EMORY UNIVERSITY LIBRARY MOURXIXG VICTORY FROM THE MELVIX MEMORIAL HISTORY OF THE FIRST REGIMENT OF HEAVY ARTILLERY MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS Formerly the Fourteenth Regiment of Infantry 1861—1865 By ALFRED SEELYE ROE, A. B. AUTHOR OF HISTORIES OF THE EIGHTH NEW YORK ARTILLERY THE TENTH, TWENTY-FOURTH AND THIRTY-NINTH REGIMENTS MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS and CHARLES NUTT, A. B. AUTHOR OF THE PUFFER GENEALOGY, BIOGRAPHICAL AND GENEALOGICAL WORKS Published by the Regimental Association 1917 COMMONWEALTH PRESS PRINTERS WORCESTER br BOSTON IN MEMORY OF OUR COMRADES MUSTERED OUT — —— Contents PAGE Announcement of History Committee 1-2 Preface by Charles Xutt 2-5 Chapter I 7-11 Company A of Ipswich —Organization and first officers—Life at Ft. Warren—Changes in officers— Casualties and promotions. Chapter II 12-20 Company B of Methuen—Raising the company—Serenading David Xevins— Adopting a boy—From fort to fort—First losses by death —Saving the flag—The splintered flag-staff—Bugler under fire Charles H. Tenney—Jerry Bradley's drum and bugle—Lieut. Hall's story of Spottsylvania—Dame's account of battle at Poplar Spring Church—W C. Cuseck—Tracy's prison life. Chapter III 21-31 Company C, Mechanics Phalanx of Lynn—Organization and orig- inal officers'—Daniel Pratt's visit—Sent to Harper's Ferry—The Gettysburg campaign—Erecting Ft. Duncan-—On detached service under Mai. Rolfe— Incidents at Ft. Duncan—Return to Boston Letter to Musician Chard. Chapter IV 31-39 Company D, Essex Cadets of Salem— Disbanding the original Co. D — Recruiting the Salem company -In Washington—Farnham's account—Stories of the freshet — Incidents of the first battle—Three lucky Rebels—At the siege of Petersburg—Enlistment expires. Chapter V 40-41 Company E, Mechanic Grays of Amesbury—The War meeting—-A rousing send-off—Toss of coin to decide on a lieutenant—The first death. Chapter \*I 42-53 Company F, Scott Grays of Lawrence— Recruiting, drilling and visiting— In the forts— Built a theatre—In the grand review—Capt. Kimball's letters—Following the scout —Four wagons captured Kimball's death and funeral—In Memoriam by Knowles. Chapter VII 54-56 Company G, Mugford Guards of Marblehead—Raised by Capt. Day—Generous aid and support—Capt. Day's speech—Various visitations—A warm ovation—Off for the front— Presents from the company— Recruiting. Chapter VIII 57-59 Company H, Andover Light Infantry— Public meeting— Raising the company—Generous gifts and aids—Departure from home Changes in officers—On detached service at Maryland Heights A skirmish. Chapter IX 60-66 Company I, Putnam Guards of Danvers— Xaming the company Character of the men—Changes in officers—A fire in camp—Service at Winchester— In Rebel Prison—Drawing lots to be hanged Hanson's Report—Guarding the rear—Maj. Rolfe's report. v — Chapter X 67-70 Company K, City Guards of Lawrence—The beginning of the company—Officers and men—Uniforms given and taken away—At Spottsylvania—Death of Enoch Frye—In memoriam—Funeral of Capt. Davis—Comrade's story of Spottsylvania. Chapter XI 71-75 Company L, recruited at Ipswich and Cambridge in Feb., 1862 Sent to the front— In memoriam—Lieut. Hall's account of Fairfax Court House—The captured surgeons—Tribute to Col. Greene—At Spottsylvania—Making record time. Chapter XII 76-79 Company M, the Lander Guards—Recruiting the company—Orig- inal officers—Trip to Washington—Some notable recruits—Drills at Ft. Albany—Preparations for battle—Promotions. Chapter XIII 80-98 Organization of the 14th Mass. Infantry—Battalion drill—Com- pany joins Mozart Regiment—Quarters at Ft. Warren—First ex- periences in camp—Commissary department—Mustered— into ser- vice—Staff officers—Lieutenants without jobs "John Brown's Body" sung—Fletcher Webster Regiment starts—Burial of the bean—Uniforms and outfits—Departure from Fort Warren—Trip to New York—Welcome in Philadelphia—Drenched in Washington. Chapter XIV 99-121 Camp Kalorama— In General King's Brigade—Stationed at Fort Albany—Assigned to other forts—Brigade formation—Review by President Lincoln—Defending Washington—Fort Jackson de- scribed—Mail facilities—A Rebel sergeant captured—False alarm Senator Wilson's regiment—Preparation for winter—Trying the pickets—Visit of Gov. Andrew—News of Ball's Bluff defeat— Dis- tinguished visitors—Thanksgiving Day—Barracks dedicated Prayer meetings—Temperance society—Library—Small pox alarm —Visiting Washington. Chapter XV 122-137 New Year 1862 in camp—The regiment becomes heavy artillery Barracks completed—Scouting party—Virginia mud—Fort Runyon described—A soldier's wedding in camp—Recruiting ordered Artillery drills—Coming of recruits—Sunday in camp—Spring in Virginia—Summer of 1862—Health of the regiment—Beating a slave—Food and rations. Chapter XVI 138-149 Preparing for departure—In action at Cloud's Mills for the first time—Union surgeons captured—Capturing Union guns—Dr. Dutton's hospital—Detachment sent to Harper's Ferry under Rolfe —Illness in camp—Changes in officers—Tannatt in command Ladies reprimanded—Scolding from Lieut. Col. Wright—"Joe and Bob" order. Chapter XVII 150-161 Battle of Spottsylvania—The fatal May 19th—Gardner's account of the battle—The skirmish line—Lewis's account—Whipple's account —Stevens's account—Farnham's account—Confederate reports Richmond Examiner's report—Col. Venable's story—Gen. Ram- seur's report—Morgan's account—Summary—Crane's account Events of May 20-22. VI ——- Chapter XVIII 162-172 Battle of North Anna River—The march—Battle of Totopotomy Creek— Battle of Cold Harbor—Cutler's diary—A truce—The march to Petersburg. Chapter XIX 173-183 Assaults on Petersburg—Sawyer's account—Morgan's account Charge of the 1st Maine Heavy Artillery—J. P. Bradley's story Cutler's account—Whipple's account—Dearborn's account—Forti- fying in front of the city—Another historic day. Chapter XX 184-188 Siege of Petersburg—The losses of the regiment—Spirit of the south —At the end of three years' enlistment—Starting homeward Under way—Return home. Chapter XXI 189-199 Back to the trenches— Battle of Strawberry Plain—Comment by "Typo"—Explosion of the mine—Fort blown up— Battle of Deep Bottom—Rebel deserters— Col. Craig killed—At Petersburg siege again—Battle at Poplar Grove Church—Work on the forts— Battle of Boydton Road—Col. Shatswell's report—A Rebel account Stealing the pickets—Resting in November—Thanksgiving Day. Chapter XXII 200-209 Moving again—Raid on the Weldon railroad— In winter camp— Execution of Dixon, deserter—A quiet period—Col. Wyatt—More Rebel deserters— Battle of Hatcher's Run— Military roads— Battle at Duncan's Run—Capturing Rebel works at Vaughan Road Battle at Burgess Mill— Leverett Bradley's account. Chapter XXIII 210-216 Petersburg occupied— Pursuit of Lee—Engagements at White Oak Road, Five Forks, Jettersville—Farmville and Sailor's Creek After the surrender— Leverett Bradley's comment—Another story of the pursuit of Lee— March for hard-tack—Assassination of Lincoln. Chapter XXIV 217-220 Off for Richmond—The Grand Review—Consolidating companies —Proposed consolidation of regiment with another—Musteredout Journey home. Chapter XXV 221-225 Maj. Rolfe's detachment—Recovering the guns—Building maga- zines and barracks—March to Frederick, Md.—In the artillery re- serves—A long march—A fatal accident—Commendation of officers. Chapter XXVI 226-252 P. H. O'Connell's life in prison and thrilling escapes—At Belle Isle Start for Andersonville—Jumped from train—Held up by Rebel soldier—Pursued by men and dogs, caught—Taken to Columbia Back in jail —Nursed by Donahoe—Another escape—Sheltered by slaves—Other negroes assist—Bloodhounds on the trail—Thrown in jail again—Return to Columbia Jail—Escapes again—Taken again to Charleston—Slipped away and hid—Caught in six hours— An incident of Wirz—Tortured at Columbia—-Removed to Charles- ton—Climbed fence, failed to get away—Removing the handcuffs Out of jail once more—Escape with Banty—Hidden in forest—Re- freshed in slave cabin—Narrow escape from capture—Hidden under leaves—Swimming a stream—Aid from Union whites—-In a skirmish —Toes frozen—Taken to Gen. Mahar, Knoxville. VII —— Chapter XXVII 253-261 Lucius A. Wilder's life in Rebel prisons—Capture—Burying the dead—Kindly treatment—Wrote letters home—Buying a home Wretched food—Selling a bone—Raiders hanged— In the brewery business—Prisoners dying fast—Best dressed man—Taken to Florence—Cheering the flag. Chapter XXVIII 263-265 Tables of regimental losses by deaths in action, from wounds, in prison and from disease—-The battle roll—General engagements in which the regiment took part—Other statistics—The flags. Chapter XXIX 266-290 War stories and reminiscences—Headquarters, grand review Spofford's narrow escape—Discipline in the regiment—Sans-cu- lotte—Carrying the colors, June 16, 1864—Capturing Rebel whiskey—The Johnnies took the food—Suffered for his country Annie Etherage—Hard cider for medicine—The army pest—Four- horse load of oysters—Forgot to muster Companies L and M—Lee's breakfast—Stoning the bridge guards—Just missed a badge of honor—Weight reduced to fifty pounds—Meetings with Lincoln Chasing stray hogs—Shooting ramrods—Blames himself for an attack—Arrival of recruits—For straggling ahead—Rescue of Mar- cus M. Pool—His last letter—Foraging for pork and beans—Peril- ous volunteer service—Appointed Private No. 92—-Eating raw corn —Those leather stocks—"Rally 'Round the Flag, Boys"—Wor- sley's dog—Tribute to Gardner Tufts—Wanted to fight more—Fun in the Hare House—-"No Use to the Old Woman"—Selling his turkey—Altering— the uniforms—Tom Martin and the pig—Forts after the war "Holy Joe's" bath—A— bushel of rats—Saved his life"—David—The piazza collapsed "Return to your Yankee Homes"—After forty-eight years.