Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865

Thirteenth Regiment of New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865

Regimental history

Three year history of the 13th Regiment of the New Hampshire Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War

S. Millet Thompson

Houghton, Mifflin and Company

The Riverside Press, Cambridge

1888

Public Domain

Oct. 17.

Fri. Very warm. Thirteenth is off in a hurry about 7 a. m., tents and all, for Upton's Hill. The men are heavily loaded with full knapsacks, haversacks, and their arms. We take a roundabout road, and make the distance, six or seven miles, at a dog trot, arriving at 11.30 a. m. The guide selected the wrong road. On the way we pass Ball's Cross Roads and Munson's Hill. There is a fort on almost every hill hereabout. We are, here, two miles from Falls Church (which is about eight miles from Alexandria on the Leesburg Pike) and fifteen miles from the Bull Run battlefield. A large detail from the Thirteenth go out on picket, our First Picket Duty, of 48 hours, beyond the earthworks of the outer defenses of Washington ; no shelter. Our line of pickets extends about three miles each way from Falls Church.
The portion of the Thirteenth remaining at Upton's Hill receive a few tents, but the most of them are delayed in coming, and so the men rough it, and bid high for chills and fever. Sleeping on the bare ground, in the open air, at this time of year, is a dangerous thing to do, especially for raw troops. One third of the army are continually used up by this ill-considered way of doing the business of war. The camp guard load their muskets for the first time to-night, at " Camp Corcoran," Upton's Hill — an act denounced by men who afterwards deserted !
We do not like the picket diet, principally boiled salt beef cold, and hard bread soaked in water and then fried with salt pork sliced thin, and coffee, made of surface water, and sweetened with cheap brown sugar.

Oct. 18. Sat.

Fine weather. Thirteenth fitting up camp at Up-ton's Hill. The fresh soldier arranges bis tent in a very fresh manner. Two companies, about 125 men, are out on the advance picket line near Falls Church, which is just within our picket lines. There is only one pew now left in it and it has been used as a stable for cavalry horses. The pickets have very poor shelter, mere booths made of boards and pine brush, and not enough, such as it is.
There has been a severe skirmish at Falls Church, and we can see, for the first time, how a real battlefield looks. The kinds of bullets and shells that have cut, battered and smashed these trees, buildings and fences, are just the kinds which our bodies must catch ! — however, we can give as well as take. Our pickets here are in a very dense growth of small pine-trees, and at night no man can see two rods.

Oct. 19. Sun.

Very warm at noon. The picket is relieved about noon, and returns to Upton's Hill. The Thirteenth is put through In- spection, Parade, Drill and Religious services, all to the same tune, nearly, by the new Band, and after a long, busy day, about 5 p. m. re- ceives orders to return at once to Camp Chase. Takes down its tents, packs up, is joined by the incoming picket, and, about 6 p. m., marches off at the top of its speed. Arrives at or near Camp Chase at 8 p. m., having marched the last five or six miles in an hour and a half. The men are too tired to pitch their tents, our old tents which arrive late, about 10 p. m., and make their camp for the night anywhere and anyhow. The night is very cold, raining in the evening and freezing toward morn- ing. About 100 men off duty, more or less sick. The night is enlivened by a magnificent mule-chorus, sung by the Division teams.

Oct. 20. Mon.

Very cold. Many men rose this morning very sick. (The writer, and several others, did not recover from the bad effects of last night's exposure until after the march to, and the battle of, Fredericksburg in December. Their discharge from the service was repeatedly offered them, but as often refused.) The Reg. moves this morning about a mile and stakes ground for a new camp, about half a mile from our first camping ground near Arlington Heights. By night our tents are up and we begin to be settled again, but upon an abominable camping ground. About the only fence we have seen standing in Virginia was a few rods of it near Fall's Church. Houses, groves, orchards, shade trees and fences have been destroyed or leveled for miles on miles around.
•• "We turned in late last night, and after a few hours' rest I was called out about 4 a. in., with all of Company F. and was hurried down with Lieuts. Hall and Dustin to guard the Virginia end of the Long Bridge. We had no rations, and when breakfast time came along, I went to a Sutler's tent near by to purchase something for myself and the men of the Company to eat, but found that I did not have a cent of money with me ; I had lost somewhere that morning my pocket-book containing over S8<>0, belonging in part to myself and the rest to the men of my Com- pany. I could not return to camp without a permit, so I hurried across the bridge to Gen. Casey's Hdqrs. in Washington, stated to him the circumstances and obtained permission to return to camp. I then went to our camp with Lieut. Hall, and we hunted for the lost pocket-book for a long time but without success. While we were talking about the matter, and devising plans to recover the money, it incidentally occurred to Lieut. Hall to see if his own money were safe. Thrusting his hands into his pockets, he drew forth not his own pocket-book, but the very one I had lost. We sat down then and there, counted the money and found it all right. Lieut. Hall was surprised beyond measure. While dressing in the morning, in the hurry and darkness, we had exchanged pantaloons. That exchange caused me several hours of worry, and a tramp of nearly ten miles done at the top of my speed. On the whole the hardest morning's work I ever did in my life before breakfast." Lieut. Young.


Oct. 21. Tues. Fair. Yesterday's work all for nothing, excepting practice ; and the Thirteenth moves half a mile nearer the Potomac, and pitches its tents again ; " A " tents, and six men crowded into each tent. The Upton's Hill expedition was very damaging to the health of the men. The experiment is tried to see how quickly the Reg. can assem- ble, pack and be ready to march ; it is accomplished inside of fifteen minutes. There is rarely a more stirring scene in the army ; men and officers are moving in every direction ; laughter, jokes, commands, in- quiries, are heard everywhere ; wagons loaded, rations distributed, knap- sacks packed. Every one hurries in perfect order, because every man knows exactly what work he has to do.
Oct. 22. Wed. Fair. Thirteenth drilling, seven hours a day. Many men off duty. Lieut. Penrose, Drill-master, is desirous of en- forcing a more strict discipline, and threatens to " recommend all officers for immediate resignation," who do not cease from all familiarity with their enlisted men. This caste system is regarded as necessary, and is compulsory. Reg. drawn up in close order and lectured most emphatically. John J. Whittemore is sick, and Royal B. Prescott is employed as Acting Hospital Steward.

Oct. 23. Thurs.

Fair. Everyone cautioned to be ready for an- other move. Officers' school in full figure ; they are compelled to study the Tactics very closely, also the Army Regulations, and to perform all to the letter. Assistant Surgeon John Sullivan joins the Reg. He has been in the service since June 1861, as a private in the 2d N. H., and Medical Cadet, U. S. A.

Oct. 24. Fri.

Warm. Thirteenth divided between picket, shovel- ing and camp duties. Officers' messes being organized. A cook stove and mess-chest costs about $35, and a good appetite costs eighteen hours of hard work per day.

Oct. 25. Sat.

Cool. About these days an enterprising Lieutenant, in the Thirteenth, discovers a lot of rebels near a neighboring outhouse, and prepares for their capture or annihilation. After creepings and cautions enough to take a city, wonderful generalship and unheard-of strategy, he, with his men, surrounds, surprises and captures them all — and they prove to be men of the Thirteenth making a night raid on a hencoop ! The moi'e it is mentioned, the less that Lieutenant is happy. The 13th ordered to furnish a guard for Fort Runyon and Long Bridge, consist- ing of two officers and 80 to 100 men in all.

Oct. 26. Sun.

Very rainy, cold and disagreeable. The Surgeon's tent is much frequented. During a severe shower of rain to-day a large, new regiment marches into camp with their colors flying, and their Band playing " The Campbells are Coming." They make a fine display. Enlistments are being made, among the volunteers, for the Regular Army, and the Navy. None but "No. 1 men" need apply. Inducements: 30 days furlough every year, $50 bounty, $17 per month in pay. The furlough to immediately follow enlistment, transportation free. We have thus far moved five times, and each succeeding move for the worse.

Oct. 27 Mon.

A hard rain storm. Cleared toward noon cold and blustering. Camp very wet and muddy. About 80 men sent on guard to Long Bridge, under Capt. Stoodley. An outrageously cold business. Rest of the Reg. in camp and doing nothing. Long Bridge is about 2\ miles from our camp, is about \\ miles long, and is the only bridge for the passage of teams across the Potomac into Virginia. Immense wagon trains are continually passing, often covering the whole bridge and its approaches as far as we can see. No person is allowed to cross either way without a pass, and the labor of the picket officer in examining these passes is very hard and trying.

Oct. 28. Tues.

Fair, very cold. Detachment returns from Long Bridge at evening. Thirteenth reviewed, with eight other regiments, by Gen. Casey. A storm blows tents over and bursts them open, and the rain pouring in makes the ground very wet and muddy. Half the Reg. are thoroughly drenched.