• NEWS OF THE 10th MASSACHUSETTS INFANTRY • Saturday March 26th, 1864 • Willseys Diary: Found all the snow gone this morning & quite muddy. Have done nothing today in the way of work. The express came this afternoon & our Steward having received a Box we all had a jolly good time. Cakes & meats of several kinds. Whiskey- Gin & Wine to wash it down. A few boys got laid out. Had considerable fun. We are permanently attached to the 2nd Division being the 4th Brig. • Newell: no entry. • Roe: He (Grant) did, however, make his headquarters at Culpeper on the 26th, and thenceforward he was seldom far from the army to which he believed was committed the task of battering down the walls of Secceshia. • Woodbury, 2d R.I., p. 231: The lieutenant-general on his arrival gave the army a thorough inspection. He found it in excellent condition, but decided to make a partial reorganization. Three corps were formed: the Second, under Hancock, the Fifth, under Warren, and the Sixth, under Sedgwick. The First Corps was merged in the Fifth, two divisions of the Third were transferred to the Second, and the remaining division to the Sixth. The 3rd division of the Sixth was broken up Wheaton s and Eustis s brigades being assigned to the 2nd division, and to the 1st, Shaler s brigade. The corps was now organized as follows: 1st division, Brigadier-General H. G. Wright; 1st brigade, Colonel W. H. Penrose, 2nd brigade, Colonel E. Upton, 3rd brigade, Brigadier-General D. A. Russell, 4th brigade, Brigadier-General A. Shaler; 2nd division, Brigadier-General George W. Getty; 1st brigade, Brigadier-General Frank Wheaton, 2nd brigade, Colonel L. A. Grant, 3rd brigade, Brigadier-General T. H. Neill, 4th brigade, Brigadier-General L. A. Eustis; 3rd division, Brigadier-General James B. Ricketts; 1st brigade, Brigadier-General W. H. Morris, 2nd brigade, Brigadier-General Truman Seymour, 3rd brigade, Colonel Keiffer. The great struggle was fast approaching, and the army was put in the best state possible to engage in it. • From the Springfield Daily Union: · GENERAL GRANT AND THE LADIES AT WILLARD’s. – The ladies at Willard’s convened in one of the larger parlors Thursday evening, and dispatched a messenger to Gen. Grant, with the request that he would give them an interview. He could – naturedly came down from his room and underwent a levy, in the course of which he frequently had to give his autograph. A smiling request from one lady to let the crowd go to the Army to see the grand review was adroitly denied by the general, with a reply that “when Mrs. Grant should come down for that purpose, he would be pleased to see them also.” The persistent dame referred to the happiness she had enjoyed at the recent ball in the Army. The general was compelled to tell her flatly that had he been in command no ball would’ve been permitted, and he added that when he heard in the West that the grand review alluded to was to be got up for him, he had telegraphed in order to squelch it, and he said, in conclusion, that there has been too much of that nonsense in the Army of the Potomac, and it must be stopped. · In the Christian Advocate is a letter from Rev. Dr. Thompson (the editor.) which details an interview he had with Gen. Grant in a railroad car in Pennsylvania a few days ago. He says: “he is a man of medium height and unassuming manners. His dress was plain and in no respect indicative of his rank. The stranger is struck with his youthful appearance. He seems to be not more than 35 years of age. Gen. Grant is a Democrat in the true sense of the word. He is for the people, for all the people. He has none of the airs, or the spirit, or the philosophy of an aristocrat. Without freedom or want of dignity, he is at home at once and everywhere. He is very modest, seeking to hide from the public gaze. Though called by the crowd at every station, it was with difficulty he could be persuaded to step forward and raise his hat; he made no speeches, but retired in silence. In speaking of Gen. McClellan he exhibited both good sense of generosity, while at the same time he indicated an intention to avoid his errors. He attributed Gen. McClellan’s failure to know want of ability or education, but to the fact that he rose too rapidly, was intoxicated by his elevation, and afraid to make a bold step lest it should be a false one. Moreover, he unfortunately allowed himself to be manipulated by politicians, and bewildered by the false lights which they held out before him. Gen. Grant is hopeful; and while he makes note such extravagant utterances as Gen. Scott and Gen. McClellan did, he yet leads us to understand that events are in train for a decisive spring campaign. He speaks in the highest terms of Gen. Sherman, who succeeds him in the Western department, who, he says, has no superior in the service. He gave us to understand, that although he would have an office in Washington, he did not intend to do much office work, but would take the field wherever and whenever he deemed his presence would be most useful. We could not compliment him upon the brilliant campaign which brought him successfully to Vicksburg. He replied that it was hazardous, but had to be done.” · Page 2 column 3 a letter from the third Rhode Island cavalry · The amount paid to veteran volunteers, in bounties, is said to reach $90,000,000. · The many friends in the city and vicinity of the heavy artillery company recruited here, will read with interest the following extract from a business letter, written by Lieut. O. S. Bixby, and received this morning: – “we are located near Fort Norfolk, Va., And a nice little, all to ourselves, and the company are well and in good spirits generally. We have charge of a pontoon train, and shall commence drilling with the very soon.” · THE DRUMMER BOY OF SPRINGFIELD. – This is the title to be attached to Thomas Carr, a Springfield led, as yet under 14 years of age, who in November, 1862, ran away from home and parents, following the 37th mass. To Stafford court house, VA., Where he enlisted in the 62nd New York, in which regiment and older brother was serving. Though he didn’t know a drumstick from being pulled them, he soon learned mysteries of the “Rub – a – dub” art, and since then he has followed his regiment and his core faithfully, participating in the great battles of Fredericksburg and Gettysburg, besides numberless skirmishes, and none of which he was harmed the least. His regiment has re-– enlisted and is now in New York, and Uncle Sam was kind enough to give Tommy of furlough for ten days, which expires on Monday, when he goes back at once to New York. His father, whose name is Michael Carr, resides in market Street and drives a job wagon. The parents of course didn’t think of Tommy’s “going for a soldier,” but now that he is so far through the business they freely consent to his return. We trust the little fellow, who was only 4’8” high, may live to see the rebellion crushed and then enjoy a long and useful life in his native city – or anywhere that he may choose to go to. · WASHINGTON DISPATCHES. · NEW YORK, March 26. The Tribune’s Washington special says a great number of ambulances have gone to the front. An order has been issued allowing officers and privates of the invalid Corps, fit for active duty, to enter the veteran corps. · WASHINGTON, March 26. Brig. Gen. David D. Birney, U. S. Volunteers, has been confirmed as a Maj. Gen. in the volunteer service, his commission to date from May 20, 1863. · DIED in Amherst, 22nd inst., George Dickinson, a member of the late 52nd Regiment, aged 35 years. · • From The Springfield Republican: · Progress of the War. The spring campaign is not yet opened, and probably will not for some weeks yet. In Virginia the heaviest snowstorm of the winter has occurred, and slush and mud will make any general movements impossible at present. Gen. Grant is now with the Army of the Potomac and will take personal direction of it during the pending campaign, concerning which we have as yet only crude speculations. There is reason to believe however that the heaviest operations will occur in Virginia, and that our armies at the center and West will not penetrate much further into rebel territory until the attempt has been made to take Richmond and expel the rebel armies from Virginia. Immediately upon the retirement of Sherman’s expedition to Vicksburg and the completion of the other reconnaissance is in force, the southern papers clamored loudly for invasions of Kentucky and Maryland by their armies, attending to believe our troops so demoralized by the ill success of their first movements that there was a great opportunity for the Confederates to enter upon and ravage loyal territory, in revenge for Sherman’s demonstrations in Mississippi, and there were some threatening movements towards Kentucky by London streets Army, but no raids have yet been commenced, and our armies are now so strengthened by returning regiments and new recruits that there is little danger of any such attempt on a formidable scale. Active operations at the present moment are confined to the trans – Mississippi Department, where all our troops are in motion, and it is expected that the concerted advance of the armies of Sherman, Banks, and Steele will sweep the that whole region clean of rebels. IN VIRGINIA. Lieut. Gen. Grant having personally assumed command of all the armies of the United States on the 17th, has since been to the west and arrange commands and future operations there, and returned to Washington on Wednesday and went at once to his headquarters at Culpeper, Virginia. Henceforth his headquarters will be at Washington or in the field, as circumstances may require. General Meade retains the command of the Army of the Potomac under the direction of Gen. Grant. By order of Gen. Grant the outside expeditions planned for general’s Burnside and Hancock has been abandoned, and their troops will undoubtedly code – operate in the grand movement upon Richmond. Gen. Burnside’s force will go into camp for awhile at Annapolis, Md., for organization and drill; Gen. Hancock is gone to the Army of the Potomac, and his recruits will be united with his command there. It is understood the general grant agrees with most of the military authorities that the peninsular route to Richmond is the only practicable one, that the Army will move either by water, or forced march overland to Hanover Court House, whence a base will be opened on the Pamunkey, a sufficient force being left behind to protect Washington against raids. There have been reports of formidable movement of Stuart’s rebel cavalry by way of Fredericksburg towards Washington, which grew out of the appearance of small scouting parties of rebels in that quarter. Gen. Lee is reported to be receiving large accessions of Calvary, and the appearance of rebel troops in the Shenandoah leads to the apprehension of another raid into Maryland by that ever open door. Beyond the mountains considerable rebel parties have appeared in several counties of West Virginia, capturing three members of the legislature of the new state, alarming the people and breaking up their arrangements for planting and sowing. The rebels also threatened to drive Butler’s troops from the Peninsula, and also to take Norfolk, either of which is easier said than done, though their late successes at Suffolk naturally encourage them in the hope that they will find our men off their guard. They have achieved another small naval exploit in that region, capturing a Maine schooner worth $10,000 and destroying it, and taking the men prisoners. Some of Gen. Butler’s troops under Gen. Graham, have been making a raid on the north side of York River, destroying some property, but of the final result of the expedition there are yet no accounts. It is probably of small importance. · The 30th Massachusetts regiment arrived in Boston Saturday, from the Department of the Gulf, having come home to enjoy their 30 days’ furlough after enlisting for another three years. This is probably the last regiment to come home to the state, and most of those who came before now back again, the 21st and several others having started during the week. · FROM WASHINGTON. WASHINGTON, Friday night, March 25. § Orders have been issued from the war Department to provide for a board of three officers to inspect the mounted troops in the field, with a view of breaking up those regiments and companies that are unfit for service, and transferring the serviceable man to other organizations from the same state. Authority is given generals commanding armies and departments, to dismount any mounted man who allows his horse to become unfit for service, and transfer him to an infantry Regiment from the same state, which regiment must furnish a substitute for the cavalry man. § The House labor committee, who have had under consideration for several days the Senate bill to equalize the green of line officers in the Army, have agreed to that measure by adding some very important amendments. These amendments provide for the advancement of line officers who then long in the service, and for breaking up the existing order of seniority. The bill will be reported to the House, Monday. § A Washington telegram says that the committee on the conduct of the war have found no evidence against Gen. Meade. § The president on Friday dismissed Col. Woolford of Kentucky from the United States service for certain sentiments expressed by him at a recent sword presentation in that state. § Generals Sickles and French arrived at Washington, Friday, from the Army of the Potomac. § Gen. Sykes’s Farewell to His Men. HEADQUARTERS fifth Army Corps, March 24. – Soldiers of the fifth Corps: by direction of the war department, I am relieved from duty with the Army of the Potomac. In obeying an order so wholly unexpected, I part from you with the profoundest regret. We have been associated since your organization is a core; we have shared all the campaigns of this glorious Army, and for nine months it has been my pride and distinction to be your chief. The history of your achievements adds a luster to the history of your country, and in the great battle of the war on 2 July, 1863, your heroism and valor indisputably saved the day. I part from you feeling assured that your manly virtues, courage and patriotism will still be conspicuous in campaigns to come, and the insignia borne upon your flags and worn upon your breasts will in the shock of battle always be found in the thickest of your country’s foes. GEORGE SYKES. Major -General Commanding. § The N.Y. World’s Washington dispatches say the general grant went to New York on Thursday to remain several days. § The general order relating to Confederate bills notes or bonds is published. § Some 1500 sick from the Army of the Potomac arrived at Washington Thursday and Friday. § Mayor Alexander has been making investigations at major Clark’s and the adjutant general’s offices in Boston, and finds the condition of Springfield’s account with Uncle Sam more favorable than had been supposed. The quota of the city on the call for 500,000 men was 684, and on the last call for 200,000 is 274, making the total 958. To offset this we have 221 men drafted last July, 396 recruited since June 1, and 96 reenlisted men, making our credit 713 men, which leaves us 245 men to raise. The quotas of each sub – district are not yet definitely ascertained. Some of them are full on the 500,000 call and others not. A large number of men remained on assigned to the several sub – districts, and their assignment will be left to the mayor, or to him and the board of aldermen. The matter of filling our quota on the 500,000 call has been aided very materially by the re—enlistments, which now number nearly 100, but at least 30 men have gone from the city to enlist in Rhode Island regiments for which we have no credit. Unless this deficit is entirely beyond the reach of our city authorities, we trust they will set it right. § DIED. At Plymouth, N.C., 28thult., Henry F. Jennison, 26, of Townshend Vt., a member of the 2d Massachusetts heavy artillery. ► PROCLAMATION ABOUT AMNESTY, MARCH 26, 1864. BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA: A Proclamation. Whereas, it has become necessary to define the cases in which insurgent enemies are entitled to the benefits of the Proclamation of the President of the United States, which was made on the 8th day of December, 1863, and the manner in which they shall proceed to avail themselves of these benefits; and whereas the objects of that Proclamation were to suppress the insurrection and to restore the authority of the United States; and whereas the amnesty therein proposed by the President was offered with reference to these objects alone: Now, therefore, I, Abraham Lincoln, President of the United States, do hereby proclaim and declare that the said Proclamation does not apply to the cases of persons who, at the time when they seek to obtain the benefits thereof by taking the oath thereby prescribed, are in military, naval, or civil confinement or custody, or under bonds, or on parole of the civil, military, or naval authorities, or agents of the United States, as prisoners of war, or persons detained for offences of any kind, either before or after conviction; and that on the contrary it does apply only to those persons who, being yet at large, and free from any arrest, confinement, or duress, shall voluntarily come forward and take the said oath, with the purpose of restoring peace, and establishing the national authority. Persons excluded from the amnesty offered in the said Proclamation may apply to the President for clemency, like all other offenders, and their application will receive due consideration. I do further declare and proclaim that the oath presented in the aforesaid proclamation of the 8th of December, 1863, may be taken and subscribed before any commissioned officer, civil, military, or naval, in the service of the United States, or any civil or military officer of a State or Territory not in insurrection, who, by the laws thereof, may be qualified for administering oaths. All officers who receive such oaths are hereby authorized to give certificates thereof to the persons respectively by whom they are made, and such officers are hereby required to transmit the original records of such oaths, at as early a day as may be convenient, to the Department of State, where they will be deposited, and remain in the archives of the Government. The Secretary of State will keep a registry thereof, and will, on application, in proper cases, issue certificates of such records in the customary form of official certificates. In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed............ A. LINCOLN. By the President: WILLIAM H. SEWARD, Secretary of State. ► From Porter, Campaigning With Grant: General Grant had started for the field on the 26th of March, and established his headquarters in the little town of Culpeper Court-house in Virginia, twelve miles north of the Rapidan. He visited Washington about once a week to confer with the President and the Secretary of War. ► Meade. Life and Letters p. 183: Headquarters Army of the Potomac, March 26, 1864. Pennie* arrived yesterday, looking very well and quite delighted with his journey and at getting to camp. Willie and Davy Whipple came with him. Unfortunately they came in a storm of rain, and although to-day has been blustering and raw, they have been out on horseback, commencing their sight seeing. This evening they have gone over to one of the neighboring camps, where the soldiers are going to have a negro minstrel exhibition. The weather has been so unpropitious that no inspection has been practicable by General Grant. I spent several hours with him yesterday. He appears very friendly, and at once adopts all my suggestions. I believe Grant is honest and fair, and I have no doubt he will give me full credit for anything I may do, and if I dont deserve any, I dont desire it. I think I wrote you I had a long and friendly letter from Mr. Harding, in which he said he had seen Mr. Stanton, who told him of my letter in reference to Sickles, asking for a court of inquiry, which Mr. Stanton said he should not grant, for the reason that he did not deem one necessary; that I had been made a brigadier general in the regular army and thanked by Congress for my services at Gettysburg, and that no attention should be paid to such a person as Sickles. Mr. Stanton told Mr. Harding he thought I was unnecessarily nervous about these attacks, and that I ought not to give them a thought. I, however, think differently, and do not believe in the policy of remaining quiet, under the false and slanderous charges of even the most insignificant. Tell Sargie^ two copies of the famous Life and Services of Major General Meade have been sent me by the publishers. I had no idea my services would take up so much printing matter. I must confess I think a little more space might be given to my services prior to the Rebellion. I always thought my services in the construction of lighthouses, and subsequently on the Lake Survey, were of considerable importance. ^ Spencer Meade, son of General Meade. ^ Son of General Meade. ► ► From SEDGWICK, Letters of Vol II, p. March 27, 1864. My dear sister : Yours of the 1 9th came last night. General Grant arrived yesterday, and established his headquarters in Culpeper, about five miles from General Meade s. I have not yet seen him since his return. I liked his appearance and the general tone of his remarks and comments very much ; but I doubt whether he will be able to effect much more than other Generals we have had in command here. The truth is, we are on the wrong road to take Richmond. The army has been reorganized by General Meade, my corps considerably in creased. I hope when the campaign opens to have twenty-five thousand men and forty-eight pieces of artillery a small army in itself. Cousin Charles s wife s daughter and three young ladies made me a visit, staying three days. They came down to attend a ball, and the first intimation I had they drove up to my quarters ; but we made them very comfortable, and had a delightful time. Tell Eliza, if Harry cannot get an appointment to West Point (and I do not think he can), that he would have no difficulty in getting one as civil engineer in the navy. It is not only a respectable one, but it is a rising place, and that department is to become an important one in our navy. With much love, I am, as ever, Your affectionate brother, J.s. ► From Harpers Weekly, Saturday March 26, 1864 COLONEL ULRIC DAHLGREN. COLONEL ULRIC DAHLGREN, of whose death we give an illustration on page 196, was killed near Richmond, Virginia, during the recent raid of KILPATRICK. Colonel DAHLGREN, with a body of 100 men, having been sent on detached service, was entrapped and surrounded at night by the rebels, who posted their forces in ambush, and while attempting to cut his way out was shot at the head of his column by persons lying in wait. The Richmond Whig of the 8th inst. says that after DAHLGREN was fired upon a general volley was poured into the Federal ranks, causing a considerable panic, which was heightened by the intense darkness. His body was subsequently carried by the rebels into Richmond, and after having been exposed to public view for some hours, was buried in a common pine coffin in some place unknown to any but the rebel authorities. The rebels pretend to have found papers on Colonel DAHLGRENS body, directing the massacre of DAVIS and all the officials in Richmond ; but it is denied by Federal officers that any such orders were ever issued or suggested. His address to his officers and men, upon starting on his expedition, certainly did not disclose any such blood-thirsty purpose. He enjoined upon them to keep well together, and obey orders strictly ; to allow no thought of personal gain to lead them off. We will have a desperate fight, he added, as if with the voice of prophecy, but stand up to it when it does come, and all will be well. Moreover, a correspondent of the Times, who accompanied Colonel DAHLGREN, and saw his memoranda on the day he started, says positively that they contained no such words as the rebels pretend to have found in them. Colonel DAHLGREN had been engaged in the military service from the outset of the war, and, though only twenty-two years of age, had earned distinguished honors by his gallantry and courage on several fields. He was first assigned to duty in May, 1862, under General FREMONT, but subsequently he was with General SIGEL in West Virginia. Afterward he was placed on General HOOKERS staff, and passed with that General through his Potomac campaign, participating in all the cavalry engagements which then and afterward occurred. During the pursuit of LEEs forces in the invasion of last summer DAHLGREN was in every successful action, and was finally wounded at Hagerstown, Maryland, and lost a leg by amputation. For his services in this campaign he was made a Colonel by the President. He had not fully recovered from his wound when the KILPATRICK expedition was proposed. He asked and obtained leave to accompany it, being assigned to a separate command. His failure to accomplish the work apportioned to him is said to have been due to the treachery of a guide, who led him into danger and to death. His father. Admiral DAHLGREN, has attempted to obtain the body from Richmond, but has failed; but it matters not where such as he may be buried. A grateful people will shrine his memory in their hearts, and keep green forever the brave boys name ! It is mentioned as an illustration of Colonel DAHLGRENS earnest patriotism, that when the war broke out he was traveling in the Southwest, where great inducements were offered him to enter the rebel service, but, fired with indignation, he at once made his way to Washington and applied for a place in the Army. His sublime daring on every field to which he was called after that time justified fully the sanction which the Government gave him in its first appointment to an honorable position. His temper and character as a soldier remarkably resembled that of the lamented WINTHROP, and his career affords another illustration, beautiful and significant, of that sturdy and courageous manhood which these troublous latter days are maturing as the future hope of the Republic. § THE MILITARY SITUATION. The military situation remains unchanged. It is intimated, however, in well-informed quarters, that important movements will soon be made. General Grant visited Washington on the 8th instant, and had a conference with the Secretary of War and General Halleck, and subsequently had an important consultation with General Meade at the head-quarters of the Army of the Potomac, whence he returned on the 11th, and immediately started for the West. He will, it is probable, direct a movement of all our armies according to a plan of his own. Preparatory to any movement in the East, it is hinted that the Army of the Potomac will be reorganized. On the 14th inst. the President issued an order retiring Major-General Halleck from the position of General-in-Chief, and assigning Lieutenant-General Grant to the command of the armies of the United States, with head-quarters in Washington, and also with the Lieutenant-General in the field. General Halleck is to be chief of staff under the Secretary of War and the Lieutenant-General. Major-General W. T. Sherman is to command the military division of the Mississippi, composed of the Departments of the Ohio, the Cumberland, the Tennessee, and the Arkansas. Major-General McPherson is placed in command of the Department and army of the Tennessee. From the Southwest we have intimations of a new movement, the object of which is not yet officially disclosed, though Shreveport, Louisiana, is supposed to be the point aimed at. General Sherman left Vicksburg on the 28th ult. for New Orleans, where he had a consultation with General Banks and other officers, in reference, it is supposed, to the details of the projected movement. He has since returned North. Troops, meanwhile, are returning from Texas to New Orleans, and a formidable fleet of iron-clads is collecting at the mouth of the Red River. § ANOTHER CALL FOR TROOPS. On the 15th inst. President Lincoln issued a call for 200,000 men for the military service—Army, Navy, and Marine Corps—to be raised by volunteering, or, in default, by draft on the 15th of April—the present bounties to be paid until April 1. The men called for are required for the navy, and to provide an adequate reserve force for all contingencies. The proportional quotas for the various towns, cities, and districts will be made known at the earliest possible moment. § ARMY AND NAVY ITEMS. THE examination of the Congressional War Committee into the management of the battle of Gettysburg by General MEADE, has failed to sustain the charge that that General gave an order for his army to retreat after the first days fight. General WARREN has testified distinctly that no such order was given, and that the incidental charges against General MEADE are altogether unfounded.
Posted on: Sat, 29 Mar 2014 13:45:49 +0000
Trending Topics
Recently Viewed Topics
© 2015