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6th U.S. Cavalry: Barr letters #3

13 Monday Jan 2014

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The third and final Barr letter discusses the Confederate shelling of the cavalry camps between Westover and Harrisons Landing on July 31, 1862.  While I’ve seen several accounts of the incident that we included in our book, I don’t recall an account of the punitive expedition that crossed the river afterwards. Burning every house sounds like a bit of exaggeration.

It seems unlikely that this would be Barr’s last letter to the paper over the next two years of his enlistment.  At a minimum I would have thought the band’s detachment from the regiment and attachment to Pleasonton’s headquarters would have drawn comment.   I haven’t been able to locate any additional letters, however.

 

Columbia Spy     August 18, 1862                page 2

Head Quarters 6th U.S. Cavalry,

Harrison’s Landing, Va., Aug. 4, ‘62

 

Friend Spy,

Again I send you a few items of news, which I hope will be interesting to your readers.  War news have  been a little below par with us for some time.  On the night of the 31st of July, at about twelve o’clock, we were aroused from our peaceful slumbers by the booming of artillery.  We turned out of our tents in “double quick,” and found the shot and shell coming into our camp as thick as hail.  The Rebels had opened on us from the other side of the river, from five different points.  Every person was taken by surprise.  Soldiers and civilians were seen flying in every direction, filling up every safe place that could be found.  Some were in groups behind bales of hay, while others were behind trees; the firing was kept up for an hour, when they were finally compelled to retire, no doubt by the appearance of two or three gun-boats, which threw a few hundred pound shells in among them.  The only damage done in our camp was one horse killed, some few tents ripped, &c.; what was done to other camps I have not been able to hear, but it is supposed to be slight.

At 6 o’clock P.M., August 1st, two or three regiments of infantry, cavalry, &c., were landed on the other side of the river, just opposite our camp.  They had not been there many minutes until every house on the river bank was burned to the ground, the burning timbers and stone chimneys coming down with a crash.  The yelling of the soldiers could be heard for miles.

Today, August 4th, we have news from the other side of the river of the capture of some few prisoners, five pieces of artillery, and the destruction of a rebel camp.  Soldiers could be seen marching up and down the banks with turkeys, chickens, geese, &c., suspended from their bayonets.  Col. Tyler’s battery of five siege guns are now planted on the river bank, about two hundred yards in rear of our camp, which I think, will send them to the last hole if ever they try it again.  All is quiet at present along the river, the only enemies we have to contend with now are the flies and mosquitoes; they march in upon us in whole brigades, while “Old Sol” comes down with a vengeance.

I am told that “Bowery” is coming out with a company.  Michael, can’t you manage to send a keg of lager with him; and let him stop at the quarters of the 6th U.S. Cavalry Regimental Band? He will find the happiest set of boys he ever beheld.  Oh, whew! But it’s hot! And our friend Lewis Trodenick, is sweating as much as any of us.  Lewis is as jolly as ever, and has come to see the sights.

B.F.B.

6th U.S. Cavalry: Barr letters #2

07 Tuesday Jan 2014

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The second installment of the Barr letters covers the movement of the regiment from the York River side of the peninsula to Harrison’s Landing on the James River.

 

Columbia Spy     August 2, 1862   page 2

Head Quarters 6th U.S. Cavalry,

Harrison’s Landing, Va.,

July 15, 1862

 

Friend Spy,

Since my last letter, we have had to “skedaddle.”  Doubtless, your readers have heard of the  retreat , of a part of Gen. Stoneman’s forces, therefore, I think it is hardly necessary to give a full account of it, only, that we made good our retreat to Camp Hamilton, near Fortress Monroe, arriving there on the Fourth of July.  We remained there until the 11th, when orders were received to march to Fortress Monroe, arriving there at 7 o’clock A.M., we embarked on the steamer Thomas A. Morgan, one of the most beautiful boats now on the James River.  At 10 o’clock we left the dock and steamed up Hampton Roads.  On arriving at Newport News it began raining, making the trip very unpleasant.  About 10 miles above Newport News is Jamestown, which consists of some half-dozen houses, and the corner of an old church, which, it is said, has been standing since the first settlement.

When about five miles above Jamestown, we met a gun-boat, the Captain of which took up his trumpet and told our commander to keep his men low, as the Rebels were drawn up in line on the banks of the river.  That instant the boys were seen flying in every direction over the boat, filling every hole and corner that could be found, some rolled up in small heaps on the cabin floor, while your correspondent struck a bee line for the lower deck, expecting every minute to hear the dogs of war sending forth their missiles of death; but we passed unmolested.

Our gun-boats are shelling the banks every day.  A good many steamers coming up the river at present, have their pilots protected from the rebel sharp-shooters, who are lurking around the river, by placing bales of hay around the pilot-houses.

We arrived at our destination, at 5 o’clock P.M., disembarked, and marched to Harrison’s landing.  Business of every description is going on as lively as ever.  The songs of the contraband can be heard throughout the camp, as they pitch the “hard bake” and the “old jake,” from the boats.  Mr. Editor, we have a regular “Tow Hill” here, “Sawneytown,” nothing to compare to it.

On the 15th I paid a visit to Company K, of the 5th P.R.V.C., and found them all in good spirits; also the 23d P.V., who are now in the front.  Some I found busy throwing up entrenchments.  They think of nothing but success, under “Little Mac.”

Good bye,

B.F.B.

 

6th U.S. Cavalry: Benjamin F. Barr letters

02 Thursday Jan 2014

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The first post of the New Year will introduce the Benjamin Barr letters.  As noted elsewhere on this blog and in our book, the Mount Joy Brass Band was enlisted into the 6th U.S. Cavalry in toto by Stephen S. Balk in 1861 as the regimental band.  They were apparently very talented, as the band was detached by Gen. Pleasonton for service at Cavalry Corps headquarters, and remained there under Gen. Sheridan through the end of the war.  One of the members of the band, Benjamin Barr, wrote at least three letters home to the hometown paper, The Columbia Spy, during the war.  Thanks to Vince Slaugh for bringing these to my attention.

Benjamin Franklin Barr enlisted in the 6th U.S. Cavalry on October 15, 1861, at the age of 23.  He was born in Columbia, Lancaster County, Pennsylvania in 1837.  He was discharged at the expiration of his term of service at Strasburg, Virginia on October 15, 1864.

I have looked, but haven’t been able to find any information about the Bowery or Buck Beer.  Below is the first of the letters.

 

Columbia Spy     July 5, 1862         page 2

Headquarters 6th U.S. Cavalry,

In the Field, near Richmond, Va.,

June 22, 1862

 

Friend Spy,

None of the boys attached to the 6th U.S. Cavalry Regimental band has written one word to the Spy since their departure, so I take the liberty to do so. —

On the 28th of October, 1861, the Mount Joy Brass band, to which are attached three Columbia boys, viz: Barr, List and McAnall, was sworn into the United States service at Mount Joy and left for the war.  We are now encamped about eight miles from Richmond, close by a large pine woods, where the wood ticks are quite as numerous as the mosquitoes.  We are stopping to rest while Gen. McClellan is preparing a dose to be administered to the skulking scoundrels.

The invincible Sixth have been in the advance since the evacuation of Yorktown; we have been in several skirmishes and heard the whiz of shot and shell in close proximity.  The booming in front of Richmond foretells the downfall of the Rebel cause and its advocates.  This thunder is heavy and shakes the earth on which we lay.  Old Seth, or California Jo as he is called, is at his post picking the rebels from their guns with that coolness which he exhibited at Yorktown.  He is of the regular backwoods stamp: is about fifty years of age, his hair, which he parts in the centre, hangs down over his shoulders with very heavy whiskers which makes him look fierce.  He carries a Sharp’s rifle on which he places his dependence.  He is a hard looking chap — looks as though he has seen many hardships.  Your correspondent had a chat with him and heard him tell some very interesting stories about the rebels at Yorktown.  A hand, or anything that size, at a distance of a thousand yards is sufficient for his sharp eye, and it is very seldom he fails to hit his mark.  Jo has taken a dislike to the army of the Potomac on account of the “tarnal wood ticks.”

Mr. Editor they are worse than the itch.

They are about the size of a “bed-bug,” and when they get inot the flesh it is with great difficulty that they are extracted, often leaving their heads stick in your skin, which gets very sore.  We retire at eight o’clock thinking to get a good night’s rest: we are hardly asleep when away go the blankets and away goes the inmate.  In a moment the boys are all up to know the cause of the disturbance when we are told that a wood-tick is in the shanty.  Well, such faces you never saw.  You may know men aroused from their slumber would naturally d— the “tarnal critters.”  Our boys are healthy and enjoy soldiering very well.  There has nothing of importance transpired since the 14th of June.  At or about eight o’clock on the morning of the 14th, a messenger came galloping through the camp to Gen Cook’s [editor: Brigadier General Philip St. George Cooke, commanding the Cavalry Reserve] headquarters: in five minutes from his arrival the bugle sounded “boots and saddles.” Well, such flutter you never saw.

The report was that the enemy was in our rear, the command, “forward, Sixth Cavalry,” was given, so we struck off at a double quick towards Old Church, but we were too late, the rebels had gone by.  We laid there all night, and at three o’clock the next morning we were after them hot foot, but saw nothing of them, so we returned to camp on the 15th at three P.M., pretty well roasted.  After everything was fixed in its place, we partook of some refreshments which consisted of pork and beans, after which we took a smoke.  Whew! But it is hot!  We often wish for a glass of Bowery’s “Buck Beer.”  Everything is very quiet around here at present, with the exception of the booming of cannon at night, which keeps the boys gaping through the day from their loss of sleep.  There is a mail going out, so by-by, till the next time.

B.F.B.

Samuel M. Whitside letter, Part 2

07 Wednesday Aug 2013

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Remained on duty in the city till some time in the early part of March 1863, when we left the city for Baton Rouge and with part of the 19th Corps the General marched in the direction of Port Hudson while Admiral Farragut run by batteries of the Fort with part of his fleet.  On the next day after the fleet past the Fort the Army returned to Baton Rouge. About April 1st 1863 the General and Staff went to Brashar City where the army was in camp. An advance of the whole command was immediately ordered and the army moved forward in the direction of Fort Bisland about 10 miles from Brashar City on the Bayou Tisk.  Here we found the enemy in heavy force posted behind strong earth works on both sides of the Bayou. Our troops formed in line of battle and advanced on the enemy’s works and fought them until late at night in the morning we found that the Rebels had retreated. Our loss about two hundred, the enemy about the same. We followed the enemy about twenty miles above Alexandria on the Red River when the General countermarched his army and marched down the Red River to Morgansias on the Mississippi River where he crossed over the River to Bayou Sarah, and marched on Port Hudson, which place he attacked with his whole Army May 27th 1863, with a loss of nineteen hundred and ninety five men during the siege of Port Hudson. I was confined most of the time to my tent with a fever and a pain in my side. Surgeon Alexander, Medical Director of the Dept. advised me to go north on June 12th 1863.

At my own request I was relieved from duty as A.D.C. and ordered to report to the Adjt General of the Army at Washington July 2d by special orders from the War Dept. I was ordered to report to Genl Martindale, Mil. Governor Dist. Columbia, for duty on his staff. About Sept 21st I was ordered before the board at Annapolis Md. I was recommended for light duty. Some time in Oct I was again ordered to report to Genl Martindale for duty on his staff by special orders from the War Dept. About the last of Oct I was ordered to take charge of twenty five deserters and deliver them to the Provost Marshal at Cincinnati, Ohio. While in Cincinnati I was taken sick with the Varioloid and sent to Hospital in Covington, Ky. Where I remained until some time in Dec.

I returned to Washington and remained on duty until January 19th ’64, was then ordered to my regt Jany 22d, ordered to report to Genl Pleasonton, Comdg Cavly Corps Army of the Potomac March 1864. While returning from Culpepper to Hd Qrs, Cavly Corps one dark night on jumping a ditch my horse fell down and threw me with such force on the ground that it broke the collar bone of my right shoulder and fractured two ribs of my right side, March 14th ’64.  I was ordered to report to the Medical Director of Washington for treatment.

About March 22d I was by special orders from the War Dept Adjutant General’s Office ordered to Providence, R.I. as Mustering and Disbursing Officer. April 21st I was appointed A.C.M. for the State of R.I. and A.A.C.S. for the troops stationed in the state, which duty I have been performing ever since.  I have entirely recovered from the effects of the injury of my shoulder. In cold weather I am troubled with the Rheumatism in both of my shoulders.

I am General Very Respectfully

Your Obt Serv’t

Sam’l M. Whitside

1st Lieut. 6 Cavly

The rheumatism apparently didn’t slow Whitside much, as he continued to serve in the cavalry for decades after the war.  Among his many accomplishments, he established Fort Huachuca, Arizona, and as a major commanded troops of the 7th U.S. Cavalry at Wounded Knee in 1890.  A previous biographical sketch of Whitside with more information on his career can be found here.

Bates Letters, November 1861

26 Thursday Jul 2007

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Note: Charlie’s describing McClellan’s Grand Review in this letter, from a rather opportune vantage point. I hadn’t seen a description of the aqueduct bridge over the Potomac before this. I recall quite a number of troops using it for the move toward Manassas, so I was surprised to see it described as so small. I had two questions from this one that I’m hoping readers can answer. “Munson’s hill” was my best guess from his handwriting, I’m not sure where it’s located. Any ideas? What was “Frank Leslie’s” it sounds like some sort of news periodical, perhaps local to Connecticut where Bates is from?

Washington D.C.
Headquarters, 4th Regt Co “E”
Camp Nov. 21st, 1861
Dear Parents,

It is a long time since I have wrote to you, but the reason is I have had nothing to write about. We have the normal amount of rainy days and windy days, but yesterday there was something came off worth writing about. General McClellan reviewed over 70,000 troops. Our company was on the escort of the General so I had a good chance to see them as they passed by. The column started to pass in review before the General at half past twelve, marching two companies abreast, and it was five o’clock when the last went by. They all looked like “Regulars”, everybody was in their place, and what was stranger for Volunteers are generally not very military. Everyone kept time with the music ands looked to the “front” when they passed the reviewing staff. It was the largest column which ever passed in review either in this country or in Europe, and the best (underlined).

I caught an awful cold looking at them, but I would take two more if I could see another such a sight. Our company had the “distinguished honor” of escorting the General back to his Quarters after the review but I had rather not have the honor again. The review was beyond Munson’s (?) hill within three miles of the secesh (sic) pickets, and after it was over the General had to be about an hour telegraphing to different places before he started for home, but when he did start it wasn’t slow riding. We crossed the Potomac river on the Aqueduct bridge. It is fifty feet wide and there is only room for one man to pass at a time.

I saw somebody taking sketches of the staff and troops on the field so you will probably have a chance to see our company pictured out in Frank Leslie’s or Harper’s Weekly. Our position at the time he was taking the sketch was just behind the General, about twenty five yards from him.

I sent my likeness last week, I suppose you have got it. It looks exactly like me everybody says. Give my spects (sic) to all and tell them. I am going to sleep for a couple of hours. Goodbye.

Your Affect. Son,
C.E. Bates