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HISTORY OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 1862-1865.
HISTORY OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS. 1862-1865.
BY A COMMITTEE OF THE REGIMENT. BOSTON: PRESS OF ROCKWELL AND CHURCHILL. 89 ARCH STREET. 1884. [Pg ii] [Pg iii] TO Our Comrades OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS THIS RECORD OF A COMMON EXPERIENCE IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED . [Pg iv] [Pg v] [Pg vi] [Pg vii]...
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PREFACE.
PREFACE.
Not long after the close of the war a plan was proposed, by some of the officers of the regiment, for the preparation of a history of the Thirty-sixth Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteers; but the plan was not carried into execution. At the regimental reunions, in subsequent years, parts of such a history were read by Comrades White, Ranlett, and Hodgkins, and the desire for a complete history of the regiment, which found expression on these occasions, was so strong that, at the reunion of the r
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CHAPTER I. ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT.
CHAPTER I. ORGANIZATION OF THE REGIMENT.
Early in July, 1862, when the war of the rebellion had been in progress a little more than a year, President Lincoln issued an order for three hundred thousand volunteers, to serve three years, or during the war. It was a time of sore discouragement and general depression throughout the loyal States. Our army in Virginia, under General McClellan, during a seven days' fight near the Chickahominy, had met with such reverses that it had been compelled to "make a change of base," and fall back to th
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CHAPTER II. TO THE FRONT.
CHAPTER II. TO THE FRONT.
There was no delay. At noon, Tuesday, September 2d, the assembly was sounded, the line was formed, and the Thirty-sixth, with a large number of the friends of the regiment, who had come to say a long and perhaps a last farewell, left Camp Wool amid the cheers of a great throng of people assembled along the line of march to witness the departure of the regiment, and moved up Highland street, through Main street, to the Common. There cars were in waiting. These were soon filled, the horses and bag
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CHAPTER III. IN VIRGINIA.
CHAPTER III. IN VIRGINIA.
Sunday morning, October 26th, we were aroused at half-past three o'clock, and ordered to be ready to move at daylight. We struck our tents in a pouring rain, had breakfast, but did not leave our camp until after seven. Then we marched down the river to the little village of Berlin, where a pontoon bridge had been thrown across the Potomac. There we halted until afternoon. It was a general movement. Not only were the regiments of our own brigade with us, but a large number of other regiments. For
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CHAPTER IV. THE KENTUCKY CAMPAIGN.
CHAPTER IV. THE KENTUCKY CAMPAIGN.
We left Newport News early the next morning, March 23d, and sailed up the bay to Baltimore, where we arrived about three o'clock on the morning of the 24th. The "Kennebec" hauled in at Pier No. 1, but we did not land until afternoon. Cars then were in waiting for us, and we learned that we were to go west by the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad, Cincinnati, Ohio, being our destination. At Eutaw street soft bread was issued to the men, and then, about six o'clock, we started on our long journey. The f
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CHAPTER V. IN THE REAR OF VICKSBURG.
CHAPTER V. IN THE REAR OF VICKSBURG.
Late in the afternoon of Wednesday, June 10th, the fine steamer "Meteor," with the regiment (numbering about 760 officers and men), all its camp equipage, and horses, cast off from the levee at Cairo, and steamed down the river. The boat, though large, was somewhat crowded, and deeply laden. A large part of the regiment was quartered on the hurricane deck, which was the most comfortable part of the boat. The officers had the use of the state-rooms and the cabin, and had no reason to find fault w
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CHAPTER VI. THE MOVEMENT ON JACKSON.
CHAPTER VI. THE MOVEMENT ON JACKSON.
Hardly had the news of the surrender become known to the regiment, however, before orders came to break camp and prepare for field service in light marching order. This was in accordance with an order which General Sherman had received directing him to take his own corps, the Fifteenth, the Ninth Corps, to which was temporarily assigned General Smith's division of the Sixteenth Corps, and the Thirteenth Corps, now under General Ord, pursue Johnston, and capture or destroy his army. General Grant
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CHAPTER VII. THE RETURN TO KENTUCKY.
CHAPTER VII. THE RETURN TO KENTUCKY.
The days between our arrival at Milldale and the departure for the North were devoted to rest and recruiting the shattered strength of the men. Never was rest so welcome, never so necessary, as now. Various diseases prevailed. Mumps and chills and fever spread rapidly, and it is safe to say that there was not an officer or man in the regiment who could call himself well and hearty. Whiskey, doctored with quinine, was served out at this time as a protection against chills. Although it was of the
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CHAPTER VIII. IN EAST TENNESSEE.
CHAPTER VIII. IN EAST TENNESSEE.
At an early hour in the morning of September 10th, the familiar call of "assembly" sounded once more. Camp was quickly broken, and at eight o'clock the regiment was on the march for Tennessee. Having the head of the column we did not find the march a severe one, though the roads were rough; and at five o'clock P.M., after a tramp of eleven miles, we halted for the night at Mount Vernon. More than one hundred and fifty of the regiment were left at Crab Orchard on the sick list, too feeble to marc
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CHAPTER IX. THE RETREAT FROM LENOIR'S AND THE BATTLE OF CAMPBELL'S STATION.
CHAPTER IX. THE RETREAT FROM LENOIR'S AND THE BATTLE OF CAMPBELL'S STATION.
From October 22d to October 28th the Thirty-sixth Massachusetts was encamped at Loudon, but the enemy failed to appear. At half-past two o'clock, on the morning of the 28th, the baggage was sent across the river, the regiment followed, and the pontoons were taken up. The regiment then marched to Lenoir's, about twenty-three miles south-west of Knoxville, and halted for the night. On the following day orders were received to establish a permanent camp for the winter. Never was such an order more
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CHAPTER X. THE SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE.
CHAPTER X. THE SIEGE OF KNOXVILLE.
Knoxville is situated on the northern bank of the Holston river. For the most part the town is built on a table-land, which is nearly a mile square, and about one hundred and fifty feet above the river. On the north-east the town is bounded by a small creek. Beyond this creek is an elevation known as Temperance Hill. Still further to the east is Mayberry's Hill. On the north-west this table-land descends to a broad valley; on the south-west the town is bounded by a second creek. Beyond this is C
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CHAPTER XI. SUBSEQUENT MOVEMENTS IN EAST TENNESSEE.
CHAPTER XI. SUBSEQUENT MOVEMENTS IN EAST TENNESSEE.
There was some delay in following up the retreating enemy. On the morning of December 7th, however, we were called early, and notified that orders had been received to march at seven o'clock. At that hour we were in motion, marched through the town, and advanced twelve miles on the Newmarket road, the whole of the Ninth Corps with us. About two o'clock we went into camp, found plenty of forage, and built good fires. The march was continued on the 8th; and on the 9th, shortly after noon, we went
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CHAPTER XII. REORGANIZATION.
CHAPTER XII. REORGANIZATION.
The preceding chapters of this regimental history have recorded the story of the year of preparation and discipline, and the year of trial, suffering, and winnowing. We now approach what may well be called the year of sacrifice and martyrdom. We are to recount the story of the organization so dear to all our hearts, so much, in fact, a portion of our very existence, which was now to undergo its most fearful trials, and, by the sacrifice of its noblest blood, to maintain and enhance a reputation
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Commissioned Officers.
Commissioned Officers.
Wounded. —Major William F. Draper, Lieutenant Joseph A. Marshall....
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Enlisted Men.
Enlisted Men.
Company A. Killed. —Corporal Albert H. Carter. Wounded.—Corporal Michael Long, Private Henry A. Thompson. Company B. Killed. —Color-Sergeant Henry Todd, Private Charles M. Westcott. Wounded. —Sergeant John Lamont, Privates Louis P. Abbott, Daniel Lamont, James H. Robertson, James E. Spear. Company C. Killed. —Private Myron M. Daniels. Died of Wounds. —Private Frank S. Kelley. Wounded. —Corporal Walter Chisold, Privates Jacob W. Bixby, Frederick S. Gates, William Harty. Prisoner. —Private Hartwel
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CHAPTER XIV. AT SPOTTSYLVANIA.
CHAPTER XIV. AT SPOTTSYLVANIA.
Toward noon it became evident that a new movement was contemplated. About one o'clock we marched by the flank to the rear, and halted near the road for the rest of the brigade to withdraw, and concentrate. We then moved rapidly to the open ground near the Old Wilderness Tavern, where the Ninth Corps was massed. There we saw our immense artillery and ammunition trains moving in the direction of Chancellorsville. We remained at the tavern until dark, and had supper there. For forty-eight hours our
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CHAPTER XV. ON THE NORTH ANNA AND THE PAMUNKEY.
CHAPTER XV. ON THE NORTH ANNA AND THE PAMUNKEY.
The great army was once more on the march, and another "left-flanker" was in progress. At six o'clock, on Sunday morning, we halted an hour for breakfast. At seven the march was resumed. The day was pleasant and very hot, relieved by a half hour's rain at noon. Our brigade was separated from the remainder of the corps, which had marched during the previous night while we had been holding the river fords. During our noon halt all the trains of the army passed us, together with the head-quarters'
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CHAPTER XVI. AT COLD HARBOR.
CHAPTER XVI. AT COLD HARBOR.
At one o'clock we were ordered to the left, and moved by the left flank. The heat was intense, and the roads dusty. After marching about two miles that portion of the corps which had left the line was massed in an open field near General Meade's head-quarters, in rear of the Fifth Corps right. Almost as soon as we halted we were overtaken by a furious shower, which soon settled into an easterly storm. The rain poured in torrents, and each one was sheltering himself as much as possible, when the
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COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Died of Wounds. —Captain Otis W. Holmes. Company A. Killed. —Sergeant George E. Keyes. Company B. Wounded. —Private J. Wesley Packard. Company C. Wounded. —First Sergeant Frederick W. Briggs, Sergeant Albert B. Whipple, Corporal Clark Robinson. Company D. Killed. —Private John Shepardson. Wounded. —Sergeant Liberty W. Foskett, Corporals Cyrus Alger, Adolph Bussenius. Company E. Wounded. —Corporal Joseph V. Clark. Company F. Died of Wounds. —Private Fred C. Ames. Company H. Died of Wounds. —Priva
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ENLISTED MEN.
ENLISTED MEN.
Company H. Died of Wounds. —Private Edmund S. Ward. Wounded. —Corporal Nathan F. Cutting, Private Franklin Wallace. Company I. Wounded. —Privates George F. Fletcher, Ashael Wetherbee. Company K. Killed. —Corporal Max Hoffman. Wounded. —Corporal Joseph H. Stevens (acting Color-Sergeant). After the wounding of acting Color-Sergeant Stevens, the colors were taken by Corporal William Macomber, Company E, and carried by him during the remainder of the regiment's term of service. But no time was allow
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COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Killed. —Captain Amos Buffum. Company A. Wounded. —Sergeant Thomas J. Ames, Private Caleb Winch. Company B. Wounded. —Private William Turnbull. Company D. Wounded. —First Sergeant John A. Stearns. Company E. Killed. —Dwight Colburn. Died of Wounds. —Josiah W. Davis. Company G. Wounded. —Sergeant Hiram W. Olcott. Corporal Alexander Cooper. [18] [18] Corporal Alexander Cooper was killed November 22, 1866, at Warwick, Mass., by the falling of a derrick at the raising of the Soldiers' Monument in th
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ENLISTED MEN.
ENLISTED MEN.
[18] Corporal Alexander Cooper was killed November 22, 1866, at Warwick, Mass., by the falling of a derrick at the raising of the Soldiers' Monument in that town. That evening there were in the line less than one hundred men, with four commissioned officers,—Captains Smith and Ames, First Lieutenant Fairbank and Adjutant Hodgkins,—all that remained for duty of the four hundred and ninety-five men in line on the morning of the 6th of May. Assistant Surgeon Bryant, who had not been absent from the
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CHAPTER XVIII. IN THE TRENCHES.
CHAPTER XVIII. IN THE TRENCHES.
On the morning of June 19th the regiment was relieved from duty in the front line, and withdrew to the pine woods from which we advanced the day before. We were soon joined by most of the men who had fallen out on the march, or had failed to find the regiment in the constant changes of position, and the effective strength reported at brigade head-quarters was one hundred and fifty-one; commissioned officers four, enlisted men one hundred and forty-seven. A strong line of intrenchments was erecte
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CHAPTER XIX. DIARY OF THE SIEGE.
CHAPTER XIX. DIARY OF THE SIEGE.
The next two days, June 24th and 25th, were passed in comparative quiet in the woods. We were under arms nearly all the time, as an attack upon the enemy from our right was anticipated. The firing on that line, held by the Eighteenth Corps, was very heavy, but no attack was made. The heat was intense, and the men in the trenches suffered greatly. Our diet was somewhat improved by the arrival of some supplies of ale and porter, with a little ice thrown in, from the United States Sanitary Commissi
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CHAPTER XX. THE MINE AFFAIR.
CHAPTER XX. THE MINE AFFAIR.
July 28th. A day of anxiety and suspense. The troops expected an explosion of the mine, and an assault upon the enemy's lines. A great force on fatigue duty, carrying out bags, barrels, gabions, and stakes, and preparing the covered ways and traverses to facilitate the movements of troops. During the afternoon three pieces of the Third Vermont Artillery bombarded a house just inside the rebel works in our front, and finally demolished it. It was a busy day along the lines. July 29th. Another lon
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CHAPTER XXI. THE SIEGE CONTINUED.
CHAPTER XXI. THE SIEGE CONTINUED.
After the Battle of the Crater, the brigade settled down to the former round of siege duty. On the morning of the 31st the regiment mustered for duty twelve commissioned officers, and one hundred and seventy-nine enlisted men. It was a day of sadness throughout the corps. The intense heat continued. The dead in front of our lines resembled a heavy skirmish line lain down to rest. A flag of truce was sent out several times to endeavor to obtain a brief armistice for the removal of the wounded and
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CHAPTER XXII. IN THE PINES.
CHAPTER XXII. IN THE PINES.
The excitement and activity caused by the successful operations at the Weldon Railroad subsided in a great degree by the 22d, the enemy having abandoned the futile task of striving to regain his lost ground, and we were left in quiet and complete possession of this important line of communication. The regiment was leisurely employed during the day in strengthening the intrenchments, and skirmishers were advanced for half a mile or more into the wooded swamp in its front, but without developing t
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CHAPTER XXIII. THE ACTION AT PEGRAM FARM.
CHAPTER XXIII. THE ACTION AT PEGRAM FARM.
On the afternoon of September 25th, about five o'clock, orders to move were suddenly received, and immediately the quiet camp became a scene of bustling activity. Tents were hastily stripped from their poles, knapsacks packed in a hurry, and in half an hour, having been relieved by the Fifth Corps, we left our camp. After moving some four miles to the right a halt was ordered about nine o'clock, and the regiment bivouacked in the woods in the rear of the Second Corps. On the following day tents
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CHAPTER XXIV. AGAIN IN THE TRENCHES.
CHAPTER XXIV. AGAIN IN THE TRENCHES.
The morning of October 2d was bright and clear, and the lines were soon formed for an advance. We moved forward about a quarter of a mile, to a point not far distant from the Boisseau house, where we fell to in earnest and began the construction of a line of works which were destined to be our protection for many weeks. We were greatly annoyed during the forenoon by a sharp-shooter, evidently posted in a tree, and by the raking fire of a battery, also screened by trees, which occasionally caused
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CHAPTER XXV. IN WINTER QUARTERS.
CHAPTER XXV. IN WINTER QUARTERS.
During the latter part of November the Ninth Corps was ordered to the right of the line to relieve the Second Corps, which had been on duty in the trenches in front of Petersburg since the movement of the Ninth Corps to the Weldon Railroad, in August. On the 29th the brigade marched to the vicinity of Hancock Station, on the military railroad, and was assigned to the main line of trenches, the Thirty-sixth being detailed for duty in Fort Rice as its permanent garrison. Thus, after an absence of
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CHAPTER XXVI. THE FINAL ASSAULT AT PETERSBURG.
CHAPTER XXVI. THE FINAL ASSAULT AT PETERSBURG.
The enemy's works from the Appomattox to a point in front of Fort Sedgwick were part of the old interior line of defences. At this point the old line turned to the enemy's right, forming an angle, but the works were continued parallel with our front by a kind of spur, which diverged from an old line and swept down toward Hatcher's Run. The Ninth Corps fronted the whole of this old line to the angle and about two miles of the spur. When the main army moved to the left, on the 29th of March, the c
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RECEPTION OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
RECEPTION OF THE THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
The Thirty-sixth Massachusetts Regiment, Colonel T. L. Barker, arrived in this city yesterday, and were formally received and welcomed home by the city authorities in the afternoon. The State Guard, Captain Fitch, and Captain Chamberlain's Company of State Militia, with Goddard and Riedle's band, performed escort duty. The line was formed on Front street, and the procession, accompanied by the city government and a large number of past officers who have been in the service from this city, marche
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CHAPTER XXVIII. CONCLUSION.
CHAPTER XXVIII. CONCLUSION.
This narrative of the prominent events in the campaigns of the regiment, its enrolment, journeys, marches, battles, camps, and final discharge, conveys but little idea of its interior history, the associations of its members with each other, the routine of army life, and the daily experience of the individual soldier. All this is a portion of that unwritten history impressed indelibly upon the memory of the surviving members. A spirit of fraternity and good-will pervaded the regiment throughout
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FIELD AND STAFF.
FIELD AND STAFF.
Henry Bowman. 28. Clinton. Captain, 15th Mass. Vols., Aug. 1, 1861; captured at Ball's Bluff, Oct. 21, 1861; prisoner of war at Richmond, and hostage for Confederates held in New York for trial as pirates; paroled Feb. 22, 1862; exchanged August, 1862; Major, 34th Mass. Vols., Aug. 6, 1862; Colonel, 36th Mass. Vols., Aug. 22, 1862; commanding First Brigade, First Division, 9th Army Corps, June 1, 1863; resigned July 27, 1863; recommissioned October, 1863; on special duty, Chief of Staff of Gen.
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LINE OFFICERS.
LINE OFFICERS.
Christopher Sawyer. 28. Templeton. Captain, Co. H, Aug. 22, 1862; discharged for disability, Feb. 19, 1864. Stephen C. Warriner. 23. Monson. Sergeant, 10th Mass. Vols., June 12, 1861; Captain, Co. E, 36th Mass. Vols., Aug. 22, 1862; resigned, April 22, 1864. Christopher S. Hastings. 48. Berlin. Captain, Co. I, August 22, 1862; died at Mound City, Illinois, General Hospital, Sept. 8, 1863. He was the senior officer, in years, in the regiment, and was universally respected. His age exempted him fr
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COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS TRANSFERRED TO THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
COMMISSIONED OFFICERS OF THE TWENTY-FIRST REGIMENT MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS TRANSFERRED TO THIRTY-SIXTH REGIMENT.
Charles W. Davis. 35. Templeton. First Lieutenant, 21st Mass. Vols., Aug. 21, 1861; Captain, March 3, 1862; mustered out at expiration of three years' service as Captain, March 3, 1865; Brevet Major, Lieutenant-Colonel, and Colonel, U.S. Vols., "for gallant and meritorious service in the field during the war." William H. Sawyer. 26. New Salem. Sergeant, Co. K, 21st Mass. Vols., Aug. 23, 1861; First Sergeant, Oct. 26, 1862; First Lieutenant, April 26, 1863; Captain, Oct. 12, 1864; mustered out wi
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NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF, NOT ENUMERATED IN ROSTER OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
NON-COMMISSIONED STAFF, NOT ENUMERATED IN ROSTER OF COMMISSIONED OFFICERS.
Ostenello Washburn. 19. Holyoke. Private, Co. K, Aug. 5, 1862; Sergeant, May 3, 1863; Sergeant-Major, July 24, 1864; discharged Feb. 15, 1865, for disability resulting from very severe wounds received in action at Pegram Farm, Sept. 30, 1864. Joseph H. Sawyer. 32. Bolton. Quartermaster Sergeant, Aug. 22, 1862; discharged for disability, Jan. 19, 1864, in consequence of amputation of the right leg, resulting from the accidental discharge of a musket in camp, May 28, 1863. George T. Phelps. 20. Ha
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RECAPITULATION.
RECAPITULATION.
Total number on the rolls of the regiment, including recruits, musicians, and all non-combatants:— The number of deserters includes six who deserted at Worcester before the regiment left that city, and six others before it reached the seat of war,—reducing the number of desertions from the regiment while in the service to twenty-five. The loss in the Thirty-sixth Regiment during its term of service, by deaths on the field and of wounds received in battle, and of disease contracted in the service
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NAMES OF ENLISTED MEN WHO DIED IN REBEL PRISONS.
NAMES OF ENLISTED MEN WHO DIED IN REBEL PRISONS.
It is impossible to ascertain the names of all the members of the regiment who were captured by the enemy and held as prisoners of war during the regiment's term of service; but the following is believed to be a complete list of those who died during their captivity:— Private Israel H. Smith, of Company C, the sole survivor of ten members of the regiment captured at Rutledge, Tenn., soon after the raising of the Siege of Knoxville, has furnished the substance of the following brief narrative of
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