, but
up to that date, for wise reasons, doubtless, the command
ing general chose to keep us at guard duty.

FAIRFAX SEMINARY HOSPITAL.

Early in April, Capt. Kendrick, of Company I, and the
writer visited this hospital, some two miles to the south and
crowning the hills in front of us. It was a pleasin"- and
prominent object in our surroundings, and some description
of it will not be deemed out of place here. It had been a
flourishing Episcopal Theological Seminary, of which Bishop
Meade was president, and Rev. Drs. Sparrow, May and
Packard, professors. Some Providence ministers of that
date received their training there. The buildings were con
verted by the government into a general hospital, and to
that fact was due their careful preservation from the terrible
ravages of war so apparent in the whole vicinity, and seen
here in the absence of the fences that protected the grounds.

We sought out Rev. Mr. Jerome, Chaplain for the hos-

120 HISTORY OF THE

pi tal, through whose courtesy we had a view of the whole
establishment. There were three principal buildings. The
centre, known as Aspinwall Hall, a h'ne piece of architec
ture, at a distance might be taken for an elegant modern
church. The library building, much smaller, was on the
right of this, and the chapel on the left. The lower floor of
Aspinwall Hall was used for the offices of surgeons and
attendants, and the upper floors, which were students'
rooms, were used for hospital purposes. We passed up the
staircases through all the halls and ascended to the cupola
or steeple, from which we obtained a splendid view of the
country for miles around. Every arrangement was made
for the comfort of the patients, and the floors and stairways
almost shone with cleanliness. Besides a delightful prospect,
there was an abundance of sunlight and fresh air.

The library building was happily adapted for its new pur
pose. On the shelves in the alcoves were arranged bottles
of drugs — remedies for the diseased body, where once had
been food and medicine for the mind and soul. The general
appearance of. the interior reminded one of a h'ne looking
apothecary's shop on Westminster street, Providence.

The chapel was reserved for services on the Sabbath, and
prayer and conference meetings during the week. Similar
services were held in the barracks for those who were obliged
to remain or were unable to walk far. A good library was
provided for the use of patients and convalescents. A short
distance to the northwest was the high school building, also
a part of the hospital. Near the Seminary there was a row
of seven or eight barracks, which, with the buildings, accom
modated nine hundred men. In the previous summer, hos
pital tents wrere erected, and then eighteen hundred patients
were cared for.

On our way back to camp, by a very pleasant route, we

ELEVENTH KKdLMENT. 121

passed a large number of magnolia trees just putting forth
their buds. One monster tree, that had been ruthlessly felled,
measured nearly four feet in diameter.

DISCIPLIXK — PAY MAKCIIINC; OkDKRS.

The reins of discipline in our camp were drawn much
tighter at that time. A portion of the best men in Company
B, while on camp guard, though not on their posts at the
time, refused to do the extra duty of plastering with mud
the stockade of the guard-house, and at dress-parade a sen
tence was read depriving them of half a month's pay. In
a few days, however, the sentence, though in accord with
the Articles of War, was revoked by the Colonel, in consid
eration of the usual good behavior of the men.

Wednesday and Thursday, the 8th and 9th of April,
brought the Paymaster with the long-wished for four
months' pay. This put the boys in good spirits ; some of
them in too good spirits.

The following amounts were sent home by the officers and
men of the various companies, most of it through the Allot
ment Commissioner :

Company B, $4,7(53 ; I, $4,075 ; A, $3,100 ; D, $2,100 ;
E, $3,000 ; H, $2,700 ; G, $3,900 ; K, $3,145 ; C, $3,000 ;
total, $33,783. The Allotment Commissioner took with
him $30,905.83.

Sunday morning, the 12th instant, we received orders to
hold ourselves in readiness to inarch the next morning ; but
we remained in our old location, pursuing the even tenor of
our way, waiting for the order to strike tents and pack
knapsacks, when, with hearty cheers and a trust in Divine
Providence, we would march wherever Uncle Sam told us.
11

122 HISTORY OF THE

FAREWELL TO CAMP CONVALESCENT WELCOME THE

POTOMAC AND CHESAPEAKE BAY.

The monotony of guard duty was broken on the morning
of April 15th, and the last third of our term of service
opened new scenes and duties to the boys of the Eleventh.
At half-past two o'clock in the, to us memorable, morning
we were aroused from slumber and ordered to pack knap
sacks and be ready to march at daylight. Then began the
busy scene, the noise and confusion, and cheering of a regi
ment of excited men, about to bid good-bye to comfortable
quarters, take their hotels upon their backs, and march
whithersoever ordered. All sorts of conveniences that could
neither be sent home nor carried with us, must be parted
with ; all household goods must be compressed into the com
pass of a knapsack, and woe to the man who loaded too
heavily.

Bonfires from the straw contained in our bed-sacks soon
lit the foot of our various streets, the work of preparation
went rapidly on, and by sunrise it was essentially completed.
The last cup of coffee was drunk, the last breakfast taken,
the companies formed and marched out into line ; the only
drawback was the increasing easterly storm. The whole
regiment in line extended beyond our parade-ground, and
seemed as large as many a brigade. The men were in high
spirits.

Our quarters were left unmoved and uninjured, and the
contrabands in the vicinity, and the troops that relieved us,
reaped a harvest of rations, clothing boxes, soap, pans,
jars, and many other things.

Just before seven o'clock (staff officers all on foot) we
marched to the railroad that passes Camp Convalescent, and
took standing tickets in box cars for Alexandria, or as "A.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 123

D. N." puts it, 'k We were huddled together like so many
sheep." The boys in the Convalescent and Stragglers'
Camp turned out and gave us many an uncomplimentary
greeting, and, as we marched past them, we saw the Pennsyl
vania Reserves coming over the hill to occupy our camp and
perform our duty. Nothing could have pleased the conva
lescents more. "J. B. G." thus speaks of the "Reserves" :
44 It was an amusing scene, as the men, poorly clad, and
bearing the marks of hard service, ran from tent to tent to
gather up and appropriate to their own use whatever was to
be found. One seized a table, another an axe, another a
broom, another a bed, and all seemed highly delighted to
find such good quarters provided for them."

Having climbed into the cars — which climbing in cannot
be described — in a few minutes we reached Alexandria. A
short march brought us to the transports gathered at the
wharves, and, with very little detention, we embarked on
board the steamer Hero. It was then eight o'clock. We
did not leave the wharf until nearly one o'clock, and then
steamed slowly down the Potomac. We were surprised to
greet our old neighbors, the Fortieth Massachusetts, the
Twenty-second Connecticut, and the One Hundred and Forty-
first New York. What or how many others there were, we
did not know. We have been strongly impressed, since then,
that when these troops moved to the defence of Suffolk, very
few troops remained in the defences of Washington. Day
and evening, as we steamed slowly on, a northeast rain beat
steadily and half-fiercely upon everything exposed to its
attack ; entering every crack and crevice and in every part
of that almost worn-out old craft (that years previously
plied between Providence and New York, and New York
and Hartford), dropping through the promenade deck, and
in some places pouring upon the clothing and equipments of

124 HISTORY OF THE

more than nine hundred men. Had the weather permitted,
every available space would have been crowded to catch a
glimpse of the sights along the shore, but, driven under
cover, the floors all mud and water, clothes damp, air foul,
everything about us was as nearly disagreeable as could be ;
yet the men's faces were not long ; they were far more
cheerful than persons unaccustomed to observe soldier-life
could have believed. All this did not prevent us from look
ing at such places of interest as Mount Vernon, Acquia
Creek, Fort Washington, one of the finest forts on the river
and presenting a splendid appearance from the water, and
other points. After a run of about seventy miles, we
anchored for the night off Point Matthias. How we slept
during the night it would take too much space to describe.
The greater part, in some other posture than lying down ;
our accommodations were about the same as for so many
cattle. Some were more fortunate than others.

The morning of April 10th dawned without a storm, and
soon after sunrise a streak of light gleamed in the western
sky. The day was pleasant, with little sunshine, and the
air much warmer. Our brass band turned out early and
gave us some fine music for breakfast (hard-tack alone had
been our fare since we started), and again, at a later hour,
on the hurricane deck. All improved the opportunity to view
noteworthy localities, and the day passed much more pleas
antly than the day before. Great interest was taken in the
relative movements of the slow boats that composed our
fleet. We were reminded of the well-known ditty :

" Two blind men went to see
Two cripples run a race."

We passed the Rappahannock and York rivers, and as we
approached Fortress Monroe, every one turned out to view

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 12")

it. It need not bo described here. The evening was fine,
and the whole scene around the fortress pleasing and novel.
Our fleet of transports reported immediately on their arrival.
Union men-of-war were at anchor in the Roads, together
with an English war steamer and a French steam frigate of
forty-four guns. The Rip Raps, where criminal soldiers
were sent to labor, attracted our attention.

OFF FOR NORFOLK AND SUFFOLK.

The mail was sent ashore at once, and the delay at the
fortress was brief. While we were in the vicinity our band
discoursed some excellent music, which drew forth from the
splendid band of the French steamer, several fine pieces.
We inferred from the movements of the other transports
that we were to proceed directly to Norfolk, and, after wait
ing a little for the return of the boat from shore, we steamed
off in that direction, giving the French frigate three cheers
in parting.

FLAG OF THE CUMBERLAND.

After passing Fortress Monroe on the way to Norfolk, a
little distance from our steamer, off at the right, was plainly
seen, just appearing above the waves, what remained of the
flag of the Cumberland, still floating from the top of her
mast. What a flood of thoughts and suggestions came
welling up in the mind on witnessing this little flag still flut
tering in the breeze, so long after the powerful Merrimac had
sent to the bottom the once famous United States war ship,
"Cumberland," and in her turn, disabled by the little Mon
itor, she, too, had been abandoned and sunk at Norfolk.

Seven o'clock brought us alongside the wharves at Nor
folk, where our arrival had been anticipated by the govern-

12f) HISTORY OF THE

ment officials, and a long train of cars was ready to take us
and other regiments through to Suffolk. About nine o'clock,
and again in the middle of' the night, a portion of our regi
ment departed for that place. Companies B and I, and a
part of Company H remained to steal the sweetest sleep
possible from the brick sidewalks and wooden wharves of
East Wide Water street, Norfolk. Camp-fires were built
at the street-crossings and the men and officers made them
selves peculiarly at home. All were aroused at five o'clock
in the morning, and many availed themselves of the privi
lege of looking about to see the kind of a place w-e were in.
We were suprised to find so well-built a city ; but we received
no sympathy except from those people who did not wear
white faces. The contrabands were pleased and polite.

At six o'clock on the morning of the 17th, the companies
that remained in Norfolk took the cars for Suffolk, and we
felt well paid for the delay. The majority of us were upon
ordinary flats, sixty on a car ; but we had an unobstructed
view of the country over which we passed, and enjoyed, in
the bright sunshine and cool of the morning, a most beauti
ful ride. Nature was wide awake. Large and well culti
vated vegetable gardens on either side, with apple and peach
trees in full bloom, greeted us in the first part of our journey,
and magnificent forests of pine and other tall woods in the
latter part. We also passed the northern end of the. great
Dismal Swamp. Eight o'clock saw us in line in the princi
pal street of Suffolk, after passing a large number of camps
in the immediate vicinity. Soon the whole column, Col.
Church at the head, • was on the move. We marched
through the long street to soul-stirring music, the long line
and fine band creating no little sensation.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 127

PART III.

SUFFOLK AND THE BLACKWATER.

AT nine o'clock our knapsacks were unslung, and we were
ready to encamp on a parcel of ground hardly large enough
for the purpose, isolated from the rest of our forces, and
separate from the other regiments of Gen. Terry's brigade,
into which we had been ordered. On each side of us were a
deep gully and a brook, in true Virginia style. Just west
and northwest of us was the Nansemond river, and in the
semi-circle on the same side were our heavy and light bat
teries and gun-boats. Across the river, and in rifle range,
were the rebels. Neither side was idle.

AT THE FRONT.

" Gov. Sprague's pet regiment" was at the front at last.
If we were not permitted after this to enter into any general
engagement with the enemy, it was because Divine Provi
dence had us in keeping. The bullets of the enemy made
music through the day, while ringing responses were made
by our side. The constant heavy firing from Union gun
boats and batteries, told every hour that work was going on.
A short walk, within a radius of a mile and a half from
camp, and the rebels were in plain sight. A large force of
Union troops were already upon the ground, and other regi
ments were arriving daily.

We occupied our shelter tents, crawled in and out of them,
and lived in the open air as much as possible. The violet,
the anemone, and the strawberrv bloomed around us. A

HISTORY OF THE

peach orchard was in full flower not far off. All was life.
The men were in the finest spirits and seemed to rejoice in
the change. Our line officers flourished in "A" tents.
Rations of good quality were served out, and the boys, after
living on hard-tack only, for two days, did justice to them.

It was a pleasure to see almost a whole regiment taking their
meals out of doors, and a splendid sight before tattoo to view
such an encampment lit up by camp-fires and candle-light.

The inevitable dress-parade came off on the afternoon of
the day of our arrival at the new camp. Gen. Terry was
present, and was well pleased with our appearance. We
were assigned to a post of honor and importance. From
Tuesday until Friday night the men had but little rest. The
few slightly indisposed when we started were better on Sat
urday morning, and very few were excused by the surgeon.
The regiment was in fine condition for service.

Thousands of men, comprising many regiments, had broken
up their winter encampments, and in forty-eight hours been
transported two hundred and fifty miles. If this was not
the greatest despatch, it was too much for the rebels who
meant to capture Suffolk.

On Monday, previous to leaving Camp Metcalf (13th),
our Drum-Maj. Dunbar received a present of a handsome
sword, appropriate to his rank, from the officers and men of
Company A. Capt. Ayer, in a terse and forcible speech,
presented it, and the Major responded very happily. At
the instance of Capt. Ayer, three rousing cheers were given
for "our good-looking drum-major," an:l the company
marched to dress-parade.*

* Previous to April 13th, Second-Lieut. Daniel Bush, Company B, was pro
moted to first lieutenant and assigned to Company H. Sergt. William T.
Luther, Company A, was promoted to first lieutenant and assigned to Com
pany B. The Sergeant-Major of the regiment was promoted to second lieuten
ant and assigned to Company K. Sergt. Charles H. Scott became acting
sergeant major.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

WHAT THE REBELS TRIED TO DO CAPTURE OF A REBEL

BATTERY.

At the time of our move to Suffolk, sensational corres
pondents of some of the New York and Philadelphia papers
gave alarming accounts of the situation. The correspond
ence of the New York Tribune was not of that character.
We had heard exaggerated accounts of a battle that had
lasted four or five days, and that probably we should be
engaged as soon as we reached there ; but it turned out that
on Saturday, the llth instant, previous to our arrival, the
enemy, in some force, appeared in front of our pickets,
drove them in or captured them, advanced to our outermost
signal station, beyond the Nansemond and in view of the
South Quay battery, expecting that the officer in charge
would skedaddle in fright, without informing our side ; but
he failed to meet their expectations, and first telegraphed to
the next station, and in five minutes after the Union troops
in and around Suffolk had manned the forts, and to the great
discomfiture of the rebels on attacking our defences they
obtained more than they bargained for. They were also
bravely foiled in another instance, in their attempt to destroy
our gun-boats, one of which, unfortunately, grounded. From
that day forward the Union forces repelled all their efforts to
cross the river, and thwarted all their attempts to plant bat
teries or dig rifle-pits to annoy us. Thus were the efforts of
Longstreet and forty thousand men, to capture the ammuni
tion and stores at Suffolk, and to gain a permanent foot-hold
in that locality, if that was his ultimate object, utterly foiled.

A well-managed affair came oft' Sunday evening, April
19th, in which one of our gun-boats engaged a battery in
range, while detatchments of several regiments of our
infantry crossed the river, made a circuit higher up and

130 HISTORY OF THE

captured the battery and one hundred and fifty men, includ
ing a major and nine other commissioned officers. Our loss
was slight. The rebels called it a Yankee trick. The
prisoners were in jail near by our camp, and we saw them,
as great a variety of jail-birds as were ever seen. Hats of
all shapes, vests and pants of all colors, unclean and dirty,
ragged and patched, and shoes that laughed and cried by
turns. They were very hungry, if the style in which they
devoured the food given them, the same as the Union soldiers
received, was evidence.

Maj.-Gen. Peck was in the command, at Suffolk, of a
large and well appointed army. There were nine or ten
miles of fortifications extending all around us. Day arid
night the shells of our big guns howled in our ears, Avinging
their way to the concealed positions of the enemy, revealed
to our gun-boats and batteries by a young Rhode Islander,
chief of the signal station near the camp. Now and then
our sharp-shooters ventured some, and careless soldiers fell a
prey to the bullets of the enemy's rifles, and they to ours.
It was dangerous sport for one of the Union boys to mount
the parapets on one of our batteries, dance about to attract
the enemy's fire, while our concealed marksmen shot in the
direction of the smoke that rose, he dropping at the instant
to escape the bullet that flew at him. This game was
engaged in with as great zest as men engage in hunting
partridges or any other sport. Such was the programme
from day to day, and the men moved about or slept in their
quarters with as much unconcern as if the enemy were not
thought of.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 131

THE ROUTINE OF THE ELEVENTH.

The duty of the Eleventh at that time was for a part of
the companies to proceed, when darkness came on, to some
of the fortifications near us, to support a battery, sleeping
on our arms in the open air until daylight, ready for any
emergency. Another company would be posted to man the
rifle-pits. Four or five companies on the same night marched
off in another direction, to work on an entrenchment, which
could not be done in daylight ; while pickets across the
river, who abandoned their stations at day-dawn, were ready
to warn us of danger. Beside this a strict camp guard was
kept. In the absence of guard tents the whole guard slept
in the open air during the night, except in case of a storm.

The first picket duty of the Eleventh after our arrival
at Suffolk, was by a company of men under the command
of Lieut. William Stone. They advanced towards the
picket line under rebel fire, and, on their return next morn
ing, they were fired at several times. They established the
picket line subsequently occupied by our forces while at
Suffolk.

While in camp at Suffolk we enjoyed many pleasant
visits from men of other regiments, boys of the Fourth
Rhode Island being of the number. Gens. Ilalleck and
Dix visited Suffolk April 21st, to examine the situation, and
a salute was fired in their honor by one of the batteries near
our camp.

In the afternoon of the same day, Lieut. -Col. Buffum, of
the Fourth Rhode Island, and other officers, were present at
dress-parade.

For a considerable time the regiment was out two-thirds
of the nights, and in quarters for the remainder. The boys
began to improve their quarters with materials gathered

132 HISTORY OF THE

from the houses in the vicinity that had been leveled to
allow a range for our guns. In fact, they stockaded their
shelter tents, four or more clubbing together, and made
themselves comfortable habitations. A cold, drizzling east
erly storm gave us a disagreeable experience after AVC had
been in camp three da vs.

THE SITUATION THE ELEVENTH READY.

Near the close of April, if one had stopped his ears and
wandered along or near the banks of the Nansemond and
listened to the hum of insects or the singing of birds, and
then walked into the camp of the Eleventh and observed
how the men in camp busied themselves, he would hardly
have dreamed of danger or the foe. But had he made a
short tour to the north of our camp, seen the long line of
rifle-pits thrown up by the Eleventh on the south and west
of their camp, stayed out o' nights from dusk in the evening
until dawn in the morning ; could he have seen the heavy
guns that one after another were put in position in the many
forts around us, and watched the Eleventh at work in the
trenches, and observed the big pile of dirt a hundred or two
men could throw up in a few hours, remembering that night
after night for weeks this was a part of their business, and
also of many other regiments, he would begin to understand
without hearkening to the booming of cannon or the pop,
pop, popping of rifles, that extensive arid thorough prepara
tions were making to give Longstreet or Hill, and as many
men as they were ready to lead, a terrible reception. The
skirmishers were out every day. The sharp-shooters were
constantly at work. On a certain road to the South Quay
batteries, bullets like hail were constantly flying, and shelling
was kept up on our side day and night.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.
"THE * CKOW's NEST* AT SOI TH QLAY BATTERY."

•k Come, Lieutenant, I am going over to South Quay
Battery, this afternoon ; will you go with me? I am told
the rebel sharpshooters, from their rifle-pits across the river,
will pick off' any man who shows himself. If you want to
be shot at, now is your chance."

" I will go with you in a few minutes. J intended to
have goifc yesterday, but the picket duty prevented."

"Well, the Colonel has sent for me, and I will meet you
at his quarters in half an hour."

"All right."

Let us follow the Captain and Lieutenant in their trip
to the battery. The South Quay Battery was a fortification
near the bridge over the Nansemond river, on the road lead
ing from Suffolk to South Quay. It was designed to repel
an infantry assault upon the town from that quarter. But
when Longstreet had opened his light batteries upon it, on
his first approach to Suffolk, he weakened it in half an hour.
Had he not been driven back by our artillery, its embank
ments would soon have been tumbled down.

It had, however, been speedily strengthened by filling up
its ditch and repairing the breaches made. This work had
been done, largely by the Eleventh, only under cover of
the darkness. Two reliefs were sent to this fort night after
night ; one relief working from eight till twelve, while the
other relief slept upon the ground near their stacked arms
in the rear of the battery ; and changing places at twelve,
the second relief shovelled till four, when both would with
draw beyond the reach of rebel guns before daylight.

For many days the rebel sharp-shooters had been concealed
in their rifle-pits on the hillside opposite, where, with their
telescopic rifles, they were ready at any hour of the day to
12

134 HISTORY OF THE

pick off any unwary Union soldier who should daringly or
unwittingly show his head.

The Captain and the Lieutenant inspect the fort, having
approached and entered it from the rear. They examine
its "parrots," its "terreplains," its "scarp" and "counter
scarp," its "bastions," its "rampart," and its "parapet,"
its "gabions," and its "fascines." Finally, retiring to the
rear of the works, they determine to climb to the " crow's
nest." This is made of plank arid joists placed about
twenty or twenty-five feet above the ground in a large oak
tree. The "nest" is in the form of a triangle, measuring
about ten or twelve feet on a side.

^ Lieutenant, will you go up into the 'crow's nest' with
me and examine the 'rebs' in their rifle-pits?"

"Yes, come on ; right this way."

Up they go, hand over hand, along the tall ladder fast
ened by the side of the tree, and protected from view by a
board set up in front of the ladder. Soon they stand upon
the platform of the "nest," with the plank extending per
pendicularly in front of them to a height above their heads,
except an opening of a few inches along the line of the eyes
through which to view the whole front.

"Pirn," "pirn," sing the minie bullets, as they fly past
them, right and left.

"They have discovered us," says the Captain. "That
they have, and right early, too," quoth the Lieutenant ; and
soon they are watching the line of rifle-pits, and dodging
below the sight line, as soon as they discover a putt' of
smoke issuing from any point along the line.

Thus they spend a half hour, when, the attention of the
whole line being concentrated upon them, the time of their
dodging, the frequent puffs, has so increased that they can
no longer examine with any ease or success the enemy's
location, and the Captain proposes to withdraw.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 135

"Too hot, altogether, Lieutenant. Pursuit of knowledge
under difficulties. I say, let us get out of this."
"Agreed, I am ready," replied his companion.
They both prepared to descend the ladder. About half
way down, a limb branches out from the massive trunk,
and breaks the continuity of the board placed on the front
edge of the ladder. This leaves one exposed for an instant,
in the upward or downward passage. The Captain has just
passed this exposed point, and there is a space of about two
feet between his head and the feet of the Lieutenant, who is
following him down the ladder, when, "Pirn," "pirn,"
sing the minie balls as they fly through this little opening.
A moment more and both officers are safely on the ground,
and concealed behind the fort, ready to retrace their steps to
the camp of the Eleventh Rhode Island, well satisfied with
their tour of inspection.

Reconnoissances were daily made, to ascertain, it was
said, the strength and position of the enemy, very nicely
hid from view by a belt of woods around us, though revealed
now and then by a line of rifle-pits which he slyly threw up,
or perhaps by a battery which was suddenly revealed to us.
For, despite our constant shelling, he managed to cut down
the woods that concealed it.

We tried our shelter tents in a cold rain storm of two or
three days' duration, and fared better than we feared ; for
we made the rubber blankets of some of the mess do the
duty of the badger skins that covered the tabernacle of the
Israelites in the Wilderness.

The first mail after leaving Camp Metcalf was delivered
to us Thursday, the 23d. It arrived the night before. The
boys had become impatient because of the delay, and were
almost crazy with gladness to get it. It was very large, of
course, and those who did not get one or more letters or
papers were rare exceptions.

136 HISTORY OF THE

Friday, the 24th instant, the Eleventh prepared for a
fight. The order came at noon. Every available man.
cooks included, was called into line. Thirty extra rounds
of cartridges were given to each one to carry in his pockets.
The long line of battle was formed, the boys were in high
spirits and hot for the fray. The band played the "Star
Spangled Banner," — but, no, we were only waiting. We
stacked arms as a regiment on the parade-ground, kept on
our equipments arid waited till darkness closed around us.

After supper, when the excitement had subsided, quite a
different scene presented itself. On the rising ground
between the streets of Companies B and I, the voice of
sacred song began to ascend. The circle extended and the
numbers increased until a large number of the men of the
regiment were participating in a most interesting conference
and prayer meeting led by the Chaplain. It was a striking
and impressive sight, that will not soon be forgotten. A
host of armed men, ready for the conflict, worshipping God
and seeking Heaven's blessing on themselves and theirs.

•' They would leave unstained what th^re they found.
Freedom to worship God."

The cause of the preparation for conflict was a reconnois-
sance made on the same day on the Edenton road, in which
the rebels showed fight, retreated and got the worst of it, as
we supposed, though we lost six men and several wounded.

DEATH INSPECTION STATISTICS.

Death was not of so frequent an occurrence in the
Eleventh regiment as to produce a sense of indifference in
the men. We note here the death of Rennsalaer Horton, of
Company F, on the 23d instant, and his burial on the 26th

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 137

with impressive services. The Chaplain delivered an appro
priate discourse from the words: "Man goeth to his long
home." The remains were escorted to the depot by Com
pany F, Capt. Taft, and the usual military honors paid to the
deceased. His illness was brief, and the first after his enlist
ment. His brother, a member of Company B, obtained a
furlough and took the remains to the distressed family. The
body was embalmed and conveyed by express to Pawtucket,
at the expense (for the greater part) of the officers and men
of Company F.

William C. Atwood, of Company C, died just previously
in the hospital in Washington. A company inspection was
held at half-past twelve o'clock on the Sabbath, the day of
the funeral, and general inspection at half-past two. We
were informed that Gen. Terry would be present, but he
did not appear. In addition to this there was much grading
of streets and digging of drains. For various reasons these
orders did not sit. well upon the men. They remembered a
proclamation by our Father Abraham which was read some
months previously on Miner's Hill. It ordered that all
unnecessary work should be suspended on the Sabbath, and
it pleased the Eleventh very much. They felt that if
soldiers were oxen or horses they would have a fair claim to
as near absolute rest as possible on Sunday.

The regiment comprised a large proportion of Yankees
born, and a large amount of Yankee ingenuity had already
been exhibited by them, and they "reckoned" that they
could contrive some plan by which seven -eighths of the
Sunday work then required in the army, which, by cutting
up the day, tended to demoralize men, could be dispensed
with.

An examination of the records of the regiment made
early in May, showed the following professions and trades
represented in the Eleventh :

138 HISTORY OF THE

Artists, 16; professions, 1C; painters, 20; teachers and
students, 57 ; manufacturers, 120 ; traders, 23 ; clerks, 83 :
laborers, 79 ; mechanics, 358 ; miscellaneous, 220. Native
born, 778 ; foreign born 224. Married, 483 ; unmarried,
519.

RAIN WATER OOL'OH DIGNITARIES.

The boys of the Eleventh will not pretend to an endurance
of hardships equal to those endured by the bombastic con
valescents, who seized every opportunity to give the most
vivid descriptions of their exposure to the elements, but.
while our regiment were fortunate in escaping the ill eifects
of many tremendous southern rain storms, they had a
thorough experience in sleeping out doors on the night of
the 29th of April, while the rain poured down a drenching
flood, to a thunder and lightning accompaniment, from even
ing until morning. It were useless to describe the appear
ance of the men or the state of their minds after the copious
hydropathic administration, which the writer shared with the
rest, but if the private letters of the men to their friends at
home, written after this half-horse, half-alligator style of
sleeping, could be seen, they would reveal comico-serious
pictures equal to anything of Thomas Nast's. In military
phrase, it was called supporting batteries or manning rifle-
pits. Officers then were no better off' than privates, unless
they had more forethought or a better quality of brains, for
the abundant rain made the soft grass or muddy ground a
watery bed instead of a dry feathery one. Contrivance was
worth more than authority. A bed of boughs and a wise
disposition of rubber blankets enabled some of us to escape
the more serious effects of the storm.

Maj.-Gen. Dix, the commander of that department, in

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 139

company with Secretary Sevvard, visited the headquarters of
Maj.-Gen. Peck, near our camp, April 29th. A cavalry
escort with the brass band of the Pennsylvania mounted
riflemen accompanied them. A good many of the privates
were fortunate enough to get a sight of these two men, Dix
and Seward, both of whom have since passed from their
earthly stage of action, leaving behind them a record which
their country delights to remember. This was the only
opportunity some of us ever had of seeing Mr. Seward. We
remember that the diminutive size of so great a. man disap
pointed manv.

MORE LIGHT WANTED CONTRABANDS RECONNOISSANCE OF

THE NINETY-NINTH NEW YORK.

Summer weather prevailed early in May, and the moon in
all her glory gave us all the light we could get. Government
furnished us with candles, and for the first time we were
abundantly supplied. Privates, however, were not allowed
to burn candles, for fear that the enemy might plant a bat
tery near, get the range of the camp by candle-light and
shell the privates' tents. Nature did all she could for us,
for on one of our stormy nights we had a wonderful display
of lightning. It quite eclipsed the fireworks usually shown
in Providence on the 4th of July.

We saw more of the contrabands in Suffolk than we had
seen before. The women came into our camp with pies and
biscuit, gingerbread, hoe-cake, and fish fried in ham gravy,
for sale, and the man who did not see them when they first
hove in sight, stood a slim chance for tickling his palate
with such delicacies. These female pie venders were young,
often funnily dressed, black enough to make darkness visible,
with smiling and grinning faces, round and plump as an
orange, witli

140 HISTORY OF THE

" Eyes so bright they shine at night,
When the moon am gone away.'*

We were mustered in for pay, Thursday, the last day of
April, by Col. Gibbs, of the One Hundred and Thirtieth
New York, a regiment of our brigade. This exercise had
a new and pleasant feature, in that we were not compelled
to appear in line in heavy marching order, but the whole
was finished up in the briefest possible period ; just long
enough to march to our Colonel's quarters and answer to
our names. So there were not always as many yards of
red tape at one time as another.

A DISASTROUS RECOXXOISSANCE.

One of the sad events which made a deep impression on
the men of the Eleventh at the time, was a reconnoissance
made by the Ninety-ninth New York, May 1st, by order of
Maj.-Gen. Peck, but under the immediate command of the
Lieutenant Colonel of the regiment.

They crossed the Narisemond on a narrow bridge in front
of the South Quay Batteries, which were a mile or more
south or southwest from our camp. Our force was about
three hundred strong. The rebel rifle-pits were in long rifle
range of our batteries. The two centre companies of the
Ninety-ninth, colors in the centre, marched in a body to
charge on the concealed foe. The companies on the wings
were deployed as skirmishers. The Union boys charged to
within twenty yards of the most approved rifle-pits, with
abattis in front, and then were compelled by the murdering
fire of the enemy to fall back under orders. The color
bearer was shot dead in the forehead. Several others were
shot outright. Our batteries opened immediately upon the
rebel defences, in which the enemy were a thousand strong,

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 141

with how much execution we could not know. Report said
that the re-call was sounded four times and our forces did
not hear, and that then a messenger was sent to them. The
Union dead and wounded, about fifty in all, were left on the
field and recovered when the darkness came on. Eight of
the brave fellows were buried the next day, and, by request,
the band of the Eleventh rendered their services on the
mournful occasion. To the Rhode Island boys it seemed
that, in this case, "somebody blundered," but perhaps they
were mistaken.

The contrabands had a share in the defence of Suffolk.
"A large number were employed on the fortifications at this
place. The presence of this 'southern shovelry ' materially
lessened the labor of our soldiers."

HOW THE SIE<;E OF SUFFOLK WAS RAISED.

Saturday evening, the *2d of May, came, and to those
unacquainted with official secrets there was every indication
of a quiet Sabbath ; but a few hours brought the long roll,
and thousands of troops under arms. Morning saw an
army in motion for a reconnoissance in force across the Nan-
semond, to ascertain the situation of the enemy north of our
camp.

As soon as breakfast could be swallowed, we put into our
haversacks two days' rations, cooked per order the night
before, filled our canteens with the purest spring water, took
seventy rounds of cartridges, and our blankets only, formed
in due time in line of battle, and patiently waited the order
to march. Meanwile, in plain sight of our camp, a force
of cavalry, artillery, and infantry, equal to a large army in
Revolutionary times, moved past Maj.-Gen. Peck's head
quarters and crossed the bridge just to the north of us. The

142 HISTORY OF THE

advance, the One Hundred and Third New York, led by
Col. Ringgold, deployed as skirmishers, and proceeded up a
long incline and into the woods. Other regiments moved in
the same direction. We saw the smoke of battle, heard the
roar of artillery and the rattle of musketry from morning
until night ; we saw the ambulances returning with the
wounded, and some of the Eleventh were on guard at the
hospitals, and prepared the mortally, horribly wounded for
their last long sleep. Our surgeons and chaplain assisted
in the care of the wounded and dying. Col. Ringgold, on
foot, and far ahead of the brave One Hundred and Third,
whom he led, was killed, and a number of other officers of
lesser rank. Our killed and wounded, at all points, amounted
to one hundred or more.

The Eleventh stood in line of battle under a broiling sun
all day, momentarily expecting the order to move. But we
were in the reserves, and as evening drew nigh began to
think that our turn would not come. Suddenly, at seven
o'clock, an order arrived, and in a few moments the long-
line was moving towards the bridge. We counter-marched
in passing off the camp-ground, and as the head of the
column passed each company, words of cheer urged the
comrades on. So unexpected was the order that our Colonel
and Major were absent on business, and Lieut. -Col. Pitman
took command. As he rode along the line with a straw hat
on his head and a pipe in his mouth, loud and prolonged
cheers told him plainly that the boys would stand by him.
Col. Church met us at Gen. Peck's headquarters, and,
instead of being marched across the river, we filed to the
left, were posted in the rifle-pits near its banks, and slept
on our arms during the night. Thus our third chance of
getting at the rebels was dissipated.

We believe that the general in command expected to

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

renew the engagement the next morning ; but the rebel birds
had flown and were moving hurriedly towards the Black-
water river. Five hundred, or perhaps more, rebels came
in and gave themselves up as prisoners. Many of them
requested not to be paroled. It was the opinion of some
that the rebels began to move on the Saturday previous, and
that a heavy force pushed forward would have saved life
and been productive of far more glorious results. The
rebels dropped letters on the way, inviting us to meet them
on the Blackwater. Brig. -Gen. Corcoran, with a consider
able force, was up and after them next morning, but did not
catch them. Among the fortifications evacuated was, in the
estimation of military men, one superior earthwork. A
letter from Gen. Hill to Gen. Longstreet was left behind
announcing his arrival at a certain point, and placing his
command at the disposal of the latter.

All was quiet on the Nansemond Monday, the 4th of
May. The sound of cannon, the screeching of shells, the
constant crack of the rifles of sharp-shooters, and the
musketry of infantry ceased and we rested quietly in our
camp.

AX ILLUMINATION.

As darkness drew on there was an unlooked for change in
the programme. The Sergeant Major went round and gave
notice that lights would be permitted in our quarters. In
his gush of feeling at so unexpected a privilege, one man
lighted his candle and set it on the ground in front of his
tent ; a few men of Company F brought theirs out of doors ;
Company A followed ; the infection spread, and the lights
began to appear upon the peaks of the tents. Moonlight
was deferred by cloudiness and the regular order, until

144 HISTORY OF THE

after tattoo. The air was still, and hundreds of lights were
now to be seen. Then a procession of two hundred or
more, with lighted candles, was formed and marched round
the camp, cheered, and cheering on their wav.

The lights still remained upon the tents, some in long
rows of fifteen to forty each, some in the form of crosses or
of signal lights. The illumination became still more gen
eral, the whole camp was aroused and in one blaze of light.
The brass band was now called for, and were constrained to
come out. The platoons of lights increased in number and
soon moved out on to the parade. "By companies into
line ! ' And the great procession took up its line of march
to the Colonel's quarters, headed by the band, and counter
marched in the field officers' street, the band discoursing its
finest music. On passing the street of Company I, a color
bearer marched out bearing an illuminated cross high in the
air, in the rear of the band. While at the officers' quarters
the boys, surrounded by an enthusiastic crowd of spectators,
officers and men, ventilated themselves by cheering for
whomsoever they pleased, shouting out all the orders they
had ever heard, and making some of the sharpest and keen
est hits imaginable.

When the men, tired, while the band were playing,
"4 Order arms " was the word, and the candles rested upon
the ground ; " Parade rest," and the action was suited to
the words ; "Forward," and the camp was encompassed
once more, the companies filing into their streets as the
column marched past them, tattoo sounded and the game
played out.

This was a fitting conclusion to the success of our arms,
and the cheering news that came to us from all quarters.
It was brilliant beyond description and wholly impromptu.
It could not have happened had we not been deprived of

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 145

candle-light for so long a period. In the language of
another: "The men were determined to have their full
amount of light, even if it could not be distributed to their
liking." The display was received with pleasure at Gen.
Peck's headquarters, it waked up the whole town of
Suffolk and the numerous camps in our vicinity. To quote
''J. B. G. " : "The illumination was witnessed by a large
multitude in town, and pronounced a most enchanting enter
tainment." " After taps had sounded and the camp was as
still and as dark as on former evenings, about ten o'clock a
party of singers assembled in front of Col. Church's tent,
and gave a most entertaining serenade. Thus passed one of
the most pleasant evenings since we left the friends at home,
and the men are all the better prepared to endure the
fatigues of a march if called to it, because of the invigorat
ing effect of such an entertainment upon their spirits.''

The same correspondent adds : k' The religious element in
our regiment is improving, and ten or fifteen young men
have manifested a deep interest in reference to their spiritual
welfare, and nearly every day there are new cases of inquiry
for the ways of wisdom."

The morning after the illumination the majority of the
men in the regiment bathed in the Nansemond, where but a
few days before the bullets of the enemy would have been
whistling around them.

Another presentation came off on the same evening.
Orderly Crocker presented to our new sergeant major,
Charles H. Scott, a very fine sword, in behalf of the officers
and men of Company B. It was a well-timed gift, most
worthily bestowed.

13

146 HISTORY OF THE

REBEL RIFLE-PITS REBEL RELICS AND SECESH PEOPLE.

Fatigue duty was not abandoned after the departure of
the rebels, but we worked by an inverse process, on the
rebel rifle-pits instead of our own. Details were made from
our ranks to level the breast- works and rifle-pits across the
Nansemond, the farthest being about five miles from camp.
At first the work had its attractions because it would gratify
our curiosity about many things.

With such ideas, on an unpleasant day the boys started
out in good spirits, on the South Quay road four or five
miles, and worked in half-hour reliefs patiently till night,
filling rebel intrenchments in a stiff, clayey soil that stuck
like glue to the shovel, and convinced the boys that it was
tough work. Meanwhile, though the party were outside
our cavalry pickets, those who were resting scoured the
woods and plantations about, to see what could be seen and
appropriate what they liked. Pieces of newspapers, Rich
mond papers as late as May 1st, religious papers from all
parts of the south, religious tracts, rebel songs, camp uten
sils of all kinds, letters on various subjects, Confederate
money and postage stamps. Almost every one succeeded in
securing some kind of a trophy.

Most of the letters were poor specimens of spelling and
penmanship. Some of them breathed an ignorant and
wicked spirit against us innocent Yankees. The majority,
perhaps, of these letters, were pervaded by a strong religious
tone, especially to sons and brothers in the army.. There
was one tender epistle, well written, properly spelled, quite
long, bearing all the marks of an educated mind, influenced,
however, by emotions that were not meant to be made pub
lic. A verse of poetry, the poorest part of the letter in a
literary sense, we quote :

ELEVENTH KEGIMEXT. 147

" CONSTANCY.
"The sun may her bright beams withhold, Jemmie,

Unreflected the moonbeams may be;
But not till this bosom be cold, Jemmie,
Shall its pulse throb for any but thee."

Some of the comrades found a different attraction in the
live-stock, principally pigs and hogs, that ran at large in the
woods. The cracking of rifles told how much they appre
ciated such fun. The bayonet and knife also were brought
into play, and sundry pigs and sundry pieces by night made
a tour to our camp. This was all unlawful, as the sequel
proved, but it was none the less true.

PEOPLE WE MET.

The few people that we met were secesh of the bitterest
stamp ; but the boys reported one farm-house with seven
good-looking, refined and intelligent young ladies, and three
younger brothers at home, with the farm-house and all the
surroundings in the neatest possible style ; better than any
thing they had seen in Virginia. They tried to obtain meals
there, but their servants had all left them. They could not
cook themselves. They were doing their own work to the
best of their ability. Other families were visited, but this
was a rare specimen. Contrabands were scarce ; some of
them had been carried off by the rebels ; others had carried
themselves off.

"A. D. N." gives the following, which is too good to be
omitted :

"Notwithstanding the oft-repeated assertion that there was no
Union sentiment at the South, I met an unconditional Union man
on Sunday last, while on picket dijty 011 the Norfolk and Petersburg
railroad. He was about fifty years old. In answer to the inquiry
if he was a Union man, he made the following reply: ' I was born

148 IIISTOHY OF THE

in the Union; I have always lived in the Union; I have always
loved the old Union; I have always voted for the Union, and when
I die, whether I goto hell or heaven, I shall stick by the old Union! '
I put him down as an unconditional Union man, at the same time
handing him a copy of a certain New York daily, which I chanced
to have in my pocket.

" As an offset to the above, allow me to relate an incident which
occurred on the morning after our arrival in Suffolk. After we
landed, we were drawn up in line on the sidewalk of the principal
street, where we halted a short time. I sat down to rest a few min
utes on the doorstep of a private residence. Presently an elderly
lady, attracted by the noise in the street, appeared at the door and
inquired where our regiment was from. I told her that we were
from Rhode Island. ' Rhode Island,' she repeated, ' where's that?
in North Carolina? ' I told her it joined Massachusetts. She then
inquired what we came out there for. I told her we came to fight
for the Union. ' They say you've come to fight for the niggers,'
said she, ' and if I were a man I would resist to the death before I
would do it!' The order came to fall in and I left the old lady
soliloquizing upon the causes which led to this wicked war, and its
probable result to both North and South. Whether she was igno
rant of the geographical position of Rhode Island, or had con
founded it with Roanoke Island, your readers can judge for
themselves."

— 'TAMP PERRY" PH

Speculations were rife at that time as to when the rebel
army evacuated their intrenchments across the Nansemond,
and as to whether there were more than a handful of rebels
opposed to us for at least a week before they finally left our
immediate front ; but these inquiries are of little account
now.

Our routine of duty from May Oth, and forward, was drill
in the "• manual" twice a day ; an hour and three-quarters
in all, beside frequent drillings in ''dressing" at dress-
parade. To this must be added shovelling, picket and guard
duty, and sleeping out nights, to support batteries.

ELEVENTH REGIMEXT. 149

There were some noteworthy special orders at dress-
parade, Saturday, the 9th of May. The camp which we
had occupied for nearly a month was, by an order from our
Colonel, named "Camp Perry." An order from Maj. -Gen.
Peck, commanding, gave thanks to Divine Providence for
the success of our forces in silencing a heavy battery on the
opposite bank of the Nansemond some distance below our
camp.

Another order from the same source, rendered thanks to
the Almighty for our success in compelling the enemy to
raise the siege of Suffolk.

The Sunday following was made memorable to us by the
march of four hundred men of the Eleventh five or six
miles out, to level half a mile of rebel breastworks. The
morning was glorious, the day fine, the sun very hot. The
men worked with spirit, and accomplished much more than
was expected of them. They returned to camp about half-
past seven in the evening, to learn that had they not engaged
in that Sunday expedition, they would have passed through
a brigade inspection and review. They were greatly pleased
with the country, with the peculiar style of the negro
houses,* fences and walls, and with the large growth of the
magnificent and valuable pine timber.

During that interesting period we were highly amused,
instructed and admonished by the reading of an order, in
our Adjutant's most impressive style, recounting the pro
ceedings of a court martial at which a number of men of
the Eleventh were arraigned for shooting or killing a "pig
or pigs, hog or hogs," belonging to Knight, Ballard, or
person or persons unknown, on a certain day when ordered

* Many of the negro houses were built of split pine, thin and larger than our
clapboards, and the style of the exterior of some of them would be creditable
to a summer resort like Martha's Vinevard.

150 1IIST01JY OF THH

to do fatigue duty, some live miles or so from camp, and
appropriating some piece or pieces of pig or pigs, hog or
hogs to their own use. The offenders were sentenced to do
three days' police duty around camp. The character of the
composition has been called by one writer "Piggerel." We
give it in the original in order that it may be fully appre
ciated.

We rejoiced in a new regimental flag, raised Thursday
morning, May 14th, in front of our Colonel's quarters, by
the hands of Gen. Terry, commander of our brigade. The
band played the •" Star Spangled Banner," •' Yankee Doo
dle," and other airs.

Madame rumor informed us that the night before, our
cavalry pickets were alarmed by a great noise in a church
near our lines, and called for help, supposing that the rebels
had entered it. It turned out that a " pig or pigs, hog or
hogs " was raising a rumpus inside. Skirmishing continued
on the line of the Blackwater.

IN THE FIELD — THE DESERTED HOUSE.

Orders to be ready to march in an hour were received as
early as one o'clock Saturday morning, the 16th of May.
The cooks were routed out, rations were prepared, compa
nies supporting batteries were called in, a portion of our
pickets likewise, an early breakfast was devoured, blankets
and rations only were taken, a small guard and those unable
to inarch were left behind, and at five o'clock on a bright
sunny morning, we were off for an unknown destination.
All this was done with the remarkable promptness and
cheerfulness of spirit which characterized the regiment,
Company A claiming to be first in line. It was guessed
that we were to follow a strong force that had alreadv

ELKVKXTII 1JEGIMEXT. 151

moved in the direction of the Black water, and the event
proved the calculation correct.

The route was pleasant and the road not a hard one to
travel. We rested and prepared to encamp at nine o'clock.
We were not, therefore, affected by the intense rays of the
sun. Now and then we passed a good looking house or a
patch of cultivated land. The pleasant perfume of locust
trees regaled us at one spot, and the great quantity of woods
on either side of our way afforded frequent and often con
tinuous shade. The principal feature in our march of nine
miles in a little more than three hours and a half, was the
ease and spirit with which it was made. Officers and men
gave praise to Col. Church for his considerate care and
judicious orders. Halts sufficiently frequent were made in
shady localities. Straggling was unknown, and when our
final halt was made, the men were in splendid condition and
astonished at the result.

The Twenty-sixth Michigan had the start of us, but
reached the place about the same time with ourselves, halt
ing on the opposite side of the road. The Ninety-ninth
New York and Nineteenth Michigan halted near us, but
'moved farther on in the afternoon.

The main force of about fifteen thousand infantry, cavalry
and artillery, were at Carsville, nine miles beyond, and had
had more or less skirmishing with the enemy.

We encamped on a spot of historic interest. Those best
posted in the regiment were at once aware that the most
striking scenes in Mrs. Stowe's " Dred " were laid in that
locality, and those familiar with her narrative could point to
the places of meeting in the direction of the Dismal Swamp,
and the stronghold where Dred and his trusty black war
riors were concealed.

Our camping-ground was also in the region of Nat Tur-

152 HISTORY OF THE

ner's famous insurrection, thirty years or more previous,
and it is believed that in the large opening in those splendid
pine forests, the planters met to devise means to crush the
unwarranted uprising ; and that on a gigantic butternut near
by, the negro rebels were hung. Further, that the largo
house now in ruins at the forks of the road, just northwest
of our camp, finally became deserted because the dark
spirits of these unlucky insurrectionists came nightly to
haunt it. The people about us partly confirmed these
accounts, but none of them seemed to know how far it was
to any given point on our route, nor had they ever heard of
President Lincoln's emancipation proclamation.

That wonderful conspiracy, planned by a black mind,
almost set negrodom in a blaze. It ended in hanging a
great many negroes, and it waked up the whole State of
Virginia ; for the legislature of that State took it up ; the
horrors and dangers of slavery were fully discussed, and
only four votes were lacking to carry an act of emancipation.
It was one of those chances that Heaven gives a nation to
escape thunderbolts long held in store and enjoy long years
of unparalleled prosperity ; but it was neglected ; a blacker
darkness succeeded, and the change and desolation which,
during the war, swept over Virginia and her sister states,
could only be understood by an eye-witness.

One other event made that ground historic. On the pre
vious 30th of December, Gen. Roger A. Pryor, who once
challenged Potter, of Ohio, and was afraid to fight him
with the bowie-knife, met our forces under Gen. Corcoran,
received a severe drubbing and skedaddled to the Black-
water: The dead horses and amputated trees gave undoubted
evidence that a real battle was fought on this plain and in
these woods.

ELEVEXTII REGIMENT. 153

THE NEW CAMP VARIETY.

A brief rest was taken after our arrival, and then men
and officers busied themselves in constructing comfortable
quarters. The messes in the various companies looked out
for themselves, and the woods near by were laid under con
tribution for poles and boughs to construct booths. Our
blankets made an inviting shade by day, and shelter from the
rain and dew at night. The result was a great number of
the oddest and most fantastic habitations that could be
imagined. Many turned their blankets into hammocks and
swung them from the trees.

The next move was to scour the country and gratify curi
osity, for in this the Rhode Island boys stood A 1. Mounted
riflemen had preceded us and set fire to all the uninhabited
dwellings in the vicinity, per order of their superiors, and
some nice houses were levelled without mercy because they
afforded shelter for rebel bushwhackers. At such places
and at a few farm-houses not deserted, the boys gathered
flowers of many kinds and also some cotton, for it was the
custom of these people to raise from fifty to one hundred
pounds yearly for family use. The men also obtained some
thing to eat, and gathered what information Yankee ques
tioning could draw out, which was " right smart, we
reckon."

All things went smoothly through the day. It was the
most novel life the regiment had led and was greatly enjoyed.
The Colonel, staff and line officers had the same luxurious
beds and shelter, the same inviting fare of hard-tack and
salt beef, with a cup of coffee with or without sugar, as the
men had been frugal or otherwise, by way of variety.
Evening brought a large amount of good singing which
pleased the Colonel at first, but which he put his veto on

154 HISTORY OF THE

when it trenched upon his hours of sleep. Midnight —
bang ! " Turn out ! " and in five minutes the Eleventh had
left their beds and were ready to meet the enemy ; but as
it was a false alarm, the Colonel proposed that we go back
to bed and sleep until morning, and it was done.

SUNDAY WHITE TRASH SERENADE TO GEN. CORCORAN.

The Sabbath was a quiet day, very much like Sunday
without religious services. The Chaplain was absent most
of the time, and except one or two small gatherings for
Bible study holden in the woods, it was simply a day of
abstinence from drill, inspection, review, etc., though we
had a dress-parade, for the benefit of the Michiganders near
us, we believe, and obtained much credit therefor.

To vary the monotony, several specimens of the poor
white trash came into our camp at the Deserted House, and
one deserter from the rebels. From the testimony of one of
the poor whites it appeared that the planters could let their
negro men out in North Carolina to make tar, for one hun
dred and fifty dollars per year, while in that region white
help like himself, and he looked pretty well, could be
obtained for fifty dollars a year. He seemed to rank him
self beneath the black man.

For further variety, as there was abundant room, we
were treated Monday, the 18th, to battalion drill, and as it was
understood that our service in that region would continue
some days longer, we received three days' extra rations. A
part of these were baked beans ; excellent in some compa
nies, while in others, by some mischance or exposure to the
hot weather, they were no better to the men than sour
grapes. Picket duty was performed for a number of days
in succession by Companies C and E. "A platoon of Com-

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 155

pany E were ordered to proceed some six or seven miles dis
tant to a point on the Weldon railroad, and hold possession
until relieved. They remained there two days."

The object of the expedition, now apparent to every one,
was to remove the rails from the track of the Seaboard and
Roanoke Railroad from Carsville, near the Blackwater river,
to Suffolk. To accomplish this a large force of contrabands
was sent out to do the work, and a strong military force, of
which we were a part, to protect them. The sequel will
show what was done.

Up to the time of Gen. Corcoran 's arrival all the forces
were under the command of Colonel, acting Brigadier, Fos
ter. There were, as reported, six or seven brigadiers in
Suffolk, none of whom had then appeared to take command.
A number of the colonels acted as brigadiers.

Gen. Corcoran having arrived on the evening of the 19th,
was serenaded by the band of the Eleventh, and with vocal
music by our officers. His headquarters were with us dur
ing the night. In the following morning all the regiments
about us, our own included, turned out early under arms,
in anticipation of an attack, and remained so until sunrise.

REPORTED DISASTER TO THE ELEVENTH FALSE ALARM AND

MARCH TO WINDSOR.

The New York Herald of the 22d of May, published a
ridiculous account that created no little consternation among
the friends at home, stating that the Eleventh had an engage
ment with the One Hundred and Fifty-second New York,
and that several of our men were killed or wonnded. As
stated at the time, we had no such engagement and made no
such foolish mistake. Information first came to our camp
that the Tenth New Jersey and the One Hundred and Sixty-

15() HISTORY OF THE

ninth and One Hundred and Seventieth New York were
falling back to the Deserted House and were attacked by
guerillas, losing one killed and six wounded. We will let
"J. B. G." tell the story: "The truth is, that on the
night of the 19th. the One Hundred and Seventieth New
York met the Tenth New Jersey, and in some inexcusable
way they mistook each other for rebels. Most of the injury
done was in the One Hundred and Seventieth, and chiefly
by their own men. Could you have seen the officers of that
regiment as they reeled about the next morning and through
the day, you would say, as is often the case in our disasters,
-whiskey did it.' "

Another account says: "Several of the killed and
wounded were brought into camp at the Deserted House."

Still another says: "It appears that the horse of the
Colonel of the One Hundred and Seventieth New York
threw his rider because he was unable to stay o/i, and ran in
the dark among the Tenth New Jersey. They fired, and
the One Hundred and Seventieth returned the fire, and the
Tenth suffered in one killed and six wounded."

Another false alarm occurred on the 20th instant, occa
sioned by Col. Wardrop, a cavalry officer, and orderlies rid
ing swiftly up to the Colonel's quarters and ordering the
men to fall in, for the rebels were upon us ; but not a rebel
appeared. The mistake arose from the idea that a regiment
of the enemy, instead of one of our own. was moving
towards Suffolk.

* The writer saw next day a musket in the New York regiment which had
been struck by a bullet from the New Jersey regiment. It was hit square
against the band, the bullet penetrating so far as to make an opening through
both sides of the barrel. The ball was left embedded in the barrel and showed
from both sides.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 157

ON THE MARCH WINDSOR.

An order to inarch was received the same day, and soon
after six o'clock the whole force of infantry, cavalry and
artillery were in motion across the country, and after a
tramp of about six miles by twilight, young moonlight and
darkness, the Eleventh crossed the rails of the Petersburg
Railroad, and rested a mile south of Windsor station. Dust
was prevalent on the road, and heavy pine forests lined
either side of our way.

Our immediate neighbors were the One Hundred and
Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania and the Nineteenth Wisconsin.
The latter regiment were somewhat notorious for living on
the enemy. Sheep and hogs furnished them with meat.
They found plenty of corn, and in two instances, ground
many bushels of meal in mills which they discovered and
ran themselves.

Guerillas or bushwhackers were said to frequent the route
of our march, to play the farmer by day and to murder by
night. Report said that one of them was caught by the
regiment just mentioned and shot without ceremony. It
was also said that a couple of companies of Pennsylvania
mounted riflemen, a part of our force, ventured too far and
lost a few men.

We encamped near Windsor in a spot similar to the one
we had just left, a large circular opening in the woods. It
differed, in being divided by a straight railroad track, with
the heaviest rail and best built road we had ever seen.
Government made a handsome thing in tearing up, and sav
ing for use, so many miles of such a track. The boys soon
transformed the barren cotton field into a comfortable dwell
ing place. Innumerable booths, in every variety of style,
composed of boughs, rubber blankets, and fence rails bor-
U

158 HISTORY OF THE

rowed for the occasion, covered the ground by what would
be early breakfast hour at home, though the hot coffee,
(made by themselves), crackers and salt-junk or pork, was
devoured some time before.

Windsor is a one-horse town, and almost a one-house town.
Four or five houses at most, including the depot and a few
more, a quarter or a half a mile back, constituted the town.
Union people were very scarce, and few men were to be
seen. Some of the boys visited a farm down the road and
chatted with the owner, who was somewhat inquisitive.
They gave him information freely, and told him the force
about there amounted to seventy thousand men, and fifty
pieces of cannon ! " Well," said he, "I thought there was
a mighty heap of you 'un's 'round here."

There we remained all day Thursday and through the
night. Our forces had hardly reached Windsor the night
before, ere a locomotive with flats attached and a large
company of contrabands passed up above the town, began
to remove the rails and transport them to a safe place.
The business was done in the most approved style and with
very little loss of material.

THE ELEVENTH IN THE ADVANCE SKIRMISH WITH THE

REBELS.

About eight o'clock Friday morning, order came suddenly
to fall in. Our blankets were rolled up in a trice, and we
were in line and moving off the ground in ten minutes.
Windsor was reckoned twelve miles by common road from
Suffolk. We marched past the station with our brass band
and drum band ahead, past the Sixth Massachusetts and
Thirteenth Indiana, that had been in the advance, past
Gen. Co'rcoran's headquarters, and took the advance our-

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 159

selves. " Old soldiers," said the men in the regiments that
we passed, and they cheered us on. We were moving to a
point where there was a probability of a brush with the
enemy, and our Colonel requested that the Eleventh might
be placed in the advance.

We moved on mid dust, the heat of the sjm, and fires in
the woods, about three miles and a half beyond Windsor,
and halted at about the same distance from the Blackwater
river, near Antioch church, in another opening in the woods.
The Twenty-sixth Michigan were on the right and a section
of Battery D, Fourth United States Artillery, were near us.
The rays of the sun beat fiercely on our heads, and we
immediately sought the shelter of the woods and bushes, on
the edge of which our line rested. Our pickets were hardly
thrown out, when "fall in" was the word, and we were
told that our cavalry pickets had been driven in and that
rebel infantry were following up ; but it amounted to noth
ing. Several of these alarms followed during the day, and
we became quite used to them. We had to go beyond our
own pickets to obtain water.

Towards night, and until after dark, there was sharp firing,
desultory at first, soon increasing, and at times quite rapid.
It was plain that our pickets were at it, and they kept at it
until the rebels disappeared. In the morning we learned
more definitely, that Company F, Capt. Taft, with Lieut.
Hudson, commanding the reserve, had fairly engaged the
enemy's skirmishers, and done their part handsomely. It
was proven beyond a doubt that the boys had no notion of
being afraid of rebel bullets, and they were a fair match for
the well-trained skirmishers of the rebel army. None of
Company F were hurt, though the bullets of the enemy
whistled plentifully around them. Col. Church, who pro
ceeded to the scene of action when the firing began, was

160 HISTORY OF THE

immediately asked to dismount by a rebel bullet, and obeyed
without a repetition of the request. Whether more than
one of the enemy was struck by the bullets from our side
we do not know. We supposed there were. The pickets
of the Twenty-sixth Michigan were also firing at the same
time. Next morning the hat and rifle of a soldier from a
Mississippi regiment were brought in, and one of the
mounted riflemen soon after obtained the body, which left
no doubt that one rebel was killed by somebody, the Michi-
ganders claiming the honor.

Upwards of thirty dollars Confederate money was found
upon the body and some valuables. On the rifle was "R.
A. Neely, Second Mississippi Volunteers."

We slept quietly and undisturbed Friday night. Careful
provision was made to repel an attack. Company F was
relieved on picket at ten o'clock by Company K, Capt.
Mowry. Company C, Capt. Parkhurst, was also sent out
as a support. The pioneers felled trees at night to barri
cade the road on which our line rested.

It was understood that we should fall back to Windsor as
early, at least, as Saturday night, because the work on the
railroad would be completed to that point, but the rebels
were unwilling to let us off' without one more visit. So,
live o'clock in the afternoon, (perhaps they got wind of our
intentions), pop, pop, pop ; then too rapid to count ; then a
volley. The orderlies and horsemen came dashing down
the road and the Eleventh were in line of battle in a twink
ling. The cavalry pickets had fallen back, and the infantry
pickets, Companies K and C and the Michigan boys, were
having a lively time of it. Now the musketry rattled, and
we could see the flashes in the woods ahead and the smoke.
The rebels were reported coming up the road.

"Right dress! load at will!" was the order of Col.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

Church. More pickets (one-half of Company E, Capt.
James,) were sent out on the left ; the officers' quarters,
the dwellings of a day, were swept away, and the field
cleared for action. "Company B, right face! forward
marcli!" and up the road they went at double-quick, and
deployed as skirmishers into the woods several hundred
yards beyond us, while the other companies waited patiently
and eagerly for the order to follow them. The Colonel
urged his men to fight, but the words were not needed ; the
order was sufficient, and the previous conduct of the reo-i-
ment was a warrant that Rhode Island would have had no
cause to be ashamed of their action.

Gen. Dodge's headquarters were under a big tree, a little
up the road on our right, and under his orders the battery
opened with shell upon the rebels in the woods. The fuses
were too short, and the missiles at first exploded over the
heads of Companies K and B, but the mistake was quickly
corrected, and the enemy received the full benefit of shot
and shell.

Gen. Dodge's orders were, not to attack, but only to
repel the enemy. Company K was in front, and a cavalry
man had just reported to Capt. Mo wry that no rebels were
near. The latter ordered his men t) remain concealed,
when, a moment or two after, a volley from a hidden foe
showed that the trooper had been cheated. At the outset,
our boys were beyond the barricade in the road, and the
enemy, with a force of cavalry flanked by infantry, one
hundred and fifty or two hundred strong, charged upon our
small force of pickets, who fell back on the reserve to a safer
position, giving the foe a sharp fire on their retreat. They
maintained their position till dark and after our whole force
was well on its way to Windsor. Each company acquitted
itself well.

162 HISTORY OF THE

Company C brought in two prisoners captured that night,
and six more came in next morning. Companies B, C, and
K acted as rear guard. The remainder of the regiment felt
disappointed only because they had no share in the business.

The rebels were completely foiled, and lost, said the pris
oners, one man killed and six wounded, while not a man on
our side received a scratch.

We add the account of this affair given by "A. I). N." :

" About five o'clock on Saturday afternoon, sharp tiring was
heard between our pickets and those of the rebels. Our pickets,
Companies C and K, were soon driven in by a rebel force of cavalry
and infantry. Our regiment was immediately ordered into line,
and Company B was sent down the road on the ' double-quick ' to
support the, pickets. As soon as we arrived at our destination we
were ordered to deploy as skirmishers. We deployed on the right
and left of the road and advanced into the woods, where we
remained until dark, advancing and retreating, and exchanging
shots with the rebels. Meanwhile two pieces of our artillery kept
up a brisk fire of shot and shell, which passed directly over our
heads and had their designed effect, in causing the rebels to fall
back from their position. One or two companies of the Twenty-
sixth Michigan were also deployed on our right as skirmishers. A
captain of one of the companies was shot in the arm by one of his
own men during the skirmish. He has since died from the effects
of the wound. His funeral took place on Wednesday last. Our
much-esteemed First Lieutenant came near being shot by mistake,
by a member of Company C. Companies C and K were deployed
in our rear. The lieutenant's life was only saved by the marksman
being a poor shot, as he was within a few rods of him when he fired.

" The rebels are said to have had two regiments of infantry, two
companies of cavalry and two pieces of artillery. They used only
a, small part of their force in the skirmish. Two rebels delivered
themselves up to Company C as prisoners. They belonged to the
Second Mississippi Volunteers, and declared themselves tired of
fighting. They said there were two hundred more men of the same
regiment who were anxious to get inside of our lines. They repre
sented that there was a rebel force of eight thousand at the Black-
water.

" It was in this skirmish that our boys were, for the first time,

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 1()3

' under fire,' and I but speak the sentiment of the regiment when I
say that they behaved well. Every man was in his place and did
his duty. Not one of them was injured."*

Another account states that the two prisoners brought
in by Company C said that opposed to us were six compa
nies of the Second and two of the Eleventh Mississippi,
and two companies of cavalry.

From another source we have the following :

"After that all was quiet for about an hour, when firing
slowly began. The rebels were seen about six hundred
yards in front, filing across the road, and our advance posts
opened fire upon them, but the distance was too great for
any execution. Soon after this, firing was heard on the
right, and Capt. Mowry, who had been for upwards of half
an hour firing upon the enemy with the musket of one of
the men from his front post, hastened back to the cover of
the woods, and sent Private Hicks on the run down to the
right to find out what the \natter was, saying he feared they
would be flanked. Before Private Hicks could return to
report, a sudden volley was fired, and three companies of
rebel infantry advanced from tlie orchard on our right, and
three companies from the ' road lined with bushes,' on the
left, while a squadron of cavalry and two howitzers came
thundering down the road in front.

"The picket men rallied at the barricade, and as the
rebels came up opened fire upon them with considerable
execution. The men on the right had just time to jump

* " In this skirmish," writes another, " a platoon of Company E was ordered
forward to the centre. They entered a wood just beyond which was a plain,
and beyond that another wood, from which emerged several hundred rebels.
They advanced to the centre of the plain, then gave one of their characteristic
yells and charged upon our line. Immediately our men were ordered to load
and tire as rapidly as possible. Five or six volleys were fired. The rebels did
not advance far into the wood, but carne within about two hundred feet of our
skirmish line and then retired."

164 HISTORY OF THK

into the woods and save themselves from capture, and those
on the left also narrowly escaped being taken. One man
lost his blanket and another his cap. But they all obeyed
orders, and the barricade was held, though against fearful
odds. There were not more than thirty men in that part of
the company that fell back to the barricade, the rest of them
being on the cross road towards the left. But these men
successfully resisted the six companies of infantry, and
drove them back. During this sharp and rapid firing, one
of the men, Private Patterson, broke the nipple of his mus
ket, and was thus disabled. With scarce a moment's hesi
tation he threw the gun over his shoulder and inarched
back to the rest of the regiment, borrowed another musket,
and was soon loading and firing as if nothing of the sort
had happened. While thus engaged in firing, Capt. Mowry's
colored boy, John Taylor, got a musket from some one, and
stood up boldly at the barricade, loading and firing with
great rapidity. On one of the small branches of a large
tree had been thrown a canteen. In the haste, this useful
article had been left swinging there, when a minie ball struck
it near one edge and set it whirling with considerable swift
ness. This pleased John, and he, laughing heartily, said,
'See de canteen whirling, see de canteen whirling.' Mean
time Companies B and E were sent forward from the regi
ment, now drawn up in line of battle and waiting for orders
to march forward, on the double-quick, and deployed as
skirmishers ; Company B, Capt. Thrasher, to the right of
the road, and Company E, Capt. James, to the left of the
road. Soon there was a lull in the firing of the enemy,
probably caused by the rapid shelling from a couple of
Parrots, which opened upon them by order of Gen. Dodge,
in command of our artillery. Just at this juncture, when
the artillery had stopped firing, Capt. Mowry, Company

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 165

K ran out to the front to reconnoitre, supposing from
commands, which could be distinctly heard through the
thin skirt of woods that separated us from the open plain
beyond, that Col. Church had deployed the regiment, or what
remained of it at the rear, unengaged, to the right, by an
old cart path, and so had attacked the rebels at close quar
ters. The Captain, therefore, wishing to learn the exact
position at the front, that he might lead his company forward
and join the regiment in this attack upon the enemy which
had so suddenly driven in his pickets, hurried forward past
the barricade, beyond the line of skirmishers, and suddenly
presented himself in the open road in full view of the plain
beyond.

" What was his astonishment, then, on looking up the
road, to find, drawn up in column by platoons in the light
pines, those six companies of rebel skirmishers, just ahead
of him, in full view, and only about sixty yards from him.
It required but a second of time to comprehend the situation.
They were not blue-coats at all, as he had supposed, but
they were in very truth, ' y ray-backs.' But no sooner had
that truth flashed upon his mind, than those veritable gray-
backs, all, with a singular unanimity of purpose, and with
out waiting even for a word of command, drew a bead upon
the astonished Captain, and fired. But, equal to the emer
gency, he had grasped the situation, and had instantly, quick
as thought, thrown himself flat in the gutter, by the side of
'the road. The ground descended slightly from where the
rebels were to the place where the Captain was, and every
shot of the volley, probably from more than a hundred
muskets, passed over him, and he escaped unharmed.
Instantly, as soon as the volley was past, he threw himself
into the brush and rapidly (without any doubt) joined his
company. But the firing continued so brisk, that on his

1()6 HISTORY OF THE

return he found that Ca.pt . Parkhurst, who was acting as his
reserve, had ordered his men to lie down.

"It was now near sunset, and the order had been received
early in the day for the whole force to move to Windsor
station. The execution of this order had been delayed . till
evening on account of the intensity of the heat. As the
rebels had been effectually repulsed, this order was soon car
ried into execution."

BACK TO WINDSOR — COOKING RATIONS THOSE HAMS.

On the night of *the skirmish, in accordance with the pre
vious plan and positive orders, the Union forces, the
Eleventh in the rear, fell back several miles and bivouacked
on our old camp-ground near Windsor, most of the men
re-occupying the temporary shelters we had left. Some of
these were quite extensive, where two or three tenants occu
pied them, and on the previous Thursday evening twenty-five
or thirty persons gathered in one of them for a religious
meeting. It was nothing new for soldiers to cook rations,
but until this tramp the Eleventh did very little of it, and it
was no small source of amusement to witness the various
styles and devices of the men to make their rations palata
ble. The cooks of some of the companies were present,
either a part or all of the time, and did some cooking even
under those shifting circumstances..

On the march back to Windsor we were not only almost
smothered in dust, but our eyes were filled with smoke from
the woods that were on fire on either side, nearly the whole
route. Once in a while, the fire streaming now and then
from the tall trees, seemed

"Like banners in the sky,"
but the sight hardly paid for the price of the show.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 167

While in camp at Windsor, Company G discovered a large
lot of hams hid away near a house, and the woman who
occupied the premises, went so far in her ignorance of their
whereabouts, as to buy one from the "G's," who repaid
her patronage, by soon after discovering a still larger lot in
the loft.

BARRETT'S PLANTATION.

We broke camp at Windsor at three o'clock Sunday after
noon. It was one of the hottest days the regiment experi
enced during its whole time of service. We marched three
miles towards Suffolk on the road to Providence chapel, the
intensest rays of the sun beating on our heads all the way,
until we halted at Rev. Mills Barrett's plantation. Add to
the heat the clouds of suffocating dust that enveloped us
throughout the march, especially when a large body of
cavalry passed us, and it was the most trying tramp we had
made. We believe this opinion was shared by a majority
of the officers and men. No "weary traveler" ever
" espied his home from some o'er-looking hill," with more
satisfaction than the men of the Eleventh beheld the green
lawn of this plantation, as they filed in and drank of the water
from the old oaken bucket of the old-fashioned well, arid
bathed their heads with its deep stored waters. On our way
we saw two or three neat-looking houses, fronting fine
estates, and a waving field of wheat called forth the exclama
tions of the men.

At Barrett's plantation we learned much that was new to
us as a regiment, and to most of us as individuals. It
opened to us a view of slavery that we had not seen before.
A planter, a divine of the Baptist denomination, a son,
chaplain in the rebel army, another at Norfolk, said to be

168 H1STOKY OF THE

loyal, twenty-two slaves of all ages, and several shades of
color, and an estate that comprised three hundred and six
acres of land of all kinds, a large white house of no style of
architecture (usual in the parts where we travelled), stand
ing far back from the road, the smooth lawn in front and
around the house, dotted here and there with shade and
fruit-trees, and a well with a bucket balanced on the end of
a long pole, with poorer houses on one side for negroes, and
out-houses for various purposes. A big corn field, on which
an average of five bushels to the acre only was raised, a
cotton field on the left, an orchard with fine varieties of
fruit, good stock, starvingly fed poultry, and magnificent
woods complete the picture of the surroundings.

The owner of all this was rank secesh ; the housekeeper,
Miss Mary, as bitter as wormwood ; the darkies were
Union, and fully believing that

" It must l)e now the kingdom's coming,
And the year of jubilee."

Somebody in the house was sick when the regiment
arrived there. " Been sick a week, massa," said one of the
female, Union colored persons. " Taken sick five minutes
before the Union soldiers come here, to save the house from
burning down," was added in an under tone.

There was another, and no mean attraction, at that camp,
the magnolia trees in the woods near us, with their lily-like
blossoms, and their exquisite fragrance. Oceans of black
berry bushes, in full bloom, skirted the woods about. And
we remember now the huckleberry bushes on our march to
the " Deserted House," which, with their beautiful white
bell-like clusters, lined the roadside.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 169

WHO WAS IN COMMAND?

Gen. Corcoran and staff', Col. Church and staff', and
many other officers, made Barrett's house, which was roomy,
their headquarters. During tin's raid, for it amounted to
that, it was difficult for most of us to tell who was in com
mand. Col. Foster, acting as brigadier, was in command
several days, and then was taken sick. Gen. Corcoran,
able then to absent himself from his court of inquiry, in
reference to shooting Col. Kimball, came out and assumed
command. Gen. Dodge arrived and had command of the
artillery and cavalry, and in the skirmish on Saturday, it
was said, directed operations. When in Suffolk, we were
in Gen. Terry's brigade, then in Col. Wai-drop's, again in
Col. Farrow's, and during the last two days, before reaching
Suffolk, on our return to Camp Perry, in Col. Church's, he
acting as brigadier, and Col. Wardrop commanding all the
infantry force. Whoever was in command, we advanced,
moved and fell back ; Gen. Corcoran 's headquarters being
most of the time at Windsor, and Gen. Dodge's at Antioch
church, several miles nearer the Blackwater.

WONDER OF THE SLAVES AT THE ML SIC OF THE BAND.

On the night that we halted at Barrett's, a great deal of
amusement was created early in the evening by the actions
of the slaves, old and young, while the band was playing
some of their fine music. The older ones were pleased and
astonished, while the little ones, from three years' old and
upwards, were fairly frightened at the power of some of the
instruments, especially of the big drum. They would steal
up gradually, while some pleasing strain was played, and

170 HISTORY OF THE

when a crashing passage burst forth, would skedaddle in the
greatest terror. The youngsters gave an exhibition in
dancing which created shouts of merriment, especially as
the little sables, in neat, white dresses, flitted about in the
dusk like so many witches.

ORDERLY FORAGING.

"Promiscuous foraging," says " J. H. G.," was " strictly
prohibited, as it is very demoralizing to the troops, but when
conducted properly, there is no reason why we should not
take articles belonging to the enemy." As an instance, we
suppose, of what was proper, he adds : " We learned here,
from a contraband, that a neighbor had concealed a quantity
of corn in the woods, and a team, accompanied by Maj.
Moss and others of the staff of the Eleventh, with a guard,
were dispatched to confiscate it. We found enough near a
by-path about a mile distant, to fill a large army wagon,
and our horses have eaten it with all the composure with
which they eat the forage which is bought and paid for."
It is easy to see how much nearer right it was for staff
officers with a guard to confiscate a lot of corn, than it was
for privates to capture kt a pig or pigs, hog or hogs," etc. ;
or, for illustration, a story is told that Col. Church happened
in the woods where some of the boys in Company K were
dressing off a hog, and inquired of Sergt. Viall : " Did you
shoot that hog? " " No, sir," said the Sergeant, " he ran
upon my bayonet ; will you have a piece, Colonel? " Was
that hog, and many other animals who died on this raid,
eaten with the same composure by the officers and men, as
if they had been bought and paid for ?

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 171

A GOVERNMENT TEAM BECOMES A CHARIOT OF FREEDOM.

Among the slaves of Mills Barrett, was a Creole, whose
husband was free in Suffolk, at work in the Union commis
sary department. In her youthful days she was fair, and
she had, among her seven children, which we saw, four
which were said to be the children of her master's brother's
son. The two kinds of children were easily distinguished.
They dwelt in an older mansion near by, and the writer was
permitted to view the premises. There was the monstrous
fire-place of the olden time, an old-fashioned bake-pan, a
loom in one corner on which they wove a very coarse and
stout cotton cloth, from cotton grown on the estate, and a
long chest full of fine dresses, made by the eldest daughter
for her missus. This all told of a decaying aristocracy.

Monday afternoon, this whole family were carted off to
leave a heap of trouble on the mind of old Secesh. Some
were shocked that they should want to, and did, thus leave
the old man, but the majority were well pleased with the
transaction. We will quote from " J. B. G." again : "One
woman with seven children were anxious to proceed to Suf
folk to join her husband, . . and our Adjutant made an
arrangement to take them and their worldly goods to town.
After dinner the team drove up, and a very few minutes were
sufficient to hurry beds, boxes, crockery, darkies and all,
into the wagon, and they moved off while three rousing
cheers were given by the regiment. The old man and his
housekeeper stood in the door of their house, and saw them
as they turned their backs forever without a tear of regret,
upon the family, giving a practical comment to the idea that
slaves will never leave their masters." This family pro
ceeded on their freedom trip some distance towards Suffolk,
when Col. Wardrop, learning what had been done, proceeded

172 HISTORY OF THE

after them in great anger, and ordered the government team
to return to Barrett's ; but to the best of our knowledge,
our Adjutant's executive ability was equal to the Colonel's
wrath. The team went back, per order, but the family
found a hiding place near by, and at night proceeded in
safety on their way to Suffolk.

One or two of the planter's boys went into the employ of
our officers as servants, and when the Union soldiers finally
moved off, Mills Barrett's personal property amounted to
twenty-two xervaiifx* minus about twenty who "•went and
run'd away."

"J. B. G." writes further: "When we Iwive, as we
shall do to-day, there will be several tenements to let on
this and other plantations, as the remainder of the slaves
are intending to form an escort for the regiment. The news
of our coming is spreading all around, and we have already
heard of twenty or more from other families who propose to
make a march for liberty. There is no murmuring among
the people, as they seem to expect such things, and are con
tent to submit and furnish provision if we need, if we will
only leave them behind and not burn their houses."

K\I> OF Tin: RAID.

The end of our journeyings drew near, for Tuesday, the
20th instant, after much delay, and much mystery as to
where we were bound, we took up our line of march in the
middle of the afternoon, and after a brisk tramp of about
four hours in a Virginia fence course, halted, with the
exception of two companies, who were ordered on picket,
several miles outside of Suffolk, and encamped, as was sup
posed, for the night, but about ten o'clock pickets were
called in, all were aroused, and at half an hour after mid-

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 173

night we were joyfully received by the comrades who had
remained behind in Camp Perry.

Lieut. Snow, in our absence, was installed in the Col
onel's quarters as commandant of camp — like one of old,
supreme for a day — with an orderly to run here and there
and do his bidding, and every soldier able to do anything
was kept thoroughly busy in one kind of duty or another.

RESULT.

The result of this expedition was, some eighty miles of
railroad track on two roads torn up and stored in a place of
safety, worth to the government one hundred thousand dol
lars, making it very difficult for the enemy to bring supplies
for a large force to besiege Suffolk, and rendering it easy for
a small number of troops to hold the place. About twenty-
five deserted dwellings and seventy-five other buildings were
burned, and quite an amount of forage secured. According
to the best reports, two of the enemy were killed and six
wounded, a number of prisoners were captured, fifty more
came away, and others continued to come in. About two
hundred slaves entered our lines, upon whom the enemy
depended to furnish them with supplies the next fall. We
met with no loss on our side, except a Michigan Captain,
who, recklessly, as we believe, exposed himself to the fire
of his own men.

As to the part that the Eleventh bore, it is enough to say
that they were out eleven days without tents of any kind,
tramped about forty miles, and did promptly and well what
ever they were ordered to do. Only on one day and night
did we have unpleasant weather.

174 HISTORY OF THE

SOME OTHER THINGS THAT WE OBSERVED.

The day after our return to Camp Perry was spent in a
general cleaning up of persons, clothes and equipments, and
a return to the usual routine of camp life.

Our Colonel and Major, with Lieut. James, of the
Engineer Corps, Sergt. Viall, of Company K, a corporal
and eight men of the Eleventh, paid a visit to the Jericho
canal, running from the Nansemond river to Drummond lake,
to ascertain the condition of the canal. On the 30th instant,
we had some fine showers, and the first considerable rain
for about three weeks.

There was one feature during our raid into the enemy's
country, which somewhat surprised us — the large amount of
cultivated land. What the proportion was before the war
we could not tell, but we returned to Suffolk by roads on
which were the fewest dwellings, and saw a great many
acres regularly cultivated, with evident care, corn predomi
nating. It was equally true that hardly a man was seen,
and such as we saw, appeared very old. There was one
house just outside of our pickets, when we were nearest
Zuni, which contained two families, and in one of them a
young woman, eighteen years old, so said her mother, who
worked regularly in the field. The other family consisted
of a widow and her little boy, whose husband, she said,
died before the war. uHe had been a house carpen
ter, and had 'built the hiyJtt of the houses in Windsor."
She said it cost them three dollars a day to get plowing
done, and she represented their destitution in a pitiful light.
One of our captains on picket near by wanted to wash, and
asked the other family for some soap. Some black, soft
soap was produced, and, finally, as a special accommodation,
an old chest was overhauled and a small piece of hard

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 175

soap, nicely wrapped up in a cloth, was brought to light ;
but so apparent was it that this could hardly be spared, that
the officer refused it and used the other.

These people would gladly have picked up the hard-tack
that we left on the field when we moved, and the soap that
we threw away would have been a treasure. The officer
to whom we have just referred, had a hoe-cake baked and
paid for it twenty-five cents of our money ; but the woman
said she would rather have a pinch of salt — another article
that was a drug in our camp on that march — than the money.
These were but isolated specimens of the condition of
things wherever we went, and the absence of nearly, if not
quite all, the negroes in that region, could not fail to make
the destitution still greater.

ROUTINE ATTENDANCE AT THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH —

DRESS-PARADE.

The regiment were constantly employed in picket, guard
and fatigue duty, battery support at night, and battalion drill
was added in the middle of the afternoon. Another inspec
tion came on the last day of the month, but it was done up
in good style, and was far less tedious than in our earlier
experiences. In the afternoon, however, some thirty or
forty comrades were permitted to attend service at an Epis
copal Church in town, and listen to an excellent discourse
from the Chaplain of the One Hundred and Sixtieth Penn
sylvania, from Romans 3d chapter and 20th verse.

There is a propriety in alluding to our dress-parades in
this latter part of our service. Col. Church had an eye for
dress-parades, and being a civil engineer, evidently knew a
straight line. We thought we had fine dress-parades on
Miner's Hill, but Col. Church made up his mind to put on

170 HISTORY OF THE

the finishing touches. The Lieutenant Colonel or Major
usually conducted the dress-parades, while the Colonel made
observations on the flanks, and sometimes in the rear rank.
On the Sunday just referred to we supposed we had had a
fine display of that sort, and the usual religious service after
it, when, lo ! an order came, and two more dress-parades
followed, the second lasting until the sun dipped beneath
the horizon. When the lines in open order were formed
according to Col. Church's ideas, a person standing on the
flank could see but four men, instead of six or seven hun
dred ; the officers and men stood like so many statues, the
mosquitoes, flies, wood-ticks and other small blood-suckers
had free scope for nearly half an hour, and tobacco chewing
and spitting were done away. A day or two after this, when
we were off on battalion drill, the Colonel formed us into a
square, and "Now," said he, tkl have you where you can
hear me, and I want to say a few words about dress-parade."
Well, we did not take notes ; it was a good speech of the
kind, however.

Again, to our surprise, on the 5th of June, the ever- wel
come paymaster appeared, the pay-roll was signed and the
regiment paid. The Allotment Commissioner followed on
the next day to take home just as much as the boys chose
to send to their families and friends.

GEN. TERRY GREAT .SERVICE IN THE METHODIST CHURCH.

One day then was much like another. There were fair
skies, pleasant breezes and a burning sun. On the night of
the 6th of June, we had one of those tremendous showers,
accompanied by the grandest thunder and vivid lightning,
such as we had heard only in that southern country. The
thunder on that night resembled a rapid and regular can
nonade.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 177

When Sunday morning came we had our usual inspection
varied by the presence of Gen. Terry. He was a man of no
little weight, with a pleasant countenance, round head, care
fully trained moustache, and faultless attire. His criticisms
and commendations were freely bestowed. His manner was
agreeable. He had ideas and opinions of his own, which he
took no pains to conceal. The regiment received a due
share of praise from his lips, and on the whole we were not
sorry that he made us a visit.

Immediately after the inspection, by the Colonel's permis
sion, quite a large delegation from the regiment, proceeded
to the Methodist Church in Suffolk, and joined in public
worship there. The house, including galleries, was filled
with soldiers from the various regiments of the Suffolk army,
and many stood. Three chaplains were present. The ser
mon was by the Chaplain of the One Hundred and Eigh
teenth New York, from Ephesians, 3d chapter and loth
verse. The whole congregation united in song. Col.
Church, Lieut. -Col. Pitman, and Maj. Moss, from the
Eleventh were present. After the regular service about two
hundred remained to partake of the communion, adminis
tered to Christians of various denominations in the Metho
dist form, by the chaplains before mentioned, our own being
of the number. This setting aside of all minor differences
and blending many hearts in a testimony of fealty to the
Captain of our Salvation, was a most interesting scene.
Around a common altar met officers and privates of all
arms of the service, from Eastern, Western and Middle
States — brethren. Who would not rejoice that there were
so many men in our army that daily offered their morning
and evening sacrifice to Jehovah, that He might go forth
with our armies and cause them to triumph.

178 HISTORY OF THE

CONTRABAND SERVICE.

In the afternoon of the same day, some twenty-five of us
walked over to Union town, not far from our cam}), on the
banks of the river, entered the large chapel of the contra
bands and remained standing, while they carried on their
worship, for more than an hour and a half. The building
was crowded with colored people of all ages and shades.
There were old and gray-haired men -and women, number
less children, and infants at the breast, all engaged in wor
ship with the utmost intensity and earnestness.

The dresses were in the most wonderful and fantastic
variety ; the manifestations unsuited to any other place.
The singing defied all description. If we should attempt a
description of what we saw we should be open to the charge
of fun-making ; yet it was one of the most serious and
affecting religious assemblies the writer ever attended.
They sang frequently, the melodies set to the most singular
words. Some of the tunes were lively and adapted to
dancing, but most of them were very plaintive in their
character. The Jubilee singers have given us the only
specimens of the peculiar music of these ex-slaves and their
plantation melodies. The choruses were powerful and
moving. An exhortation of an elderly gray-haired brother
was full of pith and point, and would not disgrace a better
educated mind. It was a regular plantation conference and
prayer meeting, to be enjoyed only south of Mason and
Dixon's line.

ANOTHER SHAMPAIGN.

We had a grand expedition one day on fatigue duty in
which one-half of the regiment went out, as in the early
part of our service, to level the woods about two miles off',

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 179

in the range of the batteries on the Nansemond, and the other
half to work on Fort Mansfield, near our camp, returning in
the evening. Then came an order to move in light inarch
ing order, eacli man to burden himself with one hundred
rounds of cartridges. We left camp at one o'clock, marched
out about a mile, rested, countermarched and returned to
camp at half-past two, and thus endei, as the boys expressed
it, another shampaign.

SECOND RAID TO THE BLACK WATER.

We were ordered to march and to take with us three days'
cooked rations and sixty-five rounds of cartridges,* the
next morning. At ten o'clock we inarched from camp to
the rendezvous at the outermost signal station, where we
joined a force which included fifteen regiments of infantry,
three batteries, and Spear's Eleventh Pennsylvania cavalry,
waiting for the order to move. In half an hour the column
started on the South Quay (or Somerton) road, Terry's
Brigade, the One Hundred and Thirtieth New York ahead,
and the Rhode Island Eleventh second on the right. We
halted about one o'clock for dinner. In mid-afternoon light
refreshing showers laid the dust, and we had a comparatively
cool time through the night. We camped near where a
road turns off to Somerton, sixteen miles from Suffolk.

We moved Saturday morning at six o'clock for the Black-
water river, and about ten o'clock the Eleventh filed into,
and formed a line of battle in, an opening in the woods a
mile arid a half from the river, as a support to Battery D,
Fourth United States Artillery. Company B was thrown
out for a short time as skirmishers, re-called, and in about

* Thirty-five less than on the previous day, when we. were expected to move
on another expedition.

180 HISTORY OF THE

an hour we moved on to South Quay, five miles from our
starting point in the morning, again formed near the woods
while the One Hundred and Thirtieth New York went in as
skirmishers, driving the enemy from their rifle-pits across
the river, and the battery, supported by our regiment, shelled
the town on the opposite side, getting no reply after an
hour's cannonade, though a few of the One. Hundred and
Thirtieth were slightly wounded by the rebel sharp-shooters.
Whether we inflicted any loss on the enemy we could not
learn. We set fire to six or eight buildings and moved
thence to Carsville, twelve miles, which we reached about
nine o'clock in the evening, and bivouacked for the night.

As usual, we did our hardest day's work Sunday. We
were aroused about three o'clock in the morning, made our
coffee and started about half-past five o'clock for Franklin,
on the other side of the Blackwater, where the Seaboard
and Roanoke Railroad crosses the river, and arrived there
about nine o'clock, where we formed in line of battle, and
the One Hundred and Thirtieth New York deployed as
skirmishers. About eleven o'clock the Fourth Delaware
battery opened fire on the heavy rebel breastworks on both
sides of the river, about a mile to the front, shelling the
place also, for about an hour. The Pennsylvania cavalry
made a spirited charge through the town on our side and
down to the river. It was an exciting time. Several men.
were wounded by the rebel sharp-shooters. About two
o'clock we started on the Windsor road for Anderson's Cor
ners, which we reached about nine o'clock in the evening,
and remained there for the night.

This was a raid for forage and damage to the rebels ; all
decent horses and mules were taken under our protection.
By permission of the authorities, our men helped themselves
to many useful articles. Hens died of exposure, honey

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 181

proved as sweet as ever, and bee stings were as sharp as
usual. At one place the boys had a sharp skirmish with
the bees, and a secesh woman, who did not like to lose her
hens, eggs, etc., pitched into them quite handsomely.

We marched Monday morning to Zuni, or Blackwater
Bridge, passed our old skirmish ground, near Antioch
Church, shelled the rebels at mid-day on the opposite side of
the stream, for a short time receiving no response, and were
sent into a corn-field, where the sun almost burnt us up.
Company B were sent into the woods as skirmishers, and
after shelling the rebels once more, our forces marched back
again to Anderson's Corners, which we reached about half-
past five o'clock, pretty well tired out and expecting to camp
there for the night. Coffee was made and rations were
eaten, when the word went round that we should make
another march that night. Soon we were ordered to fall in,
and we waited in line until half-past nine o'clock. Within
this two or three hours of waiting, came one of those pleas
ant reliefs which whiled away the time and inspirited the
men of the Eleventh for the march before them. A song
was started in one of the companies of the Eleventh, then
another, then a chorus. The One Hundred and Thirtieth
New York, our neighbors in line, responded, and again
were urged to respond, and such songs as " AVe've a mil
lion in the field," u When this cruel war is over," and
"John Brown," rung out upon the still night air, and the
comrades forgot their weariness and tramped off seven or more
miles to Carsville, reaching it about one o'clock in the
morning, sleeping soundly on our corn-field bed and rising
with the lark.

We moved ofj' again between nine and ten o'clock for
Franklin. After a inarch of about five miles to the Black-
water, we halted about twelve o'clock, rested and then
ifi

182 HISTORY OF Till:

moved on to Franklin, readied an agreeable position in the
edge of some woods, where we were strictly ordered to keep
in position and be ready. A fight was maintained in front
of the woods, and sharp skirmishing all the afternoon. A
small infantry force drove the rebel pickets in.* A captain
of the Ninety-ninth New York was mortally wounded, and
a number of privates were either killed or wounded. Here
we remained through the night and had rations of fresh
beef, for the men of the different regiments had killed some
ten or twelve cows, and hogs and shouts shared a similar
fate. Our position during this day was a comfortable one ;
we could enjoy the shade when we pleased, and were near a
large swampy pond of water, which proved very agreeable.

We moved the next day to the support of Battery I),
United States Artillery, and remained all day under the
intense rays of a burning sun. Lively skirmishing was kept
up all day. It was estimated that on this and the previous
day the loss on our side was fi'fteen killed and wounded.
Many houses were burned with our shells. Three compa
nies of the Eleventh were ordered on picket, which duty
was performed each night we were out. At night we made
a five mile march to Carsville once more, arriving there
between nine and ten o'clock.

We were aroused very early Thursday morning and moved
at quarter-past four o'clock to the Deserted House, eight
miles, on empty stomachs, over two hours without a single
halt. We stopped an hour, ate our breakfast, bathed as we
could in the brook, and started for Suffolk, nine miles distant,
which was reached between one and two o'clock. The sun
was fiercely hot, the men were pressed to the utmost, and
several hundred gave out by the way, notwithstanding an
order from the commander that any who fell out from any

* Sharp-shooters across the river.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 183

cause but sickness, would be taken up by the provost guard,
sent to Suffolk, and tried by a court martial. Luckily there
was no guard-house or jail in town to hold them. During
tli is march we saw the first school-house we had .observed
during our campaign in Virginia, south of Washington.

DEFLECTIONS.

"A. 1). N." thus writes of this march: "It was a
series of marches and counter-marches under a scorching
heat, the most severe the regiment had made on account of
the extreme heat and dust. Many of the men returned to
the camp in advance of the regiment, either foot-sore or
otherwise disabled. AY lien the regiment arrived at Camp
Perry, at noon, June 18th, most of the men were foot-sore
and jaded out, though otherwise in good spirits. A few
suffered from sun-stroke."

We add further, that while Gen. Corcoran was in com
mand, most of the marching was begun and continued in
very quick time in the hottest part of the day. The curses
of men and officers in the various regiments lighted upon his
head. It was without judgment, inhuman and brutal to use
Union soldiers in the style he used them. Old soldiers who
had passed through all that soldiers ought to endure, declared
that they had never experienced sack marching.

The same may be said of the last day's march under Col.
Foster. Some of the companies in some of the regiments
had but five men on reaching Suffolk. The Eleventh came
off as well, perhaps better, than any regiment but the One
Hundred and Thirtieth New York, who prided themselves
on their marching, and had been specially drilled to it. Heat
and dust combined to make the ordeal a severe one.

In strong contrast with all this, was the conduct of Col.

184 HISTORY OF THE

Church, liis staff and our line officers. The staff officers
frequently dismounted and permitted officers and men to
take their places. They carried guns and equipments, and
did all in their power for the comfort of their commands,
and so of the line officers. Our Colonel won the special
good-will of the men by his sympathy and kindness during
this march. We believed that had he been in command
and arranged the time of marching, comparatively few
would have fallen out.

Thus ended the second effort of the Eleventh to get at
the enemy after the enemy had been compelled to abandon
their attempt upon Suffolk. A favoring Providence saved
the regiment from the loss of a man. Picket duty on this
raid was no farce, and in their skirmishes with the enemy
they were as much exposed to danger as those regiments
that lost members in killed and wounded. They were
always prompt to move ; they occupied an honorable posi
tion in a force of veteran infantry, and they endured the
hardships of the service with the fortitude of soldiers of
larger experience in the field of conflict.

Our regiment had been at the front a little more than two
months. They performed every duty and obeyed every order
to the satisfaction of the generals commanding. Our Col
onel claimed that his regiment would get into line quicker
than any other regiment. If every man escaped the bultats
of the enemy, it was the fault of the rebels. The men
were received by the comrades in. camp with the heartiest
welcome and an exhibition of the most generous hospitality
that a " soldier's fare " could afford.

AWAY FOR YORKTOWN.

Rumors that we must make preparation for another march
were circulated almost as soon as we returned to Camp

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 185

Perry. Rumors that Suffolk was to be abandoned were also
rife. But we were not long left in suspense, for on the very
next day we rose at early dawn, put ourselves in the best
trim possible, partook of our morning meal of salt-junk,
hard-tack and coffee, bid farewell to Camp Perry without
much murmuring, marched to the railroad depot in Suffolk,
waited at mid-day for a fine shower to lay the dust on the
road, and for further orders to move, and at half-past two
took the cars for Norfolk, where we arrived at four o'clock.
Transports were at the wharf with steam up ; we marched
on board the; 'w Maple Leaf," one of the largest, unloaded
our knapsacks, and at six o'clock started for Yorktown.
We steamed past Fortress Monroe and up the bay till
shrouded in darkness, and then on — stopping only one hour
in the night — till daylight on the morning of the 20th.
We made a run of seventy or eighty miles during the night.
A few comrades enjoyed the luxury of sleeping on the hurri
cane deck and breathing the pure air of heaven on a warm
summer night. We disembarked early, and, in due time,
with music sounding and colors flying, marched through the
streets of dirty, straggling, dilapidated Yorktown.

On the opposite shore was Gloucester. All about us were
the old fortifications of the rebels, and the remains of the
more ancient ones of Revolutionary days. We were doubt
less in the field and near by the tree, where, tradition says,
Cornwallis delivered up his sword to AVashington, or rather
to Lincoln, to whom Washington, for good reasons, required
that Cornwallis should surrender.

CAMP AT YORKTOWN.

We at once moved to a pleasant location near by springs
of excellent water, not far from York river, and near a fine

186 HISTORY OF THE

long beach overhung by a high, romantic bluff. On the left
and northward, on the opposite shore, was Gloucester Point,
with its camps and dwellings, stretching out to meet the
bluff on this side, while the many and various crafts in view
added to the picturesqucness of the effect. Here, for a
while, the boys had glorious times in salt water bathing,
and, in the language of another, "All Saturday and Sunday,
York river was kept in lively commotion by Rhode Islanders."

On our camp-ground was the celebrated tree in which the
rebel darkey sharp-shooter was shot by "California Joe."
It then lay on its side, twenty-one feet in circumference and
hollow, and was used by our regiment for a guard-house.

The Twenty-second Connecticut, our old neighbors on
Miner's Hill, were camped near us awaiting transportation'
home. In the evening before we left, the officers of that
regiment invited the officers of the Kleventh to enjoy a part
ing social entertainment. They accepted, and, in spite of a
drenching rain, came back well pleased with their reception.

THE MARCH FOR WILLIAMSBUIHi.

Our last brigade inspection was on Sunday, the 21st.
The morning was pleasant ; night brought thunder and rain.
This made mud on the roads for the next day, but also saved
us from the dust. So, on Monday morning, in light march
ing order, required, without rhyme or reason, to take one
hundred rounds of cartridges upon our persons, we started
for the forts near Williamsburg. The route of about twelve
miles was through a pleasant country, more undulating than
around the Blackwater, and instead of sand ankle deep, we
moved on a hard road with a " right smart " sprinkling of
mud and water. A slight mist enshrouded the sun and tem
pered the heat of this longest day in summer. Judgment

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 187

coupled with mercy made this march, from ten o'clock in the
morning till five in the afternoon, a mere excursion, com
pared with our race to the Hlackwater. We had nearly or
quite three hours of halting, including that for dinner, in
cool and shady places. We moved with the brigade, which
included, with the Eleventh, five regiments, the One Hundred
arid Thirtieth New York, One Hundred and Fifty-second
New York, One Hundred and Sixty-seventh Pennsylvania,
Twenty-sixth Michigan, and a battalion of sharp-shooters.

Soon after our halt, at five o'clock p. M., an order came
for the rest of the brigade to move on twelve miles further,
while we were to report to Col. West, at Fort Magruder.
Our brass band accompanied the brigade a mile or more in
the direction of Williamsburg, Col. Church and staff riding
at the head of the column with Col. Gibbs and staff, of the
One Hundred and Thirtieth New York. In due time they
halted and the officers bade good-bye to the various regi
ments. As they marched past they gave the Eleventh and
their band three cheers, and moved on, as we then thought,
to Richmond.

Night foun:l tli3 various companies of tli3 ragimant dis
tributed in the many forts in that locality — well built and
designed to resist the march of McClellan to Richmond.
Previous to our occupancy, the One Hundred and Thirty-
ninth New York were stationed in these forts. They joined
the force that was then moving up the Peninsula. Compa
nies A and D occupied Fort Magruder, Company B occupied
the camp of the One Hundred and Thirty-ninth New York,
where also our Colonel and staff made their headquarters.
Companies F and K occupied redoubts still further to the
left. The other companies were posted in the redoubts to
the right of Fort Magruder and near to Williamsburg.

188 HISTORY OF THE

Near by were the "battle-fields where Hooker and
Heintzleman fought the rebels the summer previous. There
were many graves and other evidences of a severe contest.
The ground was thickly stfewn with cartridge boxes, belts,
etc., perforated with bullets."

There was abundant opportunity, diligently improved,
for the regiment to recruit the health and strength lost in
the Blackwater march. The duty in the fort and redoubts
was light. It consisted of guard duty and some drilling in
the manual. There was an abundance of early fruit, and
the men made the most of their isolated position to supply
the natural cravings of the inner man with things so juicy.

4 1 HOMEWARD BOUND. ' '

As the last day of our term of service, according to our
muster roll, drew nigh, the men grew more anxious, pricked
up their ears to every sight and sign that gave hope of relief
from duty in the forts, and awaited impatiently the order to
march to Yorktown and take the transport for Rhode Island.
There were discussions and misgivings, but early in the
evening, the One Hundred and Sixty-eighth New York came
to relieve us, and at about nine o'clock the various compa
nies began to move under orders, to the place of rendezvous.
Strength was renewed, steps light, faces short, words of
cheer were spoken, and, at last, about half-past ten o'clock,
the column moved towards Yorktown, inspirited for a while
by music from the band, and favored by the most glorious
moonlight.

We entered Yorktown to the music of the band about
four o'clock iii the morning of the 1st of July, had a merry
greeting from those who had remained behind, took some
refreshment, and as many as chose sought sleep. The day

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 189

was spent in putting guns and equipments in order for the
homeward voyage.

ANOTHER DEATH WAITING FOR THE FINAL ORDER.

One more man was called to his long home just as he
could almost see the "promised land." William P>. Clark,
a member of Company I, and a leading musician of the
brass band, died at Suffolk of typhoid fever, while the com
pany were at Williamsburg. On account of the position he
held, his death was a serious loss to the regiment, while
Company I mourned the only loss of a comrade, either by
disease or any cause, at a time when their separation from him
prevented their paying the last honors to his memory. They
hoped that he went to that "better land" where his warfare
is forever ended, where the "inhabitant shall never say 'I
am sick,'" where "all is happiness and all is peace."

On our arrival at Yorktown, the propeller transport,
"John liice," was at the wharf to take us home; but to
our disappointment, an accident to her machinery obliged
her to go to Norfolk for repairs, and, although the Colonel
made repeated efforts to procure other and speedier transpor
tation, we were compelled to await her return before we
could proceed on our way to our "Land of Promise."

The Duke of Wellington is said to have remarked that
"two-thirds of a soldier's life is made up of waiting." Our
waiting, however, at that time, was improved by the men
in the most satisfactory way. Bathing was at a premium.
Oysters were bought at a reasonable price. Blackberries
could be had in abundance for the picking, and some of the
latter were of the largest dimensions ; contrabands brought
cherries, pies, biscuit, and other fixings. Sutlers were as
ready to shave as ever, and they were on hand to accommo
date the soldiers.

190 HISTORY OF TTTE

Among the last things to be recorded, we name the enter
tainment of the band, which had previously serenaded him
at Williamsburg, by Lieut. Henri. E. Bacon, of Company
F, who, for some time previous, had been acting as Division
Commissary. Music and mirth were the prominent features
of the occasion. A large number of officers were also
present.

NEAREST TO RICHMOND.

"Twelve men of Company B, under command of Sergt.
John R. Anderson, made an excursion to the 'White House'
on the James river, last week ; having been nearer to Rich
mond than any other portion of the regiment. They were
detailed on Friday night as rear guard to a forage train,
bound nine miles out from Williamsburg, but their journey
was prolonged until they unexpectedly found themselves at
the White House landing. They took transportation from
that place to Yorktown, where they arrived Sunday night.
They represent that they were amply repaid for their trip,
by the sights which they saw on the Peninsula."

ON DUTY AFTER DATE.

The men became somewhat uneasy and discontented
because of the strict cam}) guard and company and battalion
drill which the Colonel ordered on the second day after our
return to Yorktown, and continued till the day of our depart
ure. They believed that their time had fully expired, and
having, perhaps, too much of the independence of Yankees,
and too keen a sense of justice, would have more cheerfully
drilled upon a request than upon orders, which they felt
compelled to obey. The camp guard would have been more

ELEVENTH KEGIMENT. 191

effective a month previous. A few men went so far as to
refuse to drill, and were made the subjects of a severe order
at our last dress-parade, which was afterwards revoked, as
many of us believed it would be.

FOR "HOME, SWEET HOME."

But "all's well that ends well," and Thursday, July 2d,
the time of our redemption evidently drew nigh. Suddenly,
just at candle-light, came the order to pack up, strike tents
and be ready to start for Rhode Island. Then there was a
merry time. Bonfires were lighted and the work of mak
ing ready was spqedily done. The music of the band
sounded out "Home, Sweet Home," for the first time in
nine long months. We waited till near midnight and then
formed in line, knapsacks strapped upon our backs, and
marched to the steamer's wharf at Yorktown. The ba^-

O

gage and sick men were first conveyed to the vessel, but
owing to a scarcity of teams it took a long time to load up the
quartermaster's stores, and we were ordered to stack aims
and lie down upon the wharf and beach, and make ourselves
comfortable until further orders. We slept on the soft sand,
with only the sky and stars above us once more, until a
flood of golden light, streaming across the water, warned us
of sunrise. Soon after, we filed on board the steamer with
two days' extra rations, which we were ordered to take, and
novvhere to stow them. Many a man walked on board the
vessel with a loaf of bread under each arm, as Franklin, a
hundred years before, walked the streets of Philadelphia.

THE STOWAGE OF THE ".JOHN RICE."

At half-past six o'clock, we were fairly under way ;
crowded into a propeller which had sometimes been more

192 HISTORY OF THE

crowded, and on we sailed out of Chesapeake bay in a few
hours, past Capes Charles and Henry, and up the Maryland
shore, till darkness and fatigue forced us to try to sleep.
Two companies occupied the hold, to be relieved once in
eight hours — a place with no pure air and no light, except
what stole in ; three companies were 'midships — a little bet
ter ; the other companies were disposed on deck, all to take
their turn in due time in the hold. A small regiment of
dogs, pets of men and officers, did not help matters, but fur
nished many ludicrous as well as annoying scenes. There
was no small stock of servants on board, increasing the dis
comfort. So, when sleeping time came, thirteen inches by
six feet was a large allowance for any nian, and very many
did not have that. We must not forget the horses, next to
the heels of which quite a number gladly made their beds.
Any dirty hovel in our native State, and many a stable, was
cleaner than where we slept. We were soldiers, however,
and had been accustomed to lie down on the roadside under
a heavy dew and take a snooze, and were not to bo fright
ened by such accommodation ; besides, we were bound for
home, where we should soon be able to sing,

" When the shore is won at last,
Who will count the billows past? "

A SAD EVENT.

One event, sadder than that recently recounted, occurred
on the afternoon of our first day's sail. Comrade Frank
Bliss, of Company B, who went on board very sick, died.
It was understood that there was no hope of his recovery,
and that it would bo a consolation to his friends to take his
remains home, that his dust might not be buried among
strangers, and remain there for months. Just previous to

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 193

our leaving, he was confined for several days in the Nelson
Hospital in Yorktown. He was a son of the late Capt.
Albert Bliss, of Pawtucket, and was a young man of fine
qualities.

THE "GLORIOUS FOURTH."

On the 4th of July — how strange a day to us — \ve were
still favored with fair weather. "The steamer was gaily
decorated with flags ; the band played national airs, and
cheer upon cheer was given by the men for the 'old flag.'
As the hours sped on we passed point after point, familiar,
and about five o'clock p. M., entered the Narrows and
steamed directly up to the great city of 'Gotham.' Soon
after we passed the ' Highlands,' we began to meet various
steam and sail craft that gave us cheers of welcome, to which
we heartily responded. The people on the shore waved
their hats and kerchiefs, and as we approached the city it
was one continued cheer, and response from the vessels in
the harbor and the people on the land. The multitudes of
flags on the shipping, the firing of salutes, and the unceas
ing popping made it plain that it was "Independence Day."

Thirty-six hours from Yorktown, about half-past six, we
cast anchor. The Colonel went ashore and reported, and,
to our disappointment, we learned in an hour or two that
we must remain in those cramped. quarters another night
and start for Providence in the morning. We hoped that
we should have been transferred to one of our large Sound
steamers and have a bit of room to stir round, but there
was no alternative.

The day was made doubly glorious by the news that

flashed over the wires, electrifying the nation, of the victory

at Gettysburg and the fall of Vicksburg, the key-note of

triumph to the loyal north, the death knell of the slave-hold-

17

HISTORY OF THE

ing Confederacy in the south. The cloud of gloom that
enveloped the land when we left our homes, thinned slightly
at the issue of the emancipation proclamation after the hat-
tie of Antietam, was plainly dissipating, and the rift in the
clouds and the gleams of sunshine were clearly seen.
There were battles yet to be fought. A cordon of fire must
encompass the South. The death struggle was yet to come.
But the God of battles had decreed the doom of slavery,
the deliverance x>f four millions of bondmen, and the tri
umph of free institutions. We could have reached home in
no better hour.

We remained in New York harbor all night. "'•And such
a nil/hi, language is too feeble for a description. The eight
hundred or more men on board the 'John Rice ' will ever
remember it. Soldiers, contrabands, horses, dogs, cats,
etc., all mingled together, trying — that is all, only trying — to
sleep." We have given the language of "A. D. N.," and
the comrades will perceive that it is not overdrawn.

We were up bright and early Sunday morning, and
waited anxiously for '•'something to turn up." Some of
the men jumped into the boats that came along-side and
went ashore without leave. A number of the officers also
went ashore, and some twenty or thirty men were detailed
to land and purchase articles for the men of the various
companies ; but the pilots that were to take us through the
" Gate " and the Sound came aboard, and just as our detailed
men started for the steamer, the "tide could wait for no
man," and we were compelled to leave them behind.

We had a fine passage through the East river. "We
were continually saluted by passing steamers, and cheers
were given and handkerchiefs waved by the passengers
thereon." Rain set in and it fell moderately for several
hours, though at noon there were indications that it would

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 195

soon be clear ; but we had showers at intervals far into the
night, some of them quite brisk. At ten o'clock it slackened
op and we were lost in a fog. ''The Sound all this time
was as calm as a mill-pond, which was much to our comfort
and convenience." We anchored for the night at the mouth
of the Thames river, Connecticut.

Sunrise Monday morning revealed our position to be off
Plumb island. We groaned inwardly, but were unable to
start until after five o'clock. After cruising about for an
hour we found ourselves headed for Point Judith, which we
made about ten o'clock. We soon had a sight of Newport,
and realized that we were Hearing home. "The sun shone
brightly, and we had a very agreeable sail up Narragansett
bay, arriving at Fox Point, Providence, at two o'clock,
which city we left just nine months previous, to a day."

How we were received by relatives and friends, by the
citizens of Providence and the neighboring towns, by the
Governor of the State and the citizen soldiery of Rhode
Island, we leave for the newspapers of that date to relate
and incorporate it in this history.

By way of recapitulation we add : The Eleventh Rhode
Island entered its country's service in a time of need. It
honorably discharged all the duties the government imposed
upon it. At no time was it reprimanded for unfaithfulness
in the performance of duty, but, on the contrary, received
the hearty commendation of the division commanders under
whose orders it served. It was in the outposts of Washing
ton when Stewart's cavalry raided at will around our lines,
and it was not their fault that lie was not stopped in his dar
ing career. We have credible information that it saved to the
government two thousand soldiers while guarding the Con
valescent Camp, a duty as arduous, as disagreeable, and as
inglorious as a regiment could be put to, but as necessary to

196 HISTORY OF THE

be performed as the storming of a battery. It fulfilled all
the duties required of it at the siege of Suffolk, building
earthworks, supporting batteries, and in the trenches. It
performed its part in two expeditions to the Blackwater
river, and in one of these made a march of six days in the
intensest heat of a summer sun with the fortitude of soldiers
long in the service. It was prompt and energetic in every
movement, and showed its fighting qualities in its skirmish
ing with the enemy in the Blackwater raids ; the only
opportunity offered it in the whole period of its enlistment.

Its share in crushing the rebellion ivas unique, but with
out its record the history of Rhode Island in the Rebellion
would be incomplete. As each individual in the Grand
Army of the Republic, if faithful to his vows and to his
country, performed an honorable duty in the great work of
saving the Union, so the Eleventh Rhode Island bore its
proper part among the thousands of regiments who battled
for that glorious flag,, that, washed and renewed in the blood
of heroes, blessed by Heaven in its triumphant career, shall
henceforth and evermore represent Liberty indeed.

The regiment were mustered out of the service of the
United States and paid off on Monday, the 13th day of
July. In the Appendix will be found the roster of the
regiment, arid some other matter which could not be procured
in time for the body of this work.

ELEVENTH KKUI.MKNT. 1JJ7

RECEPTION OF THE ELEVENTH REGIMENT.
[From the Providence Journal, July 7th.]

The Eleventh regiment, Col. Church, arrived home yesterday
afternoon, from their nine months' service in the army of the United
States. The boat, that was expected at daylight, did not arrive
until two o'clock, and its appearance was hailed with huge delight
by the thousands who had waited in the vicinity of the dock ever
since the sunrise bell broke upon their uneasy slumbers.

Col. Paine 's regiment was on hand to receive the returning vol
unteers as they debarked, and upon the formation of the line on
Benefit street, after a marching salute, proceeded to escort them
through the principal streets to the inspiring notes of the American
Brass Band.

Everywhere along the line the returned soldiers were greeted
with loud huzzas from sidewalks closely packed, and Moral offerings
were showered upon them by fair hands from the windows of num
berless mansions. Flags were floating from every flag-staff, and
every honor and attention was shown to our soldier-friends.

The route of march terminated in Exchange Place, that at four
o'clock was one dense mass of humanity, each individual of which
seemed anxious to extend a closer and warmer greeting to some
son or brother, or perhaps some one still dearer, in the ranks of the
bronzed soldiers of the Eleventh. After the halt, His Excellency
Gov. Smith welcomed home the regiment in a neat speech, substan
tially as follows:

"I am most happy to welcome you, Col. Church, your officers and
command, to Rhode Island again, and thank you in the name of
the State for your noble defence of our country.

" I do not feel at liberty to detain you longer at this time, as you
must be anxious to visit your homes; and I notice other gentlemen
present who desire to address you, and therefore will only say, once
more, God bless you! We thank you and welcome you to our quiet
State."

Col. Church responded to the kind words of His Excellency as
follows:

" We owe you a debt of no ordinary gratitude for this warm wel
come home, but that feeling which flows from the wild extremes of
a soldier's nature — gratitude the purer from its rough surroundings.

" We feel already amply repaid for the fatigues and dangers of
war, in the conscious pride of having done our duty to our countrv

198 HISTORY OF THE

in this life-struggle for nationality. We could not well feel other
wise when we consider that from the breasts of New England
mothers we nursed that heroic spirit which renders Rhode Island
prowess famous on every bloody field of the war. Conscious in
every contest that, Spartan-like, no Rhode Island mother would
welcome home a son who had not done his duty to his coun
try, we have preferred to court rather than shuji dangers; but
yet, while battling for an undivided land, we are not unmindful of
the sad fact that it is that most horrible of strife — civil warfare. In
common with us, our brothers of the south, shoulder to shoulder,
left their bloody footprints upon the frozen snows of the Revolution.
Now, how sadly changed! Wily and ambitious leaders rule their
councils, and have pushed the war with such fearful energy that
the whole land, from the ocean shore to the granite ribs of our
Rocky Mountains, trembles for the solution of the problem — a slave
Empire or an undivided Republic.

"If we are but true to ourselves this terrible struggle must end
in the complete overthrow of the rebellion. Peace by compromise
is but another term for a future bloody deluge more fearful than
the present. The crushing of the rebellion must be absolute; rather
than see it otherwise, I, for one, wotild welcome the union of the
Atlantic and Pacific over our once happy America.

" Again, in the name of the Eleventh Rhode Island Volunteers,
let me thank the people of Rhode Island for this enthusiastic recep
tion. A thousand times you repay our warlike toils; and a thou
sand happy memories shall, in the future, cling around our hearts
when we remember this ' welcome home.' "

A generous collation, provided by L. H. Humphreys, in Railroad
Hall, was then partaken by the troops, with a zest by no means
impaired by prolonged fasting.

The regiment returns in excellent condition, with eight hundred
and thirty-eight enlisted men, and thirty-eight officers; leaving
behind, fifty-five men in hospitals, one commissioned officer on
detatched service, and three privates. Fifteen or twenty of those
who came on were sick. During the term of service there have
been only six deaths.

After the collation, the regiment marched to the Fall River Iron
Works Company's building, deposited their equipments, and were
then dismissed till Thursday morning at eight o'clock.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 199

[From the Providence Evening Press, July 7th.]

The Eleventh regiment arrived at Fox Point on the steamer John
Rice, Capt. Beason, shortly before two o'clock this afternoon.* The
news of the event spread rapidly, and almost immediately an
immense crowd of people assembled to welcome the returned sol
diers, taking the place of those who, fatigiied by long waiting, had
left the wharf.

The regiment disembarked without any delay. Cheers and wav
ing of handkerchiefs testified the delight of the multitude at their
return. They come back eight hundred and seventy-six strong-
eight hundred and thirty-eight enlisted men and thirty-eight com
missioned officers. The regiment has, during its campaign, lost
sixty by discharge and six more by death. It has fifty-five mem
bers now in the general hospital. One commissioned officer is Com
missary on Gen. Gordon's staff, and three men besides are detatched.
Twenty-five sick men came 011 on board the propeller, including
two commissioned officers.

The regiment was received on Benefit street by Col. Paine's regi
ment and escorted through Benefit, Meeting, North Main, West
minster, Broad, and Exchange streets to Exchange place.

A collation was served in Railroad Hall. His Excellency Gov.
Smith addressed the regiment as follows:

''lam most happy to welcome you, Col. Church, your officers
and command, to Rhode Island again, and thank you in the name
of the State for your noble defence of our country. I do not feel at
liberty to detain you longer at this time, as you must be anxious to
visit your homes, and I notice other gentlemen present who desire
to address you, and therefore say once more, God bless you, we
thank you and welcome you to our quiet State."

Col. Church made a felicitous response. The collation was par
taken with a keen relish. The regiment then marched to the Fall
River Iron Works building, deposited their arms and equipments,
and were dismissed till Thursday morning, at eight o'clock, when
it is expected they will be mustered out of service.

*,luly 6th.

200 HISTORY OF THE

[From the Pawtucket Gazette and Chronicle of July 10th. ]

The Eleventh Rhode Island regiment arrived home from their
nine months' service, on Monday last. They were handsomely
received in Providence, where a collation had been provided for the
occasion. After partaking of the refreshments the regiment relieved
themselves of their arms and equipments, and were dismissed until
yesterday morning.

The meeting at the Town Hall, Pawtucket, on the evening of the
3d instant, appointed an efficient committee to make arrangements
for the reception in this place of Company B, of the Eleventh,
Capt. Thrasher. These arrangements were made to include Com
pany F, Capt. Taft. The companies were expected on Monday
last, but there was uncertainty as to what hour they would arrive,
and the Home Guard and officers of the Light Guard were dressed
and in waiting for them a considerable portion of the day. They
arrived at the depot a little before six o'clock, and were greeted
with artillery, the ringing of bells, and other demonstrations of
respect and kindness. After the usual reception, a line was formed
and moved through the principal streets, including a march to Cen
tral Falls and back. Arriving at the armory, a bountiful collation
was partaken of, and then — with excellent judgment, we thought —
the companies were dismissed without being detained to listen to
speeches, toasts, or anything of the kind. We think it was more
their desire to be relieved from military discipline, get to their
homes and rest, and receive the greetings of those from whom they
had so long been separated, than to be the recipients of any farther
public attentions. It is proper to add that in marching through the
streets they were greeted with cheers, the waving of handkerchiefs,
and so forth.

The men are very much bronzed by their exposure to a southern
sun, but generally appear to be in good health.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT. 201

APPENDIX.

ROSTER OF THE REGIMENT.

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

Colonels, Assistant Surgeons.

Edwin Metcalf, George H. Taft,

Horatio Rogers, Jr., Joseph \V. Grosvenor.

George E. Church.

Chaplain.

Lieutenant Colonel. J. B. Gould.

J. Talbot Pitman.

Sergeant Majors.

Major. John Pitman, Jr.,

Nathan F. Moss. Charles H. Scott.

Adjutant. Quartermaster Sergeant.

Robert Fessenden. Samuel W. Tillinghast.

Quartermaster. Commissary Sergeant.

Henry S. Olney. James Zimmerman.

Surgeon. Hospital Steward.

Thomas W. Perry. *Jacob S. Pervear, Jr.

* Those whose names are marked with a * died in the service.

202

HISTORY OF THE

Captains.
James H. Allen,
William H. Ayer.

First Lieutenants.
"William H. Ayer,
Frank R. Dennis.

Second Lieutenants
William E. Clarke,
Ira B. Wilson.

Sergeants.
William T. Luther,
Samuel Graf ton,
Henry K. Potter,
Frank Taft,
Thomas Read.

Adams, George H.
Babeock, Henry M
Bernhard, William
Bo wen, Andrew
Bowen, William G.
Boley, Jacob
Bradley, Michael
Bradford, Edward F.
Brandley, John
Brown, George J.
Briggs, Edmund
Butts, James P., Jr.
Butts, Horace R.
Brown, Thomas H.
Butts, Robert J.
Bassett, William
Brown, Thomas H.
Campbell, James
Carder, William H.
Chappell, William F.
Chrystal, Charles P.
Cheene, Michael
Clarke, Joseph H.

COMPANY A.

Corporals.
James E. Hill,
James G. Brown,
Frederic S. Luther,
Henry W. Taber,
Frederic A. Studley,
Ehenezer W. Percival,
Charles M. Packard,
John F. Paine.

Musicians.
Edwin R. Burr,
Edwin J. Pond.

Wagoner.
Michael White.

Privates.

C lenience, Henry T.
Coggeshall, Durfee W.
Collins, Charles H.
Conroy, James
Cozzens, Charles
Cozzens, Nathaniel W.
Dodge, Mark
Dunbar, William L.
Evans, Henry
Fish, William H.
Frankland, William
Galen, Andrew
Gifford, Nelson
Gilmore, Darius
Goodrich, Jacob M.
Goff, Pardon G.
Goulding, James
Grant, George W.
Graves, Joseph N.
Gal Ian, John G.
Griffin, James S.
Griffin, John H.
Gurney, Eugene P.

K I , K V K \ T 1 1 K KG I M E X T .

Hathaway, William
Hill, Robert R.
Hicks, Ilol)crt W.
Hogan, Roger
Hopkins, James H.
Jefferson, Walter T.
Johnson, Edwin L.
Keenen, William
Leonard, John
Leonard, Lloyd F.
Little, Thomas
Logan, Edward
McCaffrey, John
Midland, Thomas
Paine, Lorenzo T.
Peck, John F.
Pine, Charles H.
Potts, Jeremiah
Presby, James W.

Prospsrt, John H.
Reynolds, Thomas W. D.
Reiley, Daniel
Richardson, Charles H.
Roberts, Edwin H.
Ryder, Thomas W.
Sheahan, James G.
Sherman, Henry
Shumevvay, Dwight
Smith, Christopher T. B.
Sweeney, John
Swift, Hiram N.
Swift, David S.
Taft, Frederick F.
Tape, Richard J.
Thurber, Robert B.
Trenn, William H.
Whipple, George O.

Captain.
Charles W. Thrasher.

First Lieutenant.
Thomas Moies.

Second Lieutenants.
Daniel Bush,
William T. Luther.

Sergeants.

Edmund Crocker,
Charles H. Scott,
James N. Woodard,
John R. Anderson,
George J. Fairbrother.

Armstrong, George A.
Baggs, Nathan L.
Bennett George G.
Baxter, Ansel
Binford, E. Sylvester

COMPANY B.

Corporals.
George Cushman,
Joseph Harrison,
Francis S. Shove,
David L. Fales,
Eben B. Crane,
George W. Gooding,
Hamlet Wheaton.

Musicians.
Ornam L. Patt,
*Frank M. Bliss.

Wagoner.

William D. Jillson.

Privates.

Boyce, Daniel
Braman, Henry T.
Briggs, William H.
Browne, Edward A.
Callahan, Thomas

204

HISTORY OF THE

Caler, Jasper
Carpenter, James D.
Cavanagh, Patrick,
Cassicly, Michael
Church, James J.
Clark, Nicholas P.
Clark, Joseph H.
Cook, Warren F.
Coyle, James
Crowell, Edward
Curran, James
Dolan, Thomas
Daly, John P.
Dexter, Andrew J.
Duff, Robert
Elliott, George E.
Elsbree, William F.
Fales, J. Henry
Follett, Henry A.
Follett, William B.
Forsyth, William
Fuller, James
Fuller, Theodore C.
Gate-hell, James L.
Griffin Charles E.
Grover, Stephen A.
Halvorson, Canute A.
Holland, Charles C.
Hood, Joseph E.
Horton, William M.
Hutchinson, Henry A.
Hennessey, Michael
Jenks, Frank
Johnson, Byron R.
Kelley, Ezra M.
Killoran, Michael

Kno, Peter
Lewis, James H.
Lillibridge, David R.
Lindsey, Thomas H.
Mahan, Barney
Maker, Nathan P.
Mann, Gilbert
McNalley, Barney
Moies, Charles P.
McCormick, Edward
McCormick, John
Mulharen, James
McCreighan, John
Nickle, Robert
Neill, John J.
Nickerson, Ansel D.
O'Donnell, William
*Pervear, Jacob S., Jr.
Pitcher, Charles E.
Phillips, J. Henry
Phillips, Levi C.
Provost, Joseph
Read, Abel
Rice, Thomas
Rogers, David N.
Sharpe, Henry S.
Sprague, Daniel R.
Sweetland, Edward
Trainer, Michael
Verry, Daniel E.
Vickery, Philip
Warburton, Percival D.
Welsh, Redman
White, Thomas S.
Williams, Henry J.
Wilmarth, Charles H.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

205

Captain.

Charles H. Parkhurst.

First Lieutenants.
William A. James,
William E. Clarke.

Second Lieutenants,
Seth W. Cowing,
Albert G. Bates.

Seryeants.
James F. Davison,
George A. Kendall,
Joseph E. Handy,
Samuel B. T. Crandall,
IraB. Wilson.

Adams, Samuel B.
Aldrich, Orlin S.
Alexander, Alanson
Andrews, William
* At wood, William
Bardsley, Robert
Brasslin, James
Brown, Charles W.
Buchanan, James
Burroughs, Samuel N.
Cassels, Francis
Charles, Peter

Corcoran, John

Craig, James A.

Cravin, Michael

Coughlin, Michael

Dolan, Patrick

Donnelly, John

Dorrance, George H.

Eddy, Byron

Fanning, George M.

Gannon, Robert

Glasheen, Edward
18

COMPANY C.

Corporals.
Enoch F. Hoxie,
Joseph H. Cheetham,
Frank B. Mott,
Herbert Phillips,
Orrin S. Pond,
Edwin R. Simmonds,
Moses S. Eldridge,
Joseph Smith.

Musicians.
Frank H. Williams,
Asher H. Young.

Wagoner.

Henry Bond.

Privates.

Gordon, John F.
Gordon, Samuel S.
Gorman, Matthew
Gorman, Bartlett
Guild, Joseph W.
Handy, Jacob B.
Heck, John B.
Horton, Royal I).
Hudson, James R. N.
Hudson, Thomas D.
Johnson, Frederic D.
Johnson, Hugh
Johnson, William A.
King, John
Kelley, Thomas
Lewis, Benjamin
Lincoln, Roger L.
Lyons, John
McCanna, James
McCune, James
McGuire, Thomas
McGinley, Patrick
McQueena, Terence

206

HISTORY OF THE

Mitchell, Samuel N.
Morse, Edwin]
Mott, Eugene A.
Monroe, Orin F.
Murphy, James
Murphy, James
O'Connell, Michael
Perry, Edwin
Pierce, Philip D.
Plimpton, Silas W., Jr.
Potter, Welcome A.
Quarters, Joseph
Randall, Albert
Redding, James
Richards, John W.
Salisbury, William B.
Searle, William H.
Senft, Lawrence

Sheridan, Robert
Simmons, Levi
Shippee, George
Snow, Daniel C.
Stapleton, Richard
Streeter, Orville D.
Talbot, Lewis A.
Tourtellott, William N.
Thiel, William
Thomas, Russell N.
Thurston, Clark
Thornton, Reuben L.
Updike, Edward A.
Verry, George
Verry, John
Walker, Lewis O.
Ward, James
Wilson, Charles

COMPANY D.

Captain.
Thomas W. Gorton, Jr.

First Lieutenant.
John E. Bradford.

Second Lieutenants.
Caleb B. Harrington,
William A. Champlin.

Sergeants.
Albert G. Bates,
Siles A. Winchester,
Joseph W. Padelford,
Jedediah F. Trask.

Abbott, Chester C.
Aldrich, George
Allen, William
Atkinson, John
Austin, Stephen A.

Corporals.
Isaac Weaver,
Edward Atkinson,
Andrew J. Perry,
Philip W. Kelley,
William H. Rounds.
Jared O. Harrington,
Franklin Munroe, Jr.,
George H. Harding.

Musicians.
Henry Miller,
Edwin D. Freeman.

Wagoner.
Daniel C. Dore.

Privates.

Barrows, William H.
Bezeby, Edwin A.
Bissell, John G.
Brownell, Benjamin F.
Brown, Edward L.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

207

Brown, John A.
Bissbee, Ezra
Briggs, Edwin A.
Burt, Edwin, Jr.
Carr, Isaac
Cooney, John
Cornell, Edward A.
Diury, Michael
Dobbs, William H.
Eddy, James B.
Emerson, George S.
England, William J.
Fales, Orlando
Fenner, Alexander W.
Fish, Spencer
Fowler, Joseph G.
Frost, Frank
Gavin, Edward
Goodwin, Edward C.
Green, Henry F.
Hawkes, David B.
Hawkes, Augustus E.
Hopkins, William H.
Hopkins, Henry W.
Hurd, Samuel D.
Inman, Olney
Jennison, Thomas H.
Jennison, Thomas
Johnson, John E.
King, Thomas
Kelton, Nathan A.
Kelly, James
Lawson., Andrew
Leavitt, Henry F.
Luther, Edwin S.
Manchester, George F.
McManamon, Joseph

MeMahon, Alexander
McManas, John
Merrill, William H.
Mooney, William E.
Munroe, Edmund J.
Mum ford, George A.
Phinney, JohnD.
Pettis, George A.
Peck, William A.
Place, Elisha
Plimpton, William
Randall, Charles F.
Randall, George W.
Richards, Porter W.
Richards, J. W.
Sedgewick, William
Seamans, Frank
Seekell, Thomas H.
Searle, Albert L.
Senft, Charles F.
Smith, Joseph L.
Sprague, George H.
Stone, Daniel J.
Taylor, Samuel H.
Thurber, Ephraim
Walsh, Peter
Washburn, A. Judsou
Walton, William
Wiley, William A.
Wiley, Charles F.
Williams, Alonzo
Wyman, William J.
Wilkinson, Pliny E.
Young, Alexander
Yeaw, David A.
Young, Joseph

208

HISTORY OF THE

COMPANY E.

Cftptams.
Hopkins B. Cady,
Albert C. Howard,
William A. James.

First Lieutenants.
James S. Hudson,
William Stone.

Second Lieutenants.
Frank R. Dennis,
Nathan T. Robinson.

Sergeants.

Nathan T. Robinson,
Nathan E. Irving,
James E. Slocum,
Frank Holdon,

Aldrich, James L.
Aldrich, Thomas
Brooks, Joseph D.
Burke, Davis C.
Baker, Samuel S.
Barber, Robert F.
Burlingame, Sanfonl
Briggs, David S.
Budlong, Samuel, Jr.
Bishop, John
Byron, Theodore J.
Cutting, George \V.
Con ley, James
Cornstock, Jonathan P.
Codding, Melvin E.
Darling, Edward E.
Day, Elisha H.
Danforth, Ephraim S.
Dodge, William T.
Finnegan, Edward
Fanning, John
Field, Lemuel

James Morning, Jr.

Corporals.

Christopher A. Cady,
Elijah Rnssell,
John Sawyer,
William H. Packard,
Nelson E. Blackmar,
Albert A. Hawkins,
George W. Lindsey, '
Charles H. Burt.

Musirians.
Albert Burke,
Albert H. Williams.

Wagoner.

William H. Leonard.

Privates.

French, James S.
Fenner, Hezekiah D.
Farnum, Joseph W.
Ghirardini, John H.
Gardner, Charles W.
Gaddis, Thomas J.
Hadfield, Charles
Healy, Almeron
Hines, Patrick
Healy, James
Ide, Hiram T.
Irwin, Henry
Kelley, Daniel
Knight, Jeremiah C.
Knott, James E.
Kenney, James H.
Luscomb, William If.
Lucas, Albert B.
Lord, John

Luther, William H., Jr.
Lamb, George R.
Lewis, George W. F,

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

Manchester, Thomas A.
Mills, Charles A.
Martin, John, Jr.
Mitchell, William
Mitchell, Thomas
Morrill, Tappan W.
Motlit, William
Newman, John C.
Norton, Samuel W.
Northup, Horatio N.
O'Neal, Robert
Pierson, John
Potter, John A.
Pray, Albert G.
Price, Ellery W.
Rice, Charles H.
Simmons, William
Sherman, Benjamin F.
Sweetland, Nathan J.
Slocum, Amasa

Captain.
Edward Taft.

First Lieutenant.
James S. Hudson.

Second Lieutenant
Henri E. Bacon.

Sergeants.
Edward P. Davis,
Julius J. Bosworth,
Thomas Rankin,
George C. Hall,
Charles A. Gardner.

Alexander, George H.
Amesbury, Samuel J.
Armstrong, Ezra
Baker, Kingsley

Sherman, William H.
Sherman, William H., 2d
Sherman, Job W.
Sweet, Charles A.
Spragne, James H.
Stanton, William O.
Sunderland, Daniel A.
Sumner, George
Taylor, Albert N.
Taylor, William H.
Tanner, Richard D.
Tennant Daniel R.
Tripp, William H.
Vallett, Gilbert P.
Wilkins, Edward M.
Whipple, Brown
White, William H.
Wilbur, George W.
Wilson, William A.

COMPANY F.

Corporal*.
John A. Rupert,
William Major,
Thomas Horton,
Frederic S. Fisher,
Adin Patten, Jr.
Nelson J. Cummings,
George S. Pierce,
J. Newton Hunt.

Musicians.
Charles F. Read,
Ira S. Pendergrass.

Wagoner.
William Earle.

Privates.

Branch, Daniel S.
Braley, Benjamin S.
Brown, Greenleaf
Bowen, Samuel C.

210

HISTORY OF THE

Bo wen, Hartford
Bunker, Joseph S.
Brien, John O.
Benedict, John G.
Carlin, Michael
Carroll, Owen
Campbell, Andrew
Case, William H.
Chapman, Joel
Chadsey, Robert S.
Cole, Samuel D.
Coyle, John
Devine, William P.
Dunn, Charles
Evans, Albert G.
Emerson, Edward
Follett, John W.
Foster, Samnel
Gardiner, William I>.
Graham, John S.
Gridley, William J.
Hogg, Alexander
Hoel, Welcome S.
*Horton, Rensselaer
Hoyt, John
Humes, William T.
Jackson, James
Jenks, Phannel B.
Johnson, Barnard
Jones, Oliver
Kennedy, James
Keene, Asa A.
Kennedy, Joseph
Locklin, Thomas
Lambert, John
Lovely, George
Lynch, David S.
Mansir, Alden

McGoughey, Joseph
McGleenan, Frank
McGough, Thomas
McGrath, Michael
McKindley, Samuel
McKinsey, Daniel
McMann, John
McNulty, Patrick
Morris, Henry J.
Mowry, Gilbert
Mo wry, Horace B.
Mowry, Elhanan
Miller, John S.
Northup, William H.
Nuttall, James
O'Gorman, Michael H.
Oat ley, Frank J.
Oldenburg, George F.
O'Brien, John
Pilkington, John
Payson, Charles G.
Parker, Uriah G.
Perry, Henry C.
Porritt, Samuel
Powers, Michael
Potter, Charles E.
Perkins, Horace
Rankin, James
Read, John
Sandford, Joseph M.
Sullivan, Timothy
Thatcher, William
Westgate, William
White, William C.
White, Samuel E.
White, Edwin
Wood, John U.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

211

Captain.
Amos G. Thomas.

First Lieutenants.
Joseph T. Snow,
Charles S. Mathewsort.

Second Lieutenants
Charles S. Mathewson,
Amos Cross.

Sergeants.
James H. Sweet,
John H. Peck,
Oliver P. Coggeshall,
George W. Guild,
Daniel G. Briggs.

Allen, Anderson
Baxter, Nathan
Bickerton, Charles
Bicknell, Hosea
Brown, John C.
Burns, Patrick
Bruce, Uriah V.
Brasley, Neil
Card, William
Cornell, Joseph H.
Conway, John
Connefry, William
Cooper, Henry
Cox, John \V.
Dailey, John
Deery, John
Drum, William
Dolan Frank
Donelson, William
Dyer, Philip
Gorton, Nathan C.
Grimes, Thomas
Gorton, Elihu
Gormley, Peter

COMPANY G.

Corporals.
James F. Fletcher,
Isaac H. Pinckney,
William L. Smith,
Edwin A. Towne,
George Rounds,
James M. Hitchcock,
Samuel Burr,
Frank R. Dixon.

Musicians.

H. D. S. Young,
Ahner K. Miller.

Wagoner.

Darius T. Morse.

Privates.

Green, James M.
Harrison, Richard
Hazard, John R.
Hazard, Walter C.
Holson, Walter
Holden, Thomas
Holding, Edward
Horr, Edward P.
Howarth, John
Johnson, Ephraim
Kaighin, Charles T.
Kelley, John
Kent, Allen
Kent, George -E.
Kearney, James
Leach, William A.
Leonard, William H.
McDonough, John
Munster, Franz
McCartin, Edward
Murtaugh, James
McLaughlin, Frank
McAvoy, John
McCarthy, Jeremiah

-2U

HISTORY OF THE

McCluer, Robert
McCluer, William
McDonald, John
Monahan , Michael
Murray, Thomas F.
McCoy, Thomas
Orswell, John
O'Donnell, James
Plunkett, Michael
Reynolds, John 2nd
Riley, Michael
Reynolds, Michael
Reiley, Owen
Reiley, Thomas
Roeske, Frederick
Reynolds, John M.
Ryan, John
Ryan, John, 2nd

Sherman, Thomas
Shader, William
Shawcross, James
Slaven, Hugh
Small, John
Smith, Patrick
Snell, Thomas
Spencer, George
Stewart, James
Sweeny, William
Sweeny, Joseph
Taft, John
Taylor, John D. W.
Viall, Cassius
Walsh, Michael
Webber, Franz
Wiley, James
Wolff, John

COMPANY H.

Captains.

Nathan F. Moss,
Joel Metcalf, Jr.

First Lieutenants.
Joel Metcalf, Jr.
Edwin H. Burlingame,
Daniel Bush.

Second Lieutenants.
William A. Champlin,
Edward K. Thompson.

Sergeants.

Edward K. Thompson,
George O. Taylor,
Michael L. Costello,
Benjamin T. Marble,

Agin, Patrick
Angell, Frederic F. H.
Ballou, Henry H.

Charles H. Bartlett.

Corporals.
George N. Capron,
Joseph Coville,
AVilliam M. Crandall,
Frederic Hawkins,
Arnold G. Horton,
John McEnnery,
Christopher Weeden,
Horace L. Angell.

Musicians.
George H. Bucklin,
George W. Mathewson.

Wagoner.
Thomas Mulvey.

Privates.

Barry, Stephen A.
Bates, Judson A.
Baxter, John

ELEVENTH I{K(!IMENT.

213

Bidmead, Edward
Boyle, Hugh H.
Branch, Joseph
Buckley, John
Burdick, Edward
Campbell, David R.
Curr, Michael
Chace, Caleb B.
Collins, Owen
Cox, James
Crowell, George T.
Crowell, Theoi)hilus
Cummings, James
Curley, Michael
Dean, William H.
Donnelly, Charles H.
Donnelly, Francis
Donohoe, Michael
Field, Joseph
Fitten, Richard
Franklin, George \V.
Galena, John
Gallaghan, Thomas
Graham, Henry
Graham, William
Hamilton, James
Hazard, Dennis
Healey, Joseph
Hunter, William M.
Lamly, Edward
Lane, Joseph M.
Lothrop, James P.
Luther, Alfred W.
Magee, James
Mahan, Daniel
Mason, William C.
Masterson, John W.
McCann, John
McElroy, John, 1st

McElroy, John, 2nd
NcDonnell, John
McMahon, Cornelius
Miller, William O.
Miner, Hazard H.
Mitchell, John
Moore, George W.
Morris, Joseph W.
Mullen, Peter
*Northup, Gardner
O'Brien, Jaines
O'Hare, Andrew J.
O'Neal, John
O'Neal, William
Peckham, Simeon
Randall, James W.
lieed, Josiah
Kiley, Lwke
Royle, John T.
Scott, James
Sho3nck, Henry
Short, John
Simons, Albert G.
Simons, Joseph R.
Simmons, Isaac I.
Smith, Job A.
Smith, John W.
Smith, Simon F.
Smith, Thomas
Smith, William E.
Sulley, Abraham
Sullivan, Daniel
Tiernay, Michael W.
Thorp, John W.
Walsh, James
Walsh, William F.
Weeden, Samuel
Young, Amos

214

HISTORY OF THE

Captain.
Joseph H. Kendrick.

First Lieutenant*.
Albert C. Howard,
Joseph T. Snow.

Second Lieutenants,
Edwin H. Burlingame,
Orville M. Remington.

Sergeants.
John B. Kelley,
Orville M. Remington,
Nathaniel \V. Slocum,
Fayette P. Brown,
Charles M. Smith.

Adams, George W.
Angell, Henry S.
Anthony, Henry J.
Armington, Eliphalet J.
Ashley, Joseph J.
Atwater, Edward W.
Ballou, Charles O.
Barker, Alfred H.
Barrett, Charles E.
*Bliss, Franklin S.
Boyle, Nelson
Brown, Alexander
Capron, Edward H.
Carpenter, Abraham A.
*Carpentor, J. Marshall
Case, Dudley W.
Chase, John H., Jr.
Clarke. James F.
*Clarke, William B.
Cooke, Frank G.
Cooke, Henry
Cranston, George H.
Darling, George B.
Darling, Samuel
Davenport, Samuel C.

COMPANY I.

Corporals.
Henrjr E. Simmons,
John C. Thompson,
John'R. Read,
Daniel R. Allen,
George H. Sparhawk,
John A. Reynolds,
George S. Bo wen,
Edward C. Coggeshall.

Musicians.
Amos D. Smith,
Hiram F. Matthews.

Wagoner.

Lafayette Burdick.

Privates.

Dexter, Benjamin
Dingwell, James
Ding well, Thomas
Dodge, George A.
Durfee, Charles A.
Evans, Barak
Fuller, John B.
Gay, Frederick A.
Greene, Charles B.
Hall, George W.
Halliwell, Thomas
Harlow, Calvin M.
Hawkes, Philo
Henrys, William R.
Hunt, Joshua M.
Irons, Gilbert A.
Jacobs, James C.
Kentfield, John
Knapp, George A.
Leonard, Charles R.
Luther, Jonathan B.
McKay, William A. *
McCausland, Norman I.
Medbury, George W.
Metcalf, Alfred P.

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.

215

Metcalf, Edward A.
Meyer, Hermann F.
Miller, Edward C.
Miller, George F.
Northup, Nathaniel C.
Patterson, John H.
Paull, Albert M.
Peck, James D.
Potter, William K.
Kemington, Edwin S.
Kemington, George H.
Saunders, George A.
Saunders, Robert.
Shaw, Henry B.
Sherman, Remington
Sherman, Charles A.

Shirre, Peter
Simmons, William E.
Smith, Arthur W.
Stevens, Louis V. R.
Sturdevant, Harvey
Sumner, James J.
Sumner, Oliver
Talbot, George A.
Thurber, Samuel
Tillinghast, George W
Tingley, Hartford B.
Tingley, Xenophon D.
White, Thomas W.
Wing, John
Winsor, Sirrell, Jr.
Zerega, John T.

COMPANY K.

Captain.
William A. Mowry.

First Lieutenants.
James T. Edwards,
Samuel Thurber.

Second Lieutenants.
William Stone,
Samuel Thurber,
John Pitman, Jr.

/Sergeants.

William W. Thompson,
John P. Pond,
Daniel J. Viall,
William H. Hedley,
Myron S. Clark.

Armington, William W.
Arnold, Owen S.
Barbour, Henry S.
Bates, William
Bates, William P.

Corporals.
William E. Millard,
Orlando P. Thompson,
Royal E. Jones,
James, Bowden,
Joseph E. Brown,
George Chace,
Aug. W. Winsor, Jr.,
Robert Lander.

Musicians.
George A. Tanner,
Charles W. Osborn.

Wagoner.
Joseph R. Williams.

Privates.

Baker, Ermin
Bell, Jonathan E.
Biggins, Henry
Blanchard, John H.
Borderi, Charles L.

216

HISTORY OF THE

Bowen, William H.
Bowen, William S.
Briggs, George N.
Buisnow, Francis
Butler, William J.
Chace, Albert H.
Chare, Matthew A.
Cornell, William L.
Collins, John
Collins, George W.
Dexter, Charles H.
Fisher, Henry
Gerlack, Charles
Gerlack, Otto
Green, Albert K.
Green, Henry F.
Green, William P.
Greenman, Walter P.
Goff, Thomas L.
Goddard, Josiah II.
Goodspeed, Solomon A.
Gould, Everett
Gunn, Richard
Hall, Edward B.
Hale, Worcester N.
Howard, William H.
Howarth, Benjamin
Rowland, Isaac B.
Rowland, Benjamin C.
Holmes, James L.
Holmes, Frank D.
Hicks, William F.
Hull, Edwin
Kent. George W.
Kent, William H.
Lee. Amos
Leach, Joseph H.

Leith, Thomas P.
Lindsey, Malcolm
Little, Robert B.
Little, Christopher
Lofty, Thomas J.
Meegan, Francis
McKanna, James F.
Mil lard, Charles W.
Murphy, Matthew
Nye, Henry
Olney, Elisha R.
Osborn, Charles E.
Palmer, Edward A.
Patterson, William
Phillips, George N.
Pearce, George T.
Riley, Charles
Robinson, Henry G.
Roe, John
Rourke, John C.
Selden, Charles
Schoenfell, Carl
Seiler. Robert
Shepley, Edwin
Snow, Florence E.
Sutton, William H. H.
Stone, Amos
Taylor, Henry F.
Tetlow, James
Thompson, William H.
Townsend, Samuel I.
Vaughan, Walter R. I).
Watson, William P.
Westcott, William H.
Wilkinson, Edward
Winsor, Albert W.

If ecru it.
McKenzie, John

ELEVENTH REGIMENT.
THE TWELFTH REGIMENT.

" The Twelfth regiment were at this time encamped near Fairfax
Seminary, and the officers of the Eleventh cordially invited the
officers of the Twelfth to dine with them on Thanksgiving day.

" The large log house, used for mess-room by Colonel and staff,
for public worship, and for evening school in drill by the officers,
served for dining-room on this occasion. The tables, well laden
with Rhode Island turkeys and ' fixin's,' were surrounded by about
seventy -five officers of the Eleventh and Twelfth sandwiched in
together, all of whom brought to the repast hungry stomachs and
willing minds.

'•Ample justice was done to the edibles, and many a story was
told and joke cracked. All enjoyed the occasion as a rare treat.
The officers of the Twelfth evidently appreciated the hospitality of
the Eleventh, while those of the Eleventh en joyed the acquaintance
of their brethren of the Twelfth."

19

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