Camp Fires of the Twenty-Third

Camp Fires of the Twenty-Third

Camp life, marches, and battles of the 23rd Regiment, N.Y.V.

Regimental history of the 23rd New York Volunteer Regiment

Pound Sterling

Davies & Kent
No. 188 William Street, New York City, NY

April 25, 1863

Public Domain

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English

Campfires of the 23rd

CHAPTER II. ARLINGTON.

On the 5th of August the regiment moved forward to Arlington Heights, and on the 7th established a line of pickets from the main road at Hunter's Chapel to the house of Air. Pearl, near Ball's Crossroads. At this time the line of pickets took almost a direct course from Chain Bridge to Alexandria. The camp at Arlington (in a grove of oaks) was soon laid open to daylight, streets were graded, and, from time to time, log-huts erected, as the want of room or comfort demanded, until the camp presented the appearance of a little village. It was situated about one half mile from the "Arlington House.'' the residence of Major (now General) Lee, of the rebel army. This house and the Heights are too well known to require description, but they have changed much since the occupation by our troops. The stately oak forest attached to the plantation as the pleasure grounds of the proud old aristocrat are hewn down, and his mansion is a military depot.

The month of August was oppressively hot and sultry. but September breezes came on and rendered the latter part of our stay here delightful. Toward the middle of August an attempt was made to brigade us, and after shuffling through the bands of several brigadiers, we were finally brigaded with the Twenty-first and Thirty-fifth New York State Volunteers, and
placed under command of Brigadier-General James S. Wadsworth.

During our stay at Arlington, which lasted from August 5th to September 28th, but few incidents of general interest occurred. Drill and reviews were a matter of course, and as much disliked as the schoolboy dislikes his task. Picket duty was the pride and delight of the regiment. There was excitement in it, but not unattended with danger. On the 14th, one of the pickets was wounded by a shot from a prowling enemy. About this time, also, Lieutenant Wilkinson, of Company F, had a brisk little affair with the enemy, while on a reconnaissance toward Falls Church. Another party, under Captain Chapman, crossed the railroad and went forward beyond Upton's Hill, when they were tired upon from behind trees and embankments and compelled to beat a retreat. At the same time, a small party, with Captain Fowler, had gone up the railroad, and were driven back in the same manner.

A fight occurred on the 27th between the pickets, in which the Twenty-third was the principal party engaged. A company of the Twelfth New York had a hand in this affair. The following extract from a letter written at the time, by Captain William W. Dingleday, will give the particulars more correctly than one could at this late date:

Arlington Heights, September 1st, 1861.

Friend Dumars:
Sufficient has transpired of late to furnish an item for the letter I promised yon. You have no doubt heard, ere this, of the skirmish which took place a few days ago, one mile west of Ball's Crossroads and about three miles from our camp.
On the 27th inst., Companies A, F. and D. of our regiment, in connection with three companies of the Fourteenth New York State Militia, were ordered out to form a reserve for our pickets, under command of our gallant Lieutenant-Colonel Crane. Company A was stationed one mile and a half to the right, on Hall's Hill. Companies D and F nearly opposite each other—the former near a fence at the edge of a piece of woods, the latter in the road, partly concealed in a ditch. Scouts were sent out beyond the line of pickets, as information had been received on our arrival that things looked rather suspicious in front. Between the hours of two and four P.M. the scouts and pickets came in double quick, with the intelligence that a large body of rebels were about to attack us. Shots had already been freely I exchanged.

Colonel Crane, having positive orders not to bring on an engagement west of the cross-roads, but to retire and hold the latter at all hazards, ordered us to retreat. The order was reluctantly obeyed, not, however, without causing some of the "gray backs,” who were too indiscreet, to repent of their folly. We fell back a few rods to the next fence, when it was discovered that the rebels were trying to outflank us. The firing then commenced in good earnest. The entertainment was brief but exceedingly interesting, and, after a short time, it was evident that the rebels were more anxious to retreat than our own men.

We have to lament the loss, in this engagement, of one who was very dear to and a great favorite with us all Thomas Carroll was shot through the heart. He enlisted as a private, but through his worth and exemplary conduct was promoted to corporal. Elias Algair received a bad wound in the neck, and also had a part of the middle finger of his left hand shot off. Several others were slightly wounded. Company A, being protected by the woods, sustained no injury.

In the evening, a section of a rifled battery was placed in position in the road, to give the rebs a warm reception should they pay us a visit after dark. All remained quiet until morning, when they commenced throwing shot and shell in the direction of Hall's Hill, where Company A was stationed. That company was also ordered to fall back. Occasionally, they would send a shell at us, without, however, doing any damage.

The occasion brought Generals McDowell, Keyes. and Wadsworth promptly to the spot, who, after learning the details of the affair, complimented Colonel Crane and his command very flatteringly. We learn today from a lady whose residence is near where the conflict took place, that the rebels acknowledge a loss of eleven killed and many wounded. From her statement, they outnumbered us two to one but were all under the influence of liquor, which proved a serious disadvantage to them. All is quiet now, however, and peace reigns again in Israel.

The health of the regiment was not good at this time. Camp diseases were numerous, and fever made serious inroads. Several deaths occurred, among them L. L. Bacon, Company K. Mr. Bacon was a young man of uncommon natural ability and great promise. He was a prompt and faithful soldier, and by his kind and gentlemanly bearing he had won the respect and good-will of his comrades, and they will remember with regret that inexorable fate took him so soon away. An accident occurred here, resulting in the death of James Pease, Company E. He was one of a working party which had been felling trees near Fort Tillinghast. Mr. Pease was by some means caught under the limb of a falling tree, and so badly injured that he died of the wounds.



CHAPTER III.

UPTON HILL AND DALE.

Though the enemy had retired across the railroad on driving in our pickets, they had retained possession of Upton's Hill, and it was ascertained by Professor Lowe, in his balloon ascensions, that they were fortifying Munson's Hill, directly in rear of Upton's. What appeared to be a formidable rifle-pit could also be distinctly seen stretching along the crest of Upton's Hill. Cannon also appeared in these fortifications, and the supposition was generally entertained that they intended to hold this position if possible. It was ascertained, however, on the 28th of September, that the rebels were evacuating, and accordingly a general advance of our lines determined upon. At five o'clock p.m. the long roll was sounded, creating quite a sensation in camp. Por a long time the boys had been ripe for a regular pitched fight with the graybacks, and now the opportunity had come. All was hurry and bustle. They were soon in line and set off, <; double quick," for the scene of action. The main road was crammed with infantry, artillery. and cavalry, which impeded progress somewhat; but before sundown our forces were posted in undisputed possession of Upton's Hill.

It was with some little chagrin and much laughter that the threatening cannon were discovered to be stovepipes mounted on wheels, and the formidable earth works and fortifications were mere farrows of earth that would hardly screen a man. Substantial cannon were planted in place of these “make-believes,” only the mouths were pointed the other way, and behind them lay masses of ardent soldiers who were willing to meet the foe in open field and fair fight. The night was bleak, and not being allowed to build fires, the men suffered much from cold. There was an injudicious haste in the advance, the men became heated, and had not taken clothing for the night, fearing to be incumbered by it.

The advance was permanent, and the camp moved to Upton Hill. Fortifications were immediately commenced, and the forest in front felled to give scope to cannon. Redoubts were also erected on the hills in front. This work occupied about one month, and the Twenty-third had its share in the labor. Sickness, which had commenced at Arlington, increased here to an alarming extent. A farmhouse nearby was given up by Colonel Hoffman, who had with his staff occupied it as quarters, and converted into a hospital. This was soon filled to overflowing, and many were compelled to lie in camp and be treated. It was not until the camp was moved to Upton Dale that the fever ceased its ravages.

On the sunny side of Upton's Hill is a copse of pine and cedar interspersed with numerous varieties of trees, and all tangled together with grapevines. Stretching away to the south-west from this beautiful wood a fine M plat of grass ground reaches off to the cultivated fields. A spring of pure water nearby, bubbling from the ground, is swamped in a bog and thicket before it has fairly escaped. This sunny spot, this wood and plat and spring, we called Upton's Dale, and here on the 9th of December the Twenty-third found itself busy in erecting a habitation for the winter.

Man has an indefinite adaptability to circumstances. Necessity drives the soldier into many things which hitherto looked impossible. He will even outstrip the fabled Yankee who could go into the forest and build a sawmill with nothing but an iron wedge and a cross-cut saw. The ax and spade were the tools in requisition here. The camp was soon completed, and the nicely graded streets and correct rows of log-cabins with white routs presented the appearance of a very cheerful little town. Some of these little cabins displayed much taste on the part of the men in the interior and exterior arrangements.

We had been in camp only two days when intelligence of the death of Lieutenant Rodney W, Steele, Company K, was received. This officer was respected and beloved not alone by his company, but by the entire regiment. He died of fever at the residence of his father in Elmira. He was an able and efficient commandant, a kind and agreeable companion, and a true gentleman. In him the regiment lost a most valuable officer. Though quite young he gave promise of superior military talent, and had he lived would probably have won bright laurels for his name. The following general order was issued from headquarters:

Headquarters 23d Regiment N. T. V., Upton Dale, December 11, 1861.
GENERAL ORDER No. 14.

In accordance with resolutions passed at a meeting of commissioned officers convened on hearing of the death of Lieutenant Rodney W. Steele, Company K, all commissioned officers in the command will wear upon the sword-hilt the. usual badge of mourning on all occasions until January 11, 1862. The regimental colors will be draped in mourning, and the camp and quarter- Hags will be at half-mast during this day.

By order. H. C. Hoffman, Colonel Commanding.

The three months, December, January, and February, that we remained in this pleasant encampment, soon sped away. The time was occupied almost invariably in drill, reviews, and picket. Division drills were superintended by General McDowell in person and occurred as often as the weather and condition of the troops would permit. Some of these drills were magnificent, embracing all the maneuvers of an army fighting a great battle, with all the noise of musketry, artillery, and a grand charge of cavalry. It is said that General McDowell subsequently carried out in actual battle the plans here practiced. His division was certainly rendered more proficient by them.

Two excursions were made during the winter by General Wadsworth's brigade, one after a large quantity of forage near Fairfax Court House, which was successful, the other in search of a large body of rebel cavalry to the north of the above place, which was unsuccessful. We did not find them. Nothing but this and picket duty occurred to disturb the monotony of the camp. The weather was for the most part mild, but sometimes very disagreeable owing to the rain and mud. The health of the regiment improved very rapidly during these three months and was good at the opening of the spring campaign.

We can give here but one incident of picket, though much that is worthy to be recorded occurred. During the month of November, while a part of the Twenty-third were on picket duty toward Fairfax, and near the residence of Mr. Doolin, two men from Company I were posted by Captain Chapman at the house of Mr. Brush, about half a mile in advance of our picket lines. This was done by request of Mr. Brush, who complained of being molested by the Union pickets. The men were Corporal L. S. Townsend and Private T. H. Wheeler, both of Company I. They endeavored to engage the old man Brush in conversation, but he was quite sullen, and finally made a feint of going to some work on the barn. He however managed to raise a signal, and on returning left the gates to the front and rear of the house open.

The boys suspected nothing, and were amusing themselves near the veranda, having placed their guns against the house. Captain Chapman had just returned to the picket reserve. At this moment a squadron of cavalry rode rapidly up to the house, coming through the open gate, and as they were dressed in Union garb, the boys supposed they were a reconnoitering party of our own cavalry. As they rode up, the boys inquired what cavalry they were. "Stewart's First Virginia Cavalry," answered the lieutenant addressed. They immediately sprang for their guns but were too late. The rebels dashed forward, and, presenting their revolvers, demanded immediate surrender. Seeing the utter futility of a struggle against such odds, they surrendered and gave up their pieces. The rebels seemed much pleased with the new Enfield rifles. Turning to the corporal, the rebel lieutenant then asked: " Where are the Union pickets?" "They are along the woods across the field yonder," said the corporal. " What force is there in reserve?" asked the rebel. '"Our regiment, ' said the corporal. “Is that the truth”, asked the rebel, while he fixed a piercing glance from his dark, fierce eyes upon his prisoner. There were but two companies there at the time, and it would not have been difficult for this squadron, by a sudden dash, to rout, if not capture, the whole party. Townsend knew this and knew also that he could save them by adhering to the falsehood he had already uttered, so he quickly replied — " Yes, sir." "Are there any pickets at Doolin's house?" asked the rebel. "Yes." “How many?" " Our company." This was also untrue, there being only two or three pickets there; but who shall condemn Corporal Townsend for saving his comrades, even at the sacrifice of truth?

Deeming it unsafe to attempt a raid on the pickets, the rebel cavalry started again for Fairfax. They attempted to compel their prisoners to double quick, but still hoping to be observed by their comrades and saved, they refused, and at last the lieutenant told two of his men to take them upon their horses. They bothered these men for some time in (getting on; as Townsend said: " I made about twenty attempts to mount, but could not, and finally compelled the reb to dismount and let me get on first; but no relief came, and we were taken to Fairfax." They were treated well by this cavalry. In a few days General Stewart sent for them to come to Centreville and attempted to get some information of the Union army from them. They were then sent to Richmond; from there to Tuscaloosa, then to Weldon. Salsbury, Tarborough. and Newbern, where they were exchanged. After a furlough home they rejoined the regiment.

Upton's Hill, VA.. February 2d, l862.

Mr. Advertiser:

After another week of lowering: skies, snow, rains, hail and frost, the sun glares as if in anger at the long defiant mud, and not because it is Sunday. If you ever saw a low prairie in Missouri or Illinois, after March rains, which had been mixed up and trodden by the male population of a great city for weeks, you can imagine the condition of our streets and parade grounds. Verily, are we " mudsills," or are we not?

On this day, by you allotted to rest and spiritual cultivation, the heavens invite to a tour of observation and the reading of a chapter in the great Book of Nature. But the vile earth forbids, and since a practical man should " be happy all ways he c in," your correspondent is pleasuring in the contemplation of our enemy's supposed sufferings from a scarcity of salt, stocking yarn, and Massachusetts mackerel. which will yet make them succumb, if the predictions of certain newspaper correspondents are true.

Our long friend, Duane Thompson, has been appointed second lieutenant of Company K, and Judd D. Burt succeeds | him as orderly.

Elder Crane took leave of his many friends here on Tuesday, and returned to home duties. He will be ever present, however, in the memory of many a warm-hearted soldier; and the recollection of his kind and obliging acts will still linger, though his cordial smile has ceased to greet us. Success to him and his earthly mission. The chaplaincy will, undoubtedly, be well filled by its present incumbent, Mr. Dubois, of Western New York. * The forces in our division consist as follows: the Second, Sixth, and Seventh Wisconsin and the Nineteenth Indiana — General King—at Arlington. A few companies of them garrison the forts we built in August last. The New York Twenty-second. Twenty-fourth, Thirtieth, and Eighty-fourth, General Augur, are on the rear slope of this hill. The Eighty-fourth have formerly been known as the Fourteenth Militia, Brooklyn firemen. Wads north's brigade — Twenty-first, Twenty-third, Thirty-fifth, and Eightieth. New York. The Eightieth came here as the Twentieth Militia. The First New Hampshire, Fifth Rhode Island. Third Pennsylvania, and Battery B, Fourth United States—under Captain Gibbons, of the last named. The First New York Cavalry, known as the " Harris Light Cavalry”

We are thus far satisfied with General McClellan, and though not every officer was born a Wellington or a Charles the Twelfth, the world, which measures military ability by military success, will determine after the war who are our great generals by hunting the heroes. General McDowell is an accomplished officer and good tactician and very competent to maneuver his division, as is often demonstrated. The Twenty-first, Thirty-fifth, and Eightieth at last rejoice in the possession of the Austrian rifle, equally as effective as ours. Now we are a rifle brigade.

All are well and all are hoping for spring and busy life. Yours, etc., F. B.


Upton's Hill, Va., March 9th, 1862. Mr. Advertiser: The bright sun and cheerful sky to-day extended your humble servant an irresistible invitation to enjoy a ramble over the fenceless fields and destroyed forests of this vicinity, hinting significantly to my judgment that it would be for the last time.

Our party in its travels saw nothing sufficient to break the Sabbath or worthy of mention, except perhaps a few straggling sons* of Mars, styling themselves " Zouaves." If you never saw one of the class of warriors thus denominated, I will describe one as understood in the volunteer's dictionary. He consists of a human being surmounted by a cap of some style as uncomfortable and outlandish as can be devised, without regard to utility; clad in a coat, shirt, or blouse of similar unpracticable design or pattern, and pants drawn close to the person by plaids and gathers, and which must contain cloth enough to make at least one overcoat and a pair of horse blankets. All these, variously decorated according to taste, as Northern teamsters bedeck the headstalls of their harnesses, entitle him to be depicted in fashion plates or on the last page of Frank Leslie’s or Harper’s Weekly, and constitute him a " Zouave,” as known in the service of the United States.

The past week has been industriously spent by this rifle brigade, and particularly by the Twenty-third, in drilling exercises, both forenoon and afternoon, and by squads, companies, and battalions. The beneficial effects will, I trust, be felt and appreciated by all of us in future labors and results not distant. General Wadsworth, wishing to test the strength and endurance of the men of his command in the capacity of packhorses, marched all hands out on the Lewinsville Road last Thursday afternoon in " heavy marching order,” where knapsacks were unslung and the little traveling tent taken out and pitched. After each squad of three had crawled at least once under the little shelter which is to be its hotel each eight after leaving this city, the regiments returned to their respective camps.

Dress parade. Until next time, adieu.

Yours, etc., F. B.
P. S. —Eleven p.m.—The guard are just discharged, cooks are routed to cook three days' rations, and this battalion expects to hear the music of the drum-major to the time of “Yankee Doodle" ere daylight You may bet that one long-legged corporal is happy, and each fellow awake id jubilant.

Upton's Hill, VA., Tuesday, October 8th, 1861.

Editors Advertiser: Though items of a “thrilling'' order are somewhat scarce in this matter-of-fact community. who have undertaken the task of chopping their way to Richmond, the quill-pushing propensity of an idle corporal is prompted by the faint hope of some long-sought idea or event occurring between this and the end of this sheet which may be of common interest A fatigue party of us. two hundred strong, lately returned from a half-day's labor with pick and shovel in the trenches of a fort in course of construction nearby, with stomach and appetite well qualified and appreciative of an excellent afternoon's repast (collation. I think you editors and literary men call it). I will give you the bill of fare from memory. First in the course:

Soup —of pork, bean-flavored.
(No fish —sutler is out of herrings.)
Beans — a la mode—pork-sauce—nutritious and healthful.
Coffee—plain.
Water—per canteen.
Bread—baker's.
Butter—(of our good sutler) aromatic and odoriferous, and tasting much like " thirty-(s)cents" per pound.
Vegetables — potatoes —Virginian — by private forage train (not "Hawk-stricken," we presume).
Dessert—sugar, pepper, salt, vinegar.
Pastry—Baltimore pilot-bread.
Fruit—chestnuts, from the leveled rail timber hereabout.
Et cetera —cigars, pipes, tobacco, etc.

After doing justice to the hearty meal just served up to us, this company. I feel, are on a war footing, and need some exercise to keep the blood in circulation, for the winds which threaten to overthrow our humble habitations are cold to-day, and although pleasant and refreshing, are keenly felt now after the very warm weather of the past few days.

The heat had been a source of discomfort for about a week until last night, when a few thundershowers passed along the lines of the Federal Army. accompanied by high winds and pelting the poor sentinels I on duty with hailstones or sings of ice of almost fabulous size—some were found larger than goose eggs.

Chaplain Crane was aroused in the midst of the drenching rain about
two o'clock this morning by the downfall of his protecting canvas: "but, soldier-like, he submitted to the mishap with commendable stoicism until with the assistance of his boarder, William Robinson, the cotton walls of their residence were in position. The tent occupied by Lieutenant-Colonel Crane, our adjutant and sergeant-major, did not fall, but the friction and cohesion of sand and oak pins would not hold the cotton canvas back, and it went bodily, carrying the " regulation" 1 and fighting wardrobe of its occupants. Imagine, Mr. Editor, the flight — the night was very dark—the rain some.

The axmen have so leveled the forests that the view to the front from this point is much less obstructed than it was ten days ago: and while the routes open to the advance of an attacking force are lessened in numbers, our artillerists have now ample scope and range. General McClellan. in an order read at dress parade, complimented the men of the advance line hereabouts, and Wadsworth's brigade particularly, on the performance of more labor in the construction and establishment of the chain of works of defense than had ordinarily been accomplished by like numbers in double the time since the general advance, etc., etc.

A few Confederate pickets and horsemen are daily visible with the aid of the glass on the high grounds toward Fairfax Court House, at a distance of two or three miles, from which direction they fired a few cannonballs at the Thirty-fifth on Saturday evening at sunset. They were 4i promptly" answered by a round shot from one rifled gun here — a waste of powder on both sides, probably.

Everything is quiet in this vicinity but the wind, which sounds hoarse notes on tent-flaps and sings shrill songs on a high key with foolscap. New York papers still find their way into camp, their astute disquisitions and reports of plans of campaigns and military operations being taken at a discount. It is not true, as they state, that Smith's division first stationed pickets at Falls Church, a duty assigned to Company "D”of this regiment and a few scouts of United States cavalry. The advance sentinel of the enemy on that occasion was a gallant old contraband shivering on horseback.

The ruins of no less than seven dwellings with their outbuildings, destroyed by incendiary torches, besides fences and barns partially demolished, present themselves to the eye of the beholder from our parade ground within the circuit of a mile—a vandalism which order loving soldiers are happy to hear the people and the authorities discountenance and reprobate, though some extenuating circumstances ought to be promulgated in connection with the verdict of popular condemnation and abhorrence. It must be recollected that volunteers have for several weeks been detailed to guard the property and homes of supposed loyalists against the depredations of soldiery on the borders, which duty is of course attended -with some risk of personal safety, and in a majority of cases these same " Unionists" have, Breckenridge like
when no further benefits were needed, availed themselves of the earliest opportunity to remove within the lines of the Confederates with information, aid, and comfort for the enemy, and all they could steal from that government which sought their protection. It was the duty of an advancing force, on September 28th, to search houses for pirates and contraband articles, and if strychnine, hams, and pork had no? been found on the premises of Major Nutt, his house and furniture would to-day remain intact, although he is now in the Southern service, working for the overthrow of the nation which formerly fed him in office.

The weather has been too pleasant of late for mortal combat: but the present bracing and wholesome atmosphere stimulates the general desire of the rank and file to reduce a battalion drill to practice, and each philanthropist longs for that national millennium when this broad land shall be inhabited by a wise and virtuous " people whose God is the Lord," who will appreciate the blessings of free institutions, and have sense enough to know when they are well off.

F. B.